Jewish Community Partners

Happiness is a place, and it can be found at Jewish summer camps. There truly is something special about going to a place where children and teens are given opportunities to engage in exciting daily activities, experience a setting where Judaism is felt more acutely, and make long-lasting friendships. At Jewish summer camps, religious activities like Shabbat and services are special events to look forward to and often become some of the camper’s most cherished camp memories.
 
Memphis Jewish Federation helps strengthen Jewish identity and engagement by providing Jewish Camp Scholarships to eligible Memphis families. Funded from Federation’s Annual Community Campaign, these Jewish Camp Scholarships are available to rising 4th grade through 12th grade students who will be attending Jewish overnight camps under Jewish auspices.
 
“I’ve been told for years that one of the greatest gifts a Jewish child can receive is the opportunity to go to sleepaway camp. Unfortunately, as a single mother, this is not something that I am able to provide on my own,” wrote an anonymous parent. “I used to be of the mindset that if I can’t afford it, then I have no business sending my child to camp. But I’ve been told by countless people that this is what Federation is here for. In a nutshell, my child loves camp and she counts down the days until the next summer each year. Camp is the place where she has conquered many fears and overcome anxiety. It is the place where she had her first opportunity to read Torah. Without the help of Federation, my child would not have these and so many other wonderful and unforgettable opportunities and experiences. And for this I will be forever grateful!”
 
“I never wanted to go to camp because I was so scared to be away from home for so long. But I went, and I loved it, and I’ve kept on going back,” said an anonymous camper. “People think camp is all about having fun, and it really is. But Jewish camp is also a different kind of fun. I’ve met so many other Jewish kids from all over who I could have only met because of camp. I’ve learned more Hebrew and fun Hebrew music. I’ve learned cool stuff about Israel, and my favorite part of camp is Havdalah. I don’t know if I would realize how much those things mean to me if I didn’t go to camp.”
 
Due to limited funds, camp scholarships are awarded solely on the basis of financial need. An anonymous scholarship committee reviews all applications and all information is strictly confidential. Scholarship awards are paid directly to the camps, which then credit the camper’s account accordingly.
 
The deadline to submit camp scholarship applications is February 15, 2022. If you are interested in this opportunity, you can click here to learn more.
 
For more information or questions, please contact Carolyn Pruitt at [email protected] or 901-767-7100