Foundation for Jewish Camp Welcomes Fourth Cohort of FJC Fellows
Three emerging leaders join FJC’s 21‑month fellowship
NEW YORK — Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) recently welcomed its newest cohort of FJC Fellows; part of a paid, 21‑month program for recent college graduates that develops the next generation of Jewish camp leaders. Fellows spend the summer in leadership roles at Jewish camps in FJC’s network and the academic year working full‑time at FJC’s New York headquarters, contributing to field‑wide initiatives that strengthen day and overnight camps across North America. The fellowship is a core pillar of FJC’s investment in cultivating talent and leadership throughout the Jewish camp ecosystem, with tens of thousands of young leaders working at camp each summer.
“Investing in emerging talent is how we ensure that Jewish camp continues to be a transformative experience for generations to come,” said Jamie Simon, CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp. “This fellowship gives promising leaders hands-on experience at camp and at FJC, pairing mentorship with meaningful responsibility. We’re thrilled to welcome this new cohort and to support their growth as they help advance our mission.”
FJC Fellows support leadership, education, wellness, inclusion, research, marketing, and development initiatives; participate in professional development; and gain exposure to nonprofit management. Past fellows have gone on to serve in senior positions at Jewish day and overnight camps, work at other Jewish organizations, or pursue masters degrees in social work and Jewish education.
All fellows in the 2025 cohort are based in New York City and began in early September.
Lauren Berger (she/her) — Lauren was most recently a lead pre-school teacher at the JCC of Milwaukee and served as the Operations Assistant for the Wisconsin Region BBYO, as well as participating in FJC’s Camp Management Fellowship. She will be participating in the fellowship with Camp Interlaken JCC, where she has spent many years, and also worked this past summer at Camp Wise to diversify her camp experience. Lauren is a Cornerstone alum and past Cornerstone event intern.
FJC Fellowship Focus: Leadership Development
Bradley Epstein (he/him) — Bradley recently graduated from Tulane University with a degree in Jewish Studies. He joins us from Beber Camp and is also a Cornerstone alum, former event intern, and a member of the Cornerstone Alumni Board.
FJC Fellowship Focus: Jewish and Israel Education
Steph Sussman (they/them) — Steph recently graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo with a degree in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism Administration. They come to us from Camp Ramah in California and are an alum of both Cornerstone and the Camp Management Fellowship.
FJC Fellowship Focus: Wellness, Inclusion, and Belonging.
“As both colleagues and mentors, we’re excited by what this cohort already brings to the table — and even more excited by what they will learn and build over the next two years,” said Julie Finkelstein, Senior Director of Programs at Foundation for Jewish Camp. “From leadership development to Jewish learning to wellness and belonging, these fellows will contribute directly to the programs that make Jewish camp safe, joyful, and deeply meaningful.”
About Foundation for Jewish Camp
FJC’s mission is to grow, support, and strengthen the Jewish camp movement, leveraging more than $20 million of philanthropic giving annually to scale programs and resources that benefit more than 300 Jewish day and overnight camps across North America. Learn more at jewishcamp.org
