Meet Our Directors

Jason Hosiassohn has been working for NJY Camps since 2008, in a full-time capacity since 2014, and as the Director of Cedar Lake Camp since 2021.

Jason grew up in Cape Town, South Africa and moved to Toronto, Canada at the age of 11. He received a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies from Brock University. During his many years at NJY Camps, Jason has worn countless hats. His first six summers were spent in Cedar Lake Camp, working his way to the role of Assistant Director. In 2014 he joined the full-time team and for the next seven years served as the Assistant Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah as well as directing NJY Camps’ Pre and Post Camp seasons, First Step, and short stay programs. In 2021, Jason moved to the role of Director of Teen Camp, and in 2022 he enjoyed an amazing first summer as the Director of Cedar Lake Camp.

Jason completed the JCC Association Merrin Teen Fellowship Program, a competitive 18-month program for professionals working with teens across the JCC continental movement. Passion, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for camp are among the many things that Jason brings to CLC. His favorite part of the camp experience is watching campers progress and grow into young inspirational leaders during their transformative summers.

Jason currently lives in Metuchen, NJ. He is married to Talia, a dietician, who enjoys spending time in the beautiful outdoors of camp whenever she gets the chance. In his free time, Jason loves to travel the world and is an avid sports fan. You’ll frequently find him wearing gear supporting his beloved Montreal Canadiens.

Stephen Root is the assistant director of Cedar Lake Camp, having started out at NJY Camps as a camper when he was 8 years old. Following his camper years, Stephen became a staff member at Cedar Lake Camp and spent a summer staffing the NJY Teen Camp Israel trip.

Stephen grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey, and graduated from the University of Hartford with a bachelor’s degree in business management. After spending a short period of time in the corporate world in 2021, Stephen realized he wanted to pursue a career connected to his deep passion for Jewish summer camp.

In his camp counselor days, Stephen worked in the Cedar Lake office, and was also a general counselor. In 2021, Stephen returned as a division head for what was supposed to be his final summer at camp, only to make the jump to joining the full-time team in early 2022 as the assistant director where he works closely with Jason to keep up the Cedar Lake tradition of excellence in Jewish camping.

Stephen’s outright love for camp shows every day and night as he works tirelessly to make sure that each day, week, month, and summer is better than the last. Around camp, you will constantly hear him rambling on about his favorite sports teams, his interest for travel, or any other conversation starter. What always remains true, however, is that Stephen lives and breathes Cedar Lake and cherishes the responsibility of making camp special for so many, like it was for him!

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 at the Ramaz School. 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.

Sam Kahn has been a part of the NJY Camps family since 2007. She came up through the system as a camper in Nah-Jee-Wah, Cedar Lake, and Teen Camp before returning as a staff member. Sam was previously a division head in Cedar Lake Camp, and more recently spent a summer as the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yedid Nefesh Fellow in which she was a social worker in Teen Camp. Sam moved into the role of Cedar Lake assistant director in 2023. During the off season, Sam works as a Middle School Social Worker on Long Island. She also teaches Hebrew School and coaches high school basketball. Sam is incredibly proud of the person that NJY Camps has helped her to become and can’t wait to return this summer.

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.