Articles & Press Releases 03.19.18

Shmira Initiative on Gender, Sex and Power at Jewish Camp

Foundation for Jewish Camp Rolls Out New Initiative to Address Issues of Gender, Sex and Power Dynamics in Camp Community

“Shmira Initiative” kickstarts funding for training, programming and resource creation for summer 2018

BALTIMORE – As more than 750 Jewish summer camp professionals, educators, philanthropists and communal leaders gathered on March 18 for Foundation for Jewish Camp’s (FJC) seventh biennial Leaders Assembly, FJC unveiled a new initiative to prevent harassment and abuse, sexist language and behavior in the camp community.

The “Shmira Initiative” aims to change camp culture on all levels, implementing a shift in staff programming, training, policy and enforcement around issues of gender, sex and power. Shmira, in Hebrew and in the vernacular of Jewish summer camp, means guard duty, embodying the social and individual responsibility every community member has to ensure a safe environment.

“The #MeToo movement has emboldened victims of sexual harassment and assault to come forward and tell their stories, shining a new spotlight on crimes of child abuse. Through the ‘Shmira Initiative,’ our camps and communities will be better equipped to address these issues head on, with immediate action in conjunction with parents and law enforcement authorities,” said Marina Lewin, Chief Operating Officer of Foundation for Jewish Camp. “Jewish institutions have a chance to define their prevention and response plans – and lead the discussion on culture change in our community. Jewish camp must be a safe space. Together, we can build on the momentum of the #MeToo movement to safeguard our community.”

The goals of the initiative include:

  • Educating and training Jewish camp staff on prevention
  • Identification and reporting of sexual misconduct at camp
  • Providing resources and training to camp directors and boards concerning policies for preventing and confronting sexual harassment in the workplace
  • Creating programs and materials to change camp culture and language around sexuality and gender expression

FJC will invest an initial $100,000 to support the development of the initiative’s primary components, including:

  • Training for Counselors and Staff – FJC will offer regional camp staff trainings in advance of this summer and next. Throughout the year on an ongoing basis, materials and trainings will be incorporated into the curriculum of FJC’s professional development and leadership programs, including Cornerstone Fellowships (for returning counselors), Yitro Leadership Program (for assistant and associate directors), and Executive Leadership Institute (ELI).
  • Virtual Learning for Jewish Camp and Movement Leadership – Beginning earlier this year, FJC is hosting a webinar training series on procedures regarding sexual harassment reporting, intervention and prevention, with leading experts. Targeted to support camp staff in advance of summer 2018, this webinar series is open to camp directors and lay leaders focusing on the legal and human resources aspects of sexual harassment among adults.
  • Education and Culture Change for Campers – FJC staff will work with experts to develop a national campaign to continue the discussion around issues of gender, sex and power in the camp community. The campaign will highlight the cultural changes FJC is promoting in camps, including posters and stickers for bunks, and online resources including talking points for parents to get involved. Messages will support campers and counselors in calling out sexual pressure and misconduct, as well as homophobic language and bullying with the goal of building a common language of consent and care at camp.

The “Shmira Initiative” was announced on the first night of Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Leader’s Assembly. The announcement was accompanied by a panel discussion on the issues highlighted by the initiative moderated by new FJC board chair Julie Beren Platt; and featuring Lisa Eisen, Vice President at the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation; Barry Finestone, President and CEO of the Jim Joseph Foundation; Rachel Garbow Monroe, President and CEO of The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation; and Deborah Meyer, CEO of Moving Traditions.

Furthering its leadership on these issues, FJC has also joined the recently established Partnership for Jewish Communal Life, with CEO Jeremy J. Fingerman serving on the steering committee. The partnership’s aim is to ensure that safe, respectful and equitable workplaces and communal spaces become universal in Jewish life and that sexual harassment and misconduct, as well as gender and sexual orientation discrimination, and their related abuses of power, are no longer tolerated in the Jewish community.

Camp professionals:  If you would like to learn more about the Shmira regional trainings please fill out this  form by Thursday, March 29 at 12:00 pm EST.

Additionally if there are other related topics you would like to see addressed in future webinars and or trainings, or if you have any other questions or comments, please contact Caroline Rothstein, the FJC Shmira Initiative Coordinator, at shmira@jewishcamp.org.

###

About Foundation for Jewish Camp

Founded in 1998, Foundation for Jewish Camp is a catalyst for change throughout the field of Jewish Camp. FJC trains and inspires camp leaders, expands access to Jewish summers—and increases demand. FJC’s work enhances the Jewish impact of those summers, developing programs to strengthen camps and summer experiences across the Jewish spectrum in North America—including One Happy Camper®, which has enabled tens of thousands of young people to experience Jewish summers. Further, FJC elevates Jewish camp on the cultural and philanthropic agenda. The Foundation for Jewish Camp has grown to work with approximately 300 day and overnight camps who serve more than 200,000 youth, teens and college-aged counselors across North America each summer. Please visit jewishcamp.org and follow on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.