The Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) website describes their mission as growing, supporting, and strengthening the Jewish camp movement so camps can deliver the best possible experience for their campers, staff, and families. As the industry’s preeminent thought leader and advocate and with decades of experience in working with Jewish summer camps across the country, one of FJC’s most recent posts hit close to home as the JCC’s day and resident camps near the end of one of our most successful summers over the last 10 years. So instead of recreating the wheel, I am excited to share the words of our FJC colleagues as a way of saying thank you to our full-time, part-time and seasonal camp staff. We could not have done it without you, and we are beyond appreciative for your service to our camp community. Without further ado…

Congratulations on a Fantastic Summer!

As I traveled the country this summer visiting camps, I have been blown away by the talent, healing, joy, and love. Your hard work and dedication have truly shined. The three main themes I have observed thus far were:

• Joyous Judaism. I was impressed and inspired by the joy of song sessions, Israeli dancing, bunk cheers, talent shows, and unbridled love and connection amongst bunkmates.  A highlight was a 12-year-old girl who said to me at the end of a spirited song session, ” Jamie, I have never been prouder to be Jewish. I can’t wait to bottle up this joy and pride and carry it with me for the rest of my life.”
• Incredible Talent. As a former camp director I know firsthand the long days and challenging moments. And yet, every camp leader I met showed up with passion, wisdom, and commitment. You each, in your own unique way, lead your communities with clarity, vision, warmth, and joy. One camp director said to me, “I have never felt my role mattered more. There is so much I can’t control. What I can control is showing up every day to impact my community. I give kids tools to lead a Jewish life, to make Jewish friends and to feel good about themselves.  This work matters more than ever, and I am proud and honored to make a difference in this way.”  You should be proud!  Our field is immensely talented, and your hard work makes a difference. 
• Camp is a healing space. Despite concerns pre-summer about potentially divisive or divided communities, people showed up and connected. It didn’t matter what someone might have posted on social media prior to the summer or if staff had different political beliefs. This summer, at camps across North America, American Jews and Jewish Israelis joined together in community. The human-to-human connection and safe container of Jewish camp made hard conversations beautiful. You shared stories, listened, prayed, cried, laughed, and connected.  I met an Israeli at a camp that shared he felt more at home at his camp than anywhere in the world.  It was clear on every visit that camp served as a restorative space to come together, discuss, learn, and grow.

Whether you’re wrapping up or still in session, your hard work and dedication have truly shined. Thank you for all that you do to enrich the lives of your community, and here’s to a smooth and successful end of the summer season.

With immense gratitude,

Jamie Simon

Chief Program and Strategy Officer

The power of summer camp continues to be supported in study after study, confirming that it is one of the most effective tools in preparing campers and staff for life’s journeys through connections, values, growth, and fun. As FJC reminds us, “Jewish camp works!” We at the JCC understand and appreciate the role our staff play in making the summertime magic happen and we can’t wait to get back at it and begin planning for Summer 2025.

Wishing you and your families a Shabbat shalom,

Jason