FJC’s Staff Retention Initiative Takes Center Stage in the Southeast 

As the world changes, so does the outlook for summer camps. Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and Southeast Regional Director, Bobby Harris, proudly unveil a groundbreaking Staff Retention Grant program. This initiative recognizes the unique challenges faced by Southeastern summer camps and adapts strategies to ensure the continuous success of these vital community institutions. 

With the national staff retention rate dropping from 60% to a concerning 40% post-pandemic, FJC took proactive measure and talent innovation grants were awarded to camps nationwide in preparation for the summer of 2023. 

Bobby Harris explains, “The Southeast Staff Retention Initiative came to life in large part because of the ecosystem that we have been able to create in the Southeast. By having an FJC Regional Director and Center in the Southeast, we are able to keep our finger on the pulse on what is happening at our camps.” 

A recent in-person conference with both camp professionals and Hillels marked the initiation of this innovative 3-pronged program. Camp professionals were exposed to field-wide staff retention initiatives, gained insights from professionals experienced in building organizational cultures and each camp was given the opportunity to submit a proposal for a $10,000 grant aimed at enhancing staff return rates.   

Also in attendance at the conference, were representatives from Hillels from University of Florida, Florida State University, International Hillel, Hillels of Georgia, and Hillels of Broward/Palm Beach who collaborated with each camp, focusing on mutual understanding and improvement for their camps, their Hillels, and the Jewish engagement of their staff and campers. 

For the Southeastern camps, FJC’s talent innovation grant is right on the money of societal changes and opens up a collaborative dialogue. With a targeted staff retention grant program providing essential tools to attract and retain talented staff these grants merge tradition and transformation. These grants help each camp continue their commitment to fostering a cohesive and thriving Jewish summer camp community.  

Danny Herz, Executive Director of Camp Barney Medintz, expressed elation after receiving an FJC Talent Innovation grant stating, “FJC truly values our camps, and as importantly, the professional development of the professionals in the industry.” 

For further information or inquiries, please contact: aimee@jewishcamp.org.

REISTERSTOWN, MD – The weekend of November 10-12, 2023, was originally supposed to be quiet with a couple of small retreats at Pearlstone, located in Reisterstown, MD. But after war broke out in Israel, the executive staff at Pearlstone quickly realized their beautiful land, conference space and retreat lodging could serve as a space for solace and community-building. Pearlstone’s team jumped into action, engaging representatives from the Shinshinim Hub at Jewish Educational Services, the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and the Associated as partners. As headquarters of Adamah, North America’s largest Jewish environmental organization, Pearlstone’s response to this crisis sets the stage for replication at other Jewish retreat centers nationwide.

Ashley Pressman, Chesapeake Region Program Director at Pearlstone, felt honored to be able to organize and execute this retreat on such short notice. “There was so much demand that the retreat sold out in four days.” she said. “We realized how much local Israeli families needed an opportunity to gather and have a chance to begin the healing process, even as they are continuing to experience fear and trauma.”

Immediately upon arrival, guests were heard saying, “I didn’t realize how much I needed this.” Another guest commented, “before we arrived, we discussed how many of us felt alone – it is difficult for other friends in the US to understand how we feel.”

Immersed in a deeply Jewish, mostly Hebrew environment, gaggles of kids played together while adults felt comfortable enough to begin to release the acute stress and anxiety they’ve been holding for many weeks. They could exhale and recenter themselves through Hitbotedut (solo Jewish prayer in nature), connect and share stories on a night hike, sing and cry out together at Havdalah and around the campfire, and find powerful healing in the simple act of putting their hands upon the earth. Families loved Pearlstone’s farm animals, the PJ Library storybook walk, zipline, arts & crafts, delicious food, and more. There were trauma and healing discussions, lessons in kabbalah, and self-care activities such as yoga, tai-chi, and acupuncture.

“This weekend was definitely the highlight of my visit to the States at this time. The combination of nurturing, stillness, majestic nature, comradery, good food, spirituality, music, and the amazing abundance of Hebrew hit the spot!” exclaimed Rachelle Tehila Martin, who has been staying with relatives in Baltimore since leaving Israel after October 7.

“We’ve always believed in the power of Jewish retreating, but this gathering was on a different level of holiness. There is a deep yearning to be together right now and we will continue to meet this need.” said Jakir Manela, Adamah CEO.

Ruth Miller, Chief Planning Officer of The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore agreed, “It’s gratifying to see the way Pearlstone has gathered Israeli friends and families to promote healing, and to see yet another way Associated nonprofits support our Israeli sisters and brothers.”

Foundation for Jewish Camp helped make this powerful gathering possible, through the national family camp initiative, JFAM. “JFAM embraced a pivotal opportunity to provide essential funding and support to a program actively addressing the crisis in Israel,” says Michele Friedman, Director, New Camp Initiatives for Foundation for Jewish Camp. “We were happy to help aid the families experiencing heightened feelings of nervousness and isolation, during this challenging period.”

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Pearlstone hosts three JFAM retreats each year in addition to hosting Jewish Holiday and Family Farm Camp retreats. To learn more about Pearlstone and see upcoming retreats, visit adamah.org/pearlstone.

Pearlstone is an Agency of The Associated Jewish Federation of Baltimore and the Headquarters for Adamah.

The Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore strengthens and nurtures Jewish life by engaging and supporting community partners in Greater Baltimore, Israel and around the world. For more information visit associated.org

Adamah cultivates vibrant Jewish life in deep connection with the earth, catalyzing culture change and systemic change through Jewish Environmental Education, Immersive Retreats, and Climate Action. JFAM family camps believe every Jewish family belongs at family camp and seeks to warmly welcome all family structures, families with members who do not identify as Jewish, families of all races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities, and families with children and/or adults with disabilities. For more information, visit jewishcamp.org/jfam

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is dedicated solely to expanding the reach and deepening the impact of Jewish summer camps. As central advocate and convener for the field, FJC scales financial support, programs, and resources benefiting over 300 nonprofit Jewish day and overnight camps that serve 180,000 young people across North America each summer. For more information, visit jewishcamp.org.

New Collaborative Research Reveals Key Insights for both staff and campers

[New York, NY] – With a rise in mental health affecting our youth a new study conducted in collaboration with the American Camp Association and researchers at Foundation for Jewish Camp,  delved into the heart of what makes summer camp run: it’s staff and furthermore, what staff need to feel supported in a camp environment. The study offers valuable insights with potential relevance applicable to many types of summer camps and communities and uncovers the profound impact that well-being has on both campers and staff.   

Every year, around 26 million American children attend summer camps, and about 1.5 million young adults and adults work at these camps.  This study, which will be published in late October in The Journal of Youth Development publication, found key insights that revealed actionable takeaways for camp leadership, offering a blueprint for creating positive and successful camp experiences. It also found investing in the well-being of staff leads to better outcomes for all. 

“The mental health and well-being of youth and young adults is a persistent concern in our current world,” Nila Rosen, Director, Learning & Research at Foundation for Jewish Camp, said. “Camps are a reflection of this complexity. Our research shows how to ensure that camps are supportive and thriving spaces for staff and campers.”

This research demonstrates how experiences of individuals in a group can impact others and emphasizes the importance of supporting staff and group leaders so they can create environments that foster growth and connection. These lessons extend to any organization or community seeking to enhance the well-being of its members.

For in-depth discussions on the study’s findings and their broader implications, the research team is available for interviews. Please contact: aimee@jewishcamp.org for more information.

About Foundation for Jewish Camp

FJC advocates for over 300 day and overnight camps that provide nearly 180,000 campers and counselors each summer with a meaningful, personal, and lifelong connection to Judaism. FJC is the only public 501(c)(3) charitable organization solely focused on Jewish camp. https://jewishcamp.org/

About American Camp Association

The American Camp Association (ACA) is the key to unlocking a future where all children thrive. ACA provides research, education, and training to promote safe and healthy camp experiences for all families. https://www.acacamps.org/

The joint event will be host to two established conferences and run from December 8-11, 2024. 

 

October 24, 2023 – Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) and JCamp 180, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation (HGF), are partnering to host a joint Jewish Camp Summit December 8-11, 2024. This event will be the first time the organizations will host their respective conferences—the annual JCamp 180 Conference and FJC’s biennial Leaders Assembly—consecutively and in a shared venue with intentional and collaborative planning.

“The Harold Grinspoon Foundation looks forward to the opportunity to bring together the entire Jewish camp community in one place to learn, network, and exchange ideas to advance the field,” says HGF President Winnie Sandler Grinspoon. “We look forward to being together with the entire camp community of professionals, lay leaders, and funders to meet the challenges of today and build for tomorrow.”

Jeremy J. Fingerman, CEO of FJC, adds that “Foundation for Jewish Camp was built on the values of collaboration and partnership—knowing that coming together as a field would benefit all camps. In line with this vision, we’re confident that coming together with JCamp 180 for The Jewish Camp Summit will better serve our camp leadership as we pave a trail toward a shared Jewish future.”

Jcamp 180 will kick off the joint event on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, with a full day of programming focused on camp governance issues as well as sessions on fundraising best practices. Then, Foundation for Jewish Camp’s 10th biennial Leaders Assembly will commence, with two full days of plenaries, sessions, networking, and off-site visits on a broad range of camp topics. While each of the two established conferences will retain its unique goals and formats, the two will share an overall theme and a joint reception in celebration of the entire field.

Sarah Eisinger, Director of JCamp 180, and Jamie Simon, Chief Program Officer of FJC, believe the Summit will contribute to sustaining Jewish camping for generations to come.

 

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Contact: 

Aimee Lerner, aimee@jewishcamp.org, 646-278 4518 (Foundation for Jewish Camp)

Brently Heilbron, bheilbron@hgf.org, 512-354-6984 (JCamp 180)

 

About Foundation for Jewish Camp:

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is dedicated solely to expanding the reach and deepening the impact of Jewish summer camps. As central advocate and convener for the field, FJC scales financial support, programs, and resources benefiting over 300 nonprofit Jewish day and overnight camps that serve 180,000 young people across North America each summer. For more information, visit www.jewishcamp.org.

 

About JCamp 180:

For more than 25 years, the Harold Grinspoon Foundation and its JCamp 180 program have been investing in the success of Jewish summer camps through grants, coaching, professional development programs and an annual conference. JCamp 180’s consultants train camp professionals and lay leaders on best practices for effective board governance, strategic planning, and fundraising, and the foundation has created a pipeline to camp through its PJ Library® program. JCamp 180 currently works with more than 150 overnight and day camps across North America. To learn more, visit www.JCamp180.org. 

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Virtual Camp Collaboration Fosters Unity and Hope for Israeli Youth 

Russian Speaking Camp Gesher and Camp Makom, IL bring smiles to children in Israel 

Los Angeles, CA – In a time of uncertainty and conflict, Camp Gesher, a signature program of Shalom Institute, has been working on a heartwarming collaboration that connects young Israelis with staff and children in Los Angeles through a virtual camp program. 

Camp Makom.IL in Israel and Camp Gesher in Los Angeles are uniting young minds, regardless of geographic boundaries, offering education and games, language exchange, and a sense of community to children ages 6-17. This innovative partnership is shining a light of hope for children living in Israel during these challenging times. 

Lena Geller, Director of Camp Gesher, reached out to Camp Makon.IL with an offer of support. Both camps share a common mission of running camps from Russian-speaking Jewish families, and the result has been nothing short of history in the making.  

“I am doing this to help these children take their minds away from what their daily life is bringing them,” Lena Geller shared. “It is heartbreaking, but every day, these children are learning, laughing, and enjoying themselves when they are not running in and out of the bomb shelters.” 

In this exceptional collaboration, children have the opportunity to choose a breakout room of their choice, where a Camp Gesher counselor is always waiting with a warm smile and a fun way to learn something new. This initiative underscores the resilience and strength of these young minds, offering a ray of hope and inspiration for all involved. 

For further details or media inquiries, please contact Lena Geller, Director of Camp Gesher, at lena@shalominstitute.com or 1-858-232-1109. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

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About Foundation for Jewish Camp: 

FJC advocates for over 300 day and overnight camps that provide nearly 180,000 campers and counselors each summer with a meaningful, personal, and lifelong connection to Judaism. FJC is the only public 501(c)(3) charitable organization solely focused on Jewish camp. https://jewishcamp.org/ 

About Camp Gesher: 

Camp GesheЯ is the only overnight camp in North America designed especially for campers from Russian-speaking Jewish families. Camp GesheЯ summer camp is for campers entering 3rd through 10th grades, with a CIT program for entering 11th and 12th graders. Camp GesheЯ is a partnership initiative of Shalom Institute and the Jewish Agency for Israel. Additional funding is provided by the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. https://www.campgesher.org 

About Camp Makom.IL: 

The international Jewish camp Makom.IL in Israel is a project that brings together teenagers from Israel and the Jewish communities of the world. We develop the leadership and creative abilities of the participants, acquaint with Jewish and Israeli history, culture and tradition. We treat each participant with respect and attention. We know that we can change the world, and together are looking for opportunities to do this here and now. https://makomil.org/ 

For the past two years, we, Rachel and Adena, have watched the field of Jewish Camp grow and welcome a new generation of staff members. As the Mental Health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Day Camp and Early Childhood Fellows respectively, we both have spent the past two years working at Foundation for Jewish Camp and spending our summers as supervisors of both Gen Z staff and campers in our respective camp communities.

Many of us who have been working with camp staff over the last 3 years have experienced what it is like to work with and supervise Generation Z (born in 1997-2013) staff. Like us, you might have noticed that the expectations, values, and needs of this population look different than previous generations of camp staff. As both members and supervisors of Gen Z, we know that this is a generation looking for answers, advocacy, and deep connection. They prioritize mental health and consider working at camp as much more than another summer with their friends. As more members of Gen Z continue to join our camp staff and leadership, we know that this generation’s perspective and communication styles can sometimes create moments of tension between supervisors and staff in a camp environment. As Gen Z is expected to make up most of the staff population for the next 10-12 years, we want to help prepare you for what to expect when working with Gen Z. Our goal is to provide you with insights into what to anticipate when working with Gen Z and offer recommendations on how to effectively work with them rather than against them.

Social media has shaped the way that Gen Z understands and interacts with the world around them. Social media offers Gen Z a near constant look at what is happening in their local communities and empowers them to connect with like-minded peers to challenge norms and address issues that they deem important. When Gen Z staff arrive at camp, they often bring these online worldviews with them and seek out ways to share and address things that they experience and might not agree with. If Gen Z staff experience challenges at camp, they will tend to look directly to senior camp leadership instead of their direct supervisors to swiftly and meaningfully problem solve. When approaching these concerns, Gen Z appreciates responses that come from a place of empathy and understanding and clear next steps or obstacles. When changes are not viable, it is important to maintain transparency about those limitations. Gen Z has access to many successful models of advocacy through social media, and when empowered to take ownership of the changes they hope to see, they may surprise you.

Given the abundance of information readily accessible to Gen Z, it is only natural that they will expect that same level of transparency in the workplace. Striking a balance between openness and confidentiality, as appropriate, is crucial in laying the foundation for collaborating with Gen Z instead of creating a divide. When explaining camp policies and procedures, provide extra context on the “why” behind rules and don’t be afraid to share how these policies affect your own life. For example, while sharing about camp’s policy regarding no nuts on site, it could be helpful to share that you like to enjoy a peanut butter and jelly sandwich every day at lunch throughout the year , but when you come to camp, you enter an intentional community with guidelines in place to keep it safe for everyone. This shows the “why” behind the policy as well as a moment of transparency that Gen Z will find comforting. Be open to questions and set guidelines for your leadership team on ways to be transparent with staff and what information is appropriate to share.

Like many of us, Gen Z works best when supported in recognizable ways. using the tools that they are familiar with. Encouraging camp staff of any age to look for creative ways to introduce appropriate technology into camp programs, can be a great way to set your staff up for success. Cell phones and the internet are important tools that aid Gen Z in many different aspects of their personal and professional lives. While phone free spaces at camp can be a cherished camp practice, implementing a strict “No phones” policy for staff at camp will rarely stop Gen Z from finding ways to use their phones while working. It does, however, make it far more difficult to set clear guidelines for the ways that those technologies are being introduced at camp. Gen Z staff will often look to group messaging threads for updates and announcements throughout the day. Facilitating a platform for staff to share these announcements allows you to be sure that information being shared is accurate and constructive.

Similar to other aspects of camp life, the ways that we communicate our staff appreciation has evolved over the past decade. Simply buying food or providing a treat for hungry staff is not a reward and the traditional ways of appreciating staff, like extra swag, were impersonal and only added to the divide between staff and leadership. Gen Z seeks to establish genuine personal connections, and they desire to feel valued and appreciated in every relationship, including the workforce. When thinking about staff appreciation and incentives, consider the holistic value of working at camp. It is not just about another summer at camp and the salary, but about what non-monetary benefits you and camp are contributing to the relationship. How do you demonstrate that each staff member is valued? Create moments of personal connection with Gen Z. Offer personal touches to regular staff appreciation gifts and cater to what they want. Do not hesitate to inquire about what your staff would appreciate and adjust your staff appreciation plans to fit within your budget

Camp is ever evolving. We recognize that not all of these strategies will resonate with all Gen Z staff. The most significant takeaway from our interactions with Gen Z is the importance of leading with empathy and showcasing understanding and support. As they learn about working at camp, we, as camp leadership, are also learning how to collaborate with them. We know camp is changing because the stories our grandparents share about their days at summer camp sound different to the ones we share with our friends. For camp to continue to grow, leadership must be ready to adapt to each new generation’s contributions. Gen Z presents us with an opportunity to reexamine established camp practices, challenge conventions, and align with current trends. As camp professionals, our task is to remain prepared and attentive to our community’s voices. The more we work with Gen Z in mutually beneficial ways, the more our camps will continue to prosper.

Adena Leon is the Day Camp and Early Childhood Education Fellow at Foundation for Jewish Camp. She spent the last 16 years as a camper, counselor, unit head, and program manager at Camp Ramah in California. After the Fellowship, Adena will be joining the Children and Families team at the Marlene Meyerson JCC as the Assistant Director of Camp and Community Engagement.

Rachel Anszelowicz is the Mental Health, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Fellow at Foundation for Jewish Camp. She is a lifelong camp person and has spent the last ten summers on staff at NJY Camps. After the Fellowship, Rachel is excited to be joining the team at URJ Crane Lake Camp as the Assistant Director of Staff Recruitment & Engagement.  

Chicago, IL (April 28, 2023)—Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is pleased to announce the appointment of David Korenthal as its new full-time Midwest Regional Director. The Midwest Regional Center, the first of three current regional centers, has been a source of creativity and innovation in the industry. The foundation’s field-changing One Happy Camper® grant program and its annual field-wide Camper Satisfaction Insights surveys both originated in the Midwest. The center currently serves day and overnight camps in the Chicago area, including hosting the Midwest Camp Leadership Network program which serves 10 overnight camps.Current camp partners include Beber Camp, Camp Ben Frankel,JCC Camp Chi, Camp Interlaken JCC, Camp Moshava Wild Rose, Camp Nageela Midwest, Habonim Dror Camp Tavor, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, URJ Olin-Sang-Ruby Union Institute, and Camp Young Judea Midwest. Korenthal and the FJC team are eager to expand beyond the current camps to reach camps in the broader midwest.

Previously, Korenthal served as the Director of Talent Acquisition at Hillel International, where he collaborated with mid-career professionals, Jewish educators, and Rabbis to attract top talent to Hillels across the country. Prior to his tenure at Hillel, he was the IACT National Program Officer at Combined Jewish Philanthropies, the Jewish Federation of Greater Boston.

In the field of Jewish Camp (like in all fields), the talent pipeline has been significantly impacted over the last five (+)  years, and the field of camping has evolved dramatically due to a broader understanding of camps’ role and potential in addressing the mental health needs of campers and staff, serving as year-round and lifelong Jewish centers, and meeting the shifting expectations of stakeholders and parents. According to Rebecca Kahn, Senior Director, Field Expansion at FJC,”Korenthal’s expertise in talent acquisition and innovative approach to developing leadership pipelines is invaluable in the current landscape.” Kahn adds that “today’s camp leaders require a more diverse set of skills and face increasingly complex challenges, and David’s skills will enable FJC to explore new approaches to talent management, counselor recruitment and retention, and leadership training.”

Briana Holtzman, Senior Director, Organizational Development, who previously, as a portion of her portfolio, served as the Midwest Regional Director, states that “our regional model connects staff members on the ground to the strengths of and opportunities facing local Jewish camps. The model leverages connectivity creating spaces for dialogue, learning, and growth while nurturing innovation that impacts the entire field.”

Korenthal’s passion for the camp industry began at Camp Interlaken JCC in Eagle River, Wisconsin, where he spent 14 summers as a camper, counselor, and unit head. He is a graduate of the Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership program at Brandeis University, where he earned dual MBA and MA degrees. He is delighted to be back in a field that ignited his love for Jewish communal work and believes that camps, both day and overnight, are essential pipelines for Jewish professionals. He is eager to build camps’ resilience in the 21st century, respecting the past while enhancing capacity and relevance for the future.

As Korenthal embarks on his listening tour, he looks forward to deepening relationships with Midwest Jewish day and overnight camps, partner organizations, and current and prospective funders.

About Foundation for Jewish Camp

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) fosters excellence and accelerates innovation at Jewish camps across North America by developing adaptive talent, deepening immersive learning experiences, and driving field growth. FJC supports camps in their effort to provide a lifelong connection to Judaism and elevates Jewish camp on the cultural and philanthropic agenda. For more information, visit www.jewishcamp.org.

Media Contact

Aimee Lerner, Marketing Director
aimee@jewishcamp.org
(646) 278-4518

Singing and cheers rise up as campers and staff close out another week of summer fun together during Friday Shabbat. Campers, swaying back and forth to the sounds of the Shabbatones, Camp Yachad’s up beat, in-house band, welcoming the sabbath and the weekend as one community. It’s difficult to tell that a camper, Joseph, has a 1:1 counselor supporting his needs at camp as he links arms with his peers, in tie-dyed t-shirts, on either side of him. The noise canceling headphones that he wears to decrease his sensory overload are barely visible under his baseball cap.

Joseph spent many summers in the JCC inclusion camp program, always with a love for the rock wall. Carefully alternating little hands and feet to climb to the top, Joseph, though visibly nervous, is supported and encouraged by the cheers of his one-on-one, counselors, and peers to continue on to earn the coveted “top of the rock” button.

For Mark, exploration in JCC Camp Ruach’s sensory garden, made possible with funding from Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yashar Intitiative, helped him feel at ease in his new environment. Having traveled from California to spend the summer with his grandmother, the garden gave him time to connect with peers and find comfort away from home. He enjoyed singing along and playing instruments while finding joy and comfort in the outdoors.

But for Camp Yachad in Scotch Plains and Camp Ruach in Bridgewater, inclusion isn’t a singular program or one physical enhancement; it is a philosophy and value that is embedded in every component of their work. It is a true sense of belonging in a community that willingly extends year-round support to individuals with disabilities and their families so that everyone can participate equitably. Led and motivated by the camp community inclusion has been crafted into the culture helping ensure that campers and staff with disabilities have a year-round and life long acceptance at camp and beyond.

At Camp Ruach, campers and young adults with special needs transition into the Camp Chaverim unit (for campers above the age of 14 years) where they can both enjoy their favorite camp activities, volunteer and spend time learning vocational skills, and make significant contributions to the larger camp community. Our Chaverim campers who serve lunch and support specialists, are greeted with smiles, hellos, and high-fives from the younger campers.

When Joseph aged out of camp, he was hired on staff as an Assistant Specialist at the rock wall, receiving vocational training and social skills support along the way to be successful in his new, paid position. The transition from camper to staff is a camper’s right of passage, made possible through inclusive programming and planned support. Now, the young campers that scale the rock wall look to Joseph to cheer them on and expertly belay them up the wall.

For campers at both of these camps, experiencing camp alongside their neurodiverse peers encourages awareness, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals with disabilities and raises their social consciousness from a young age. It helps to foster a culture of inclusivity and understanding among all children. By bringing children with disabilities together with their peers, camps help to break down stereotypes and promote mutual understanding and respect. Children learn that everyone has unique strengths, and these campers that have shared their summer camp experience with Joseph and Mark are the next great cohort of counselors and leaders, continuing our culture of belonging into the future and beyond the grounds of our properties.

Building confidence, developing new skills, and forming positive relationships with one’s peers is a key value of these camps regardless of one’s ability. By offering a wide range of activities and accommodations, supporting children’s mental and emotional well-being, and fostering a culture of inclusivity and understanding, these camps provide children with disabilities with an opportunity to thrive and grow in a supportive and empowering environment.

Camp Yachad in Scotch Plains, NJ and JCC Camp Ruach in Bridgewater, NJ both received funding from Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yashar Initiative. The Yashar Initiative, generously funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, has provided ACA-accredited Jewish day and overnight camps in the US with essential funding for capital improvements to increase accessibility, as well as professional development, research, and evaluation.

Alanna Steinberg, MSW, MA, is entering her 6th summer as the Camp Director at JCC Camp Ruach at the Shimon & Sara Birnbaum JCC in Bridgewater, NJ, where she herself was a former camper and counselor. She works proudly alongside the inclusion team at JCC Camp Ruach to create meaningful and positive experiences for all.

Mallory Zipkin is entering her 8th summer as the Director at Camp Yachad at the JCC of Central NJ in Scotch Plains. Mallory’s favorite part of camp is Maccabiah (Color War) and she was a proud blue team general when she grew up as a staff member at Camp Yachad.

NEW YORK (January 23, 2023)—Avodah is proud to announce that it has partnered with Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) for the second cohort program of the Avodah Institute for Social Change. The 18-month program trains Jewish community professionals to develop their Jewish justice skills.

Avodah established the Institute in response to a growing demand from Jewish organizations for professional development that would help promote greater diversity, equity, and inclusion within their communities. Through retreats, workshops, coaching, and peer mentoring, the Institute will provide eighteen Jewish day and overnight camp senior staff with opportunities to learn about social justice, respond to issues that matter to their campers and staff, and develop skills to deepen their camp’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

“The Institute offers powerful resources and guidance to Jewish organizations and their leaders so that they can make true structural changes and ensure that justice remains at the heart of our communal life,” said Sarra Alpert, Director of the Avodah Institute for Social Change. “We’re thrilled that Foundation for Jewish Camp has embraced this opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to justice by bringing this program to camp communities.”

“Camps are laboratories for grappling with challenges and building the foundation for a better world,” says FJC’s CEO, Jeremy Fingerman. “Partnering with the Avodah Institute for Social Change in supporting a camp cohort brings expertise to the leaders of these communities and enables camps to embrace their values in a way that ensures justice is not only an ideal we pursue, but holy work we do.”

The Institute’s January 2023 to April 2024 program builds on the success of its pilot cohort, which included Hillel campus senior staff and staff from Hillel International. The Institute’s faculty includes leaders in the field of Jewish social justice, including Catherine Bell, Caroline Rothstein, Yoshi Silverstein, and Yehudah Webster. Learn more about the faculty team here.

The Avodah Institute for Social Change is generously funded by Crown Family Philanthropies, The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Jim Joseph Foundation, Irving Harris Foundation, Perlin Family Foundation, The Rakin Family, Sally Gottesman, Alisa and Daniel Doctoroff, Martine and Stanley Fleishman, and Ruth Wolman.

Participants of the Leadership for Social Change cohort include:

• Dan Chomstein, JCamp, Westside JCC (California)
• Ben Cohen, URJ Jacobs Camp (Mississippi)
• Sarah Cotler, URJ Camp Coleman (Georgia)
• Haylee Davis, Camp J, Tucson JCC (Arizona)
• Rachel Eilbaum, Camp Young Judaea Sprout Lake (New York)
• Abigail Evonuk, BB Day Camps Portland (Oregon)
• Molly Helm, Camp Sabra (Missouri)
• Kathryn Jay, Urban Adamah (California)
• Kachel Kohnhorst, URJ Greene Family Camp (Texas)
• Justin Levy, URJ Camp Coleman (Georgia)
• Adra Lustig, Camp Havaya (Pennsylvania)
• Jayme Mallindine, URJ 6 Points Sci-Tech Academy (Massachusetts)
• Eileen Price, In the City Camps (Georgia)
• Joshua Rudman, Camp Sabra (Missouri)
• Ronni Saltzman Guttin, Camp Avoda (Massachusetts)
• Ken Shifman, Camp Avoda (Massachusetts)
• Zachary Weisbrot, Berkshire Hills Eisenberg Camp (New York)
• Cindy Zingher, Camp Kinderland (Massachusetts)

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About Avodah

Founded in 1998, Avodah develops lifelong social justice leaders whose work is informed by Jewish values and who inspire the Jewish community to work toward a more just and equitable world. Avodah’s programming provides leaders working within the Jewish community and beyond with the tools, networks, and spiritual nourishment to fight the root causes of injustice. Its many programmatic offerings include the Jewish Service Corps, the Avodah Justice Fellowship, and the new Avodah Institute for Social Change. To learn more about Avodah visit www.avodah.net and follow on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Youtube.

About Foundation for Jewish Camp

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) fosters excellence and accelerates innovation at Jewish camps across North America by developing adaptive talent, deepening immersive learning experiences, and catalyzing field growth. Founded in 1998, FJC elevates Jewish camp on the cultural and philanthropic agenda, creating opportunities to engage even more young people in Jewish camp through groundbreaking programs such as One Happy Camper® and FJC’s Specialty Camps Incubator. FJC advocates for over 300 day and overnight camps that provide nearly 180,000 campers and counselors each summer with a meaningful, personal, and lifelong connection to Judaism. FJC is a public 501(c)(3) charitable organization. For more information, please visit: jewishcamp.org.

Media Contacts

Jennifer Friedlin
Avodah
jfriedlin@avodah.net
(912) 863-6270

Aimee Lerner, Marketing Director
Foundation for Jewish Camp
aimee@jewishcamp.org
(646) 278-4518

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, NY (November 17, 2022)—Deepening its commitment to supporting the growing complexity of mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health (MESSH) needs of camps, Foundation for Jewish Camp has announced enhanced mental health supports for a third group of thirty Jewish summer camps. Building on the success of two previous cohort of the Yedid Nefesh initiative, FJC will now be extending financial, communal, and educational supports to a total of 99 Jewish day and overnight camps across North America. 

“Camps are already fertile ground for self-discovery and strengthening confidence, interpersonal skills, and resiliency. By creating embedded and sustainable MESSH support systems, we can effect real change in the current childhood and adolescent mental health crisis,” says Jill Goldstein Smith, senior program manager and Yedid Nefesh project lead at FJC. 

The Yedid Nefesh initiative launched in 2019 with a generous investment by The Marcus Foundation. Mental health support has been a priority of Jewish camps even prior to the pandemic, which brought exacerbating mental health needs. During the pilot year of the initiative, FJC received more than three times as many applicants than available grants. Inspired by early signs of success, UJA-Federation of New York and the Jewish Communal Fund of New York are sponsoring eight of the camps. 

The continued need and demand, combined with the success of the program’s multi-faceted approach, led The Marcus Foundation to make an additional gift to the initiative through 2026. This will support an additional cohort of 30 camps and allow camps in the first two cohorts to sustain their work through another year. 

“Mental Health continues to be a serious issue across our communities. We’re proud of the work we’ve done with FJC through this grant, and the impact it’s already having,” says Bernie Marcus of The Marcus Foundation. “But there is more work to do, more to accomplish, to support the growing mental health needs of our young campers, counselors, and their families.” 

Each camp chosen for the Yedid Nefesh initiative receives up to $36,500 in direct funding over the course of four years. This investment is used by each camp to hire a qualified mental health professional, provide counselor training, establish wellness activities, and develop tools to destigmatize mental health in their broader community. Many of the camps’ mental health professionals will gather for the first time for professional development in person at FJC’s biennial conference, Leaders Assembly, in Atlanta, Georgia, from December 4-6. FJC will also be expanding a fellowship piloted last summer for social work graduate students to receive on-the-job experience at Yedid Nefesh camps this summer, building a pipeline of qualified mental health professionals at Jewish camp.

Thirty camps will comprise the third cohort of Yedid Nefesh, including:

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About Foundation for Jewish Camp

Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) fosters excellence and accelerates innovation at Jewish camps across North America by developing adaptive talent, deepening immersive learning experiences, and driving field growth. FJC supports camps in their effort to provide a lifelong connection to Judaism and elevates Jewish camp on the cultural and philanthropic agenda. For more information, visit jewishcamp.org.   

Media Contact

Aimee Lerner, Marketing Director
aimee@jewishcamp.org
(646) 278-4518