Who we are

Camp Rabbi: Rabbi David Samson
Rabbi David Samson is an Orthodox rabbi and one of the leading English-speaking Torah scholars in the Religious Zionist movement in Israel. Rabbi Samson has written five books most of which are on the teachings of Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook and Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook. Rabbi Samson was born in Baltimore, Maryland. His grandfather was the long time Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivas Chofetz Chaim - Talmudical Academy of Baltimore. After moving to Israel, he studied under the tutelage of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Kook for twelve years. He served as a congregational rabbi of Kehillate Dati Leumi Synagogue in Har Nof, Jerusalem. He teaches Talmud and Jewish Studies at Mercaz haRav yeshiva institutions. Rabbi David Samson also appears on the weekly TV feature magazine "Israeli Salad" on Arutz Sheva broadcast. Currently he is the dean of Maale Erev Institutions, a set of high schools for youth at risk and the Rosh of yeshivat Lech Lechah, a mobile high school based on jeeps. Rabbi David Samson is the Mashgiach Ruchani at the Cross Israel Challenge Camp. His expertise in halachic, and hashkafic matters serve as a spiritual guide to the program. His shiurim and Shabbat programming provide the very foundation for the camp.

“When a young person is placed in an accepting environment, surrounded by a dedicated, emotionally-motivated staff …he / she is on the way to a positive future.”

Boys Director: Yoni Berg
Yoni Berg was born in Staten Island, NY. He went to the Yeshiva of Flatbush for elementary school and high school. During high school, Yoni moved to Lawrence, Long Island where he was active in many extracurricular youth activities. Yoni also worked as assistant head lifeguard and staff coordinator in Beaver Lake Estates during his high-school summer months.
Upon graduating, Yoni learned for 18 months in Yeshivat HaKotel, located in Jerusalem's Old City. He came back to the US to receive his degree in English literature from Queens College and to teach Hebrew middle school. In 2002, Yoni moved to Israel. After serving in a forward artillery unit in the Israel Defense Forces, he underwent a rigorous two-year tour guide training program. He has been leading all sorts of tour groups ever since; from 24-year-olds to 102-year-olds, youth groups, family groups, businesses, etc. Yoni worked as a senior staff member for such long-term summer programs as Dor L'Dor and the Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit's annual post-senior year trip. In 2007, he became the director of the Cross-Israel Challenge camp, showing Israel to American youth in a whole new way.

Girls Director: Nadia Brenner
Nadia was born in Zimbabwe in 1980. She moved to New Zealand at the age of 7, and attended the local Jewish school. Nadia volunteered as a 'chanicha' in B'nei Akiva and became a junior 'madricha' in the last year of high school. After high school she spent a year in Israel on the B'nei Akiva program, Tafnit, and then returned to New Zealand to attend university. Her passion for athletics earned her a degree in sports and recreation. Nadia continued volunteering at Bnei Akivah, while at university, and became a senior 'madricah' and eventually the 'Rosh machane'. Upon completing her degree, Nadia spent 4 months in Australia forming a youth group for the local synagogue. Later that year she flew to the U.S to be a lifeguard and swim instructor at camp Nesher. In January of 2004, Nadia made Aliyah. That summer, she returned to Nesher to be assistant head of the waterfront. In December 2004 Nadia volunteered for the I.D.F and served as a fitness instructor in the tanks division. After the army, she served as a 'madricha' for Derech Hateva and then successfully completed her tour guiding course. Last summer, Nadia worked as a tour guide for Achva Israel, she also works with teens at risk, to raise their motivation and sense of responsibility through outdoor therapy. This summer Nadia joins forces with the Cross-Israel Challenge camp to truly make this program the adventure of a lifetime.

Camp Sponsor: Israel Challenge We are the founders of Israel Challenge, an adventure tour company in Israel. We specialize in adventure tours in the Jerusalem/Dead Sea area and all over Israel. These tours include jeeping, rappelling, canyoning, biking, as well as our exclusive Army Experience. Whether working with a family of four or a group of four-hundred, we have delivered the highest standards in service and professionalism.
We are a group of American-born Orthodox Jews with families in Israel. We have all served in reconnaissance combat units in the I.D.F. and currently serve as commanders and soldiers in reserve duty. We have a strong passion for Torat Eretz Yisrael, Israel's History and Nation.
We are certified in rappelling, jeeping 4x4 off-road excursions, building zip line systems, mountain biking, first aid, security, navigation, shooting instruction, and other outdoor activities.
(Above: from left: Yaacov Ehrlich, Founfer/Owner; Micha Katz, Founder/Owner; Yaniv Gabbay, Project Coordinator)