New Research Reaffirms the Impact of Jewish Camp

Today Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) joins the Atlanta Jewish community and the broader Jewish world in mourning the loss of Bernie Marcus z”l, a giant in business and philanthropy. A steadfast advocate for Jewish camp, due in part to his own positive camp experience as a scholarship kid from Newark, his extraordinary generosity extended far beyond the Jewish camps in the Southeast.

Nineteen years ago, The Marcus Foundation awarded Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) its first $1 million grant to establish the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) – a transformational investment in the professional growth and development of veteran camp directors.  Four cohorts later, ELI alumni have truly helped to galvanize and advance our field.  In addition to the Foundation’s long-time support for our Cornerstone Fellowship, their critical support of FJC’s Yedid Nefesh Mental Health Initiative has enabled 100+ day and overnight camps to better address the wellness needs of both campers and staff.  Bernie’s generous support for Jewish camp will pay dividends for years to come.

In tribute to Bernie’s commitment to our field, I am pleased to share with you new research by Rosov Consulting, sponsored by The Jim Joseph Foundation, which reaffirms that Jewish camp is a “Powerful Jewish Learning Experience” that promotes community and individual growth. The report is the latest evidence showing how FJC, in partnership with our network of over 300 day and overnight camps, transforms the lives of young Jews by helping them grow and explore their identity. Bernie’s contributions to FJC’s work are seen throughout this research.

Through a series of virtual focus groups, researchers interviewed people between the ages of 25 and 35 who participated in some combination of Jewish camp, youth groups, campus life, and post-grad community. Nearly two-thirds of study participants attended camp at some point. The study zeroed in on common outcomes among Jewish experiences from camp to college and beyond, such as helping young people find and become part of the Jewish community, achieve personal growth, and form deep and lasting friendships. At the same time, the study highlighted the opportunity for exploration as a particularly strong element of the camp experience.

“Camp, as already noted, is a place to stretch, to experiment and to explore new experiences, in Jewish and personal terms. This is the theme to which alumni consistently returned most often when talking about camp,” said Rosov Consulting in the study. “They recollect experiencing joy and Jewish learning, and they celebrated the friendships formed, but it was the personal growth they experienced thanks to being given the space to explore that exceeded all other outcomes.”

Belonging, leadership, joy, and identity — four of the core building blocks highlighted in the new study — will be central themes at FJC’s 2024 Leaders Assembly in Chicago before a record crowd of over 900 professionals, lay leaders, funders, donors, and communal leaders from around the world December 9-11. It’s not too late to join us! Register here.

Bernie’s profound legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched.  May his memory be an inspiration and a blessing for his family, his community, and for all of us.