October News from the Chi Family!
Can you believe we have not posted any Chi Family News since June? Along with an unforgettable summer at Chi, so much has happened in the Camp Chi Family and we are excited to fill you in on all the reasons to celebrate! Without further ado, here’s the October News from the Camp Chi Family.
Congratulations are due for Liz Robbins who was awarded the 31st annual Samuel A. Goldsmith Young Professional Award prior to the JUF Annual Meeting. Liz, the director of Camp Firefly and a member of the Camp Chi Alumni Committee, received this award which honors Jewish professionals whose exemplary performance in their work at a Jewish agency in the Chicago area has benefited the entire Jewish community.
Hard work and studying really does pay off- ask Leeor Zadaka. Leeor recently passed his NCLEX exam and became a registered nurse. To make things even better, he also accepted a position on the medical/oncology unit at Mayo Clinic as an RN. Way to go Leeor!
There have been a lot of b’nai mitzvot since our last news. So we want to wish a Mazel Tov to Dylan Schechter, Aaron Mages, TJ Weber, Hannah Toppel, Evan Unger, Talia Feinberg, Chloe Krasman, Levi Giles and Abigail Davis on their recent simchot.
If you are looking for a great baby gift for a chi alum’s child or a fellow member of the tribe, check out Chai Five Blankets founded by SIT of 2000, Ashley (Decker) Portman. These blankets may not be sold in the Canteen or Franteen, but you can scoop one up at www.chaifiveblankets.com .Please also show your support by liking Chai Five Blankets on facebook & following along on Instagram @chaifiveblankets as well!
Buckle up everyone! Grant Katzenstein and Blake Finkel both got their driver’s licenses, so watch out on the roads.
CampLeaders is one of our staffing partners, helping identify the best staff from all over the world and sending them to Chi year after year, and there is a strong history of the many Chi staff who end up working with CampeLeaders full-time. Lilla Lazar is the latest in a long line to join the CampLeaders staff, working in their Hungary office. Congrats Lilla! We look forward to continuing to work together.
From the ropes course to fatherhood, we are excited for Anthony Churchyard, who just welcomed a baby girl, Maya, to the family.
It is no secret that many of the Chi staff that go to college are active in the Greek life on their campuses. With such a strong contingent at the University of Illinois, it is no surprise that our staff tend to dominate the Greek life on the Urbana-Champaign campus. And the tradition continues! We are so proud of the newest members of SDT at U of I: Jillian Wolf, Rachel Mehlman, Zoe Robbins, Lauren Goodsnyder, Kylie Weiner, Kiki Rosenblatt and Ely London. Thanks for the photo, ladies!
Oy!Chicago and YLD released their annual 36 under 36 over the summer and Marni Sommerfield was recognized. Marni, the assistant director of recreation and summer programming at Keshet, is a friend of Chi and is instrumental in our strong partnership with Keshet. Congratulations Marni!
We are very proud of Dylan Rategan! Dylan and his hockey team recently won the Western Michigan Classics Championship.
This summer was a season of love for Chi! We are thrilled to congratulate David Kohn, Tom Parker, Nikki Silver, Michael Miller and Rachel Hirsch on their recent nuptials. We wish all of you a lifetime of love and happiness!
Speaking of love, it was exciting to hear that Becca Keene and Ben Klassman are engaged! Congratulations to both of you!
We have a future SIT! Franny Kaulentis (Weiler) recently had a baby girl, Emma James, and we can’t wait to meet her.
Next summer, we may have to use the title Mr. President at camp. That’s right- Adam Joseph recently was elected the 7th grade student council president at Highland Middle School. Way to go Adam!
Have news to share? We want to hear all about it, so be sure to submit it here.