Meet our director
Camp Gan Israel of Austin is opening this summer with a new director! Menucha (Raskin) Levertov recently moved to Austin, and she is assuming responsibilities as director of the camp, together with her husband Rabbi Levi Levertov.
First - a little about you. When did you move to Austin? How do you like it here?
I moved here a couple of months ago, and I’m loving it! People are so nice and warm, and the city is just so beautiful, especially all the nature. It reminds me a lot of my hometown of Burlington, Vermont!
Were you surprised by this wintery weather?
I thought I moved to Texas :). I grew up skiing in Vermont and I love the snow, but they are definitely more ready for this weather up there.
What is your camp experience?
I’ve worked in many summer camps around the globe: Florida, California, Brazil, Slovakia, Ukraine, China, South Africa… I love travelling (if you can’t tell), and going to all those camps gave me the opportunity to work with many age groups and backgrounds, and to experience a variety of different styles.
That’s a lot of places! What do you feel you can bring to the camp in Austin?
I’ve heard so many good things about the camp here; they have amazing staff, a homey and warm atmosphere, and the kids love coming every day - and they don’t want to leave!
I’m very excited to build on that, and to integrate the best elements of the camps I’ve been to around the world. We are working on further upgrading the programming, finding new and exciting trips, and making the overall experience even more fun!.
What’s your plans for Covid-19?
No-one knows what the summer will bring - what the safety restrictions will be and what the world will look like. For now, we are preparing a fully Covid-safe summer camp, with outdoor trips and so on.
Last words?
Personally, I feel like summer can be an amazing time for children to shine in so many different ways. During the school year they are more limited to academic studies at their desks - especially this past year when so much of it was on the computer...
At Camp Gan Israel we give them the opportunity to delve into so many different areas - including art, drama, martial arts, sports - in addition to all the trips. It opens their horizons and allows them to shine and develop as adults and leaders.
More than anything - I’m excited to continue giving kids the best summer of their lives! Keep an eye out for our camp schedule to see the exciting summer we have planned!
First - a little about you. When did you move to Austin? How do you like it here?
I moved here a couple of months ago, and I’m loving it! People are so nice and warm, and the city is just so beautiful, especially all the nature. It reminds me a lot of my hometown of Burlington, Vermont!
Were you surprised by this wintery weather?
I thought I moved to Texas :). I grew up skiing in Vermont and I love the snow, but they are definitely more ready for this weather up there.
What is your camp experience?
I’ve worked in many summer camps around the globe: Florida, California, Brazil, Slovakia, Ukraine, China, South Africa… I love travelling (if you can’t tell), and going to all those camps gave me the opportunity to work with many age groups and backgrounds, and to experience a variety of different styles.
That’s a lot of places! What do you feel you can bring to the camp in Austin?
I’ve heard so many good things about the camp here; they have amazing staff, a homey and warm atmosphere, and the kids love coming every day - and they don’t want to leave!
I’m very excited to build on that, and to integrate the best elements of the camps I’ve been to around the world. We are working on further upgrading the programming, finding new and exciting trips, and making the overall experience even more fun!.
What’s your plans for Covid-19?
No-one knows what the summer will bring - what the safety restrictions will be and what the world will look like. For now, we are preparing a fully Covid-safe summer camp, with outdoor trips and so on.
Last words?
Personally, I feel like summer can be an amazing time for children to shine in so many different ways. During the school year they are more limited to academic studies at their desks - especially this past year when so much of it was on the computer...
At Camp Gan Israel we give them the opportunity to delve into so many different areas - including art, drama, martial arts, sports - in addition to all the trips. It opens their horizons and allows them to shine and develop as adults and leaders.
More than anything - I’m excited to continue giving kids the best summer of their lives! Keep an eye out for our camp schedule to see the exciting summer we have planned!
