"I was born in 1928 in Poland," FJC donor Nat Taubenfeld relates, "In 1939 the war broke out, and I did not ever get a chance to go to any summer camp. My summer and winter camp was in Siberia, where I spent four years for the crime of being Jewish".

Donations like Taubenbfeld’s, along with major grants from the Ohr Avner foundation, the Rohr foundation and the Raps family, fund 40 children’s day or sleep-away summer and winter camps in 15 Federation member countries. Each year they provide thousands children with their first experience with hiking, swimming, exploring nature and, in many cases, their first exposure to Jewish life.

Life at a Gan Israel camp is a healthy and welcome respite for children ages 6-14. A typical day starts with a morning prayer and a nutritious breakfast, followed by games, excursions to the seashore, museum, zoo or riding stable. The children also spend a portion of each day with tutors learning the basics of Judaism.

It’s the kind of experience Taubenfelt dared not even dream of at age 11 in a labor camp in Siberia. “I only mention this because we Jews have an obligation to help Jews worldwide,” he wrote. "Thank you for giving me a chance to help in some small way."

For an index of Camps please Click here

Join Our Summer Camps Campaign