jeremy klotz (he/him/his)
director
Jeremy spent his first summer at GUCI in 1975 and has been connected to the camp ever since. He went through the camper ranks, was in the Avodah program, served as a Machon and counselor and was a Unit Head for several summers. Prior to becoming Director in 2014, Jeremy served GUCI as a lay leader on the Camp Committee for 13 years, and became the Chair of the committee in May 2013. He has provided strong leadership to GUCI over the years, and has demonstrated his commitment to the camp and to enhancing and improving the GUCI experience for campers, parents and alumni.
Jeremy credits GUCI as being instrumental in the development of his Jewish identity and curiosity. He attended Hebrew day school at the Hebrew Academy of Indianapolis, studied abroad at Tel Aviv University during college, and is currently a member of the Wexner Foundation’s Wexner Heritage Program.
Prior to his appointment as Camp Director, Jeremy enjoyed a 13-year legal career advising clients on risk management, dispute resolution, employment issues and compliance. He has also worked with several not-for-profit boards managing large projects and fundraising efforts.
Jeremy cherishes GUCI’s community-focused program grounded in Jewish and cultural experiences, and believes deeply in the camp’s mission. He is passionate about creating an environment where campers and staff can grow as both people and Jews. He also believes strongly that a well-balanced program incorporating activities, special interest programming and good old fashioned summertime fun is essential the camp’s long-term success.
Jeremy has two daughters, Zoe and Maya. Jeremy graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Psychology and has a Juris Doctor from the DePaul University College of Law.
Jillian Hastings (she/her/hers)
ASSOCIATE Director
Jillian grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, attending GUCI since she was in Shoresh (entering fifth grade) in 2002. After seven years as a camper, Jillian worked on summer staff for four summers. She graduated from DePaul University in 2014 with a dual degree in public relations/advertising and communications. Jillian also spent a semester at the University of Haifa in Haifa, Israel studying Hebrew.
After graduating, she worked in Chicago at Edelman, a world-renowned communications marketing firm where she supported global clients such as United Airlines, LiftMaster, GoGo squeeZ, ScottsMiracle-Gro and more in their corporate communication and marketing efforts. She enjoyed traveling for work and working with amazing clients and colleagues.
Jillian returned to her first true love – camp – in 2019 and loves creating a meaningful experience for future generations of campers.
Her camp favorites...
- Song Session: Saturday Night Folk Night
- Part of Shabbat: Havdalah (and the pool being open all day on Saturday!)
- Meal: Baked Ziti
- Spot on Camp: Pool or Sports Field at night
Jillian met her now-husband, Matt, at GUCI, and were married in camp's beautiful outdoor chapel. In the off-season, Jillian resides in Bloomington, Indiana with Matt and their beloved dog, Minerva (Minnie).
Hanna Gurwin (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director
Hanna grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and began her journey at GUCI as a Shoresh camper. She spent six years as a camper and participated in the Israel trip and Avodah before joining staff for a year and later becoming the Gezah unit head. GUCI is where Hanna’s love for camp and Jewish programming was cultivated.
Hanna graduated from Michigan State University in 2021 with a degree in Criminal Justice. During college, Hanna participated in Onward Israel, where she lived and worked in Tel Aviv for several months. It was there that she discovered her passion for working in the Jewish world, particularly with Jewish and Israel programming.
After graduation, Hanna began her professional career at the iCenter, a non-profit organization focused on Israel education, where she served as the Academic Coordinator. For the past two years, Hanna has been the Israel Program Director at both Indiana University Hillel and Hillel of Metro Detroit.
Working for camp has been a dream of Hanna’s since she was 12 years old, and she is thrilled to now be fulfilling that dream. Hanna is excited to give back to the community that has given her so much and wants to help others find their own Jewish journeys.
In her free time, Hanna enjoys spending time with her dog, Maggie, and her husband, Jack, whom she met on GUCI's Israel trip. She currently resides in Detroit, Michigan.
angela travers (she/her/hers)
Development Director
Angela has been a part of URJ Camps since her daughter started attending camp in 2018. Seeing firsthand the tremendous impact that camp has had on her daughter and the ways in which It has helped her discover her Jewish Identity, she's thrilled to be a part of the GUCI community.
She brings almost two decades of experience working as a philanthropic advisor for high-net-worth families, a facilitator for multi-generational family offices, and administering private and family foundations. Additionally, Angela has been a part of several nonprofits, working to amplify the voices of women and young adults in the political process and expand their economic opportunity through individual, major gifts, institutional grants, and family foundations.
In her spare time, Angela and her daughter are active members at Temple Beth Shalom in Arnold, MD where her daughter is active in NIFTY and Angela is on the board. Angela holds a BS in Psychology with a Minor in Women’s Studies from Florida International University and an MBA from the University of Maryland. She lives in Annapolis, MD with her daughter, Sophia and her Boston Terrier, Coco.
allisa horwitz (she/her/hers)
business and operations associate, midwest hub for the urj
Allisa (she/her/hers) has had a long-time connection with URJ camps. From participating in her temple retreats to being a camper to attending and then staffing NFTY Kallot (retreats).
In joining the full-time staff of the URJ, Allisa is bringing with her 25 years of camping and administrative experience from the JCC of Chicago. Allisa and her husband Kevin, have been the co-Youth Group Directors of the Jew Crew at Congregation Or Shalom for the past 14 years. Allisa with Kevin, their two girls, Baylee and Piper, and two cats Kylo and Stormy live in Vernon Hills, IL. Other than Jewish camp, her family's favorite places to visit are Disney World and Disneyland.
james (jim) israel (he/him/his)
GUCI Grounds Caretaker
Jim Israel has worked at Goldman Union Camp Institute for 22+ years. For the first 15, he had the great fortune to work with his father making sure camp looks and operates at its best.
During his time at GUCI, Jim has worked with numerous groups affiliated with the camp including Brotherhood and Sisterhood volunteer groups that help rejuvenate camp in the spring.
When camp is in session, Jim enjoys working with Avodah to keep camp clean and looking its best. Jim notes that Avodah "is a group that hands down, keeps camp's various components firing on all cylinders." He is also responsible for the peeling of the duct tape and repairing anything that breaks on camp, and much much more.
He has had the pleasure of working with many great staff, office and director teams.
"GUCI is the best" - Jim
Brandon Kaufmann (He/Him/His)
Assistant Director
Brandon grew up in Des Moines, Iowa, and began his journey at GUCI as a camper. He spent many years as a camper and counselor before taking on the role of "Migdal Man."
Brandon is finishing his degree at Iowa State University where he is majoring in Business Administration. He is beyond excited to begin his professional journey rooted in the place that helped shape who he is today.