Three Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) Receive FJC Funding to Launch Innovative Programming

Three Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) Receive FJC Funding to Launch Innovative Programming
Efforts Will Increase Year-Round and Lifelong Jewish Engagement

NEW YORK — JCC Association of North America is pleased to announce that three of its Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) have received generous funding from Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) to launch innovative programming to increase and strengthen year-round and lifelong Jewish engagement for campers and their families.

Camp Mountain Chai, near Angelus Oaks, California, and Camp Tawonga, near Yosemite National Park, in the Stanislaus National Forest, received funding from FJC, through the generosity of the Maimonides Fund, to design and develop family camp programs to provide exciting, meaningful Jewish experiences for families with young children. Resources from Foundation for Jewish Camp—training, family subsidies, capital and staff-capacity funding—will help ensure Camp Mountain Chai can sustain its family camps beyond the start-up period.

Jamie Simon, Camp Tawonga’s executive director, said this about the funding: “We are deeply grateful to the Foundation for Jewish Camp for generously supporting Tawonga’s family engagement work through the Jewish Family Camp Initiative. Family Camp is where the Jewish journey begins for many Tawongans, and we couldn’t do this important work without this meaningful partnership.”

“Camp Mountain Chai is so pleased to receive this FJC Family Camp grant,” said Buddy Voit, the camp’s executive director. “We’re looking forward to bringing new immersive camp experiences to our San Diego and southern California community. In addition to allowing us to create new opportunities for families to share meaningful and exciting Jewish experiences, this funding also will help us expand our reach through partnerships with other Jewish organizations in our community.”

JCC Camp Chi, in Lake Delton, Wisconsin, has been invited by FJC to design and launch an intensive outdoor adventure specialty track, including high-level skill building, to attract and retain new campers for summer 2021—and beyond—who might otherwise opt for secular outdoor adventure summer experiences. In this endeavor, JCC Camp Chi will be part of a growing “Competitive Edge” cohort of Jewish summer camps, all of which will receive training and funding from FJC through the generosity of The Gottesman Fund.

“To be part of the second Competitive Edge cohort is incredibly exciting,” said JCC Chicago President and CEO Addie Goodman. She added, “Being able to expand our residential camp program to create a new Outpost Village for outdoor and adventure education along with a new slate of aligned programming is a point of pride for Camp Chi and JCC Chicago. Jewish summers are essential and welcoming campers in a way that speaks to them individually is a tremendous gift.”

“JCC Association of North America is delighted to see that FJC is expanding its investment in the important work being done to build, nurture, and sustain Jewish life and Jewish community in these three Jewish Community Camps,” said Doron Krakow, president and CEO of JCC Association. “Even in the face of COVID-19, Jewish camping continues to evolve and innovate. It remains the most powerful vehicle we have for instilling a commitment to Jewish life and Jewish peoplehood among our children.”

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About JCC Association of North America

JCC Association of North America leads and connects the JCC Movement, advancing and enriching North American Jewish life. With 1.5 million people walking through the doors of more than 170 Jewish Community Centers and Jewish Community Camps (JCCs) each week, the JCC Movement is the largest platform for Jewish engagement on the continent. JCC Association, the convening organization of this dynamic network, partners with JCCs to bring together the collective power and knowledge of the entire JCC Movement, including 12,000 full-time and 41,000 part-time and seasonal professionals. By supporting them, together we enhance and strengthen Jewish life throughout North America. Learn more at JCCA.org or on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.