Meet Our Team

Executive Director

Zach Duitch

Zach is no stranger to Schechter. He spent a total of 15 summers at camp – 7 as a camper, 1 as an Oded, and 7 as summer staff ranging from counselor to the Assistant Summer Director. Zach has definitely kept busy since those lazy, hazy days of summer. He spent 17 years at the Stroum Jewish Community Center, beginning as a youth counselor in the after-school program and rising to the position of Director of Data Insights and Security Management. His leadership of the JCC’s summer day camp program increased attendance from 300 to over 1,200 campers annually. As Director of Programs and Services he engaged over 3,000 community members per year through innovative and creative programming and helped transform their dormant health and fitness program into a thriving business center.

Zach has been the Executive Director of CSS since December 2017. When asked what he loves most about camp, he enthusiastically responded, “Schechter is the most magical place on earth! Gaga, Shabbat, jumping off the high dive, double dare, endless shira (singing) sessions, Maccabiah (color wars), Yom Israel (Israel Day), the bullfrog croaking at night, the big dipper shining bright over the lake, toranut skits, degel (flag ceremony), friendships formed, and the counselors make this camp unique, special, and magical. I want every child to experience the MAGIC that I experienced at camp.”

When you see Zach at camp this summer, he will be joined by his wife, Jessica, and his two great kids (both CSS campers), Charley and Bayley. In addition to being a positive role model who loves working with today’s youth, he loves to play sports, work out, travel, eat sushi, spend time with his kids (hiking, swimming, biking, soccer, and art projects, to name a few), watch NETFLIX, and be a diehard Husky, Seahawks, M’s, Kraken, Sounders, and anything sports fan.

Senior Director of Operations

Jef Nobbe

Jef comes to camp with over 30 years of non-profit experience. While working on his BS in Math & Computer Education at Purdue University, he spent four summers working at the Flatrock River YMCA Camp in southern Indiana. He continued his studies at Purdue, receiving a Masters degree in Mental Health Counseling. Upon graduation, he moved to Seattle and worked directly with street-involved youth at YouthCare for five years before moving into fundraising and volunteer management. In 2001, he left YouthCare to become the Development Director of the Washington Poison Center, where he started the Mr. Yuk Fundraising Luncheon, increased federal funding to the center tenfold and worked diligently to increase public awareness of Mr. Yuk, the Poison Center services and the need for funding. In 2008, Jef was provided the opportunity to join the staff of Creative Activities/VSA Washington as their Associate Director. Creative Activities/VSA Washington provided art opportunities to people with disabilities across Washington State until it closed its doors due to the economic downturn.

Now part of the Camp Solomon Schechter team since 2011, Jef has seen, first hand, the transformative power of camp and how those experiences and memories positively impact campers and counselors alike years into the future. “I’ll never forget how it was okay to sing off key at the top of your lungs at a campfire with everyone merrily joining in simply because you were trying your best, or witnessing how engaged a camper would become when given some words of encouragement.“

Assistant Camp Director

Ruth Chaban-Kahn

Ruth “Ruthie” Chaban-Kahn is so excited to be joining the Camp Solomon Schechter family as the Assistant Camp Director! Ruthie is originally from Toledo, Ohio and spent her summers in Zionsville, Indiana at URJ Camp GUCI (Goldman Union Camp Institute) as a camper for 5 years, 3 years on staff as a camp counselor, 2 years on leadership in 2017 as the Assistant Administrator and in 2018 as the Assistant Camp K’ton Day Camp Director. After graduating from Shawnee State University Ruthie moved to Memphis with her now husband Daniel where she worked as an Assistant Pre-school teacher for the Memphis JCC Early Childhood Center for 2 years. After being away from the camp community for four years Ruthie came back and worked for the YMCA of the Pines; Camp Matollionequay and all girls residential camp, as their Assistant/interim Camp Director. 

Outside of camp you can find Ruthie spending time with Daniel; exploring Seattle, finding fun coffee shops, finding great local places to eat, working in a pottery class and singing; always singing! 

Ruthie can’t wait to meet everyone, singing loud and proud, dancing around and spreading the Schechter Rauch!

Assistant Camp Director

Josh Kittay

Yo yo yo what’s up Camp Solomon Schechter! After being a camper for 9 years, going through the oded program, being on staff for 3 years and head staff for 3 as well, I am excited to announce I have accepted the position of Assistant Director of Program and Logistics.  These 16 years have been fun-filled and memorable and I can’t wait to continue coming to camp not only during the summer but also year round.

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Josh Kittay. I am a recent graduate of Washington State University with a degree in Animal Science. I grew up in the Seattle area both attending and working at Congregation Beth Shalom and Herzl Ner-Tamid. I began attending CSS as a rising second grader and have never stopped. When I am at camp my favorite activities include playing gaga and walking the trails to the bog and the river. In addition to this, my favorite moment at camp is Havdallah at the end of Shabbat. My other hobbies off of camp include playing tennis, throwing a baseball around or hanging out with friends.

I am ecstatic to begin this next chapter of my life helping to continue the great legacy and traditions of Schechter. I am even more excited to continue to create more memories year round with all of you!

Development Director

Leah Conley

Leah has been working in Jewish educational leadership and community building for more than two decades in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Portland. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Literature from UCLA and her Master of Arts degree in Divinity from the University of Chicago. She believes that when we build Jewish communities of connection and belonging, we create the sacred environment where our best selves can unfold.

Leah grew up in Los Angeles immersed in the Jewish community. She attended Jewish day school and is a lifelong synagogue member, but nothing has been stronger in shaping her Jewish identity than Jewish camp, both as a camper and a counselor. She is so grateful to have found her way back to camp and is excited to become a part of the magical place where Judaism and joy are one. She loves playing guitar, knitting, running, travel, adventures, and being at camp! She lives in Portland OR with her husband, Josh, and two children, Elliot and Amelia, who are also Schechter campers.

Development Associate

Emma Waldman

Marketing and Communications Manager

Gabriel Laemmle

After nearly a decade spent working in independent film distribution and non-profit administration, Gabriel is excited to join Camp Solomon Schechter as its next Marketing and Communications Manager! Gabriel grew up at Camp Alonim in Southern California before relocating to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. If he’s not at the office or at camp, you can find Gabriel backpacking, skiing, or otherwise enjoying the outdoors with his wife Emily and their two dogs – Pico and Finn.

Retreats and Events Manager

Melissa Bloom

Melissa is a non-profit professional and seasoned event planner with over 25 years of experience. From intimate fundraisers to large-scale gatherings of over 450 guests, Melissa has a talent for crafting memorable experiences that engage and inspire. Whether it’s directing an annual tradeshow, spearheading a fundraising campaign that surpasses goals, or organizing impactful community events, Melissa brings creativity, organization, and a love for connecting people to every project.

A proud alumna of Camp Solomon Schechter, Melissa has a deep affection for the camp and its community, and she channels that passion into creating meaningful events. Her educational background—an MBA in Non-Profit Management, a Master’s in Jewish Communal Studies, and a Bachelor’s in Jewish Studies from American Jewish University—provides a solid foundation for her mission-driven work.

When she’s not planning her next big event, you might find her exploring nature on hikes with her husband Oren or baking and cooking up a shabbat feast. 

Head Chef

Frank Marmo

Originally from San Diego, Frank attended the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco in the mid-80’s and has worked in the San Francisco Bay area, Los Angeles, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. With experience in a wide range of concepts from small scratch kitchens, fine dining, resorts, and large venues (including B.B. King’s Blues Club, Wolfgang Puck’s California Pizza Café, Il Fornio at Levi’s Plaza, and 49 Degrees North Ski Resort). Chef Frank brings over 40 years of hospitality experience to camp.

Building a new food & beverage program from the ground up is the goal. We will be re-crafting menus to include vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and other dietary choices to accommodate campers more sophisticated and health conscience diets. We will, of course, be keeping the camp favorites . . . after all, what is camp without grilled cheese and tomato soup day?!?

We are also turning the clock back a bit and making more items in-house. We’ve started a small baking program, making our own challah, cupcakes, and birthday cakes for campers, as well as some other scratch dessert choices. When we make the food here, we know what goes into it, and we control the quality and variety of our menus.

Frank and his wife, Susan, moved to Lacey WA from the Spokane area in 2019 with their menagerie of pets: Punkin’ Pie, Muffin, Fluffy, Moose, and Abbey.

Sous Chef

Karen Nelson

After 20 years as a social worker, Karen made the transition into the culinary world. A graduate of the Seattle Culinary Academy, she has worked in some of Seattle’s top restaurants and catering companies. Her culinary journey expanded further when she joined the instruction team at FareStart, a program that supports adults reentering the workforce, and later served as the private chef at an exclusive wellness facility.

Karen owned and operate her own catering business, offering private chef services in the Seattle area. In 2021, she moved to Olympia to be closer to her extended family, which led her to us here at camp. With an extensive background in special diets, Karen is always eager to connect with guests and ensure everyone feels welcome and well-cared-for.

When she’s not in the kitchen, you can find Karen volunteering, playing with her two dogs, Ace and Rylie, or enjoying the back deck with Pete, her partner and the other half of her heart.

Director of Osprey Camp

Kat Gonella Manley

Hey there, I’m Kat! I came to Osprey with over a decade of experience in large-scale summer camp operations, most recently as the summer camp director for Girl Scouts Heart of Central CA. As the director of Osprey Camp, my goal is every student in Washington receives a safe, progressive, and educational overnight outdoor camp experience. I moved to the PNW to pursue a Masters in Educational History/Philosophy at the University of Washington, where I researched the settler-colonial history of summer camps and how this historical context informs modern camp practices and traditions. I originally hail from the Central Valley of California – the stewarded lands of the Sierra Miwok and Patwin tribes since time immemorial. Growing up here granted me a lifelong love affair with tomato vines, sunflower fields, and giant oak trees. I can’t wait to meet you when you come to camp!

Program Director of Osprey Camp

Steph Waugh

Hello! My name is Steph and I am the Program Director at OSPREY Camp! Originally from Texas, I spent the last six years living in Boston while attending college and working. I have had a wide range of unique experiences that all led me to joining the OSPREY Camp team. At my previous job, I worked at a psychiatric hospital helping teenagers cope with their emotions and building plans for future success. This experience taught me how to effectively navigate crises and build strong connections with teens. I’ve also worked as a camp counselor at Girl Scouts in high school, taught English and engineering to students in a rural town in India, and taught therapeutic principles to teens struggling with mental health. I am passionate about education in non-traditional settings because I believe it offers amazing opportunities for social and emotional growth. Over the years, I’ve also taken seasonal jobs that allowed me to connect with the outdoors, most recently in Alaska and Utah. These experiences gave me a deep appreciation for nature and for environmental stewardship. Outside of work, I enjoy ceramics, tai chi, hiking, and board game playing! I am so excited to meet you at OSPREY Camp!