Our Team

Our exemplary team of full-time professionals both in our Atlanta offices and on our Clayton campus work ’round the clock to develop all of the inspiring and creative programming that takes place at Ramah Darom throughout the year.

Allow us to introduce ourselves!

Frederick R. Levick

Chief Executive Officer

fredlevick@ramahdarom.org

After realizing my dream of playing tight end for the Cleveland Browns would never make it past my own backyard, I refocused my efforts on something I was equally passionate about: People. And what a smart move that was. Prior to joining Ramah Darom as CEO in March of 2000, I spent more than 20 years in the healthcare industry, actively engaging in leadership, business development, strategic planning and project management initiatives. In 1992, after working as senior vice-president with The Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro, North Carolina I founded HealthServe, a non-profit community organization to fund and deliver primary healthcare and pharmacy services to low-income children and adults.

I am responsible for the overall administration and management of Ramah Darom. Among so many other things, the people are what make Ramah Darom the magical place that it is. I truly can’t imagine having a more rewarding job – that of coming in to work every day with a team of creative people who are working to create dynamic inspired and meaningful programs for Jewish people of all ages. It is truly a privilege and one that I cherish.

Originally from Long Island, NY, I attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania where I earned an AB degree in Biology, and later at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where I received an MPH degree in Health Administration.

My beautiful and talented wife, Marcia Goldstein and I have a wonderful daughter, Joanna, and a 70-pound golden retriever, Jack, who, as anyone who has been to Ramah Darom knows, is the one who really runs the show.

Geoff Menkowitz

Director, Camp Ramah Darom

gmenkowitz@ramahdarom.org

Born in Philadelphia, my parents first shipped me off to summer camp in the Pocono Mountains at the age of 10 and I never looked back. It is there where I developed my passion for Jewish education and building community. I studied at the University of Pennsylvania where I received my B.A. and M.A. in education followed by advanced coursework in Jewish Education at The Jewish Theological Seminary. Prior to joining Ramah Darom as camp director nine years ago, I held professional positions on college campuses – working with Hillel at Rutgers and the University of Pennsylvania. I also served as Director of the Meyerhoff Center for Jewish Learning at Hillel’s International Headquarters in Washington, D.C. I also coached Division I Collegiate Rowing and Under 6 JCC Soccer. My wife, Elana and I have four children and live in Atlanta.

Rachel Dobbs Schwartz

Assistant Director, Camp Ramah Darom

radschwartz@ramahdarom.org

In 1998, I came to Ramah Darom as a staff member and felt that the experience was transformative for me as both a Jewish young adult and as a young person learning to be a professional. I couldn’t stay away and returned for the next several summers to coach soccer and eventually, take on the role of Rosh Sport.

After graduating from the University of Michigan with a double bachelor’s degree in History and Art History, I pursued a career in education. I received a Master’s in Teaching from Emory University and went on to teach a wide variety of history courses to high school students over the next many years. Throughout my full-time teaching career, I served as a team lead teacher (at Wesley International Academy) and also as the Co-Director of Student Life (at The Weber School).

I currently live in Atlanta with an amazing family (husband, two children, and dog), and spend my free time playing music (drums and guitar), watching live music, cooking, camping, hiking, and playing soccer and frisbee.

Audra Kaplan

Director, Tikvah Support Program and Camper Care

akaplan@ramahdarom.org

As director of the Ramah Darom Tikvah Support Program, I enjoy blending my love of camp and my passion for Judaism with my experience and knowledge as a clinical psychologist. I have been involved in day and residential camp programs, as a camper, counselor, educator and director my entire life. Prior to joining the Ramah Darom family, I was the camp director of Camp Firefly, a day and overnight camp program of the Jewish Child and Family Services of Chicago. My clinical career has enabled me to provide individual, family and group psychotherapy; psychological assessments; supervision and training of graduate students; workshops on clinical supervision; camp consultation; and consultation services to schools and early childhood programs. I have also consulted around issues of inclusion of children with developmental and social disorders. I received my bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and my doctorate of clinical psychology (PsyD) from The Illinois School of Professional Psychology in 1996. I have also worked with Jewish Child and Family Services since 1997. I have four awesome children (all third generation Ramahniks!) and a private practice in clinical psychology in Chicago.

Sharon Rosenfeld

Director of Development

srosenfeld@ramahdarom.org

I joined the Ramah Darom family in 1999 where I currently serve as Director of Development. Prior to this, I worked for the Atlanta Jewish Federation for 12 years and the Rhode Island Jewish Federation for an additional four years. I was educated at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario where I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec where I received a Master of Arts Degree in Religion and Literature and Brandeis University in Boston, where I received a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Service. Since moving to Atlanta in 1987, I have also served as an active volunteer with The Epstein School, Congregation Ahavath Achim, and Congregation Or Hadash. My husband, Jed and I have two children, Adam and Hanna.

Eliana Leader

Director, Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom (KMRC)

eleader@ramahdarom.org

Eliana Leader is the Director of the Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom, and a long time Jewish professional and experienced community builder. Eliana has passionately served the Jewish world through professional roles such as the Executive Director at Young Israel of Toco Hills, and Experience Imagineer and curriculum developer for Jewish Kids Groups, as well as a variety of volunteer roles such as Limmud Atlanta + SE board member, Limmud North America Executive Board member, and YAD young adult leadership coordinator. She has a B.A. in sociology with a minor in Jewish Studies from University of Maryland, and a Graduate Certificate in Experiential Jewish Education through the Center for the Jewish Future at Yeshiva University. Eliana was recently named in 2017 Jewish Atlanta’s 40 Under 40, and is the recipient of the Abe Schwartz Young Leadership Award from Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. She and her husband, Yoni Kaplan, have two incredible daughters, Aria and Solelle.

Todd Jones

Executive Chef

tjones@ramahdarom.org

Todd Jones has 30 years of experience as a professional chef. Just after high school, Chef Todd accepted a job working at a family restaurant in Florida, where he discovered he had natural knife skills and a knack for working in the food environment. After six years, Chef Todd enrolled at the Culinary Institute of America and later landed a job on the island of Guam in the South Pacific working for Lufthansa Airline Caterers as a senior executive sous chef. Chef Todd then worked at The Phoenician Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, a Five Star, Four Diamond rated resort restaurant. Over the years, Chef Todd started his own businesses and worked in a few other restaurants, including Flemings Prime Steak House and Wine Bar. He originally was introduced to Ramah Darom by Brad Semon from The Painted Plate. Todd recently Resigned from Starmount Forest CC and decided to return to Ramah where he knows he belongs. In his free time, Chef Todd loves to travel, play golf and enjoy great food, wines and spirits.

Anthony Franklin

General Manager

afranklin@ramahdarom.org

I have been working at Ramah Darom since May 1997 where I currently serve as General Manager. Prior to joining the Ramah Darom family, I worked in the grocery industry for 14 years, working my way up from an entry-level position to store manager. Under my direction, my store became one of the leading benchmark setting stores in the region. I also owned a small construction company specializing in residential remodeling in the North Georgia area.

I was educated at Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia where I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration and graduated Magna Cum Laude. I received my MBA in Managerial Leadership in 2012. In addition, I am a State of Georgia Class III Water Operator, State of Georgia Class III Wastewater Operator, and a National Swimming Pool Foundation Certified Pool and Spa Operator License. Other achievements include Delta Mu Delta, Alpha Lambda Delta, and The National Society of Leadership and Success.

Pete Arpke

Executive Sous Chef

Born and raised in Sheboygan Falls Wisconsin I started my first cooking job in 1984 at the Sheboygan Yacht club while finishing high school and attending the University of Wisconsin.

I moved to Beach Bistro in 1992 and spent the next 24 years as their executive and corporate chef. In 2005 we did our first James Beard dinner in New York and in 2010 we did a second. In 2013 I was nominated and advanced to the semi-finals of the Beard best chef of the south and started Eat Here, a company that opened restaurants and got them up and running for other people.

I joined the Ramah Darom team in late 2017.