by Contributing Author
Jewish summer camps have been a buzzy topic as of late. The Washington Post recently published a piece chronicling the importance of Jewish sleep-away camps. The New York Times featured an opinion piece from Dr. Sandra Fox, author of “The Jews of Summer.” In June, NPR explored summer camp’s pivotal role in preserving Jewish culture in postwar America.
It’s interesting to see something that feels both fundamentally familiar in the Jewish community (43% of the country’s Jews attended summer camp, making it almost a rite of passage) – but also wholly unique to the majority of children used to being a cultural minority – become a topic of discussion in many of the country’s most prominent media outlets.
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Jewish sleep-away camps first arose in the late nineteenth century, born from concern that immigrants would leave their Jewish roots behind when assimilating into American culture.
To better understand the modern-day importance of Jewish camps, we sat down with Janine Lowy, a Los Angeles-based philanthropist and founder of the Winkler Lowy Foundation, who passionately supports Jewish summer camps. All four of Lowy’s children attended Camp Ramah in California until college, and one is now married to a fellow camper.
The Magic Of Camp
Generally, sleep-away camps allow children to gain independence, make friends, develop new skills, and have fun. But there’s an added layer to Jewish summer camps: Children build a deeper connection to their heritage, Lowy explained. They make life-long connections and cherished memories while exploring Jewish holidays, traditions, and values – all alongside friends. This is especially meaningful for the many campers whose school friends don’t share the same customs and beliefs.
And it’s a pivotal time in their lives. “These are the summers that children develop a newfound sense of independence and identity. They’re figuring out who they are and what they want their lives to look like as adults,” Lowy said. “Camp provides a safe space for them to clarify their values and embrace their Jewish heritage.”
Preserving Jewish Culture
The challenge of passing along Judaism to a new generation remains a top priority of most of the American Jewish community. As Janine Lowy explained, that concern isn’t unfounded. Jews made up just 2.4% of the US population as of 2020.
Within the next decade, the final Holocaust survivors will pass away, said Janine Lowy, whose father survived the Shoah. Low birthrates (the lowest of all religious groups in the country) coupled with high rates of marrying outside of the faith (58% of American Jews marry non-Jews) means there is increased pressure to sustain Judaism in America.
Expanding Access To Camp
“While today’s Jewish community is flourishing, cherished experiences – including Jewish summer camp – are becoming out of reach for many,” said Lowy. “The Winkler Lowy Foundation is committed to creating opportunities for children and families of all means to enjoy a rich and vibrant Jewish life.”
In 2021, Janine Lowy announced the Masah Incentive Grant, a six-figure multi-year gift to Camp Ramah in California designed to encourage campers to return each summer.
Many families rely on financial aid to send their children to camp, so the knowledge that additional support is available each year may encourage them to keep coming back. Andres Spokoiny, CEO of the Jewish Funders Network, said incentives are important for middle-class families who aren’t eligible for large amounts of financial aid but might still struggle to afford camp.
“I’ve seen many Ramah campers develop into leaders in the Jewish community,” said Janine Lowy. “Keeping these young people in camp is good for them, their families, and our community.”
About The Winkler Lowy Foundation:
The Winkler-Lowy Foundation was founded by Janine Winkler Lowy and her four children in 2019 to help ensure that all families can access formative Jewish programming that nourishes young minds, strengthens the future of the Jewish community, and builds bridges between Israel and the Diaspora.
