2018 IMPACT REPORT
A little bit of Israel in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains
Camp Judaea’s mission is to provide a safe, fun, nurturing community where children, teens, and young adults grow as individuals, build lifelong friendships, develop leadership skills, and establish enduring connections with Judaism, Israel, and the natural environment.
JEWISH EDUCATION · Pluralist, community-focused programs with a comprehensive modern Israel curriculum
STAFF · Bright, kind, generous, devoted, selfless, encouraging, knowledgeable adults
· Te lah
· A Shaliach/Shlicha in nearly every bunk
· Hebrew language skills · Israeli, Jewish and secular spiritual music · Teva, dance, geography · History · Culture
HEALTHY OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES Centered on individual positive risk-taking behavior, character development, skill development, group experiences, communication, imaginative free play, creative arts, fitness and self-esteem
· Caring and responsible professional leaders · Tso m High-quality, affordable Israelfocused Jewish camp experiences which strengthen Jewish identity, knowledge, Jewish community, leadership Jewish values
FACILITIES Comfortable, sustainable, inspiring, exible, economical
from our director Dear CJ Family, Camp Judaea enjoyed great success in the summer of 2018. We served 730 campers from 19 states and 8 countries. In the Spring of 2018, we built five new camper cabins and completed the first cabin village. This village now has ten beautiful state-of-the-art cabins. Our program continues to excel as we foster and develop our connection to Israel and strengthen Jewish Identity among campers and staff. During the summer of 2018, we introduced three new programs at Camp Judaea. We held our inaugural Women’s Weekend, Family Camp, and Tikkun. Women’s Weekend was held during Shavout, and it was a great success. Women enjoyed yoga, swimming, discussions, kickboxing, and more as they bonded and enjoyed the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains. We hosted our first Family Camp at the end of the summer. During this weekend, about 25 families experienced Shabbat “Camp Judaea style!” It was great. Tikkun is our newest camper program for entering 11th graders which incorporates community service as the fundamental educational component. Participants worked for one week in Columbia, SC, rebuilding homes that were destroyed during a Hurricane. It was a meaningful and life changing experience for our kids to give back to our local community and to Camp Judaea. It is an honor to instill in our campers and staff the Jewish values that make the Camp Judaea family special and unique. These made a lifetime impact on me, and I am proud to pass these on to our next generation. As we prepare for the 2019 summer season, I would like to thank our year-round staff, our summer staff, board of directors, alumni, donors, parents and every camper for your awesome support and commitment to Camp Judaea. We are looking forward to a wonderful 59th season of Camp Judaea, one full of joy and laughter, community, wonderful programs, and lifelong friendships. Thank you for your support of Camp Judaea,
Walter Synalovski
from our board chair Dear Camp Judaea Community, It brings me great pride to witness the successes Camp Judaea is achieving at this time. Enrollment is at an all-time high, the camp property looks better than ever, the Board is active and engaged and we are making tremendous progress on the upgrading of our facilities. This past summer we built five new gorgeous cabins to complete our first new cabin village, and we have just broken ground on the Arts Center which will provide tremendous programmatic opportunities. CJ has received more donations than ever before thanks to the launching of our LET MY PEOPLE CAMPaign. This is the first ever capital campaign and I’m amazed at the outpouring of support. As of this writing, CJ has raised approximately $4.9M (almost 86%) of its $5.7M goal and I have no doubt we will meet or even exceed our goal. Our constituency knows that donating to Camp Judaea is a great investment as these dollars are being used to upgrade our facilities and position CJ for the next 57 years. Our Executive Director, Walter Synalovski, completed his first summer at CJ in 2018 and is working hard to make sure that 2019 is our best summer ever. Camp Judaea’s summer programming is strong and will continue to improve with enhancements to our Judaic education. Our goal is for campers to enhance their love for Israel and gain a strong connection to its culture. Three years ago, the Board passed a Strategic Plan calling for an upgrade to our facilities. Phase I has been completed. This phase consisted of the outdoor amphitheater overlooking the lake, creating the new cabin village with the first five cabins, and a major modernizing renovation to our pool. Phase II is almost complete. This phase is headlined by the Chadar Ochel, five additional cabins, an expanded Beit K’nesset and the plans to construct a new Arts Center. Summer 2020 is right around the corner and the Board is working on updating our 2007 Master Plan to decide what Phase III will entail. Before we can begin to implement Phase III, we need to achieve our fundraising goal in this capital campaign. We need your help by making a donation and by spreading the word to other families who have not yet contributed. There are so many people that work hard to improve this magical camp. I am proud of all of the progress Camp Judaea has made in the past year and am inspired by its bright future. Thank you to all who have contributed to Camp Judaea’s success. Ani v’Ata Neshane et HaOlam – You and I Will Change the World.
Sam Levy Board Chair, Camp Judaea
our enrollment growth
2018
729
2017
651
2016
618
2015
552
2014
553
2013
471
2012
395 0
200
400
600
800
"Love CJ!! Can’t stress enough how happy this camp makes my kids. Thank you, CJ, for all of the love and devotion to Jewish values and making the camp a special place." "My son came back more confident, independent, happy, and looked great! We can't wait for Camp Judaea to be part of our lives every summer!" "I felt the three weeks at camp really changed how my son felt as a young, Jewish boy. He came home very proud and eager to do more in the future related to Israel and Jewish culture." "Creating a space for my daughter to build her Jewish identity is the key strength of Camp Judaea. The sense of community and history with prior CJ generations is also profound. So much is the same, in a good way. The depth of friendships is also such a benefit we have seen."
preparing for CJ’s future with the LET MY PEOPLE CAMPaign In 2018 Camp Judaea publicly launched the largest capital campaign in its history with the goal of renewing and expanding key areas of camp. The LET MY PEOPLE CAMPaign (LMPC) will help to ensure that CJ’s magic continues for generations to come inspiring campers and counselors to be proud of their Jewish heritage, build lifelong friendships, and discover their own unique leadership potential. The Campaign was initiated in 2017 with a fundraising goal of $5.7 million. It is the result of a five-year strategic plan that calls for CJ to update camp’s aging facilities and responds to a period of healthy enrollment growth. (Since 2012, applications to CJ have increased, causing wait lists and limiting camp’s ability to accept all who want to attend.) To date, LMPC has raised more than $4.9 million (86%) of its goal. Projects completed include a new chadar ochel (dining hall), five new tsrifim (cabins), and an expanded beit knesset (synagogue). In progress projects include CJ’s first-ever mercaz omanut (arts center) and purchase of adjacent land to ensure that CJ continues to be nature-centered and buffered from commercial developments. Thank you to the many generous contributors who have pledged their support as of this writing. Funding sources include a lead gift from an anonymous donor, all CJ board members, CJ alumni, parents of current and past campers, regional Hadassah chapters, and generous foundation grants, such as the Leon Levine Foundation, Robert Russell Memorial Foundation, and June Gelbart Foundation. Everyone in the CJ family who has not yet given is invited to help complete the campaign’s fundraising goal. Pledges are payable over five years and naming opportunities are available. Please consider a pledge of $1,500 or more. If paid over three years or less, your gift will help CJ receive an additional $75,000 for the campaign through a challenge grant being offered by the Grinspoon Foundation.
I donated to the Let My People CAMPaign because CJ means so much to me and my family. The multi-generational aspect of camp resonates with me -- some campers have parents and grandparents who attended CJ. This helps to create a warm and welcoming place where even campers who might not have had previous connections to camp instantly feel like they are part of the CJ family. - CJ Alumnus and Campaign Contributor Charlie Kauss
Since 1961, Camp Judaea has provided a home away from home to thousands of Jewish campers and counselors. Now is the time to invest in upgrading our facilities - some dating back to camp's founding - so CJ can continue to deliver its signature experience for generations to come. Whether you are an alum, the parent of an alum, or a camper parent, we look forward to cementing CJ’s future together. To donate or learn more about LMPC, please visit www.letmypeoplecampaign.org. For additional information, please email Campaign Coordinator Jennifer Kanarek at jennifer@campjudaea.org.
thank you to our "Let My People CAMPaign" donors The Leon Levine Foundation Hatikvah-North County Chapter Asher-Golden Gift Fund Coca-Cola Giving Tree Associates Stephanie and Marshall Abes Brantley and Jon Abrams Lyndsey Alaine Roberta Alston Susan and Felix Amar Tripp and Jenifer Amos Melissa Arnold Marion Aronheim Owen Aronov Katherine and Andrew Asaro Donna and David Askenazi Carol and Bob Axt Betsy and David Baker Lana and Bill Baker Melissa Baldwin Arlene and Alan Bardy Robyn Barocas Simmy and Phillip Barrocas Sandra Bass Stacy Baum Betsy Bayer Anne and Scott Bayme Michelle Bearman-Wolnek and Seth Wolnek Robin and Hilton Berger Elise Berkowitz Jay Berkowitz Mandy and Jeff Berkowitz Dana Bernath Michael Bernstein Todd Bettman Alyssa Blair Rebecca Blitstein Joyce Bloch Diane and Barry Blondheim Stephanie and Lane Blondheim Joy and Richard Blondheim Dorothy and Gerald Blum Rita and Arthur Bodner Becky and Jeremy Borak Bates Bowers Mindy Bradley Barrie Bratton Ashli Breen Kelly Bressler AEPI Brothers (91) Jennifer Brown
Nanci and Adam Brown Michele and Andrew Burger Gail and Bill Burger Michele Buring Sylvia and Adam Burke Jana Camerin Sarah Campen Lori Carling Jay Ceitlin Julie and Harold Ceitlin Katie Chandler Carol Chanin Ida Chapman Tara Chapman DeWees Meredith and Eric Charak Joy Chastain Lucy Clapp Margaret Close Sheryl and Alan Cohen Rachel Cohen Steven Cohen Bonnie and Leslie Cohn Tracy and Al Cohn Valerie and Seth Cohn Michelle and Daniel Cook Carrie Cotter Colin Couch Felissa and Josh Covin Andrea Cushing and Family Tina and Robert Davis Mindi DiGiovanni Aidan Dillion Lindsey Dixon The Dodds Family Sandy Drashin Janet Eisenband Sorkin Barbara Ende Elisheva and Michael Funk Sergio Faigenblat Michelle Faircloth Pariser-Weinger Families Gruenhut Family Robyn Farmer Keegan Federal Jimmy Felton Jack Finvarb Julie Foster Randy Foster Caroline Fowlkes Dr. Ramon Franco Jennifer and Danny Frastai and Family Sandy Freund
Tom and Peggy Fricks Cathy and Paul Friedman Stephanie Friedman Jennifer and Rory Friedman Dina Fuchs-Beresin and Todd Beresin Hally and Ben George Civia and Benjamin Gerber Civia and Benjamin Gerber Hilary Gewant Sheri Giambrone Smith Marsha and Jeffrey Gilbert Andrea Ginsberg Florie and Danny Glusman Alice and Lewis Gold Melissa Gold Tina Goldberg Andrea Goldklang Laurie Goldstein Sherron Goldstein Vicki Goldstein Gabi and Rael Gorelick Steven Grosswald Ann and James Grotting Zev Halikman Maurine Halpern Sherri Hammerman Rhonda Harmon Ellen and Jonathan Harris Charlotte Hayes Susan and Ron Heidt Kate Hernandez Sarah Hobbs Peck Bari and Scott Holmes Virginia Hood Susan Hydrick Rinkowski Howard Hyman Nancy Isenberg Peggy and David Jacobs Gayle Jones Jennifer Jordan Enteen and Kahn Families Marcy and Steven Kaplan Dana and Andrew Kapustin Dana and Andrew Kapustin Francine Raizes and Daniel Karchem Joe Katz Mickey and Barry Katz Gina Kellis Jean and Jerry Kent Amy Kessler Marlene and Alan Klein Tamara Kluger Jacobson
Lisa and Todd Klumok Marcie Koffler Margaret Krawczyk Adam Kulbersh Brian Kulbersh Harriet and Paul Kulbersh Holly and Ari Kurtz Linda Kurtz Caroline Lacy Judith Lamet Michael Landis Andrea Lane Jeff Lebow Elizabeth LeDoux Dahlia and Steven Lessne Leslie Levine Marshall Levine Jake Levy Karen Levy Leslie and Bob Levy Devon and Mark Levy Andrea and Sam Levy Heather Lewis Gail Lieb Mackenzie Ligon Leslie and Aaron Lipson Livvy Lipson Rochelle Lipson Wendy Ludwig Edye Mahaffey Matt and Angela Malcom Jill and Daniel Malino Peggy and Seth Marcus Ali Marin Mitchell Barbara Marks Dana Marks Shannon McCullen Sybil McCullen Jodi Mekyten Robin Mendelson Susan Meyer Candy Meyerson Paula Moore Julie and Dan Moradi Jacque and Bob Murray Missy Murray Smith Meredith Muth Amy and Doug Nadler Marnie and Brian Nadolne Ed Nicholson Andrea Nunes Jonathan Nussbaum Mindy and Alex Opper Ann and David Ovson Kevin Pake Michelle Pake Toby Parker-White Elizabeth Pearson Rachael Peek
Shayna and Andrew Peiken Nicole and Isaac Perez Lynne and John Phillips Elana Pollack and Cody Halfaker James Powell and Kimberly (Parents of Gray) Renee Pruitt Rosalind and Barry Prusin Todd Reaves Caley Record Rebecca Reider Beth Reinhard Kim Rich and Howie Rosenberg Dr. Richard and Helen Robbins Josie Roberston Andrew Robertson Christy Roddy Ronald Rosen Eliot Rosenberg Sheri Rosenberg Richard Rosenthal Jessica Roskin Leigh Ross Tiffany Russell Dana and Daniel Russotto Ida Rose Rutkoff Linda Satlof and Peter Birnbaum Gabriella Schakett Kelly Schiffer Jack and Maxine Schiffman Maxine R. and Jack S. Schiffman Family Foundation Mary Beth Schiffman and David Tochen Ilana and Greg Schlam Sam Schlam Lauren and Daniel Schwartz James Sedgewick Martyne Seidband Sandy and Craig Shapiro Cary Sherman Eileen Silberstein Sydney Simons Stephanie Sklar Caryn and Adam Sokol Tara and Alex Solomiany Carlos Solomiany Roxanne and David Solomiany Kerry and Marvin Solomiany Murray Solomon Lisa Sonenshine Ellen and Pip Spandorfer Rochelle Spandorfer Viki and Eric Stein Ellen and Robert Steinberg Stephanie and Stephen Steinmetz Trey Stiles Heidi Straughn Deborah and Marc Straus Brad Strumpf
Laura Beth and Daniel Summerfield Tait Sye Lisa and Manny Synalovski Walter Synalovski Stewart Szikman Elaine and Allan Tanenbaum Michela Tao Diane Taub and Family Frances Taylor Linda Teach Tara Trompeter Gila and Danny Tuchman Mariya Tytell Helen Uhlfelder Helene Urbaitel Abbe Vallen Janelle Vallen Kim Vasquez Sue Ann Goldman Hadassah Rachel and David Wein Elizabeth and Joel Weinbaum Sheri Weiner Sue Robin and Robert Weinhaur Nancy and Alex Weisberg Pat and Jack Wilensky Family Foundation, Inc. Adi Wilk Alisa Winters Amy and Brent Wolkin Ellen Zimmerman Laura and Jonathan Zucker Cascades Chapter of Hadassah Shira-Delray Chapter of Hadassah Gilda Mallin Hadassah Mimi's Fund Etz Chaim Hadassah Google
As a camper, I was absolutely in love with camp and everything within it. Being on staff this summer to see the other side of camp was absolutely incredible. My overall highlight of this summer was being able to work towards having my campers fall in love with camp just like I did when I was their age.
thank you to our 2018-19 donors Jewish Federation of Columbus Progressive Casualty Insurance Company Amazon Smile Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey United Way - Miami Dade Westchester of Boynton Beach Birmingham Jewish Foundation Progressive Casualty Insurance Company The Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro, NC/Hekler Herman Family Charitable Fund Parents at the Epstein School Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte Iris Abelson (Weissman) Anita Altschuler Mildred and Howard Amer Grandad's Apples Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta Stephen Bagg Joanne Band Joan Baron Suzanne and Howard Bearman Michelle Bearman-Wolnek and Seth Wolnek David Berlin Aviva Berman Bonnie Bernstein and Jay Doobrow Mindy Koplon Binderman David F. Birnbrey Shoshana and Jose Biton Sharyn and Ryan Bluestein Emily and Ramin Borna Deborah and Sam Brackstone Sandee Burger Leah F.Chanin Nicole Chanson Mike Coffas Tracy and Al Cohn Daniel Cook Harold Ehrlich Sondra Eichel Karen Eisler and Michael White Jan and Gerald Feldman Sarah Fine Randy Foster Ellen Frankle Ron Friedman Dina Fuchs-Beresin and Todd Beresin Joe Gantz Janette Garmizo Deena Gerber Florie and Danny Glusman
Jack Goldfarb Janet L. Goldstein Lisette and Jeremy Goldstein Linda Goldstein Laura and Neil Gorme Aleece and Harry and Gottfried Tracey and Sammy Grant Farlen Halikman Carolyn Harari Enid Herbert Kathy Hess Sigrid Hess Samantha Higer Karen and Sol Jacobs Enteen and Kahn Families Jennifer and Mark Kaire Gayle and Seth Kaplan Moriel Kaplan Peri Kaplan Elaine and John Kirkpatrick Annette Stern Kirschner Michelle Kohn and Dr. Leslie Berghash Meghan and Todd Koransky Holly and Ari Kurtz Rachel (Fischbein) Landis and Family Larry Langsbard Linda and Thomas LeBlanc Yoel and Shilvi Leinwand Benjamin and Barbara Levy Andrea and Sam Levy Bobbie and Alex Limor and Family Michal and Gary Loventhal Benjamin Lovitt Rebeca and Eddie Lusky Jill and Daniel Malino Diana Manaker Betsy Markey Jessica Matz Ronald Means Eva Melamed Dori Mendel Robin Mendelson Edwin and Miriam Merkur Shirley Michalove Shelley Covin Milakofsky Nathan and Harriet Miller Valerie and Jesse Mitrani Rosalyn and Melvin Muroff Edye and Hagai Nechmad and Family Susan and Russ O'Dell Joseph Ottenstein Toby Parker-White Mindy and Daniel Pollack Elana Pollack and Cody Halfaker Ina and Eli Porth Carol and Stephen Puldy
Anne Register Stephen Roberts Stephen Roberts Carl Rosenthal Dorene and Joseph Rosenthal Heidi and Michael Rotberg Stanley and Iris Rothstein Gloria Sabin Ilana and Greg Schlam Philip Schlossberg Charlie Schwartz Becky and Josh Shimony Michael Shor Anita Sigal Soltz/Friedland Family in honor of Roz Soltz 90th Birthday Craig Sommers Ellen and Robert Harold Steinholz Howard Stine Elizabeth and Joseph Strasser Lisa and Manny Synalovski Diane Taub and Family Gila and Danny Tuchman Bari Stewart Udell Roselle Ungar Abbe Vallen Tammy and Eddy Wagner Rachel and David Wein Livia and Stephen Wein Weiner- Perlin Family David Weiss Bretta Weissman-Schachner and Robert Schachner Dov Wilker Max Winzelberg Matthew Wollner Lynn Yeffet Helen and David Zalik Lori and Michael Zeligman Jennifer and Craig Zeuner Janna Zwerner Florida Central Region Hadassah, The Women's Zionist Organization of America Jewish Cultural Endowment, Inc. Network for Good Central Carolina Community Foundation Network for Good
legacy for the generations society Anonymous Sandra Bass Stephanie Bejar Michael L. Belitzky Michele Puldy Burger Sandee Burger Susan Burger Leah Chanin Scott Chanin Esther Chassen Al Cohn Carolyn Davis Karen Eisler Barbara Extein Richard Feingold
Sally Felt Samuel Mintzer Fuchs Janette and Jaime Garmizo Civia and Ben Gerber Marsha Gilbert Clara Gillman Betsy Gold Gail Goldstein Lindsey Gottlieb Harold Grinspoon Baywinds Hadassah Farlen Halikman David S. Herschberg Kathryn A. Hess Arthur Heyman Ronald Kabran Rachael Kansas Dana and Andrew Kapustin Francine Raizes and Daniel Karchem Marlene Pinsky Klein Michelle Kohn Lydia Krieg Holly and Ari Kurtz Karen and Michael Lasday
Ellen Lavan Liz Levine Abby and Norman Levine Johanna F. Chanin and Randall Levitt Sam Levy Sheila Magerman Alison and Rick Mars Seth Mathlery Robin Mendelson Melanie Mintzer Diane Padellan Esther Panitch Michael Plostock Mindy Lessem Pollack Thelma (Teddy) Pottruck Elisa Profeta Edria Ragosin Michael Ramer Daniel Reed Erick Reihs Myrna and Stuart Rodkin Tom Rosenberg Bonnie and John Salmon Linda Satlof
Bretta and Robert Schachner Sara Schermer Bari Schlam Ilana and Gregory Schlam Sam Schlam Gail Shankman Tara and Alex Solomiany Philip (Pip) Spandorfer Diane Taub Daniel Tokar Gila and Danny Tuchman Roselle Ungar Rachel Wein Phyllis Brill Weingrat Helen Weisberg Miriam Weisberg Carol Weiss David Weiss Sherri Weiss Benjamin White Michael White Lori and Michael Zeligman Janna Zwerner Josh Zwerner
Camp Judaea’s Legacy for the Generations Society allows supporters of Camp to create a lasting impact on future generations of campers and staff. For more information on creating your Legacy at Camp Judaea, please contact Walter Synalovski at walter@campjudaea.org or 470-344-1836.
board leadership Executive Board: Sam Levy
Board Chair (Dunwoody, GA)
Ari Kurtz
Chair-Elect (Atlanta, GA)
Daniel Malino First Vice Chair (Atlanta, GA)
Civia Gerber Vice Chair (At Large) (Decatur, GA)
Tracy Cohn
Vice Chair (At Large) (Birmingham, AL)
Michele Burger
Past Chair (Miami Beach, FL)
Marion Aronheim (Lake Worth, FL) Jose Biton (Miami, FL) Daniel Cook (Maplewood, NJ) Karen Eisler (Dunedin, FL) Randall Foster (Smyrna, GA) Elisheva Funk (Dunwoody, GA) Linda Goldstein (Aventura, FL) Kathy Hess (Montgomery, AL) Dorrie Kahn (Davie, FL) Marlene Pinsky Klein (Pembroke Pines, FL) Robin Mendelson (Davie, FL) Toby Parker-White (Stone Mountain, GA) Alex Solomiany (Miami, FL) Janna Zwerner (Palm Harbor, FL)
Our Camp Judaea Property Board of Directors, comprised of builders, architects and attorneys ensures that our spectacular property and facilities continue to offer a high quality environment for our camp experiences. These Camp Judaea leaders and ambassadors are constantly envisioning new and renovated facilities as well as ensuring that sufficient resources are available to bring them to realization.
staff
Property Board of Directors:
Office Administrator
Robert Steinberg (Charleston, SC) Diane Taub (Aventura, FL) Farlen Halikman, CPA Treasurer (Casselberry, FL) Lisa Synalovski (Plantation, FL) Rachel Wein (Tampa, FL)
Walter Synalovski Executive Director
Elana Pollack
Assistant Director
Lori Zeligman
Program Director
Gayle Kaplan
Craig Lampert Controller
Jennifer Kanarek
Development Associate
Robert Durmire Caretaker
audited financials Operating Revenues 2018 2017 Camper Tuition $3,181,460 $2,832,021 Contributions, Grants, Other Income Applied Toward Operating Expenses $1,496,293 $997,727 Less Financial Aid $0 $0 Total Revenue $4,677,753 $3,824,748
Operating Expenses 2018 2017 Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets From Operations
$1,307,897
$674,914
www. ca m pj ud a e a . org
Winter 1440 Spring Street NW Atlanta, GA 30309-2832 800.788.1567 / 404.634.7883
Summer 48 Camp Judaea Lane Hendersonville, NC 28792 828.685.8841