Motivated by today’s economic realities, as well as enrichment and scheduling priorities, families are increasingly interested in a diverse mix of summer experiences – both as an option before their school-age children attend residential camp, and in combination with residential camp. Enhanced Jewish day and specialty camping offers a venue to explore a wide range of interests – all within a Jewish context. The Commission on Jewish Identity and Renewal (COJIR), through the Jewish Community Development Task Force, plans to seed new Jewish specialty day camps that provide a range of avenues for enrichment and Jewish connection.

COJIR will offer a limited number of planning grants to seed new Jewish specialty day camps and invites Jewish organizations, individually, and in partnership, to enter the Jewish day camping space. Jewish organizations and institutions are encouraged to test new models, or to expand or build upon current efforts to engage families with children ages 5 – 13. Each submission must position the initiative as a deep and unique intentional Jewish day camp experience, designed to contribute to fun and high-impact Jewish experiences and engagement. Proposals must focus on day camping in, and serving residents of, the five boroughs of New York (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Staten Island, Queens, and the Bronx), as well as Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties.

The initiative is structured to include a year of planning. Following the planning year, well-positioned institutions may be asked to submit a proposal to apply for implementation funding.

Proposals are due on Tuesday, October 15, 2013. Proposal forms can be found here: ujafedny.org/grants-and-allocations

Please contact Melanie Schneider, senior planning executive, COJIR, for additional information, at schneiderm@ujafedny.org.