Young Judaea
Rachel Bloom – Camp Director
Rachel graduated from the University of Delaware with a degree in Organizational and Community Leadership. Rachel first fell in love with camp as a 3 year old, attending day camp and continuing up through sleep away camp. Never missing a summer, as a teenager she worked as a counselor at Elmwood Day Camp before becoming a unit head at URJ Eisner Camp. After college she worked at the UJA Federation of New York first in the development department, until she joined the learning department to plan and facilitate professional development opportunities for staff.
Since camping is her true passion, Rachel most recently held a role with a visa sponsor recruiting and interviewing international participants, and working alongside camp directors to connect them with the best counselors. When Rachel’s not at camp, you can find her running along the east river, on the field with her kickball team, abroad exploring a new city, or spending time with friends and family!
Helene Drobenare – Executive Director
Helene Drobenare, MSW, MA, holds a Master of Social Work from Yeshiva University and Master of Administration in Organizational Change Management from the New School of Social Research. Helene has been working with youth for 20 years. She grew up in BBYO and went on to work in their leadership camp programs at Perlman and Beber camps. She has also served as the coordinator for the March of the Living program, and the director of programs for Masada Israel Summer Programs. Helene lived in Israel for four years where she worked for TRACKS Adventures as Director of Youth Programs & Marketing. Helene has spent years committed to improving the lives of children in Africa through her volunteer work in South Africa and Tanzania. Helene has served as the director of Young Judaea Sprout Camps since September 1999.
Randy Topper – Director of Camper Care
Randy Topper, LMSW, was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He earned a BA in Theatre Performance from Wayne State University, and then he moved to Brooklyn to pursue a career as an actor. After touring the country for 3 years performing with many different companies, he decided to take on his favorite role to date, that of Daddy!
Randy now lives in Staten Island with his wife and two children. He is an LMSW, and works as the Thrive counselor at PS 59 The Harbor View School. Randy has been in the Jewish Camping world for over 20 years and is thrilled to be part of the Sprout Brooklyn Community!
Adina Lerner – Director of Office & Communications
Working with children since she was a teenager, Adina Lerner graduated with MSEd from Hunter College in NYC and taught elementary and middle school in the NYC DOE for several years. Adina had an official career switch after having children and is now a Brooklyn based family and simcha photographer. She’s been featured on News 12 Brooklyn, Yahoo Lifestyle and NY Metro Parents for her work.
Adina wears a couple of different hats at Sprout Brooklyn,but there’s a good chance you’ll find her leading the ‘Zahav’ dance at some point during the day.
As a proud parent of two happy Sprout Campers, Adina loves spending her summers at Sprout Brooklyn and working with Camp year-round to engage and connect with the community. She loves all things camp and all things Jewish.
Adina lives in Park Slope with her husband Eric, kids Isla and Judah, and dog, Smokey.
Summer Leadership Team:
Enrolled Camp families will be sent summer contact information for other leadership team members such as Transportation, Health, Programming, Unit Directors and more.
Not sure where to start? Contact us at info@sproutbrooklyn.org.