Meet Our New Camp Director Karli Niehaus!

Hoda’ah – we have an announcement!

We’re beyond excited to share that Camp Solomon Schechter alum Karli Niehaus is returning home to Schechter, this time as our new Camp Director!

Karli brings incredible experience in childhood education, community leadership, and Jewish engagement, and she’s ready to bring her energy, creativity, and love for camp to this new role. We can’t wait to see Karli creating even more unforgettable summers filled with friendship, discovery, and Jewish joy. Please join us in giving a huge Mazal Tov and warm welcome home to Karli!

A letter from Karli:

Hi, I’m Karli Niehaus, and I’m so excited to join the team as the new Director of Camp Solomon Schechter!

Schechter has always been such a meaningful part of my life. I spent years as a camper (including my Oded summer in 2010), then returned as a counselor and Art Director. I also came back during grad school to support the camper care team, focusing on the social and emotional well-being of campers and staff.

I met my husband at camp (Josh Niehaus, long-time CSS Music Director, Assistant Director, and Director of Innovation), and now our two kids – our eldest, Jaylan, and his younger brother, Shaya – both share our love for Schechter, asking almost every time we get in the car, “are we going to Camp Solomon Schechter?” They’ve been crawling around the hill, splashing in the lake, and singing around the campfire with their dad on guitar since they were babies. Jaylan even attended his first family camp at just three weeks old. I also come from a proud multigenerational Schechter family. My dad and uncles were campers long before me, and served on the board during my years as a camper. Our family was honored last year at Schechter Spark in Seattle. 

Professionally, I bring over a decade of experience in education and community leadership, along with a Master’s in Education and a Board Certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. My work has always centered on creating spaces where kids feel safe, seen, and celebrated as they grow into confident, compassionate leaders.

In recent years, I’ve become especially passionate about ensuring the future pipeline of Jewish leadership, something that feels more important than ever. I truly believe Jewish camp plays a critical role in that. Camp gave me a place to explore who I am, to build Jewish pride and belonging, and to find my voice as a leader.

I’m honored to help carry that legacy forward, to make sure every camper and staff member feels the same magic, joy, and connection that shaped me, and to help build the next generation of strong, proud Jewish leaders.

I look forward to greeting you all at camp soon.

Sincerely,

Karli Niehaus

Karli will join the CSS team in December, and begin full-time in January 2026. Please join us in wishing her Baruch Haba – welcome!

We would also like to express our deepest gratitude for outgoing Camp Director Manda Graizel. We wish her nothing but success in all of her future endeavors.

Lastly – don’t forget to register for Summer Camp 2026! General Registration for new families begins next week on Wednesday, November 5 at 8:00 PM (click here to determine if your family is eligible for priority registration).

L’Shalom,

Zach Duitch

Executive Director