Meet Our Directors

Meryl began her tenure with the MJCCA in 2005. She has been an instrumental member of the MJCCA Day Camps team, serving as registrar and director of operations prior to advancing to the director role. A lifelong camp person, Meryl views her overnight camp experiences as some of the most influential in her life. She graduated from the University of Georgia with a BS in Business Administration. She and her husband have three wonderful children, Nathan, Zachary, and Emily, and a dog and two cats.

Abbe has worked in Jewish nonprofits for over 14 years, including four years as a Camp Director at JCC Chicago. Her favorite camp activity is Color War/ Maccabi Games, as she loves any excuse to dress up in a tutu! Abbe began her JCC journey as a preschooler at The Sunshine School at Shirley Blumenthal Park. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and studio art from Indiana University. She lives in Dunwoody with her family. Her sons, Landon and Jayson, attend The Weinstein School, bringing her connection to the JCC full circle!

Angela started working at MJCCA Day Camps in 2017 as a camp counselor, then unit head, then unit head supervisor. She also worked as the Curriculum Coordinator for Club J before becoming Assistant Director of CIA. Angela loves creating programming that fosters camper creativity. She grew up in Stone Mountain, GA, and graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor of Music Performance for viola. A fun fact about Angela is she plays viola as a member of the Georgia Philharmonic!

Stephanie has worked with The Lynne & Howard Halpern Drama Camp since 2012. She has a BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University and studied at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. As a performer, director, and educator, she has worked professionally in theaters in Atlanta, Boston, New York, Edinburgh, and London. She is dedicated to theater education and tirelesslyseeks to challenge, enlighten, and inspire children through the arts. Stephanie lives in Sandy Springs with her husband, Joe; their new baby boy, Louie; and their fabulous dog, Harpo Barx!

Bekah, aka Ms. Lemonade, has worked at MJCCA’s drama camps since the summer of 2015. She has a BFA in Musical Theatre from Young Harris College and completed a professional acting internship with Georgia Ensemble Theatre. From working as a character performer at Disney World to film and theater work in the Atlanta area, Bekah has a passion for theater, especially working with young actors and audiences. Her favorite things are Braves baseball, road trips, salt-n-vinegar chips, and her perfect cat, Mouse.

Elissa is The Weber School’s Director of Theatrical Education & Community Programming. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Education from The University of South Florida and a Master of Education in Interdisciplinary Arts from Nova Southeastern University. She has worked at DeKalb School of the Arts, The Galloway School, Woodland High School, and Pope John Paul II High School. She was actively involved in Florida State Thespians and the South Florida Cappies Program, was awarded the Teacher’s Creative Innovation Award in 2018, and was recognized with Critics Choice Thespian Honors.

Meredith has worked for more than a decade, teaching, directing, and producing innovative dance experiences for youth and adults alike. She served as Assistant Director and Company Director at Dancefx Atlanta, where she oversaw studio operations and led youth and adult companies in classes and performances. She previously worked as an Adjunct Professor of Dance at Reinhardt University and also currently serves on the University of Alabama’s Dance Advisory Board. She holds an MFA in Choreography from Reinhardt, a Certificate in Business Management from Emory University, and a BA in Dance from the University of Alabama, where she graduated with honors.

MK is a dedicated camp director for all things Theme, Teen, Tech, and Travel. Since 2020, MK has been a proud member of the MJCCA team, contributing to the Club J After-School Program, Kid Zone, curating birthday parties, and leading art and acting classes for our members. No matter the program, she enjoys creating memorable experiences and fostering a creative spirit. Born and raised in Columbus, GA, MK holds a bachelor’s degree in acting from Pace University NYC and brings a touch of creativity and wonder to every day. Outside of work, MK loves acting for film and TV, spending time with her friends and family, and enjoying the great outdoors.

Lisa has been leading cooking theme camps for MJCCA Day Camps since 2019. She has worked at educational nonprofits with culinary arts programs to develop opportunities for culinary outreach and workforce development. She attended the University of West Georgia, where she studied international business and French and The Art Institute of Atlanta, where she studied culinary arts management. Lisa loves sharing her passion for cooking with new campers each year!

Jammie has been with the MJCCA since 2004, holding various roles throughout that time including Membership Manager and Registration Team Leader. The Snellville native’s love of sports brought him to the world of travel baseball at a young age and he continued to play competitively through high school. In his free time, he enjoys pickleball, hiking, and dominating the MJCCA staff Fantasy Football league!

Steph brings energy, over 20 years of camp experience, and plenty of team spirit to her role at camp! When she’s not at camp, you can find her playing softball and pickleball with friends or throwing the frisbee for her dog. Steph loves the excitement of each camp week, from jumping into a game of four square to Friday Shabbat. Her favorite part of all is carpool, where she gets to greet campers and families with a big smile and hear all about their day.

Misha’s knowledge and experience has allowed her to travel across the world playing basketball, coaching, and training. Misha was born in Iowa and grew up in Virginia Beach, VA. In her free time, she enjoys working out, drawing, painting, shopping, and watching movies. She looks forward to helping campers excel in all their athletic endeavors.

Daniel is a Sports Coordinator at the MJCCA, where he uses his background in youth development, psychology, and athletics to create engaging and inclusive camp experiences. A graduate of Davidson College with a degree in psychology, Daniel has spent years working with children in both sports and camp settings. Outside of camp, Daniel is a music producer who values creativity and collaboration. He brings that same passion for connection and inspiration to camp, ensuring every camper feels supported, engaged, and confident.

Linda has a 30+ year background coaching gymnastics through Level 10, and has coached numerous Texas State, Regional, and National Champions. She joined the JCC and Perimeter Gymnastics last summer as the Gymnastics Manger. Previously, she has been the director of LSU’s youth gymnastics program and coached competitive teams at the highly successful Houston JCC gymnastics program. Linda is a certified USAG judge and travels around to judge meets and competitions.

Courtnay is an experienced team coach who has been with Perimeter Gymnastics for five years. She began coaching as junior staff at her home gym and progressed into coaching recreational classes and team practices. For 18 years, she has coached teams through USAG Level 2–6 and Xcel Bronze through Platinum. A Level 8 gymnast, she was also an All-American cheerleader and dancer, which contribute to the excellent choreography she creates for floor and beam routines.

Adam began working at the MJCCA in 2013. He is USPTA and USPTR certified, a gold member of the Wilson Advisory Staff, and a member of the GPTA. He was born and raised in Charlotte, NC. He was a high ranking junior tennis player before winning the North Carolina State High School Doubles Championship. He played Division 1 Tennis at North Carolina State University. He enjoys playing competitive tennis and going to the movies.

Rob has been teaching tennis for over 35 years, is a member of USPTA and USRSA, and has been on the Volkl National Tennis Sponsorship Team. He was born in Omaha, NE (he’s a big Husker fan), but spent many of his formative years in Maine. He moved to Georgia to attend North Georgia College, where he played soccer and tennis and earned a degree in physical education. When not on the courts, Rob enjoys spending time with his two boys.

After graduating from Dunwoody High School, Rusal began his storied tenure at the Marcus JCC of Atlanta, starting with Camp Isidore Alterman. Over the years, Rusal has made an impact in a variety of roles and departments including security, membership, fitness, Club J, and customer service. Throughout all his time at the MJCCA, pickleball was a constant. He fell in love with the game and spread the joys of pickleball to all members he worked with. We are thrilled to have him share his pickleball experience with campers this summer!

With over a decade of experience in tennis and pickleball, Michael is dedicated to helping players of all levels achieve their goals on the court. Born and raised in Alpharetta, GA, Michael is a former top-ten U18 doubles player and a passionate pickleball expert. He brings a creative approach to teaching and looks forward to expanding the game at the MJCCA.

Sarah began working at MJCCA Day Camps in 2014, holding several positions including Special Needs Teen Camp Coordinator and Inclusion Director. Now, as the Director of the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs, she oversees the Camper Success & Inclusion Teams. Sarah is a native of Atlanta and attended preschool at The Weinstein School. She graduated from the University of Georgia in 2016 with a degree in human development and disability studies. After graduation, she was a neurological development teacher at Jacob’s Ladder School in Roswell. Sarah lives in Dunwoody with her husband, Danny, daughters Maddie and Harper, and dog, Cocoa.

Bobby grew up attending, and then working at, Camp Barney Medintz, where he was a counselor and unit head for campers with special needs. After receiving his BA in Psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies from New York University, Bobby returned to Atlanta. During the year, Bobby is the Adult Programming Manager for the Blonder Family Department for Special Needs, where he runs recreational programs for adults with varying disabilities. Bobby has been involved with MJCCA Day Camps since he was a camper at age 11 and is so excited for another summer working with the Camper Success Team!

Becky joined the MJCCA Day Camps Team in Summer 2025 after retiring from 13 years of teaching. Her favorite camp memories from childhood include making friendship bracelets, fishing, and learning camp songs and dances. Becky also served as a counselor for several summers at Camp Twin Lakes, working with campers with special needs. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Public Relations from the University of Georgia. She lives in Dunwoody with her husband, Shawn and has two grown children, Georgia and Eclipse. Becky has a passion for helping children feel a sense of belonging and wants kids to thrive being completely themselves.