The Magic of Camp
URJ Eisner & Crane Lake Camps 2023 Impact Report
Spreading “Jewish Glitter” Across Camp Dear Friends, Summer of 2023 was the camp season we’d been waiting for! We were able to bring back many traditions and visitors, and camp felt “normal” again. It was a summer filled with joy and ruach (spirit). As we know, the world turned upside down on October 7th. Our hearts are with the people of Israel in these difficult times, and we continue to pray for the immediate release of all the hostages. In this moment, Jewish camping has never felt more important and relevant. A camp parent recently shared with us: “Camp is an immersive experience where Jewish glitter is sprinkled across everything…you can’t escape it and you must embrace it.” Jewish glitter is a powerful metaphor for the impact of Jewish camping. It is this vision that sustains us as camp leaders. When our communities reunite this summer, our respective camp “Bubbles” will fill with laughter, kindness, and understanding. But the camp bubble isn’t a utopia devoid of issues; camp is where we learn to navigate real-world challenges in thoughtful and compassionate ways, and lead with empathy and courage. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to sprinkle positivity, role modeling, Jewish pride, and global citizenship into every moment, making camp a special and important place that supports our community and strengthens our collective future. As we face today head on and look to the future, we still find great joy in reflecting on Summer 2023. Both camps glittered with joy, inclusiveness, and fun. We also reflect upon the generous community of donors who make the magic of Camp possible. Tzedakah is the Jewish glitter you spread across camp to sustain our future. We hope this publication conveys the impact of your philanthropy at camp and inspires you to give generously. With gratitude,
Jennifer Weber (she/her)
Debby Shriber (she/her)
Eisner and Crane Lake Camps Advisory Board Chair
Executive Director, Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
Paul Isserles (he/him)
Efraim Yudewitz (he/him)
Director, Eisner Camp
Director, Crane Lake Camp
Ray Kimmelblatt (she/her) Development Director, Eisner and Crane Lake Camps
New to the Eisner Family Lauren “Lulu” Belferder (she/her)
Hailey Kessler (she/her)
Why Eisner: My first summer in the Eisner “Bubble” truly changed my life. Eisner is a strong community filled with passionate people. My twin daughters and I were embraced by staff, campers and their families with warmth and open arms.
Why Eisner: Joining the Eisner community this year has been nothing short of amazing. The Eisner community is welcoming, inclusive, spirited, and truly a family. I have found a home at Eisner and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for this community.
Associate Director
Assistant Director, Programming and Logistics
Nicki Poliak (she/her)
Assistant Director, Marketing/ Communications and Alumni Engagement Why Eisner: Eisner is the place and community that made me who I am today. It is the place that has supported me, helped me grow, and helped me become the best version of myself. Eisner has always been my home away from home, and I am so honored to be back in this community helping our young leaders create amazing memories and experiences in this magical place. Left to right: Lauren “Lulu” Berlferder, Nicki Poliak, Hailey Kessler
New to the Crane Lake Family Rachel Anszelowicz (she/her)
Assistant Director, Staff Engagement and Recruitment Why Crane Lake: I’m excited to be part of a camp community like Crane Lake Camp that prioritizes kindness, enthusiasm, and inclusion in all that we do!
Emily “Waldo” Waldman (she/her)
Assistant Director, Year-Round Programming and Alumni Engagement
Emily “Waldo” Waldman (left) and Rachel Anszelowicz (right)
Why Crane Lake: For as long as I can remember, Crane Lake has been my home away from home. Camp has watched me grow up, and I’ve seen camp grow and change year after year. Through all of that, the excitement I feel when I drive through the gates now is still the same as it was when I came for my first summer so long ago. I couldn’t imagine a summer, or my life, without CLC.
A Letter from Paul Isserles, Eisner Director Dear Parents, Whenever I drive my golf cart around camp, I am bombarded with requests from campers to drive them from one place to another. While I can’t do this every time that I am asked, I do often drive campers around camp. I love spending this time with campers hearing about their camp experiences.
“Thank you for allowing me to experience these types of moments with your children and the privilege of leading our Eisner community.”
Recently I drove a group of campers back to their bunk, and the connection they had to one another was amazing to watch. From my perspective, it seemed like they had been friends for years. To my surprise, I learned that two of the three campers had arrived just the prior week as first-time campers. The three campers reflected about their favorite parts of camp, and of course, each of them said “the people.” One comment that I remember so clearly was “not only do I feel at home at Eisner, but I really feel like I have made my best friends here.” This is what camp is about. It is finding your home, finding your people, and finding your place in the community. These are the moments that make being the director so special for me. Thank you for allowing me to experience these types of moments with your children and the privilege of leading our Eisner community.
Eisner by the Numbers
Campers 680
First-time Campers 177
Staff 340
First-time Staff 154
Faculty 26
Campers on Scholarship 134
Scholarship Aid Provided by Camp $226,827
Scholarship Aid from Outside Sources $392,406
Mishlachot (Israeli Emissaries) 50
URJ Congregations Represented 110
Years Since Maccabiah Winner & Generals Eisner’s Gold Team Staff Generals: Sam Kleid & Yali Gamliel Founding Olim Generals: Lucy Targum & Ezra Goldstein 65
A Letter from Efraim Yudewitz, Crane Lake Director Tradition and innovation are what drive me. There’s something so special about how camp can both be the same as it always was, while constantly adapting to stay relevant. We’re always finding new, meaningful ways to build community, lifelong friendships, and help campers formulate a strong sense of self. I’m so inspired by the way Crane Lakers innovate and enhance our camp community. From building our amazing new Rec Hall and a more robust, diverse camper care team, to our new mural in the Beit Am that reflects our Culture of Kindness, we are always looking to add to the awesomeness of CLC. One new tradition that I absolutely love is called QTD – quality time with the directors. This summer I was so lucky to have s’mores and bonfires with Nitzanim, host a trick shot competition with Bonim, welcome Chaverim to my house for movie nights, and take Olim on a walk to Public Market. QTD is a new tradition, but it’s rooted in the well-established camp principles of building connections and trying new things.
“While innovating is essential and exciting, so much of camp remains the same, connecting generation to generation.”
While innovating is essential and exciting, so much of camp remains the same, connecting generation to generation. I love that my own two daughters know not only their own Fight Songs but also the words to legendary Fights Songs from previous summers. I love that the Culture of Kindness isn’t packed away in the arts and crafts room with other supplies for the summer but stays with us in our relationships and how we navigate the school year. I love that “roofball is life” and I love that chills, tears, and all the “feels” are automatic when hearing the first cord of the alma mater. I love that the smell of a bonfire instantly takes us back to camp and that nothing beats camp friends.
We are already hard at work protecting our traditions and finding new and exciting ways to serve our amazing camp community. It’s going to be an awesome year and an even better summer – the countdown is on. See you in the Berkshires for Summer 2024!
Crane Lake by the Numbers
Campers 514
First-time Campers 115
Staff 203
First-time Staff 89
Faculty 22
Campers on Scholarship 167
Scholarship Aid Provided by Camp $172,758
Scholarship Aid from Outside Sources $186,736
Mishlachot (Israeli Emissaries) 16
URJ Congregations Represented 102
Maccabiah Winner & Generals Blue Abyss White Summit
Lily Finkelstein, Omri Sklar, Jimmy Salvador Perezmendoza Luna, Friedman, Chelsea Goodman Robin Falkow, Evan Jaffe, Lily Buyer
Times Molly Escaped from the Farm We’ll never tell...
Summer Scrapbook: Eisner Edition
Summer Scrapbook: Crane Lake Edition
A Return to Normal This year brought a return to pre-pandemic normalcy at camp. From overnight trips and tournaments to Visiting Day, Olim Day, and Alumni events at camp and in NYC, we were so happy to finally be back to the way things used to be!
Trip Day
Visiting Day
Alumni Events in NYC – March 2023
Eisner Alumni Day & Crane Lake Community Day – October 2023
Envisioning the Future of Camp Two years into the tenures of Paul Isserles and Efraim Yudewitz as camp directors, we spent the year engaged in a strategic visioning and facilities master planning process. In June and July, we hosted 14 online focus groups and 25 in-person conversations at each camp. It was wonderful to hear feedback from our community and engage hundreds of constituents in “dreaming big” to develop our vision for the next 20+ years of camp.
VISIONING AND MASTER PLANNING TIMELINE OCTOBER '21
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Among the most meaningful feedback we heard from our community was the love for, and importance of, camp (our why): • Eisner and Crane Lake foster lifelong Jewish engagement and development of joyful Jewish identity. Camp teaches Jewish values and instills an obligation to be in a relationship with Israel and serve the Jewish people. • Our camps lead the field in inclusivity and acceptance. Camp enables campers to be the truest version of themselves and is a safe space for self-discovery. • We help create good humans, mensches, visionaries, and responsible citizens of the world who are committed to social justice. • Our camps foster independence, emotional resilience, critical thinking skills, and prepare campers for college and the challenges they will face in the real world. • We provide a technology-free space that fosters in-person socialization and communication that is all too rare among today’s youth.
OCTOBER '22
Eisner and Crane Lake hire next generation of leadership. Paul Isserles (Eisner) and Efraim Yudewitz (Crane Lake) join as camp directors, under the leadership of Executive Director, Debby Shriber.
Following a successful summer, camp leaders launch a process to develop a long-term vision for each camp, and the camps together.
JANUARY '23
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FEBRUARY '23
Contract with Jody Oates of Kaleidoscope, Inc., a camping industry leader in visioning and master facilities planning.
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Kaleidoscope conducts initial assessments and documents reviews. Convenes lay/professional planning team for Workshop #1.
MARCH '23 Kaleidoscope visits camp to learn about each site, programming, and space usage. Workshop #1 with professional staff team; Workshop #2 with planning team.
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APR - MAY '23 Kaleidoscope returns to camp with architectural partner and land use planning experts Brandstetter Carroll, Inc (BCI). Workshop #2 with professional staff team; Workshop #3 with planning team. Presentation #1 to ECL Board of Advisors.
JUNE '23 Welcome home Summer '23!
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Launch virtual constituent focus groups with current and former board members, alumni, parents, and faculty.
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JULY '23 Kaleidoscope and BCI visit to observe camp in action, learn about culture, and meet with campers and staff.
SEPT - NOV '23 Final visioning Workshop #4 with planning team. Visioning process concludes.
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OCT - NOV '23 Draft master plan with projected costs and phased timeline presented to the URJ, and The ECL Board of Advisors for approval.
WINTER '23 AND BEYOND Engage capital campaign consultants, conduct feasibility study, and launch historic two-camp campaign.
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Giving the Gift of Camp Last year, 1,650 donors gave more than $2.1 million to Eisner and Crane Lake Annual CAMPaign (unrestricted gifts, scholarships, and special initiatives) and capital improvements like the Crane Lake Rec Hall. The money you so generously invest in camp provides the “extras” that help make camp so special. Read on to learn about some the initiatives our donor family helped support.
Eisner Olim ‘13 Scholarship Campaign In honor of their 10th Anniversary, the Olim class of 2013 raised an impressive $5,600 for camp scholarships. To celebrate the success of this alumni-driven grassroots initiative, their class was invited to camp for a special alumni Shabbat.
Eisner Game Room Longtime staff member Jen Sussman celebrated a milestone birthday by raising $30,000 from family and friends to reimagine the Eisner game room in memory of her Aunt Ellen.
Jen Sussman (center) celebrates the dedication of the new game room with friends and family.
Olim B’nei Mitzvah Project Each year, rising 7th graders come together to raise money for camp in honor of their B’Mitzvahs. This past year, Eisner’s Olim 2025 raised $5,400 to purchase lighting for nighttime pool parties. Crane Lake’s Olim 2025 raised $6,000 to create a puppy play pen at the farm. This project brings the camp values of tzedek (righteousness) and tikkun olam (repairing the world) into action while allowing each Olim class to leave a physical legacy at camp. Top: Olim ‘25 at the Eisner pool Bottom: Olim ‘25 at the Crane Lake farm
Dedication of the Eisner Lake in Memory of Marc “Fisherdude” Erenberg In the summer of 1991, Marc Erenberg (brother of Robin Erenberg Collins Olim ’13) spent his only summer at Eisner Camp. Forever known as “Fisherdude” Marc tragically passed away on March 7, 1992. Marc’s family gathered for a service led by Rabbi Jodie Gordon to celebrate Marc’s life and install this plaque that bears his name.
Friends and family of Marc “Fisherdude” Erenberg gather at the dedication of the Eisner Lake.
Historic $3.6 Million Campaign to Rebuild the Rec Hall
URJ President and CEO Rabbi Rick Jacobs (center) visits with campers alongside philanthropist and PJ Library founder Harold Grinspoon (left).
In the spring of 2021, the Crane Lake Rec Hall was deemed no longer safe to use. As one of only two indoor programming spaces at camp, we had no choice but to immediately rebuild. Camp broke construction in the fall of 2021 and simultaneously launched a $3.6 million fundraising campaign. The Crane Lake community responded in profound ways, and we completed the campaign in record time. The Rec Hall is the soul of Crane Lake Camp, where seven decades of Fight Song plaques and Maccabiah banners hang as a visual reminder of the deeply revered traditions and beloved alumni who came before them.
A “Chai Five” for Donor Appreciation Shabbat 2023 For the first time since 2019, camp was able to welcome visitors back to camp. Donor Appreciation Shabbat was held July 14-15 at both camps for donors who annually contribute $1,800, as well as Legacy Society members who have included camp in their estate plan. In the coming year, camp will launch the Chai Society for donors who give $1,800, $3,600 and $5,400+ annually. For more information about the Chai or Legacy Societies, please contact Ray Kimmelblatt, Development Director at rkimmelblatt@urj.org.
Thank you for sustaining the future of camp!
Tradition Runs Deep at Eisner Camp Attending Eisner camp is a family tradition. Each summer, second and third generation campers and staff gather to celebrate the rich legacy of being part of a multigenerational camp family.
Session 1 Campers and Staff
Session 2 Campers and Staff
Living Our Jewish Values Crane Lake’s oldest and youngest campers worked with visiting artist Tova Speter to make this mural for the Beit Am. Each spark of the Crane Lake flame contains a way that we can show kindness for each other (red), ourselves (orange), or the world (yellow).
At Eisner and Crane Lake, we lean into middot (Jewish values) and infuse them into the fabric of camp life. Camps choose a value of the week and hand out bracelets to campers who are caught practicing those values.
Support the Annual Fund
Our campers and staff need a place to be their best selves, to find their people, to belong. We simply cannot do it without the generosity of our beloved donors. Our Annual Campaign supports the following: • • • • • •
SCAN ME TO GIVE!
Scholarships for over 200+ families Enhancing mental health support Advancing Limud (Jewish and Israel education) Upgrading residential and program facilities Beautifying Camp Providing situational emergency relief
“We are so proud of all our three sons, and of the amazing incredible life journey and soul community given to them and to us by Eisner and Crane Lake Camps. You will live in our hearts forever.” –Eisner and Crane Lake Camp Parent “Camp is more than just a summer for our daughter. Camp has been and will always be a family and a home and a place of happiness, support, and growth.” –Eisner and Crane Lake Camp Parent
Questions?
Please contact Ray Kimmelblatt, URJ Eisner and Crane Lake Camp Development Director, at rkimmelblatt@urj.org.
Thank You to Our Staff and Volunteer Leadership Eisner and Crane Lake Camps Staff Debby Shriber, Executive Director Lauren Hyde, Business Manager Ray Kimmelblatt, Development Director Chanel Shirazi, Development Associate
Eisner Camp Staff
Paul Isserles, Director Lauren “Lulu” Belferder, Associate Director Marisa Bergman, Assistant Director, Camper Recruitment & Year-Round Engagement Hailey Kessler, Assistant Director, Programming & Logistics Adam Kohane, Assistant Director, Staff Recruitment & Engagement Nicki Poliak, Assistant Director, MarComm & Alumni Engagement Avihay Saady, Summer Operations Director Meredith Smyth, Retreat Center Manager & Registrar
Crane Lake Camp Staff
Efraim Yudewitz, Director Rachel Anszelowicz, Assistant Director, Staff Recruitment & Engagement Alyson Bazeley, Assistant Director, Camper Care & Engagement Barnett Goldman, Summer Assistant Director Ali Sadowski, Business and Operations Associate Sarah Stein, Assistant Director, MarComm & Logistics Emily “Waldo” Waldman, Assistant Director, Alumni & Year-Round Engagement
Facilities and Retreat Center Staff Dan Andrus Billy Blackwell
JD Hebert Josh Lesser
Brenda Mandel Brian Willert
Francisco Nunez Fran Ward
Eisner and Crane Lake Camps Advisory Board Executive Committee
Jennifer Weber, Chair Liz Barnett, Immediate Past Chair Karen Berman Doug Bernstein Vivian Cohn Richard Feifer Kelly Ramot Danielle Schmelkin
Board Members
Mike Adler Stephen Brand Rabbi Jeff Clopper Scott Dworman Meredith Fried
Roberta Glick Jenny Goldstein Alan Herman Lisa Jaffe Michele Klau Heidi Klopfer Staci Eisenberg Kosto Amy Lewis Jonah Lovens Evan Mallah Rebecca Smerling Marcus Bill Nadel Lisa Pascetta-Siegel Lara Perlstein Paul Reichenbach Rabbi Rena Rifkin
Rachel Schnoll Amy Sommer Gabby Spear Cory Stern Liz Gutmann Weingast Staci Woska
Honorary Board Members
Paula Blumberg Steven Bram Rabbi Melissa Buyer-Witman Diane Mallah Darryl Mallah Jeremy Wolfe
Congregations who sent 10 or more campers to Eisner and Crane Lake in 2023 Barnert Temple, Franklin Lakes, NJ Beth El Temple Center, Belmont, MA Central Synagogue, New York, NY Congregation Beth Elohim, Brooklyn, NY Congregation Beth Emeth, Albany, NY Congregation Beth Israel, West Hartford, CT Congregation B’nai Israel, Bridgeport, CT Congregation Gates of Heaven, Schenectady, NY Congregation Kol Ami, White Plains, NY Congregation Rodeph Sholom, New York, NY Congregation Shir Shalom, Ridgefield, CT Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Great Barrington, MA Larchmont Temple, Larchmont, NY Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, New York, NY Temple Beth Elohim, Wellesley Hills, MA Temple Beth Shalom, Hastings On Hudson, NY Temple Beth Shalom, Needham, MA Temple Emanuel, Andover, MA Temple Isaiah, Lexington, MA Temple Israel of the City of New York, New York, NY Temple Israel, Boston, MA Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford Corners, NY Temple Shalom of Newton, Newton, MA Temple Shir Tikva, Wayland, MA Temple Sinai, Brookline, MA Westchester Reform Temple, Scarsdale, NY Woodlands Community Temple, White Plains, NY
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WATCH CAMP IN ACTION!
Eisner and Crane Lake Camps’ Annual Campaign supports the following: