by Zachary Lasker, Ed.D. The amazing race is on to design the new, ultimate Jewish learning experience. Professional educators are valiantly trying to transform their programs of education to maintain - or even increase - their enrollment. The fuel for this pursuit is quite powerful. A tight economy forces parents to think critically about how they allocate their dollars, advances in consumerism have created a marketplace in which shoppers can find a product that matches their specifications, and the average pace of life has grown so speedy that time can only be allotted for commitments that prove their worth. The idea of status quo in Jewish education has faded. Pressure can sometimes be healthy. The demand that we make a case for why Jewish education should be a priority in the life of a … Continue Reading
Foundation for Jewish Camp Receives $8.6m. Grant
With an $8.6 million grant, The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is launching Specialty Camps Incubator II. The funding is being provided by The Jim Joseph and AVI CHAI Foundations. The second cycle of this program will be used to open four new nonprofit Jewish overnight camps dedicated to a specific skill or area of interest while introducing and integrating Jewish culture. "The five camps that opened in summer 2010 as a result of the first Specialty Camps Incubator are a notable success," says Al Levitt, Board President, Jim Joseph Foundation. "They exceeded their enrollment benchmarks by 146% in the first two years. They provided a new path to Jewish camp for many children: 40% of campers who attended these specialty camps reported that they had never attended Jewish camp before and 66% said … Continue Reading
A Long Love Affair With Israel
by John S. Ruskay After a week quite properly dominated by the AIPAC Conference and intense focus on how to respond to the threat of a nuclear Iran, I’d like to share a personal story from my recent trip to Israel. I was davening at a Jerusalem minyan on Friday night two weeks ago when I realized next June 2013, will be the fiftieth anniversary of my first trip to Israel. 50!! Memories from that first trip came cascading to mind: climbing to the top of the YMCA tower to peer into the old city; the utter silence of Shabbat in Jerusalem; camping under the stars in the Negev; spending a week on a kibbutz picking apples; the golden magnificence of the Judean Hills. Glidah (ice cream), that was obviously the best in the world. Visiting the original Knesset on King George Street - and far … Continue Reading
Jewish Teen Funders Network Launches Teen Foundations at 20 Summer Camps
New York, March 6, 2012 - The Jewish Teen Funders Network (JTFN), a youth philanthropy project of the Jewish Funders Network, has awarded grants to 20 summer camps from across denominational lines and around North America. As participants in the Camping Pilot Program, these grantees will receive $1,500 and leadership training to develop high-quality teen philanthropy programs. Recognizing the potential of Jewish youth philanthropy programs to empower and educate teens about effective philanthropy and Jewish values, JTFN will work closely with grantees on program development and staff training. Summer camps from around the Jewish community demonstrated overwhelming interest in the pilot program, with twice as many applications as slots available. Through the JTFN Camping Pilot Program, each of … Continue Reading
Summer Camps to Receive $3.6m. for Israel Education Project
The Larry and Lillian Goodman Foundations has awarded a four-year, $2.3 million matching grant to the iCenter and the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) to establish a joint project, the Goodman Camping Initiative for Modern Jewish History. A matching component has been fulfilled by The Marcus Foundation and the AVI CHAI Foundation, who are jointly contributing a $1.3 million grant to the program. The initiative targets independent Jewish camps and builds upon other Israel education initiatives in the camping world funded by these foundations and others. The objective of this new initiative is to enhance and expand the modern Israeli historical and cultural teachings at nonprofit independent Jewish overnight camps, forging an even greater connection between campers and the Jewish state. “Over … Continue Reading
On the Influence of Camp
by Ramie Arian “That felt a lot like camp!” said the woman next to me at the conclusion of the Friday evening service during the recent Biennial of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ). Judging from her tone, she approved. Indeed, it had felt “a lot like camp,” I thought, though on first reflection, it was not quite clear why. Tefillah (worship) at camp is generally a relatively casual affair: with worshippers dressed in shorts or jeans, prayers offered by leaders - probably campers and counselors - who are lacking in formal skills, leading a congregation of up to a few hundred participants, mostly children. The music of the service is guided by songleaders who make up in enthusiasm for what they lack in training and polish. Often, the tefillah takes place in an outdoor setting of … Continue Reading
Reshet Ramah Launched to Network Camp Alumni
The National Ramah Commission of The Jewish Theological Seminary today announced establishment of Reshet Ramah, a network driven in part by technology to engage and connect thousands of alumni of the Ramah camping movement and offer a channel for extending and enhancing Jewish community involvement. The initiative is fueled by just-announced grants totaling up to $1.8 million from the AVI CHAI Foundation and the Maimonides Fund. As the camping arm of Conservative Judaism, Ramah runs eight overnight camps, four day camps and youth programming in Israel, with participation by more than 9,000 campers and staff members each summer. Over its 65-year history, an estimated quarter-million participants and staff have passed through Ramah camps and programs creating a large, diverse cohort of alumni … Continue Reading
Yesterday’s Campers, Today’s Donors
from JCC Circle: Yesterday’s Campers, Today’s Donors When Alex Budnitsky, the executive director of the Edith & Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, in Brooklyn, New York, wanted to find alumni of the JCH’s camp programs, he knew where to go to look. After all, they’re called the Facebook generation for a reason. ... The campaign called 18 on the 18th launched on April 18, with the goal to raise $18,000 before the start of the camp season. Budnitsky set up a mechanism so contributors could donate through the Facebook page. Within five days, they had received 26 contributions, and Budnitsky quickly realized the campaign would succeed. The money raised helped more than thirty children go to camp and to the JCC Maccabi Games. In fact, one donor paid the total fee … Continue Reading
Catalyzing Jewish Networks: How Can Jewish Schools and Camps Join In?
by Leah Meir “Jewish geography” is a favorite game among Jews who meet up anywhere - conferences, social gatherings, work meetings, street corners. You know the game questions: “So where are you from?” “No kidding, New Jersey! Do you know my brother (son, daughter, sister), who went to school (camp, college) there?” “Sure, I know your brother (son, daughter etc.) - We were really friendly at school (camp, college etc.)! I actually just connected with him (her) again through Facebook (Twitter, LinkedIn).” Jews have been master networkers since the Babylonian exile 3,000 years ago - our survival as a people has depended on the ability to stay connected with fellow Jews wherever they were scattered across the globe. Our networking helped us hold fast to our shared values, texts, … Continue Reading
Grinspoon Holds Annual Camp Conference; Expands to Provide Services to Day Camps
More than 375 camp professionals and board leaders from across North America attended this week's 2011 Grinspoon Institute Annual Conference to discuss best practices for improving the long-term viability and success of Jewish overnight camp. The conference theme, “Leaders in the Field” recognizes that the professional and volunteer leaders who are committed to Jewish camp are enjoying a remarkable moment. Jewish camps are forging new ties to enthusiastic alumni, developing high performance governing boards and inspiring new levels of philanthropic investment from people who value our essential role in securing the future well-being of the Jewish people. Jewish Camp is being recognized for having effective positive impact in the formation of life long Jewish identity and affiliation while … Continue Reading
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