Leadership & Coaches

Leadership Team

Rabbi Dave Levy

Director

Dave was the International Director of USY from 2012-2017, overseeing all youth summer programs and year-round operations in North America, Europe and Israel. Prior to his time at USY, Dave served as the Director of Jewish Education for the Hillel at Syracuse University and as the Director of Jewish Life at Colgate University.  Dave has also served as an Executive Coach for new Hillel directors.

For Dave, whose career working with children, teens and young adults is coupled with a lifelong passion for sports, RSA is the perfect fit, and he is currently pursuing his athletic coaching certification at SUNY Cortland.  Dave received his rabbinic ordination in 2004 from JTS and his bachelor degrees from Columbia University and JTS in 1999.

Dave lives in New York City with his wife, Rabbi Rachel Ain, and their two sons, Jared and Zachary.

Ayala Wasser

Assistant Director

Ayala’s professional career was launched by her experiences growing up at Ramah Darom. Her eight years as a camper led to eight full summers on staff, including five as a rosh edah. Ayala earned her undergraduate degrees from JTS List College and Columbia University and her master’s degree in Jewish Education from the graduate school at JTS. Her love of informal education enabled her to engage with the youth of Congregation B’nai Jeshurun in NY, where she has worked for nine years, most recently as Associate Director of Family Life and Learning.

Ayala loves traveling, and cooking, and is looking forward to getting back on the basketball court, the place where she spent the majority of her high school years. As a four year starting point guard, Ayala led the Tampa Preparatory Terrapins to two district titles, was named to the Class 2A All-State Team and was one of the top-ranked three point shooters in the entire state of Florida.

Her real passion is working with youth and teens and giving them experiences as special as the ones she had growing up at camp. We can’t wait for all of our campers and families to get to know Ayala.

Amy Rosuck

Business Director

Coaching Staff

Head Baseball Coach

Jim Irzyk has been an independent school teacher/coach for 38 years and is currently the Head Varsity Baseball Coach and Department Chair for the Center for Economics, Entrepreneurship and Finance at Wilbraham Monson Academy. He teaches various finance classes (Financial Planning, Portfolio Management and Stock Market Analysis) as well as Honors Geometry. A three-sport (football, basketball and baseball) high school athlete, Irzyk was captain and four-year starter on the baseball team at Holy Cross College in Worcester, MA. As a pitcher and infielder in college, Irzyk holds the highest fielding percentage (.998) at Holy Cross and holds multiple pitching records. He was awarded the Hop Riopel MVP award his senior year.

His coaching philosophy centers on helping players become students of the game and consummate teammates. Practicing hard, playing fair, competing and giving your best effort are trademarks of his teams. Irzyk has coached Division I, II and III college athletes. More importantly, he is looking forward to a great summer.

Head VolleyBall Coach

Rachel Giustino Hey y’all! My name is Rachel Giustino and I am so excited to be the volleyball coach for the Ramah Sports Camp this summer. A little bit about me, I am originally from the Chicago area, but went to college in Kentucky at Murray State University (Shoes Up!!) where I studied biology and chemistry.

I have been playing volleyball for the past twelve years, including four years at a Division 1 program in college and this last season playing professionally in the top Swiss League. I’ve played as both a middle blocker and an outsider hitter in my career and bring expertise to both the offensive and defensive aspects of the game. When I’m not on the court, I enjoy reading and cooking with my mom! My life has been positively impacted by both the discipline and the community that sports can bring and I could not be more thrilled to be a part of bringing that experience to the next generation of young volleyball players!

Head Tennis Coach

Sofia Shutko has been in the tennis field for over 15 years. After playing both professionally and in college, she merged her love for the game and for teaching, and began coaching. When she got recruited to college in the United States, she was the #8 seeded player in Ukraine. She competed against Division I and II schools, and was ranked #20 in the Northeastern region, winning multiple awards. Since her freshmen year of college she has been teaching tennis to the younger generation in different locations, including at the International Tennis Academy in her hometown, Kyiv. During practices, she loves focusing not only on technique and goal achievement, but also on creation of a friendly atmosphere that brings warm memories to campers.

While he played basketball he completed a Basketball Coaching course at Tel Aviv University and received his Coaching Certificate. Since then Dore has been coaching youth and working on skill development on a private basis for kids involved in the Basketball school in Ra’anana. Dore is excited to return to RSA and can’t wait to run our Basketball Major!

Head Basketball Coach

Dore Amiram is 23 years old and lives in Tel Aviv, Israel. In high school Dore played for four years with Ramat Hasharon’s basketball club. Dore played basketball throughout his army service, and eventually signed to play professionally in the First Division team in Ness Ziona. While playing with Ness Ziona, Dore competed in the Fiba Europe Cup. At the age of 22 Dore continued to play with Ironi Ramat Gan.

While he played basketball he completed a Basketball Coaching course at Tel Aviv University and received his Coaching Certificate. Since then Dore has been coaching youth and working on skill development on a private basis for kids involved in the Basketball school in Ra’anana. Dore is excited to return to RSA and can’t wait to run our Basketball Major!

Head Soccer Coach

Scott Chrysafidis is in his third season as head coach of men’s soccer at Finlandia University. During his two years, the Lions have qualified for the ACAA Championships both years with six all-conference and four academic all-conference selections. Chrysafidis was the head assistant coach for varsity and head JV coach at New England College (2012-15).

During his four seasons, the Pilgrims went 45-26-7 and reached the North Atlantic Conference semifinals three times. Chrysafidis played one year of soccer at New England College before moving to the coaching staff. He has a B.S. in Business Administration and Sport and Recreation Management from New England College. He is finishing a Master’s in Business, specializing in Sports Recreation Management. Chrysafidis resides in Hancock, Mich

Soccer Coach

Ryan Woloshin comes to Ramah Sports Academy with a wealth of experience as a soccer player and coach in addition to a background in Jewish education. Ryan has been in love with soccer since first experiencing the game as a seven-year-old living in England, falling for both the beautiful game and his favorite club, Chelsea FC. Upon returning to the United States, Ryan began playing competitively, first for Virginia Rush at the club level before being recruited to play college soccer at Randolph College in Lynchburg, VA. He was a four-year member of the Wildcats, helping his team secure the 2011 ODAC Conference Title and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.

After graduation, Ryan began his coaching career with the Richmond Strikers in Richmond, VA, compiling a 41-14-8 record over 4 years with 2 league titles and six tournament titles. Ryan now serves as an Assistant Coach at Wheaton College (MA), in Norton, MA, and coaches for Brookline Soccer Club in Brookline, MA. Ryan has a United Soccer Coaches National Diploma and Goalkeeper Diploma as well as his USSF F & E Licenses.
In addition to his soccer background, Ryan comes to RSA with vast experience in experiential Jewish education. Ryan had his teen years anchored by his youth group experience as a part of USY.

Head Swim Coach

Shayna Plotnik is delighted to be returning to RSA as the Head Swim Coach this summer. She was a part of the inaugural staff during kayitz (summer) 2018, and cannot wait to be back at camp! Since then, Shayna has continued to coach swim, having worked on the coaching team for the Karishim Swim Team at the JCC of Greater Boston.

While working at the JCC, she coached three different practice groups, across levels and varying ages between 5-18. Outside of her time coaching, she also spent time teaching instructional swim and water safety to infants and toddlers. Shayna is a Schwinn Certified Spin Instructor, as well as a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer, and holds certifications as a Lifeguard and CPR/First Aid through the American Red Cross.