Risa Strauss is Education Director at Beth Shalom Synagogue and Founding Director of Camp Gesher at The Katie and Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center, in Columbia, South Carolina. At Beth Shalom, Strauss has increased enrollment and reinvigorated the Religious School through enhanced teacher training and meaningful interaction with parents, and worked to develop positive connections with adult learners and the synagogue Board through outreach and creative programming. In 2013, she was recruited her to redevelop the Columbia Jewish Community day camp. Strauss focused on infusing the informal camp experience with Jewish life and learning, with an emphasis on respect, compassion, and tolerance. The camp demographic is only 20% Jewish, but the entire population embraces Strauss’ educational curriculum, which includes Hebrew, Israeli Music, Bible Stories, Israeli Dance, and Shabbat.