Year Round Staff
Meet the B’nai B’rith Camp Professional Staff:
Michelle Koplan, Executive Director
BB Camp is Michelle’s childhood Camp, as she was a camper for eight years and on staff for nine years prior to her eleven year (and counting!) stint as the Director. Previous to directing Camp, Michelle was the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization Director for both Portland and Eugene Councils for six years, and Michelle directed the Mittleman Community Center’s Youth Services Department for five years. Michelle’s husband, Loren is a Men’s Camper and their daughter, Ali, has been at Camp since she was six weeks old. Michelle graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from the University of California Santa Barbara and completed the Executive Leadership Institute (a MBA equivalent program) thought the Foundation of Jewish Camp in 2007.
David Zimmerman, Associate Director
Jewish summer camping has been a part of David’s life for as long as he can remember. He began as an 8 year old camper at Shwayder Camp outside Denver, Colorado. After 7 years as a camper David began to develop his professional skills over the next 14 summers by serving on staff in many specialty positions including Kitchen Manager, Wilderness Specialist, Ropes Course Specialist, Facility Director, CIT Coordinator and Assistant Director. He has spent the last three years in San Diego as the Assistant Director for the new community camp there Camp Mountain Chai.
David was born in Los Angeles but primarily grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. He moved to Colorado for college and received an Associate’s degree in Outdoor Recreational Leadership from Colorado Mountain College. He later continued his education at Colorado State University, receiving a B.S. in Natural Resource, Recreation and Tourism Management.
In his free time David enjoys spending time in the outdoors, reading, traveling and being with his friends and family.
David is excited to apply his great breadth of camping experience to his new role with B’nai B’rith Camp and can’t wait to share his passion for residential camping with his new summer family and become part of the Jewish Community in the Portland area.
Barb Gordon, Day Camp Director, Registrar
Barb began her journey with BB Camp in 1973. From 1973-1979 she worked as a counselor at BB Camp; most notable accomplishments were catching a grape in her mouth thrown across the length of the dining hall by the then Camp Director, and meeting and marrying her husband, Randy, at Camp. Barb returned to Camp in 2000 as a parent of campers, becoming the most senior, senior counselor at age 42! After spending 20 years working with some of Oregon’s most difficult youth in residential treatment, Barb was excited to come back to Camp and joined our year-round team in 2005. Barb believes she may also hold the record for having worked for the most BB Camp Directors – six!
Danika Duren, Director of Sales and Marketing
With a strong background in real estate and hospitality sales, Danika joins BB Camp eager to lend her diverse experience to the team. She has earned a bachelors degree from the University of Oregon, and lives with her husband Kerry and their exuberant dog in southwest Portland.
Melissa Bernstein, Counseling and Engagement Director
Lisa Hall, Head Cook
Lisa brings culinary creativity and experience to the BB Camp team. Lisa graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu and is looking forward to preparing nutritious meals for our Campers and guests. She delights in lovingly preparing delicious meals from scratch. Lisa and her family live on the Oregon Coast and she enjoys vigorous romps with her pups on the beach.
Allison Kaufman, Business Manager
Allison earned her Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the University of Arizona. Prior to working for BB Camp, Allison was an analyst in the Mortgage Banking field for 13 years. Allison and her husband Jason have three beautiful daughters (who are now devoted BB Campers). Allison is also a Girl Scout troupe leader and likes to bake, sew and play computer games.
Mike Morrow, Site Manager
Previous to working for BB Camp, Mike and his wife Tanya, owned and operated a construction company in the Portland area for 12 years. Since 2001, Mike has worked for BB Camp, first as the Assistant Site Manager and then was promoted to Site Manager. Mike wears his heart on his sleeve and appreciates a challenge, so working at BB Camp in an ever-changing environment with the opportunity to touch so many lives in a positive was is a perfect fit for Mike.
Tanya Morrow, Housekeeper
