Our Staff

Rav Ari Cutler brings decades of experience in Jewish education, leadership, and community building to Camp Dror. Living in Modiin with his wife Adina and their family, Rav Cutler made aliyah over two decades ago. He is well-acquainted with the challenges and experiences of adapting to life in Israel. With over two decades of experience, including leadership roles at Yeshivat Hakotel and founding the Yeshivat Hakotel  Leadership Program, he has developed and implemented innovative educational and leadership programs for young adults. Rav Cutler is passionate about mentoring and guiding individuals, which aligns perfectly with Camp Dror’s mission to inspire and develop young leaders. His expertise in curriculum design, staff training, and pastoral care will play a key role in enriching the camp experience for both campers and staff.

Rav Eitan and Rabbanit Rachel Aviner are passionate educators and leaders, deeply committed to inspiring the next generation through Torah, creativity, and connection. They bring a wealth of experience from both formal education and years of leadership in camp settings—most notably at Moshava Ba’ir Toronto, where they developed impactful programming, mentored staff, and infused summers with ruach, warmth, and purpose.

Rav Eitan, a musmach of RIETS with advanced semicha (Rav Ir) from the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, has taught Torah across North America and Israel. He has served as a Rav, educator, and mashpia in schools, shuls, and seminaries, and has held key roles guiding campers, students, and staff with energy, integrity, and deep Torah values. His background in applied physics and engineering adds a unique spark to his teaching, blending intellectual curiosity with spiritual growth.

Rabbanit Rachel is a talented educator, writer, and digital strategist with a background in Torah education and sociology. She has directed many programs, led meaningful tefillah and learning sessions, and worked closely with campers and madrichot to build confidence, joy, and connection. Her early experience as a madricha on TJJ helped spark her passion for informal education and building strong, personal connections with teens. Her gift for communication—whether one-on-one, in a shiur, or in the digital space—makes Torah feel accessible, relevant, and alive.

This summer, the Aviners will lead ruach and chinuch at both Camp Dror campuses, helping campers deepen their connection to Torah, to one another, and to themselves. They live in Efrat with their six children and are thrilled to bring their energy, creativity, and love of Am Yisrael and Eretz Yisrael to Camp Dror 2025.

If something at Camp Dror is running smoothly, there’s a good chance Cindy is behind it. Since 2019, she’s been the powerhouse driving both campuses forward—coordinating logistics, maintaining relationships, and infusing the camp with energy and heart. Cindy represents the camp at OU gatherings and national camp association meetings, interviews staff, supports head counselors with planning, and makes sure every supply is ordered, every bus is scheduled, and every camper’s needs are accounted for.

She’s also the one keeping the kesher strong with staff and families throughout the year—answering questions, solving problems, and building the trust that makes camp feel like home. And once summer hits, she’s all in: singing, cheering, and dancing right alongside the campers, making the magic happen. Cindy ensures Camp Dror is not just well-run—it’s deeply personal, meaningful, and filled with ruach.

Before making aliyah in 2015 with her husband, Israel, Cindy lived in Bergenfield, NJ. They now live in Efrat and are proud parents of five children, including a son serving in the IDF, a daughter about to graduate from high school, and married children raising families in New Jersey and Jerusalem. Between camper emails, trip day checklists, and late-night planning meetings, Cindy brings a deep love of Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael, and Torat Yisrael to everything she does—and still finds time to cheer for every kid on tiyul day.

Zahava and Rabbi Dani Bauer bring warmth, professionalism, and deep care to Camp Dror.

Zahava will serve as Head Counselor for the Girls’ Campus, drawing on years of classroom teaching and leadership experience in both formal education and summer camp. An educator at heart, Zahava has taught in schools across Israel and the U.S., where she’s known for her thoughtful mentorship, dynamic presence, and ability to connect deeply with students. She has also held chinuch and leadership roles at Camp Stone, Camp Shoshanim, Camp Mesorah, Moshava Ba’ir, and NCSY TJJ, where she mentored teens, developed engaging programs, fostered meaningful connections, and helped create meaningful, growth-oriented experiences for campers and staff alike. With a background in Jewish education and English literature, Zahava brings a blend of heart, creativity, and vision to everything she does — creating a spirited, supportive environment where each camper feels seen, valued, and inspired.

Rabbi Dani Bauer will serve as Camp Dror’s on-site therapist, drawing on nearly a decade of clinical experience supporting teens and families. He is the therapist at Yeshivat Orayta in the Old City of Jerusalem, and has a private practice with offices in Jerusalem, Efrat, and Bet Shemesh. He also has eleven years of teaching experience in the high school setting where he taught Judaics as well as served as the Israel guidance counselor, helping students navigate life with insight, empathy, and grounding in Torah values. Over the summers he has worked in Camp Morasha, Camp Stone, worked as a counselor and then director of a bus on NCSY’s TJJ program and as a counselor on NCSY Kollel. His extensive work with teens and his ability to create a safe space for them to feel comfortable and seen will add a critical dimension to Camp Dror.
Zahava and Dani live in Efrat with their three children, and we’re thrilled for the energy, care, and expertise they’ll bring to Camp Dror this summer.

Rabbi Metzger brings a rare blend of deep Torah learning, classroom experience, and camp energy as the Head Counselor of the Boys’ Campus. He’s taught Gemara, Tanakh, and math across continents, holds semicha from RIETS, and has spent many summers running educational programming at Moshava Ba’ir and Camp Morasha. Known for his creativity, approachability, and passion for chinuch, he’s excited to bring Torah and ruach to every bunk, basketball game, and bonfire this summer. Rabbi Metzger lives in Alon Shvut with his wife Shira and their three children.

Shimon and Mikki Averick made aliyah as children with their families, giving them a deep understanding of the challenges and rewards of adjusting to Israeli culture and society. Residing in Givat Shmuel, they are passionate about helping teens navigate their leadership journeys within this context. With their extensive backgrounds in education, including Shimon’s experience as a mentor for at-risk youth and Mikki’s expertise in special education, they are excited to lead the Camp Dror Leadership Program. Their goal is to inspire the next generation of leaders by building a community rooted in self-confidence, connection, and personal growth, where teens can thrive as individuals and as part of a larger society.

A longtime member of the Camp Dror family, Shyelle Nagel brings energy, creativity, and a deep sense of care to her new role as Assistant Head Counselor. A former camper, Manhigut participant, and counselor, Shyelle has spent two summers uplifting her campers through meaningful conversations, ruach-filled singing, and thoughtful mentorship. She is currently studying psychology and music at Bar-Ilan University as part of a joint program with Midreshet Bar-Ilan. She also gained extensive experience through her sheirut leumi, working with children with cancer and their families through Ezer Mizion, as well as with children with special needs through Knafayim Shel Krembo. Her passion for leadership, love of music, and ability to build inclusive communities make her a powerful role model and beloved presence on the Girls’ Campus.

Yona Mauer returns to Camp Dror this summer as Assistant Head Counselor, bringing years of experience, dedication, and heart to the Boys’ Campus. A proud Dror alum, Yona grew up in camp—first as a camper, then as a Manhigut participant, and later as a beloved counselor for two summers. Known for his calm presence, strong leadership, and behind-the-scenes know-how, Yona has also served as Head of Logistics at Camp All-Star and worked in sports camps mentoring young athletes. He is studying electrical engineering at Kinneret College as part of the Atuda program. With his deep connection to camp, knack for problem-solving, and great way with kids, Yona helps make everything run smoother and more fun.