Jewish overnight camp is often a formative Jewish experience for campers, and their families, too. At camp, young people can discover who they are, who they want to be, and how to fit their Jewish identity into everyday life, all while having a great time with friends. These experiences are not only enjoyed by campers, but they are also transformative and empowering.
Of course, every summer camp comes with a price tag, and for Jewish overnight camps, it’s an especially steep one. For years, the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor has partnered with Jewish Family Services to administer a needs-based scholarship to help families cover the cost of both day and overnight Jewish camp experiences. More recently, greater Ann Arbor was a part of the One Happy Camper initiative through the national Foundation for Jewish Camp, designed to offer financial incentives for first-time campers. Both initiatives have provided much-needed support, though they’ve had limitations on who can apply for and receive funds.
Beginning with summer 2027, the Jewish Federation is pleased to announce the establishment of the Ginsburg-Spoon Jewish Overnight Camp Subsidy Endowment. Thanks to a generous gift from community members Terri Ginsburg and Jeffrey Spoon, Ann Arbor area families will now have an additional way to help make overnight camp more affordable. The new endowment fund has been established with the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Ann Arbor, and its initial investment will grow over time, increasing the funds available to distribute to the community.
In addition to continuing needs-based scholarships, the new subsidy will be open to any Washtenaw County camper who attends Jewish overnight camp. The Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor will serve as the community point of contact for this new program. Additional details and application information will be posted on JewishAnnArbor.org/engagement/camp in December.
When asked about why they chose to invest in Jewish overnight camp as their community legacy, Terri and Jeff shared:
“We have seen the tremendous impact that attending Jewish camp has had on our own children and others in the community. It provides an immersive experience which not only makes for a fun summer infused with Judaism but connects the campers and their families to Jewish practice and often impacts their participation in their hometown Jewish communities. We have seen campers who convince their parents to light Shabbat candles after returning from camp and who know the Birkat Hamazon (blessing after the meal) by heart, complete with motions and table banging!
“The camp setting gives children and teens the opportunity to be in a community in which they are not a minority. The bonds between campers create lifelong friends. In creating this camp subsidy fund, we hope to help make camp accessible to those who cannot afford the cost of Jewish camps.”
For 36 years, the Jewish Federation has worked to foster engagement, connection, and philanthropy in the greater Ann Arbor Jewish community. With this philanthropic gift from the Ginsburg/Spoon family, the Jewish Federation will be able to bring the connective experience of Jewish overnight camp closer to reality for more local families.
The Jewish Federation is incredibly grateful to the Ginsburg/Spoon family for endowing this legacy fund and welcomes additional contributions in any amount to grow the fund.
Endowments can be established with the Jewish Community Foundation to meet any communal need that aligns with your vision of a flourishing Jewish community. Whether it’s overnight camp, the engaging ShinShinim program, community security, or any other vital aspect of Jewish life, you can choose your legacy. To start a legacy conversation, contact the Jewish Federation’s CEO Eileen Freed at eileenfreed@jewishannarbor.org.