Meet Our Directors

Jason Hosiassohn has been part of the NJY Camps community since 2008, joining the full-time leadership team in 2014 and becoming Director of Cedar Lake Camp in 2021.

Jason grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and moved to Toronto, Canada at the age of 11. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies from Brock University. Over the years, Jason has held a wide range of leadership roles across NJY Camps. His first six summers were spent at Cedar Lake Camp, where he worked his way up to Assistant Director. In 2014, he transitioned to a full-time role, serving for seven years as Assistant Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah while also overseeing NJY Camps’ Pre- and Post-Camp programs, First Step, and Short Stay programs. In 2021, Jason became Director of Teen Camp before stepping into the role of Director of Cedar Lake Camp, where he has proudly led the community since.

Jason is a graduate of the JCC Association Merrin Teen Fellowship Program, a highly selective 18-month professional development program for leaders working with teens across the JCC movement. He brings passion, energy, and a deep love of Jewish camping to Cedar Lake Camp. His favorite part of camp is watching campers grow over the summers into confident, compassionate, and inspiring young leaders.

Jason lives in Caldwell, New Jersey with his wife, Talia, a registered dietitian who enjoys spending time at camp whenever she can, and their son, Shai, who was born in 2024. Outside of camp, Jason loves to travel and is a devoted sports fan—often spotted wearing gear in support of his beloved Montreal Canadiens.

Kelsey Kilduff has been a part of the NJY Camps family since the summer of 2022. A lifelong camp lover, she was thrilled to get back into the overnight camp scene. Kelsey worked at Camp Nah-Jee-Wah as the Division Head for Hannah during 2022-2024 and joined the full-time team at NJY Camps as the Assistant Director of Cedar Lake in the Fall of 2024.

Kelsey spent 8 years as a teacher in New York City. She began teaching elementary school, then moved up to teaching both middle and high school. Her career path reflected her move up from NJW to CLC. She has Undergraduate Degrees in Special Education and Theater, as well as a Masters Degree in Childhood Education. Kelsey holds multiple teaching certifications in New York including Special Education of all grades, Theater Education of all grades, and English grades 7-12.

Although Kelsey knew she wanted to be a teacher for some time, her camp dreams began when she was just 10 years old. After spending a two week session at her camp in Massachusetts, where Kelsey grew up, she went home to boldly tell her parents, “I want to be the director of a camp.” Now, she’s excited to live out her dreams at CLC.

Kelsey lives with her wife Eliana and cats Sookie and Lorelai. You will find Kelsey all over camp, both playing along and making sure staff and campers alike feel happy and supported. In her free time, Kelsey loves to travel, go support the NY Liberty at basketball games, and read. She is always counting down the days to summer!

Amanda Kramer has a lifelong passion for camp, and in particular Cedar Lake Camp. Known affectionately as “Kramer” by campers and staff alike, she has been an assistant director at Cedar Lake Camp since 2017, coming from a second-generation camp family. Kramer first attended NJY Camps in 2004 as a Nah-Jee-Wah camper and her three younger siblings would go onto follow in her footsteps as they all became camp lifers.

Kramer has been a staff member at CLC since 2010, beginning as an arts and crafts specialist. Originally from Livingston, NJ, she lives in Manhattan and teaches 5th grade in New York City. Kramer knew she wanted to be a teacher since she was eight years old, and feels fortunate that her profession allows her to return to camp each summer.

During any given day in the summer, Kramer can be found out and about, covering every square inch of camp, ensuring that each camper and staff member is supported and afforded what they need to be successful. There is no job too big or small for Kramer to lend a hand, and you will always find her with a smile. Outside of camp in her free time, Kramer loves to travel, read, and explore the many unique neighborhoods of NYC.

Rachel Synalovski is a lifelong member of the NJY Camps community, having grown up at camp alongside her family. Camp has always been an important part of her life, and she officially joined the Cedar Lake Camp staff in 2014, beginning her journey in the camp office.

During the year, Rachel lives in South Florida, where she teaches middle school social studies. She is grateful that her career allows her to return to Cedar Lake each summer and continue being part of a place that has always felt like her home away from home. Whether working behind the scenes or connecting with campers and staff, Rachel is proud to help support the Cedar Lake community and is passionate about creating meaningful, memorable camp experiences for the next generation.

Aryn Barer has been the Director of Round Lake since 2014. Aryn graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in child development and received her master’s degree in social work from Columbia University. Aryn has been at NJY Camps since 2009 and prior to joining the full-time team, Aryn worked several years as a school social worker. As the Director of Round Lake, Aryn brings together her love of camp with her passion for helping others. She feels privileged to guide the innovative inclusion model Round Lake offers, as it provides a program unique to the camping world. With the wholehearted support of the NJY executive team, Aryn initiated the development of Tzevet B’Yachad (a staff training program) and our inclusive TAC Israel trip.

Aryn has served on the board of her synagogue in many roles and is energized by the Jewish identity NJY Camps helps to nurture in their campers. She played on Team USA in the Pan Am Maccabiah Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina and in three World Maccabiah Games in Israel, where she met her husband Ken, a fellow American athlete. Aryn and Ken have three children, all of whom grew up as campers at NJY Camps.