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Founded by Jewish women in 1924, NJY Camps celebrates 100 years of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah

NJY Camps honors philanthropist Paula Gottesman, whose contribution to $2 million matching grant will help provide Jewish summer camp experience.

Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, a division of NJY Camps. Source: Screenshot.
Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, a division of NJY Camps. Source: Screenshot.

NJY Camps, the world’s largest Jewish camp group, serving over 3,000 children annually, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah.

Camp Nah-Jee-Wah, was founded in 1924 by the New Jersey Women’s Federation as a camp for girls. Located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania, the letters NJW in its name reflect the founding by New Jersey Women.

Since its inception, the sleepaway camp has played a role empowering the women who founded the camps and was a means of employment for young women who worked as camp counselors and instructors.

Many alumni recall that when they first attended Nah-Jee-Wah, they had limited knowledge of Judaism. However, they then came to cherish the opportunity to learn and engage in Jewish traditions and rituals. Many also recall that despite encountering antisemitism outside the camp, they felt safe and supported within the camp’s Jewish environment. 

The camp is now coed serving elementary-age children. Its campers are primarily from the New York metropolitan area and other regions of the East Coast of the United States as far south as Florida.

At an event marking the centennial, many of the camp’s current women leaders as well as those who served decades ago, were recognized including longtime camp supporter Paula Gottesman who was honored for her contribution to the Gottesman Gesher campaign. This campaign involves a $2 million matching grant that will help the camps thrive and continue their mission. Her support of NJY Camps has allowed the organization to improve its facilities, expand its programs, and provide scholarships to children who may not have had the opportunity to experience the magic of summer camp otherwise. Her contribution has enabled NJY Camps to reach a wider audience, ensuring that children from diverse backgrounds can benefit from the transformative power of camp.

In her acceptance speech, Gottesman said, “I believe that Jewish camps are an asset for Jewish children because its the one place that American Jewish children can live 24 hours a day in a Jewish environment. There are a million needs and believe me I get letters from every one of them. But for immediate gratification I can’t think of anything more than seeing the joy that the children here get and the joy that I get when I see the children at the Jewish schools, many of whom also come here, everything needs support, but this place really gives me a high.”

“The impact of Paula Gottesman’s philanthropy extends beyond the physical improvements made to NJY Camps. By investing in the development of young minds and providing a safe and supportive environment, she has helped shape the future leaders of tomorrow. The experiences and friendships formed at NJY Camps have a lasting impact on campers’ lives, instilling values and skills that will serve them well,” said NJY Camps CEO, Michael Schlank. He further stated that Gottesman has created a “legacy of empowerment and opportunity, exemplifying the Jewish community’s commitment to continuity during these challenging times, particularly with respect to rising levels of antisemitism throughout the United States.”

Media contact: Laura Kam, laura@kamgs.com+972-54-806-8613.

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NJY Camps is the largest Jewish camping organization in the world, serving over 3,000 children annually. With two campuses spanning 2,200 acres in the serene nature of the Poconos, NJY offers a range of sleepaway camp programs for Jewish children from across the religious spectrum and is deeply committed to inclusive programs for those with special needs. NJY Camps is building strong ties between Jewish families from around the world and Israel. NJY Camps includes, in addition to Camp Nah-Jee-Wah: Camp Nesher (a modern orthodox co-ed camp), Cedar Lake Camp, Teen Age Camp (TAC), the Round Lake Inclusion program, TAC Israel and other teen travel programs.
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