Foundation for Jewish Camp Leads a Resilient Field
July 9th, 2020
This summer, Jewish camp has been put to the ultimate test. But, with resilience, determination, and collaboration, the camp community has navigated through the immediate challenges imposed by COVID-19. Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) has helped lead efforts to sustain and strengthen camps through the pandemic, pilot meaningful virtual engagement opportunities, and foster innovative efforts to ensure camp remains an essential asset to the Jewish community for years to come.
In light of the vast majority of camps not being able to open this summer, FJC served as the valued central resource and advocate for Jewish camps at this unique and pivotal moment. Working together with the field, FJC has provided updated data, insights, and leadership to successfully mitigate the financial gap and keep camp as a top priority on the Jewish communal philanthropic agenda.
FJC recognized that camps needed support in new and creative ways during summer 2020.
This will be our “summer of learning” during which camps will pilot a range of virtual engagement approaches to reach their current communities – campers, families, staff, and alumni – and even broader audiences. Together, we will help camp truly become a year-round, lifelong experience. – Jeremy J. Fingerman, CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp
In partnership with Mosaic United, FJC has launched Jewish Camp @ Home’s Jewish Experience Shuk – a centralized marketplace offering camps access to the best virtual programming and Jewish educational resources from across North America and Israel.
To help energize the field and foster collaboration, FJC has introduced its new Innovation Challenge, in which camps form teams, attend virtual workshops, and design creative engagement programs with a chance to receive up to $10,000 to pilot their creation.
And, camp staff and alumni, who feel the loss of summer camp as well, can learn, build their network, stay connected, and make a difference through FJC’s new Virtual Staff Lounge.
To learn more, visit jewishcamp.org. To read more about FJC’s efforts to innovate this summer, click here.
The Jim Joseph Foundation is a supporter of FJC.