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
Camp Moshava Receives $1.36m. from Maryland
Habonim Dror Camp Moshava has received $1.36 million from the State of Maryland to permanently set aside for conservation 230 of the camp’s 270 acres in Harford County through Maryland’s Rural Legacy Program. It is the largest such grant this year. The Maryland Rural Legacy Program provides the funding necessary to protect large, contiguous tracts of land and other strategic areas from sprawl development and to enhance natural resource, agricultural, forestry and environmental protection through cooperative efforts among state and local governments and land trusts. The land set aside by Camp Moshava will become part of a greenbelt of forests and farms in Harford County to preserve their cultural heritage and sense of place. It will preserve critical habitat for native plant and wildlife … Continue Reading
Foundation for Jewish Camp Surveys the Future
by Abigail Pickus Enrollment in nonprofit Jewish summer camps in North America is steadily increasing - and there are more innovative Jewish camping experiences than ever before, according to the recently released strategic plan of The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC). In addition to surveying past years, the plan focuses on the strategic direction for the next five years (2011-2016) with the goals of increasing affordability; fostering greater connections between camps and Jewish schools, communities and synagogues; increasing awareness and creating innovative programming. “Jewish summer camp is higher on the communal list today across the country than ever before and a lot of that is because of the great work being done by local Federations and synagogues,” said Jeremy Fingerman, … Continue Reading
I Believe in Jewish Summer Camp … But Show Me the Data
Jewish camp is a key part of the Jewish educational landscape in North America. And now, with the release of the first report from JData, we're able to look at the overall size and health of the field. With the continuing emphasis on measuring impact across the philanthropic world, the data being collected will become invaluable not only to the camps but also to the funder community, who will be able to search - by geography, interest, and more - and compare the various areas they fund. To accomplish this, JData is creating a longitudinal database, sector by sector, that will serve as a central repository of information on the North American Jewish educational landscape. For Jewish summer camps, they are compiling information on enrollment and capacity, staff (including turnover), budgets, … Continue Reading
The Health of Jewish Summer Camp Revealed
JData has launched JData Revealed, a monthly newsletter with information and ideas from JData.com. Developed at Brandeis University with the support of the Jim Joseph Foundation, JData is a public repository of information about the organizations that comprise the Jewish education system in North America. With the 2011 summer camp season winding up, it is appropriate the inaugural issue focuses on the world of nonprofit Jewish summer camps - enrollments, budgets, staffing and other data that define the size, shape and health of the field. These camps, key institutions in the Jewish educational system in North America, are known for fun, friendships and creativity. Yet they are also settings in which children, teens and young adults are immersed in Jewish life and community and where Jewish … Continue Reading
Isaac Mayer Wise Academy and URJ Camp Establish Eco-Village
The Union for Reform Judaism's (URJ) Greene Family Camp (GFC) announced the establishment of the Isaac Mayer Wise Academy Eco-Village at GFC in Bruceville, Texas. Through the Eco-Village, some of which will be complete by next summer, campers will produce their own food, build their own communities, and explore the natural world in a more in-depth way. For many city-dwelling campers, this will be a transformative experience. It will be a place where older campers can learn about and experience the natural world while teaching younger campers to appreciate it. Every camper and staff member will be involved. Plans for the Eco-Village include a new horseback riding program and campers of all ages will also have the opportunity to learn about archeology, geology and navigation while riding through … Continue Reading
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