Our Team

Meet our leadership team. They are excited to connect with you!

Brad Cohen

Executive Camp Director
brad@edenvillagewest.org

Brad (he/him) believes in Jewish outdoor education, earth based Judaism, inquiry based learning and the incredible power of summer camp. He aims to build an intentional camp community that uplifts campers, staff, and families on their Jewish journey of life. Brad is a seasoned Jewish Educator who has held Senior programmatic roles at Baltimore Hebrew Congregation and Temple Emanuel-Denver. He has created such programs as: Family Jewish Outdoor Education, Teen hiking on the Appalachian trail, and a Food Justice tour of the Shenandoah Valley. Brad can be found spending time in nature, on the trail, or playing board games with his three kids (Elie, Zev and Livy) during the offseason. 

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Joe Schiff

Assistant Camp Director
joe@edenvillagewest.org

Joe (he/him) is an experiential educator with a passion for all things Judaism and all things nature. Joe loves being inspired by the beautiful world we live in. Whether it’s leading trips with Outward Bound Australia, climbing Mount Fuji in Japan, or having his hands deep in the Earth, you can be sure that when Joe is outside, he is in his happy place. After graduating from Northeastern University, traveling around the world and doing A LOT of backpacking, Joe found himself at Pardes Institute in Jerusalem.  It was there he nurtured a deep love for Torah and Judaism. Equipped with a Masters in Jewish Education and a Wilderness First Responder certification, Joe is ready to help others feel inspired by their world and/or their religion. If you need to find him, he is probably sitting in a hammock reading or playing board games with friends.

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Aubrey Golding

Program Director
aubrey@edenvillagewest.org

Aubrey (she/her) is an earth-guardian, passionate about inspiring future generations to continue the sacred duty of safeguarding the environment, and contributing towards making it a peaceful place. Through her work at camp, Aubrey aims to create a nurturing and enriching environment where every child can thrive on their personal journey of Jewish growth and discovery. A graduate of the dual-degree masters program in Jewish Nonprofit Management at Hebrew Union College and Public Administration at the University of Southern California, Aubrey has previously brought her expertise to roles in global advocacy at the American Jewish Committee of Los Angeles and in development at Hillel 818 in the San Fernando Valley. In the off-season, Aubrey can be found hiking to picturesque waterfalls, baking homemade vegan Challah, exploring the depths of Jewish mysticism, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle at the gym.

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Dr. Alena Coons

Community Care Director
campercare@edenvillagewest.org

Alena (she/her) Passionate about the synergy between wellbeing and nature, Dr. Alena Coons holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology along with a horticultural therapy certificate, bringing extensive experience to her understanding of the human psyche and the therapeutic advantages of the natural environment. Her doctoral research in East-West Psychology delved into the impact of renewal Judaism in farm-based settings. With a background in educational environments and crisis intervention, she strives to nurture the growth and development of young individuals. Advocating for holistic health practices and community wellbeing, Dr. Coons eagerly anticipates engaging with camp staff, families, and campers, fostering enriching experiences for all.

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