Richard Bachrach
Class of 2019
Richard’s devotion to Herzl Camp has spanned nearly his entire life. In the decades since Richard was a camper and staff person, there has rarely been a volunteer role or need that he did not fill, serving on boards and committees, directing traffic at buses and visitors days, and more recently putting his photography talent to work at camp and at Herzl events.
Bruce Fink
Class of 2019
Bruce has served on camp’s boards of directors and as a fundraiser in every one of camp’s campaigns. He has spent countless hours and days working to ensure that campers, staff, and camp are safe and protected. Using his expertise to guide camp’s risk management practices and policies, Bruce works quietly and tirelessly behind the scenes to protect Herzl Camp, our campers, staff, volunteers, and donors.
andy halper
Class of 2019
Andy has the ability to gauge an individual’s talent and inspire them to challenge themselves and each other. “Never settle for boring,” was one mantra that has stayed with many over the decades. While Andy left camp in 1980, he never left his role as a leader. He continues to support and inspire his campers and staff and to nourish their connections to each other, to their Jewish soul, and to camp.
Steve Heller
Class of 2019
Maintaining the health of the campers and staff was important to having the Jewish community accept the idea that Herzl could be trusted to care for its children. It has taken many dAedicated doctors, nurses and other health care volunteers to bring the program to where it is today. Herzl Camp is a better and safer environment because of the diligence of all of those dedicated volunteers.
Todd Geller
Inducted 2017
While Todd Geller’s camping roots started at Herzl Camp in the early 1980’s, his true appreciation for summer camp came from his experience as a camper and CIT at Camp Foley and as a staff member at Camp Chi. Both camps had a significant impact on him and helped shape his future. Ultimately, life led Todd back to Herzl Camp when his oldest son “tasted” camp in 2007, re-kindling his connection to Herzl.
Bob Ezrilov
Inducted 2017
Bob’s love of camp is shared by his children and grandchildren who are also active supporters as campers, staff, board members, and volunteers. Bob’s naturally self-effacing, humble leadership-style drives him to work tirelessly behind the scenes for the betterment of camp, assiduously avoiding the spotlight and generously sharing recognition.
Donna Leviton
Inducted 2017
Donna’s love for Herzl Camp began the summer of 1957, when her parents sent her off to camp from Waterloo, Iowa for the first time. Since then, hardly a summer has gone by that she has not worked, volunteered or been at Herzl in some capacity or another.
Jeff Schachtman
Inducted 2017
Jeff Schachtman’s involvement with Herzl Camp began nearly 60 years when, as a camper, he was selected to be Camp Director for Turnabout Day, when the campers “became the staff, and the staff became the campers.” Riding Rabbi Sam’s bike, he knew then that the ramshackle orange buildings, the muddy grounds and the home of lots of heavy dew represented much more than a physical place.
Cecelia and Irving Waldman
Inducted 2017
Without the Waldmans, there would be no Herzl Camp. Cec and Irv exemplified what it meant to be community leaders: working steadfastly and consistently to make the dream of a Jewish camp a reality without regard for their own egos or recognition.
Rabbi Zvi Dershowitz
Inducted 2015
Rabbi Dershowitz served as Camp Director from 1954-61, creating the model for all who followed and establishing many of the traditions that are still enthusiastically celebrated seven decades later, including Bikkurim and the Ozo Program. Rabbi Dershowitz established Herzl Camp as the trusted caretaker of our most precious resource – our children. During his tenure, camp doubled in size, serving 600 campers a summer from all over the Midwest.
Mike Fiterman
Inducted 2015
Creating transformational change was the recurring theme of Mike Fiterman’s nomination for the Herzl Hall of Fame. Mike’s passion and persistence as Chair of the Here’s to Dear Old Herzl Campaign led to the rebirth of Herzl Camp as a top-notch center of Jewish life and learning. In addition to many years of service on the Board of Directors, Mike devoted countless hours to leading Herzl Camp through its first-ever capital campaign to expand and rebuild camp during the darkest days of the Great Recession.
Rose and Harry Rosenthal
Inducted 2015
The idea of Herzl Camp was born of the experiences and persistence of Harry and Rose Rosenthal zl. After the Rosenthal’s sent their daughter to a Jewish camp on the East Coast, they felt that the Midwest should have a Zionist camp a little closer to home. From that moment, they worked tirelessly to develop that idea and establish Herzl Camp. They recruited friends, raised funds, and hammered out countless details needed to create a summer camp.
Mickey and Harold Smith
Inducted 2015
Harold and Mickey’s Smith’s involvement in Herzl Camp began in the 1960s when Harold joined the Herzl Camp Board of Directors and served as Treasurer. Over the six decades that the Smiths have made Herzl Camp one of their primary causes, they have played pivotal roles in moving the camp forward.
Ron Zamansky
Inducted 2015
For 25 years, Ron Zamansky and his law firm Zamansky Professional Association have served as Herzl Camp’s legal counsel on a pro-bono basis. Ron’s immediate response, thorough and thoughtful guidance, and his passion and devotion to insuring the best outcome for camp and community were key factors in his selection to Herzl’s first class of Hall of Fame members.