Sixty years ago, local Jewish leaders had a vision for a summer camping experience that would give children and youth an exciting outdoor learning experience – and so much more. Today, with the support of our kehilla (community), their vision is a reality as Camp Solomon Schechter is creating the next generation of Jewish leaders. Dear Schechter families & friends, When Camp Solomon Schechter’s nearly 600 summer campers leave for home, the staff and I rejoice. Not because these amazing young people have left us, but because we know we are sending them home with a much stronger connection to their Jewish heritage, culture and identity. We know their Schechter experience has inspired them to embrace Jewish values and has created enduring friendships that will enrich and sustain a lifelong commitment to Judaism. This was the vision of our founders six decades ago: building Jewish continuity in a supportive, safe and fun-filled outdoor environment. Thanks to you – our loyal camp families and generous donors – Camp Solomon Schechter thrives as an independent, non-profit community treasure. This is the camp that you built. In 2013, we continued to strengthen our commitment to this vision. Our finances are strong and revenue continues to grow. We are making improvements each year to camp facilities, and many more exciting changes are coming in the very near future. Your ongoing commitment to Camp Solomon Schechter means we will continue to develop tomorrow’s leaders for decades to come. Thank you for believing in us and in the future of our Jewish community. B’Shalom, Sam Perlin Executive Director A 2013 acheivement report to our Pacific Northwest friends and supporters
Transcript
Sixty years ago, local Jewish leaders had a vision for a summer camping experience that would give children and youth an exciting outdoor learning experience – and so much more. Today, with the support of our kehilla (community), their vision is a reality as Camp Solomon Schechter is creating the next generation of Jewish leaders.
Dear Schechter families & friends,
When Camp Solomon Schechter’s nearly 600 summer campers leave for home, the staff and I
rejoice. Not because these amazing young people have left us, but because we know we are sending
them home with a much stronger connection to their Jewish heritage, culture and identity. We know
their Schechter experience has inspired them to embrace Jewish values and has created enduring
friendships that will enrich and sustain a lifelong commitment to Judaism.
This was the vision of our founders six decades ago: building Jewish continuity in a supportive, safe
and fun-filled outdoor environment. Thanks to you – our loyal camp families and generous donors
– Camp Solomon Schechter thrives as an independent, non-profit community treasure. This is the
camp that you built.
In 2013, we continued to strengthen our commitment to this vision. Our finances are strong and
revenue continues to grow. We are making improvements each year to camp facilities, and many
more exciting changes are coming in the very near future.
Your ongoing commitment to Camp Solomon Schechter means we will continue to develop tomorrow’s
leaders for decades to come. Thank you for believing in us and in the future of our Jewish community.
B’Shalom,
Sam Perlin
Executive Director
A 2013 acheivement report to our Pacific Northwest friends and supporters
A year of achievements in tikkun olam and tzedakahIn 2013, Camp Solomon Schechter brought together kids from large cities and small towns across the Pacific Northwest, from Israel and beyond. By awakening their creativity and fueling their curiosity through education, teva (nature), omanut (arts), sports and community-building activities, we are helping campers grow into passionate and caring adults committed to living a meaningful Jewish life and to tikkun olam (repairing the world).
Among the most notable achievements of 2013 was the development of the Teva Learning Center, an educational, organic garden with 24 raised beds that include the seven species of Israel. The 2,000-square foot garden also encompasses fruit trees and berry bushes, an Israeli greenhouse, toolshed, drip irrigation system, rain barrel and compost bin.
This new Center – funded by grants from the Gendler Grapevine Project, Goodman Camping Initiative and the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle – helped campers learn about the environment and appreciate the role Israel has played in international agricultural innovations. The fruits and vegetables from the garden were popular in stir-fry’s enjoyed at the canteen.
We also partnered last year with the Jewish Teen Funders Network to develop the Camp Solomon Schechter Teen Foundation project to teach campers first-hand about tzedakah (charity). They learned how nonprofits operate and how philanthropy builds community. A conversation with retired U.S. Ambassador and Northwest philanthropist Cynthia Stroum furthered their understanding.
Foundation grants were publicized in the local community, and nine nonprofits submitted proposals. Schechter campers evaluated the submissions, visited nonprofits, advocated for their choices and ultimately awarded $1,500 in grants to three organizations – SafePlace, Stonewall Youth and South Puget Sound Mobile Search and Rescue.
“Both the Teva Garden and the Teen Foundation underscore the value of our shared responsibility to heal, repair and transform the world that we strive to instill in campers,” says Executive Director Sam Perlin. “These lessons and activities help kids to become independent thinkers, empathetic members of the global community and collaborative problem-solvers.”
Ellice Ellenhorn, Seattle, WAMitch Elovitz, Lake Oswego, OR
Janna Stark Glassman, Vancouver, BCRaphael Goodblatt, Portland, ORKari Harrison Haas, Bellevue, WA
Melissa Huppin, Seattle, WAAndy Kaplowitz, Olympia, WA
Scott Morris, Spokane, WAMichelle Pullan, Vancouver, BC
Sam Rubens, Seattle, WASuzanne Meltzer Rubens, Spokane, WA
David Schiller, Mercer Island, WAMichael Schiller, Mercer Island, WA
Michael Sherer, Seattle, WAEmeritus: Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Portland, OR
The Camp Solomon Schechter Legacy CircleWe are proud to recognize the generous individuals and families who have remembered Camp Solomon Schechter in their wills or other long-term financial plans. These bequests will help fund our endowments to ensure Schechter exists l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. If you have included Schechter in your estate plans, please let us know.
Anonymous (16)Gloria BacharachMeredith BedrickMelissa BloomShana P. BloomMarvin & Lisa BrashemCaitlin DaneEllice Ellenhorn & Michel ChriquiDavid FurmanJonathan Glass & Sarah Kahn GlassAndy GreenbergGary & Peri GreenbergHarold GrinspoonKari HaasMelissa HuppinC. Eugene & Gerry HuppinMark R. & Jennifer KalenscherHarold Lesch
Robert & Lisa LowJosh NiehausJef NobbeRobert & Donna PehaSam & Sharon PerlinScott & Joan PerryAlex PuldaMichelle PullanCorey Salka & Lisa Orlick-SalkaCraig Saran & Joani Diskin SaranGordon & Saskia SchaefferDavid & Wendy SchwartzJoanne SchwartzMichael Sherer & Amee Huppin ShererLynn SommerBruce & Sheila SternBrian Suher & Barbara AtlasKaren Twain
“If you are concerned with maintaining Jewish identity – a Jewish community, a feeling of responsibility to each other, closeness to each other, strength in each other – then your identification as a Jew has to be strong. A Jewish camping experience is the strongest single force of Jewish identity.”
Our philosophy of being the place “Where Judaism and Joy are One” was put into action in 2013, strengthening Jewish identity and providing campers with fun, creative and engaging activities.
Twenty Israeli youth came to Camp Solomon Schechter, building strong connections with their American counterparts. When Pacific Northwest campers travel to Israel, they reconnect with their Schechter friends for a deeper experience in the country. Generous donations by individuals and families to Schechter enable us to subsidize tuition for Israeli campers.
A new 40-foot climbing tower and a 160-foot downhill water slide – funded by grants from the Alfred & Tillie Shemanski Trust Fund, the Holzman Foundation and the Samis Foundation – added new opportunities for enjoyment and physical activity. Both were terrific additions to our popular outdoors and waterfront programs.
We partnered with the Tahoma Audubon Society to bring students from low-income school districts to Schechter during the school year for an environmental education program. This provides off-season revenue while giving kids who cannot afford a camp experience a chance to enjoy our facilities.
New trails and a beaver pond were highlights of our expanded overnight outdoor camping experiences for our youngest campers. We also doubled the staff for river trips to accommodate even more campers.
We revised our camp schedule to enable kids of all ages from the same families to attend camp together and to better accommodate staff and Canadian school schedules.
The Wolf Haven International Sanctuary in nearby Tenino gave 60 campers an up-close understanding of the protection and survival of this native species. The field trips were funded for a third year by a donation from Brad and Susan Lehrer.
Campers and communitymembers learn, laugh and grow Schechter finances:
Strong and accountable
Contributions & Grants $ 145,982 Rentals & Shabbatons $ 201,492 Tuition & Transport $ 1,193,579 Other $ 1,285 TOTAL INCOME $ 1,542,338
Contributions & Grants 10%Rentals & Shabbatones 13%Tuition & Transport 77%
Other income less than 1%
We strive for accuracy in our donor lists and regret any errors or omissions. If you have questions, please contact us at 206-447-1967.
Thank you to our generous supportersWe are grateful to the families and individuals, foundations and corporations who enable Camp Solomon Schechter to keep tuition affordable and to provide scholarships that provide a camp experience to families who otherwise would be unable to participate. This list reflects gifts made between October 1, 2012, and September 30, 2013.
In-KindAnonymous Karen Binder Zane & Melissa Brown Jacob Furman & Brooke WalkerNoah & Devon Konikow Ari & Michelle Lackman Gabe Markiz & Randi Alberts-MarkizPaul NorrRobert & Donna Peha Benjamin & Cheryl PeiznerCarl Roer Mike & Dawn Schiller David & Wendy Schwartz Nadine Strauss
A 2013 acheivement report to our Pacific Northwest friends and supporters
117 E. Louisa St. #110Seattle WA 98102
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Where Judaism and Joy are One!
117 East Louisa Street, #110 • Seattle, WA 98102-3203Tel: 206.447.1967 • Canada: 604.288.7655 • Fax: 206.447.2629 [email protected] • www.campschechter.org
Toward the next 60 years In 2014, our 60th anniversary year, we celebrate the wisdom and legacy of Schechter’s founders and our long tradition of success in ensuring Jewish continuity and developing the next generations of Jewish leaders.
We also prepare this year for the next 60 years and beyond. Our camp is beautifully maintained and full of wonderful learning and outdoor opportunities for campers, but we also know that improvements must be made. The common-area facilities that are the heart of the camp – the Chadar Ochel (dining hall) where children and youth gather for meals and celebrations, the infirmary, Beit Knesset (synagogue), and administrative center – are outdated and must be expanded to accommodate growth. We have no place for campers to enjoy sports activities in inclement weather. Camp infrastructure is at the end of its life cycle and must be modernized.
Plans are underway to meet these challenges. We look forward to sharing them with you soon.
A 2013 acheivement report to our Pacific Northwest friends and supporters
