Meet Tsofim Merakezet: Samantha Gayle Gross Hertzig

Sam began her Camp Judaea career when she was just eight years old! As a camper, she idolized her counselors and hoped to one day be able to give more campers amazing CJ summers just like the ones she was lucky enough to experience. Over the years, she has participated in many Young Judaea programs including Tel Yehuda, Machon, and Year Course.

With two years as a counselor under her belt and such a full history with CJ and YJ, she felt the need to return this summer with the opportunity to complete her Young Judaea circle and fulfill her childhood dreams of being a merakezet.

“It’s also just so hard not come back. CJ is my home and it’s impossible to imagine a summer without it.”

Sam was born in Washington D.C. but grew up in Mandeville, Louisiana, a small town outside of New Orleans. Now she is a student at the University of Georgia where she spends her time going to her classes and working two internships—one as a photographer and marketing intern for a local non-profit that sends funds to children in Ghana for education and the other as a member of the marketing team for My Athens, a social enterprise that celebrates the Athens, GA community through events, social media, fashion, photography and food, etc.

In her free time, Sam enjoys attending concerts and music festivals and cooking!

“I can’t wait to see everyone at camp and have the best summer ever!”