Jeff Braverman co-founded Camp Nesher in November 1995, serving as sole Director after its first summer until his departure in October 2025, when he passed the baton to Associate Director, Johnny Shlagbaum. Under Jeff’s innovative and unique leadership style, Camp Nesher has developed as a premiere, modern orthodox overnight camp in North America, growing from approximately 150 total campers and staff in year one to over 800 present day. Of his myriad accomplishments as Camp Director, Jeff is especially proud of the role Camp Nesher played as a pioneer inclusion program with Yachad in 2001, Yachad B’Nesher, for which he received the National Jewish Council for Disabilities Community Leadership Award in 2003.
On the artistic side, Jeff has recorded four “albums” of original Jewish music, one solo and three as part of the duo “Shoresh” with musical partner, Jonathan Rimberg. He has also graced countless simcha bandstands as a singer and band leader. Always one to “mix things up” and keep as busy as possible, Jeff is “Host” at a leading Passover program in Fort Lauderdale, Fl and has been a chazzan for the High Holidays at a Buffalo, NY synagogue since he was 15 years old.
Raised in Montreal, Quebec, Jeff has spent his adult life in New Jersey where he has been active in the Jewish community, previously serving as a Board member at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston and President of Congregation Ahawas Achim B’nai Jacob and David in West Orange. He currently serves as a Board member at Yeshivat Noam in Paramus.
Jeff is super proud and appreciative of all his “camp-kids” but none more so than his three amazing children and their spouses!
