Camp Judaea

History

In 2011, Camp Judaea is celebrating its 50th anniversary of providing fun and educational programs to children in the Southern U.S., including Puerto Rico and the mid-Atlantic states. Camp Judaea cultivates a love for Israel and a Jewish identity in each camper. Its staff and programs engender individual growth through spirited group activities. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, campers enjoy outdoor experiences led by Israeli Scouts who teach them about Israeli geography and culture.

Camp Judaea (CJ) is one of the five regional camps across the U.S. sponsored by Hadassah. It is located in Hendersonville, NC about 175 miles northeast of Atlanta. Each summer CJ builds the Jewish identity of nearly 500 campers from across the region.

Top among the far-reaching benefits of spending summers at CJ include friendships that last a lifetime and enjoying a vibrant community with postings of news and reunions on the Web. These communications and a survey by Young Judaea demonstrate an increased likelihood of our former campers to:

• Marry other Jews.
• Observe Jewish traditions and belong to a synagogue.
• Support Jewish organizations and causes through volunteerism and financial support.
• Visit Israel and maintain a connection with Judaism

Vision

In 2009, Camp Judaea created a planned giving and estates program modeled after Hadassah’s successful Legacy for the Generations program. These funds will be used to improve and maintain CJ and secure its financial future.

Camp Judaea now competes with specialty camps and other summer activities for Jewish children whose parents want to give them a happy, healthy, and wise summer. Camp Judaea needs to attract these children with the best possible programs and facilities, as both camper and parental expectations demand more and more challenging and professional programs. These demands include helping our campers to better understand the increasingly complex world in which they live. Our vision includes helping campers understand our world through the lens of Jewish values and activism, as well as to take their place in building the future and security of the State of Israel.

Needs

As we approach the 50th anniversary of Camp Judaea, it is time to turn to our own ‘family’ and ask you, our alumni to support our vital needs by including CJ in your estate plan. A bequest or planned gift accomplishes two important objectives. This type of commitment to Jewish education and Camp Judaea will continue past each donor’s lifetime, carried on by the Jewish leaders created at CJ, through their work and community involvement. A second legacy will be established when alumni set an example for their own children and grandchildren as they meet their responsibility to preserve the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

Legacy fulfills the pressing needs of Camp Judaea in five major areas, as follows:

• Capital improvements of newly constructed and renovated buildings and landscaping.
• General operating expenses to maintain our site and facilities.
• Scholarships for about 15% of our campers.
• Programming to support staff and develop innovative additions.
• Outreach in the US and Israel to recruit outstanding staff and new campers.

To recognize your generosity, we have established Legacy for the Generations in honor of our founders and leaders. In creating your Jewish legacy, you will be recognized individually and in a physical display at the campsite. A grove of trees will be planted to honor members of the Legacy Society.

The public unveiling of a recognition board for Legacy for the Generations is slated for 2011 as part of Camp Judaea’s 50th Anniversary celebration. We hope you will join us.

Create a Jewish Legacy is an initiative of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta to build a strong, vibrant community, now and in the future with bequests for permanent endowments. It promotes the message that all of us, regardless of age, wealth, or affiliation, have the ability to make a difference for future Jewish generations. As the central umbrella organization for Jewish Atlanta, it makes sense for Federation to lead this program on behalf of the entire community.
Learn more about Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta.