Actress Joins Staff of Girls Camp

By COLlive reporter

Professional TV and film actress Deena Brandes will be joining the faculty of Camp Gan Israel in the Poconos of Pennsylvania this summer.

Brandes, who goes under her stage name Deena Freeman, will be leading her Teen Acting Classes at the Chabad-run overnight camp which is geared for girls who aren’t receiving an immersive, daily Jewish experience.

“Deena will be the director of our Acting Program and her goal will be to inspire the campers to open their imaginations—and discover their talents—in acting and speech,” says Gershon Sandler who runs the camp with his wife Devorah.

“In addition, since Deena became closer to Judaism later in life, she will be to relate well with our campers and provide them with a fun and experiential medium to discover their Jewish identity,” he added.

Brandes, who has worked for over 35 years in Hollywood, has inspired countless children, teens and adults to open their imaginations and discover their talents through acting and speech.

Film director Thor Freudenthal said: “What makes Deena a wonderful teacher is her ability to identify each of her students’ unique strengths. She nurtures that strength through her tremendous insight along with her genuine warmth, caring and compassion.”

Sandler added, “this type of high level instruction in a Chabad overnight camp is noteworthy because it is usually only found in the most exclusive private camps.”

Another recently reported hire at the camp for this summer was of Rabbi Boruch Shmuel and Rivka Rochel Liberow, certified life coaches who direct the Chabad Student Center at Florida Atlantic University, Lynn University and Palm Beach State College.

The Liberows will assume the positions of Camp Rabbi and Assistant Director, respectively, providing counselors and campers with the guidance, support, and inspiration integral to the overnight camp experience.

For more info, call 845.425.0903 or visit CGIPoconos.org