Meet the Beber Camp Summer 2026 Community Care Team
Thank you for sharing such thoughtful information with us in your forms to help prepare for the upcoming summer. The health and wellness of our campers is our number one priority, and the forms you have completed play a crucial role in the care we provide.
We want to introduce the Beber Camp Community Care Team. These incredible individuals are here for you, ready to answer your questions and help you and your camper gear up for camp.
Health Center
Jennifer Garson - 1st Session Health Center Administrator
This will be Jen’s 8th summer at Beber working in the health center and her third summer as Health Center Administrator. Jen is a physician assistant at Rush University Medical Center Cancer Center in Chicago, where she has worked for the past 18 years with patients who have blood cancers. She is also a mom to Beber camper Sylvie (15 years old, 8th year camper), Miles, and a 3.5-year-old Sheepadoodle named Jeff. When Jen is not traveling with her kids for hockey, lacrosse, and figure skating, she enjoys long runs. Contact Jen at Jen@bebercamp.com.
Alix Hoekzema - Second Session Health Center Administrator
This will be Alix’s 6th year supervising the second-session medical team, and her 18th summer at Beber. She has been a camper, counselor, challenge course director, and division leader. Alix has a master’s degree in Speech and Hearing Science and is a speech pathologist, working with children for over 10 years in schools, private practice, and medical settings. She is the mother of three young daughters and is passionate about working with kids and helping them achieve their goals. She is excited to return again this summer! During the second session, you can reach Alix at alix@bebercamp.com.
For any medical questions prior to the second session, please email Trudy or Maya.
Maya Levine - Head Nurse
This will be Maya’s 22nd summer at camp. Maya was a camper at Beber and has worked for us as a counselor, division leader, and nurse. She has a doctorate degree in nursing and is a Nurse Practitioner, working at Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Maya reviews all the camper and staff medical forms (health history, physician examination, and immunization records) and communicates that information to our health center staff so that they are able to provide quality care to our campers. She will contact parents as she reviews forms if she has any questions. If you have any information or questions about your child’s medical needs, please contact Maya at maya@bebercamp.com. She’ll be happy to schedule a phone call with you.
Inclusion
Jack Bender – Director of Inclusion/ Community Care Coordinator
Jack is thrilled to return for his 16th summer at Beber Camp and his 11th summer working with the Inclusion program. A lifelong Beber camper, Jack has always cherished his summers on Lake Beulah. He holds teaching licenses in both Elementary and Special Education and teaches 7th grade Language Arts at a middle school in Fitchburg, WI during the school year. At camp, Jack oversees the Yad B’Yad Inclusion Program, ensuring that campers and assisted staff of all abilities can enjoy a welcoming, inclusive camp experience. Jack can be reached at jack.bender@bebercamp.com.
Lilah Ephraim – Inclusion Supervisor
Lilah is beyond excited to be back at Beber for her 16th summer. After a year abroad, she is looking forward to being back at camp, where the sun is always shining, for her 5th year working with the Inclusion team. Lilah recently graduated college with a degree in special education and is enthusiastic to enter her first years as a teacher. While at camp, Lilah supervises and collaborates with the Yad B’ Yad inclusion team to create fun, successful, and welcoming summers for all of Beber’s campers and assisted staff. Lilah can be found at lilah.ephraim@bebercamp.com.
Community Care Professionals
This summer we have an amazing team of community care professionals who are here to help our campers, staff, and families. If you would like to be connected with one of our professionals prior to camp, email Debbie@bebercamp.com.
Michelle Bornstein-1st Session Community Care Professional - (TLP)
Michelle is a former Beber camper returning after many years to work as a community care professional. During the year, she works as a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice. She attended Northwestern University for undergraduate (Go 'Cats!) and graduate school in Los Angeles. She worked as a psychologist in NYC for several years before returning to her hometown of Louisville, KY. Michelle's passions are traveling to Latin America and learning Spanish. Michelle can be reached at michelle.bornstein@bebercamp.com.
Frannie Goldwin- Community Care Professional- (Ramot)
Frannie is excited to return for her 6th summer as a community care professional. Frannie has a Master of Arts in Social Work from the University of Chicago and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). She is an elementary school social worker and also works in a private therapy practice in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Frannie has experience supporting and empowering children from preschool through high school across various stages of social-emotional development. Outside of work, Frannie enjoys cheering on her two active daughters during soccer, laughing and dining out with her energetic, sports-obsessed husband, and volunteering for various community organizations. Her favorite camp hobbies include paddleboarding and jogging. Frannie can be reached at frannie.goldwin@bebercamp.com.
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Alec Hopmayer - Community Care Professional- (Kesher)
This is Alec's third summer at Beber, and he's thrilled to return to the community care team. One of his favorite memories from last year was sitting with campers during GA, swapping stories and hearing about their days. After several years as a stay-at-home dad, Alec returned to school and is pursuing a Master's in Social Work at Northeastern Illinois University. Originally from the northern suburbs of Chicago, he earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Denver and spent many years living in Colorado. While raising his kids, Alec started a dads' group focused on intentional and mindful parenting. He has two sports-obsessed kids: one in figure skating and the other in hockey. When he's not studying or shuttling between ice rinks, Alec enjoys baking, cooking, spending time outdoors, and binge-watching lousy television. He's looking forward to returning to Beber, hearing what the campers have done since last summer, and stand-up paddleboarding and waterskiing. You can reach Alec at alec@bebercamp.com.
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Stefani Pollack- Community Care Professional- 1st Session (Makor)
Stefani is thrilled to join the Beber Camp team for her first summer as a Community Care member for Makor! A Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Stefani earned her Masters in Social Work from the Jane Addams College of Social Work at UIC. Currently a school social worker, she brings extensive experience supporting the social and emotional growth of early childhood, elementary, and middle school-aged children. Off the clock, Stefani stays busy with her husband, Brad— this summer’s Aquatics Director—and their three daughters: Zoey (12), Lila (10), and Ayla (7). With all three girls attending Beber this year, the whole family is ready for an unforgettable summer! Stefani is eager to dive into camp life and try all the fun activities. You can reach her at stefani.pollack@bebercamp.com.
Rachel Losoff- Community Care Professional- 2nd Session (Makor)
Rachel is excited to join Beber for her third summer as a community care professional in Makor. Rachel is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist. She has worked as a school psychologist in schools and is currently working as the department chair/faculty of a School Psychology graduate program at The Chicago School. Rachel has experience helping kids with social, behavioral, or academic issues using an ecological and solution-focused approach. She is trained in cognitive behavioral therapy. When Rachel is not working, she is a mom to three kids, all of whom will be at Beber this summer: Elliot (13), Gabe (10), and Penny (7). Her husband is also a psychologist, and he will be visiting on the weekends. Rachel is looking forward to spending time at camp and is especially looking forward to kayaking, ropes course, Israeli dancing, and arts and crafts! Rachel can be reached at rachel.losoff@bebercamp.com.