People of Eden Village

Founding Directors

Yoni Stadlin, a passionate and talented educator, activist and community builder, founded Eden Village Camp in 2008 with his wife, Vivian Lehrer Stadlin. In 2010, the Jewish Week recognized Yoni and Vivian as two of the “36 under 36” (the 36 most influential Jewish leaders under the age of 36). Yoni holds an M.A. in Informal Jewish Education from the Jewish Theological Seminary, and directed the 92nd Street Y's science and nature day camp for two years, where he garnered rave reviews from campers, parents and staff. He is a veteran educator for the Teva Learning Center, the country’s leading Jewish environmental education program. Yoni has taught Judaism and environmental justice internationally with the American Jewish World Service, taught environmental science from an educational sailboat on which he lived, co-organized earthquake relief trips to India and Turkey, and led Birthright Israel trips. In 1999 and 2006, Yoni spent several months living aloft in ancient redwood trees that were slated to be cut, as an environmental protection initiative. Today, those trees are alive and well. Yoni has a natural gift for sharing his vision, leading raucous song sessions and connecting with people of all ages.

Vivian Lehrer Stadlin grew up in Jewish and outdoor camps and believes in camp's power for good. She graduated from Columbia University and Columbia Law School, carried out a two-year legal fellowship at the Urban Justice Center, served as adjunct professor at Boricua College, and led Jewish service-learning trips for teens in Israel and New Orleans. Her interest in wellness led her to attend the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, and she brings a holistic perspective to Eden Village. She is thrilled to help create an experience for campers and teens that is fun, dynamic, and, just maybe, life-changing.

Staff

Ilya Shmulenson
Year-Round Programs Coordinator and Operations Manager
ilya@edenvillagecamp.org

Ilya recently completed a Master of Education degree at the University of Washington where he focused on curriculum development and instruction in informal education settings. As part of his degree, he was an environmental educator at IslandWood, an environmental education center outside of Seattle. He received his B.A. in Anthropology from Hunter College-CUNY and his interest in primate behavior and conservation evolved into an interest in bridging the gap between the scientific community and the lay public. Ilya is excited to work for both Eden Village Camp and the Jewish Farm School to help create meaningful, experiential education experiences.

Jenn Baumstein
Program Coordinator
jenn@edenvillagecamp.org

Jenn joins Eden Village after a journey that's taken her through farms, camps, schools, and local-food nonprofits. Jenn graduated from Brown University with a degree in International Health and Environment, where she focused on sustainable food systems and immersed herself in Western African traditions, including Ghanaian Drumming. She helped to bridge the gap between the food grown in Rhode Island and the folks who ate that food, both as a student leader and later as an AmeriCorps VISTA. Most recently, Jenn married her love for food, education, and camp as the garden manager at Camp Killooleet, in Hancock, Vermont, and is excited to do the same (and more!) here at Eden Village. When not at camp, you can find Jenn singing with friends, hiking around camp, and working on her night vision.

Becca Linden
Business Manager
becca@edenvillagecamp.org

Becca Linden graduated from Wesleyan University with High Honors, and is now finishing an MPA at the Wagner School for Public Service and an MA in Jewish Studies at NYU. Becca comes to Eden Village having most recently worked in development for the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, and as a researcher for the Natan Fund and the Jewish Teen Funders Network. Becca recently founded a democratic giving circle philanthropy for her extended family of 150 people through the PresenTense Fellowship, and now serves as the chair of its board. A native of Charlottesville, Virginia, Becca loves to sing gospel music and to play bluegrass on her viola. As someone who has experienced many summers of the power and potential of summer camp to bring out the best in kids (and perhaps the world?). Becca is thrilled to build on the strengths of Eden Village Camp, and can't wait to help to create many summers of the deepest joys.

Our Farm Staff

Nati Passow
Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Jewish Farm School
nati@jewishfarmschool.org

Nati is a writer, carpenter and educator living in Philadelphia. From 2005 to 2007 Nati ran an award-winning garden construction program for the Urban Nutrition Initiative at University City High School. He enjoyed two seasons at the Teva Learning Center and has continued to work for Teva as a curriculum writer. Nati has studied sustainable building design and natural building and is a certified Permaculture designer. Nati holds a B.A. in Religion and Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a recipient of the Joshua Venture Group Fellowship for Jewish social entrepreneurs.

Sarah Brown
Farm Director
sarah@jewishfarmschool.org

Sarah received a B.A. in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University where she focused on understanding the complexity of food deserts and sustainable food systems. In 2007, she lived in a community on Findhorn Ecovillage in Scotland, which inspired her to spend the next five years studying, traveling and learning how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. In her journeys, Sarah accumulated ample crew and management experience on organic farms in Michigan, Connecticut (as an Adamah fellow), California and in the Hudson River Valley of New York. As a child Sarah attended Habonim Dror Camp Tavor, later spending five years on staff and as the Camp Director. She loves to grow, harvest, dance and eat delicious food with intention and community.

Jonah Adels
Lead Educator
jonah@jewishfarmschool.org

Jonah is a farmer, filmmaker, and environmental educator. He holds a B.A. in both Film and the History of Science from Bard College, and has taught documentary filmmaking in Portland, OR and Khatmandu, Nepal. After bicycling across the subcontinent of India, Jonah devoted his energies full time to farming and teaching, spending the last two years building the farm and orchards at Eden Village Camp, and running the Anafim program. As a crew member of the veggie oil powered Teva Topsy Turvy Bus, Jonah has traveled throughout the east coast leading workshops in Jewish communities on alternative energy and sustainable design. He holds s'micha as a Maggid from Rabbi Sarah Etz Alon. He enjoys swimming, singing, and planting trees.

Diaane Litwin
Farmer and Educator
diane@jewishfarmschool.org

After graduating with a degree in Elementary Education from SUNY New Paltz, Diane Litwin made the decision to take her education outside of the classroom. That decision gave her the opportunity to work for Land's Sake Farm, the Teva Learning Alliance and Teva's Topsy Turvy Bus Tour as a Farm and Environmental Educator. Most recently, Diane completed a season on the Farm at Eden Village as a Farm Education Apprentice with the Jewish Farm School. She is excited to apply her skills and knowledge to the Jewish Farm School team. Sarah loves nothing more than working and playing with people of all ages on the farm.

In our efforts to learn more about the world around us, we've included a background image of one of the plant species native to our campgrounds. On this page you can find the:

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