Education

To be eligible to apply for this program, camps must:    

• Be a member, in good standing, of the FJC network 

• Have a strong commitment to deepening and/or expanding Israel education and programming in the summer of 2025 
  
• Implement FJC’s Camper Satisfaction Insight Survey and Staff Satisfaction Insight Survey, as well as complete FJC’s Camp Census for the upcoming summer.

• Hire a Head of Israel Education by March 2025 

 
The Head of Israel Education position must meet the following criteria: 

• Hold primary responsibility for Israel education and programming at camp in a supervisory and/or direct service role; this must constitute the majority of the HIE’s summer portfolio.

• Can be a new position or an expansion of a previously existing position   

• Is a thoughtful, experienced educator with interest in and knowledge of Israel.  (HIEs will benefit from support and resources from FJC and the educator cohort but must bring their own prior experience to this role.) 

• Participate in approximately 15 hours of coaching and virtual learning which will take place throughout March, April and May. FJC will make every effort to offer multiple sessions that address the diversity of participant schedules and availability. 

• Can meet all the requirements of this program before, during and after the summer of 2025.  

December 17 2024 | Applications open 

January 17 2025 | Applications due 

January 27 2025 | Notification of selected camps 

February 2025 | Opening webinar for member of Senior Leadership Team 

Early March 2025 | Deadline for Israel Education Statement 

March  2025 | Deadline to hire Head of Israel Education  

Late March – May 2025 | Coaching and webinars for Heads of Israel Education 

Summer 2025 | Site visits from coaches and/or FJC staff 

September 2025 | Deadline for program write-up and evaluation 

Shara Siegfeld, She/her 

Shara Siegfeld is a dynamic educational leader with extensive experience in day school, congregational learning, and summer camp. To walk into Shara’s office, one might think it is a playroom; colorful toys and fidgets strewn about her desk, bookshelves filled with children’s books mingled with Judaic texts, and a Superman cel hanging alongside graduate degrees. It’s a perfect representation of her spirited nature and passion for education. She loves engaging and inspiring learners of all ages to find personal meaning and connection with Israel and Judaism. Shara joyfully fulfills this mission, as the Director of Lifelong Learning at Congregation Beth Emeth in Albany and spent 10 summers working as the Director of Education at Camp Ramah New England. Shara holds an MA in Jewish Educational Leadership from HUC-JIR with a Master’s concentration in Israel Education, a graduate certificate in Israel Education from GW, and Smicha from the Pluralistic Rabbinic Seminary. 

Shy Ashkenazi, he/his 

Shy started his Jewish camping career and journey in Israel education in 2006 as a Summer camp Shaliach. Falling in love with the field, he continued to work for the Summer Shlichim Program at JAFI for 13 years in a variety of roles, from a Camps and Shlichim Coordinator to Director of Training and Education, and working with cohorts of different camps. 
He then continued to serve as a Sr. Community Shaliach in Northern Virginia for three years. 
 
In the past few years Shy serves as a consultant for different organizations (summer camps, congregations, other non-profits and corporates) with programing, training needs and organizational development. 
 
Shy holds a MA in Human Development and Education from GWU with a certificate in Israel Education. 

Lesley Litman, she/her 

Lesley Litman Ed.D. is a faculty member of the HUC-JIR School of Education, Coordinator of Faculty Instructional Support at HUC-JIR and works on the new Virtual Pathway to the Rabbinate program at HUC-JIR. She consults to The iCenter in curriculum design and professional development in Israel education and is a faculty member of the Conflicts of Interest certificate program. Lesley has served in leadership positions in a wide variety of Jewish educational settings including founding director of HUC-JIR’s Executive MA program in Jewish Education, congregational education, day schools, youth movement and the URJ. She lived in Israel for ten years and was a founder of Kibbutz Yahel. Lesley holds an Ed.D. from JTS, an MA in Jewish Studies with a Hebrew concentration from Hebrew College and a BA in Economics from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. She was a Mandel Jerusalem Fellow from 1994-96. 

Mia Zimman, she/her 

Mia Zimman is an innovative Jewish educator, ritual leader, and certified Jewish Spiritual Director with over 20 years of experience creating engaging, impactful learning experiences. Her expertise spans Torah, folklore, music, art, and nature, which she weaves together to inspire learners of all ages to connect deeply with their Jewish heritage. Mia’s approach empowers individuals to find their unique voices within the Jewish tradition, making learning both meaningful and personally relevant. 

With a Master’s in Jewish Education, Mia has designed and led educational programs in diverse settings. As the Youth & Families Education Director and Founding Director of a Nature-Based B. Mitzvah program at Congregation Ner Shalom, she has shaped dynamic, lifelong Jewish learning experiences for families. 

Mia’s leadership extends to Shabbat and High Holiday services, life cycle events, and offering spiritual guidance. She fosters a Judaism that is inclusive, creative, and ever-evolving, bringing joy and purpose to every generation. 

Amy Ben-Dov, She/Her 

Amy Ben-Dov loves bringing Israel to life in creative and unexpected ways! As an educator, mentor, and tour guide, she has spent years helping people connect with Israel through language, culture, and immersive experiences. She works with camps, schools, and educators to make Israel education dynamic, relevant, and fun—whether through Hebrew infusion, street art, or hands-on storytelling. Amy enjoys working with Jewish camp professionals, helping them find new ways to spark meaningful conversations and inspire campers and staff. When she’s not teaching or mentoring, you can probably find her exploring the Machaneh Yehuda market, searching for hidden graffiti, or planning her next great Israel adventure. 

Dvora Goodman 

Dvora Goodman consults with and mentors Jewish educators in a variety of settings. She works with the iCenter for Israel Education on the Conflicts of Interest, camp, and day school initiatives. Dvora is also the coordinator of The Lola Stein Institute, a think tank affiliated with The Toronto Heschel School, a day school in Toronto. 

Deborah Kardon, She/her 

Deborah Kardon is a strategic leader, community builder, and problem-solver with over three decades of experience in nonprofit leadership. Known for revitalizing organizations, launching impactful initiatives, and fostering meaningful connections, she has worked across the Jewish communal world and beyond—whether leading humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, organizing Israel experiences, spearheading strategic fundraising campaigns, or developing innovative educational programs. 
Deborah thrives on bringing people and ideas together to create lasting change. With a background in social work, Jewish education, and organizational leadership, she has a knack for turning challenges into opportunities. Passionate, collaborative, and always ready with a creative solution, Deborah brings insight, warmth, and a touch of humor to every project she takes on. 

Lori B Sagarin, she/her 

Lori B Sagarin, RJE has been a Jewish educator for many years serving a Central Agency early on and followed by 2 Reform congregations, the most recent for 30 years. Lori is passionate about Israel and Hebrew education and has devoted her career to building Jewish identity through a strong connection to Israel and Hebrew language. 
In her consultant work at The iCenter Lori has focused on a number of programs, specifically iFellows, Mentoring as professional development and working with and supporting Chicago’s Shinshinim. Lori crafted and ran iCon’s earlier “cousin”, iCamp and has also served on the Jewish educational staff of the Maccabiah. Most recently, she has led 3 “Mifgash that Matters” missions in Israel for Jewish educators and other professionals in the wake of October 7th. 
Lori is married to Rabbi James Sagarin and has two children, Eliana who lives in Tel Aviv and Benjamin in Chicago. 

Wendy Grinberg 

Dr. Wendy Grinberg, RJE has over 25 years of experience as a Jewish educational leader in formal and informal settings, working with every age group from children to adults. After earning joint master’s degrees at Brandeis University, she was a congregational educator in Atlanta, Georgia. Following ten years at the Union for Reform Judaism in the department of lifelong Jewish learning, she started her own Jewish education consulting business. During that time, she was the director of Jewish education at URJ Eisner Camp for eight years. Wendy has written many innovative curricula, served as an academic and professional mentor to dozens of graduate students in Jewish education, coached Jewish educators, and redesigned Jewish education programs. She has a deep love of Jewish camp and Israel! She lives with her husband Misha, their two children Simon and Naomi and their rescue dog Rosie in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. 

Jonah Canner, he/him 

Jonah Canner is an ambassador from the world we have not yet built. He believes in people, community, and the sacred obligation we have to make positive change in the world around us. Jonah’s primary areas of focus include racial equity, restorative justice, experiential education, and working through conflict. He has worked as a classroom teacher, a summer camp director, and a consultant offering mentoring, training, and support for individuals and organizations. Jonah has a Masters in Education from the New School University and is currently on the faculty of the Avodah institute for Social Change, the Institute for Democratic Education in America, and the Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Cornerstone Fellowship. He is also the Education Fellow in the Religion and Public Life program at the Harvard Divinity School. In his free time Jonah is writing a collection of memoir essays that explore questions of grief, identity, ancestry, and place. 

Jill Stepak, She/Her 

Jill Stepak is a skilled educator, instructional designer, musician, artist, and a proud Camp Interlaken JCC alum. Jill is a lifelong camp enthusiast and has served as a staff member, unit educator, songleader, and Jewish life faculty at several Jewish camps. She is currently an educational consultant and is working on several projects around authentic dialogue and relationship to Israel for learners of all ages. 
 
For the past twenty years, Jill has worked in synagogues, camps, schools, and for-profits. She specializes in turning complex concepts into accessible, engaging, and memorable learning experiences that are relevant and meaningful to each unique audience. 
 
Jill has an M.A. in Jewish Educational Leadership from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion, and a B.A. in Jewish Education and Modern Hebrew from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She currently lives in Bethesda, MD with her husband, two daughters and two dogs. 

Meg Adler, she/her 

Meg has been working in Jewish education in one way or another (Hebrew school, youth group programming, summer camping, farming, b’nai mitzvah tutoring and service leading etc.) for over 10 years. Currently, she serves as the Librarian/Makerspace teacher at Denver Jewish Day School. Meg holds an M.A. in Religion from Yale Divinity School, a Certificate in Jewish Education from HUC-JIR, and a B.A. in English Literature from UCLA. When she is not working or reading or geeking out about all things Jewish life, Meg enjoys spending time with her friends and family. 

• Overnight Camps in the FJC network that do not currently offer an Israel Trip Experience for teen campers, and that are dedicated to creating one for their campers that will launch in Summer 2027 
• A year-round senior camp professional with decision-making authority in their camp’s culture (Executive Director, Camp Director, Associate Director, or experienced Assistant Director) 
• An Israel Trip Manager (new staff position made possible by Camp Israel Trip Incubator Grant)

1. Staff Capacity Funds: CITI will provide participating camps with $45,000 to help camps hire an Israel Trip Manager. Funds may be used to hire a new employee or to add this work to the portfolio of an existing professional. Israel Trip Managers will be the main driver of the CITI initiative and will participate in virtual and in-person learning sessions. Once the Israel Experience is developed, participating camps will also be eligible for additional funds to hire a RootOne/FJC Fellow who will be responsible for trip recruitment and staffing. 
   • Israel Trip Manager: $45,000 (over the course of March 2025 – August 2027) 
   • RootOne/FJC Fellow: $15,000 (estimate) (over the course of August 2027 – August 2029) 
2. Marketing and Recruitment Funds: $10,000 over 3-year period 

• As part of CITI, you will not be working in isolation. On the contrary, you will be part of a learning community in which you can learn from and share with each other as you curate your camp’s Israel experience. 
• Participation in CITI will provide many opportunities to work closely with CITI faculty comprised of subject matter experts and experienced practitioners in Jewish camping and Israel engagement, as well as FJC and RootOne staff. Learning and mentoring will not only occur during the formal learning sessions but also during those times “in between”.

• How to recruit and market for an Israel trip 
• Managing change in your community and camp culture 
• Designing the right trip itinerary for your camp 
• Finding the right staff for your Israel trip 
• Choosing a tour operator that understands your camp’s needs 
• How to best prepare and manage the staff for your Israel trip 
• Best practices for bringing the Israel experience back to camp 
• Assuring camp’s financial strength and providing financial assistance 
• Meeting trip providers and tour operators 
• Various approaches to Israel Education 

• Applications are now live, please click here to apply.
  Please only fill out this application once per camp.
• Applications are due Friday, February 21st, 2025.
• You will be notified of a final decision by early March.