Young Judaea
Meet the Sprout Westchester Staff!
At Sprout Westchester, our incredible staff is a dynamic mix of passionate teachers, energetic coaches, inspiring Jewish educators, and fun-loving counselors—all dedicated to making your camper’s experience unforgettable. They believe in the magic of camp and are on a mission to make a difference, one camper at a time!
Every member of our team goes through a thorough screening process, including face-to-face interviews, national background checks, and glowing reference checks. Before camp begins, staff participate in comprehensive training sessions, and throughout the summer, they receive ongoing feedback and evaluations to ensure the best experience for every camper.
With our small camper-to-staff ratio, each child receives the personal attention and support they deserve, creating a warm and nurturing environment where every camper can thrive.
Dena Lobel – Camp Director
Dena brings over 15 years of leadership in the Jewish nonprofit sector, with experience in programming, operations, and community engagement. She has served as Chief Programming Officer at the HES Community Center in Brooklyn and previously as Director of Camping Services at the Henry Kaufman Campgrounds in Rockland County. Dena’s passion for Jewish camping stems from her own formative experiences as a camper, and she has contributed to programs such as JCC Maccabi. She is thrilled to bring her expertise and enthusiasm to Sprout Westchester, creating meaningful experiences that inspire the next generation of Jewish leaders.
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.
Inbal Briskin-Pery – Program Director
Inbal oversees all camp activities, schedules, and specialty programs. She began her career at Camp Sprout Lake in 2012 and joined Sprout Westchester in 2018. Living in Moshav Beit Yitzhak, Israel, Inbal has served as an Israeli Shlicha to Jewish summer camps in the U.S. and Europe since 1998. She brings decades of experience, a deep love of camp, and joy to every day at Sprout Westchester.