Dear GUCI Friends and Family:

I am writing today to share with you that after a brilliant 37-year career, Susan Dill has decided to retire! Susan, otherwise known as “The Golden Voice of GUCI”, has been an essential part of GUCI’s leadership team since 1978. She has been the welcoming voice in the office and on the other end of the phone to thousands of families, lay leaders, Jewish professionals, staff members and alumni. She served as partner and confidant to three Camp Directors, ensuring that camp’s program developed and ran smoothly, its facility and vendor matters were seamlessly managed, and that, most importantly, campers and their families were welcomed into camp’s community with open arms.

Susan was hired at the start of her journey at GUCI by former Director, Rabbi Ronald Klotz, at a time when Jewish camping in the United States was in its infancy. There were no handbooks, guidelines, or camping best practices for them to refer to as they set out to build GUCI’s program. Together, Susan and Ron set the foundation that would allow GUCI to thrive. Thousands of people across the United States consider URJ Goldman Union Camp their home, and if you ask any alum from the past four decades of camp, no return visit to GUCI is complete without a hug from Susan (and perhaps a little something from the canteen).

On a personal note, I’ve known Susan since I was about 5 years old. Susan watched my brother and I grow up at camp, kept up with us through college and as staff members, was at my wedding and attended my daughters’ baby-namings. She has been the closest of family friends for decades. When I was hired as the Camp Director last year, Susan took on a new role as mentor and trainer. Through countless hours of discussion, planning and strategy, Susan, once again, played an essential role in setting the foundation upon which we will stand to move GUCI into the future. I will be forever grateful that Susan stayed on at camp during my first year on the job!

As any long-time camp staff member can confirm, it’s very hard to leave GUCI. Susan has been discussing her retirement with us for a number of months. Following a fantastic summer, Susan has decided that the time is right. Susan will remain in the office full-time through the end of September, and will be working closely with us in October as we search for and on-board a new camp Registrar.

Please join me in congratulating Susan on a fabulous career and in wishing her all the best in the future.

Warm Regards,

Jeremy Klotz