NJY Camps 2024 in Review
By NJY Camps
Gottesman Gesher Campaign
This year, NJY Camps celebrated its largest single donation in history, an extraordinary $2M matching gift from NJY Camps Board Member, Paula Gottesman and the Paula and Jerry Gottesman Family Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater MetroWest NJ. Within just eight months, generous contributions from donors helped us raise over $4M, enabling incredible advancements for the future of Jewish camp.
Core Values
We established a brand-new set of core values, grounding our work in a shared sense of purpose. Partnering with the Jewish Education Project, these values became central themes of our summer ROOTS program, inspiring our entire camp community.
One Camp One Heart
Our inaugural annual fundraising gala brought 200 attendees together in New York City to celebrate NJY Camps and honor the Bendit and Selter families for their service to NJY Camps. The night was made even more special with remarks from NJY parent and Ambassador Gilad Erdan, Israel’s Permanent Representative to the UN.
Nah-Jee-Wah 100
In 2024, we celebrated 100 years of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah and the legacy of New Jersey Jewish Women. We also honored Paula Gottesman and longtime Nah-Jee-Wah Director Anne Tursky for her remarkable 36+ years of service.
Camp Nah-Jee-Wah – Willy Wonka Banquet
A magical moment this summer as Nah-Jee-Wah’s dining hall transformed into Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, complete with chocolate fountains, rainbow-colored drinks, and candy-themed décor, delighting campers with an unforgettable banquet experience.
Camp Nesher’s Week of Goodness
In July, Camp Nesher dedicated a #weekofgoodness to Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l. Campers performed mitzvot (commandments), acts of chesed (kindness), and created heartfelt projects to support the efforts to bring the hostages home.
Teen Camp Travel and Inclusive Travel
We launched the first Teen Camp Travel program complete with a Round Lake inclusion group, offering campers a three-week journey through California, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. Together, they experienced the adventure of a lifetime while fostering connection and inclusion.
Shufuni Concert at Cedar Lake Camp
Cedar Lake Camp hosted Shufuni, a talented music group from Southern Israel, whose soulful performances and inspiring personal stories captivated a full amphitheater overlooking the lake, bringing the power of music and connection to life.
Machane Am Echad
This summer, we welcomed 111 campers and staff from displaced communities in Israel’s North and South for a two-week camp experience, Machane Am Echad (Camp One People). In partnership with Tzofim (The Israel Scouts) and The Jewish Agency for Israel, this unique program fostered healing and connection, made possible by generous foundational support.
Alumni Shabbat
More than 100 young alumni gathered in New York City for an extraordinary Shabbat, reminiscing about their camp memories, sharing Jewish rituals, and reconnecting as a vibrant and united NJY alumni community.
