Foundation for Jewish Camp Appoints David Korenthal As Midwest Regional Director

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