The Enduring Impact of Jewish Camp
As the Foundation marks our 20th anniversary in 2025, we are pleased to elevate some of the individuals, organizations, and research that have left an indelible mark on the field over the last two decades.
One of the earliest investments the Foundation made was to the Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) in 2007. Since then, with the support and dedicated leadership of many others, FJC has advanced the field and helped to deepen the Jewish learning experiences at Jewish camps around the country. In this feature, we’re pleased to highlight the vibrancy and impact of Jewish camps with insights from FJC’s Interim CEO Jamie Simon and camp leaders themselves: Anna Blumenfeld Herman, Director, URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp; Toni Davison Levenberg, Executive Director, Camp Interlaken JCC; Lisa and Isaac Mamaysky, Co-founders, Camp Zeke; Rabbi Joe Menashe, CEO, Camp Ramah in California and The Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center; and Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director, Havaya Summer Programs. We’re grateful they took the time to share their experiences and perspectives.
Reflections from Jamie Simon, Interim CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp
Jewish summer camp has grown a lot since it began in the late 19th century: This summer, nearly 200,000 young people will get to be part of this incredible legacy. What I think is so magical about camp is that it carries forward this sense of deep-rooted tradition while making space for young Jews to forge their own place in the future of the Jewish people. Through my work leading Foundation for Jewish Camp, I’ve been lucky enough to visit camps all over North America. Everywhere I go, kids tell me that they feel at home at camp. In fact, a recent study by Stanford University and BeWell shows that for Jewish teens, summer camp is the #1 place they feel comfortable being themselves. With over 300 Jewish day and overnight camps spanning all streams of Jewish belief and practice, there is a perfect camp for every child to build lifelong friendships and a pride in their identity.
Building on the Past
Camp Evolves Yet Retains its Core Essence
In many ways, camp is still exactly what it’s always been—a place where deep friendships are forged, where personal growth flourishes, and where a love of Judaism is nurtured. But today, camp is more vital than ever. In an age of constant connectivity, the gift of a screen-free environment is rare and meaningful. Camp offers kids the chance to disconnect from their devices and reconnect with themselves, their community, and their Jewish identity. In today’s world—forever changed by the events of October 7—our work feels even more urgent. Bringing the Jacobs Camp experience to the next generation is not just meaningful; it's essential. Jacobs Camp stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. It’s a safe, joyful space where Jewish children and teens proudly embrace their heritage and build the confidence, strength, and leadership skills they need to navigate a complex world. - Anna Blumenfeld Herman, Director, URJ Henry S. Jacobs
The speed of life for our campers is so much faster than it was ten or 20 years ago. But there's something about the camp experience that remains blissfully slower. They don't have to keep up; they can connect in real life; and they can build deep and meaningful relationships (with each other and with Judaism) in ways they can't do in many other places. And different from when their parents were campers, we have supports in place to help kids navigate the ups and downs of living in community—which buoys them, and all of us, long beyond the weeks of summer. - Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director, Havaya Summer Programs
Camp today is a beautifully dynamic space. Over the last couple of decades, Jewish camps have expanded from one-size-fits-all models to include a wide range of specialties, meeting young people where they are and nurturing their unique passions! Specialty camps, like ours, helped redefine what it means to build Jewish identity in a way that’s experiential, joyful, and deeply personal. Instead of choosing between a traditional Jewish camp and a program that hones a particular skill or interest, families can now have both—and more. The advent of specialty camps allowed us to show that deep Jewish engagement can happen through strength training, dance, yoga, cooking, and Krav Maga, just as meaningfully as around a campfire or in a bunk. - Lisa and Isaac Mamaysky, Co-founders, Camp Zeke
Camp Ramah, and Jewish camping more broadly, remain fundamentally unchanged—offering a new generation of young people a uniquely effective model for growing as individuals and as Jews, and for learning what it means to be part of a sacred, aspirational community. What has changed, however, is the challenge of sustaining this mission amid a host of growing financial pressures that have transformed the business of camp into something far more complex. It’s no longer just about filling beds and offering scholarships; today’s camps must also contend with rising costs in wages, insurance, security, operations, infrastructure, and climate-related renovations—all of which have far outpaced the traditional business model. While increasing tuition may partially offset these costs, it also raises difficult questions about our ability to serve the full breadth of the Jewish community. - Rabbi Joe Menashe, CEO, Camp Ramah in California and The Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center
Camp is fuel. It fills you up in a way that nothing else can. For campers, it's a place where they feel awesome about themselves, where they’re validated, where they learn how to communicate, how to feel, and how to feel safe showing those feelings. Camp has evolved dramatically, especially around parent dynamics, camper identity, and staff culture. Today, campers are more ready than ever to be at camp. They crave it. They are excited by it! They fear it also because they have never been away from their parents and didn’t experience separation like any other generation before them because of Covid. Ironically, it’s the parents who struggle more with separation. For some campers, Camp has become their main (and sometimes only) immersive Jewish experience, which adds emotional weight. - Toni Davison Levenberg, Executive Director, Camp Interlaken JCC
A Supportive Community
Camp Positively Influences Youth in Ways Big and Small
Camp is one of the only places where kids can truly unplug, be themselves, and be embraced by a supportive, values-driven community. Jewish camp in particular provides a space where kids can explore their identity in an environment that feels joyful and empowering, rather than obligatory. They’re not being told what to believe—they’re living it, singing it, dancing it, and even cooking it. – Lisa and Isaac Mamaysky, Co-founders, Camp Zeke
I often tell people camp is the place we get to see kids in their natural habitat. Sure, there are adults around...but kids have the space, and the agency, to explore and grow on their own terms. They're not participating because their parents told them to; they're not worrying about how to get the best grade; they're not concerned with how this experience will set them up for college. They get to build friendships, make meaning, and thrive without adults getting in the way. What could be better? - Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director, Havaya Summer Programs
When we ask our campers about their favorite part of camp, they often say “Shabbat” and “making new friends.” These aren’t just casual friendships; they’re deep, enduring connections that extend far beyond the summer. Our campers build a strong network rooted in shared values, experiences, and identity. Jacobs Camp’s impact doesn’t end when the summer does. Each camper becomes an ambassador for Jewish values—kindness, justice, leadership, and community. They carry those ideals into their homes, schools, and neighborhoods, enriching Jewish life well beyond our camp gates. - Anna Blumenfeld Herman, Director, URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp
Our campers behave in a way that reflects their deep love for Camp Interlaken. It’s not just that they respect Jewish rituals and sacred moments—they respect everything that makes camp, camp. They love Havdalah, and they treat it like the sacred, communal moment it is. They love singing around the campfire, participating in chugim (activities), dancing on Friday night, and even singing Birkat Hamazon. They respect their counselors, their peers, and the leaders of camp because they believe in what we’re doing together and they value their time at Camp. Their behavior demonstrates how much camp means to them. The values they’ve absorbed, the joy they feel, the community they love—it all shows up in how they carry themselves. - Toni Davison Levenberg, Camp Interlaken JCC
Specialty Camp Incubator Introduces a New Element to the Field
In 2008, the Jim Joseph Foundation funded the Foundation for Jewish Camp Specialty Camp Incubator. The AVI CHAI Foundation joined as a funder beginning in cohort two as well. This new model of Jewish camp changed the landscape by catalyzing new offerings that attracted Jewish teens who were not attending other Jewish camps. Camp Zeke's founders, who were part of cohort two, share the impact of this initiative:
The Incubator was foundational and we are forever grateful to it! Without it, Camp Zeke wouldn’t exist. It gave us the space and support to dream big: to build a camp where kids could explore healthy, active living and joyful Judaism in the same breath. We started with a bold idea—what if we created a Jewish camp that celebrates healthy, active living through fitness, cooking, sports, and arts in a joyful Jewish environment? The Incubator helped us turn that into a reality.
Beyond the funding, the mentorship and peer network helped us refine our vision and operate with both creativity and tremendous business insights. We learned how to create a truly mission-driven camp that not only lives its values but brings them to life for every camper and staff member.
A Unique Setting
An Environment That Fosters Creativity and Independence
At Camp Ramah in California, we have been honored to work with Rabbi Noah Greenberg on the Kesher Tefillin project. Rabbi Greenberg travels from Israel around the world empowering Jews to create their own kosher tefillin—a rare and meaningful experience. Having hosted Rabbi Greenberg for nearly 20 years, our camp has now likely produced more pairs of kosher tefillin than anywhere else in the world outside of a tefillin factory. We are especially proud to have offered this once-in-a-lifetime Jewish educational opportunity to both boys and girls, broadening their access to a mitzvah that can deepen a lifelong relationship with Jewish tradition, ritual, and God. - Rabbi Joe Menashe, Camp Ramah in California and The Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center
Especially in this fractured moment in the United States, when the politicization of identity increasingly clouds the clarity of long held values, creating communities of belonging is more important than ever. We proudly tell campers and staff that they don't have to check any part of themselves at the door -- they can, and should, be their fullest, best, most authentic selves while they're with us. There are lots of places in the Jewish community that profess to do this, but not many where it's being done well. Even as we always have room to grow, we're proud to be one of those places. - Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director, Havaya Summer Programs
We’ve reimagined “active living” to mean so much more than only sports. At Zeke, campers choose their own path-- whether that’s through strength training, yoga, dance, cooking, Krav Maga, or simply going on a nature walk and practicing mindfulness. We believe our motto "Fitter, Faster, Stronger" isn’t one-size-fits-all, and that’s exactly what makes our approach so special. Some campers wake up early to run with our track team, while others start their day in a peaceful yoga session. Some perfect a Krav Maga move, while others plate gourmet meals with fresh herbs they picked themselves. By giving kids the freedom to try new things and dive deeply into what they love, we empower them to build healthy habits, confidence, and joy on their own terms. We meet each camper where they are and celebrate them for who they are: athletes, artists, foodies, introverts, extroverts, and everyone in between. – Lisa and Isaac Mamaysky, Co-founders, Camp Zeke
At Interlaken, a highlight is KTO (K’far Noar Take Over), when our oldest campers “take over” and run camp for the day. Staff step back, and the teens lead—truly lead—every part of the experience. It’s an incredible exercise in responsibility, creativity, and leadership. They take real pride in it, and it pushes them to step outside their comfort zones in a safe and empowering way. It’s not just fun—it’s formative. – Toni Davison Levenberg, Camp Interlaken JCC
Looking Ahead
Infused with Jewish Values as We Build Toward the Future
For Jewish children in our region—where daily Jewish experiences and peer connections can be limited—Jacobs Camp is so much more than just a summer destination. It’s a lifeline. A home away from home. A place where campers discover a deep sense of belonging and pride in their Jewish identity—feelings that linger long after the buses go home. There’s something we call “Jacobs Magic”—a powerful blend of joy, discovery, and connection that leaves a lasting mark on every camper. Our size is part of that magic—we’re large enough to offer a wide variety of programs, but intimate enough that every child is truly known and valued. Campers return home transformed, more confident in themselves and in their Judaism. - Anna Blumenfeld Herman, Director, URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp
Many years ago, I walked by two campers. One had clearly said something unkind and the other looked over and said: "that's not how we act here." We call this "how we be," and it's about standing up for ourselves and our friends, taking responsibility for our actions, and understanding the part each of us plays in creating a joyful and welcoming community. I see kids living this value day-in-and-day-out, but it never ceases to amaze me. It's a powerful reminder that our kids can -- and will -- build the world as we, and they, want it to be. - Rabbi Isaac Saposnik, Executive Director, Havaya Summer Programs
This summer is a milestone: Interlaken is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and I’m celebrating my 20th summer with camp. I’ve led us through one-third of our history, and I don’t take that lightly. I lead with trust, high expectations, deep relationships, and a values-driven approach. Camp isn’t just where I laugh the hardest—it’s where I believe we literally change lives. Jewish camps are sacred spaces, and I hope their future is filled with children who are proud of their Jewish heritage, who support Israel, and who find their people, and being to develop their passions through the supportive environment at our Camps. For that to happen, we need to continue to cultivate talented, passionate leadership and sustainable models that allow these magical places to thrive for generations to come. - Toni Davison Levenberg, Camp Interlaken JCC
Camp Ramah in California is approaching its 70th anniversary—a milestone that invites both celebration and reflection. As we honor this legacy, we also turn our focus to the future, ensuring that Ramah continues to serve as a beacon of transformative, immersive Jewish education. As a field, we must preserve the ikar—the essence of who we are and what we do—while proactively addressing the evolving needs of our community and preparing for the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies and a rapidly changing world. - Rabbi Joe Menashe, Camp Ramah in California and The Zimmer Retreat & Conference Center
At the heart of our culture are the Jewish values we live by each day: kindness, developing our character, taking care of our health, celebrating our community, welcoming new members of the community, and showing love to everyone in the camp family. Campers receive values bracelets throughout the summer for demonstrating these Jewish values. When a camper lifts up a friend, shows resilience during a challenge, tries something new, or leads with empathy, we recognize it. These aren’t just words on a wall--they’re woven into our bunk meetings, our Shabbat reflections, and even our workouts and cooking classes. By the end of the summer, campers aren’t just stronger or more confident, they’re grounded in this set of Jewish values that guide how they treat others and themselves. And the best part? They take those values home with them. - Lisa and Isaac Mamaysky, Co-founders, Camp Zeke
Foundation for Jewish Camp's Commitment
Right now, young Jews are struggling with their mental health and screen addiction. There’s a lot of antisemitism. Camp is a place where young Jews can be in community with peers who understand them, where they can discover their Jewish identity and build human skills — leadership, friendship, communication — that they’ll lean on for the rest of their lives. Jewish camp is where we build the future of the Jewish people. Foundation for Jewish Camp is working to make sure every camp and camper thrives. We’re funding new infrastructure like bunks and program spaces so camps meet increased demand. We‘re making sure there are mental health resources and wellness programs, and offering training on managing diverse viewpoints. We’re also investing in Israel education, placing Israel educators at dozens of camps this summer. One thing I feel sure about: this summer, next summer, and for years to come, Jewish camp will continue to be a transformative force changing the lives of young Jews and our communal Jewish future.