Camp is special. But, you already know that! We already know that camp changes lives, but it is always framed in the big picture. We love getting together, reminiscing, looking at old photographs, taking new ones, and remembering the impact that camp had on us. At Eisner and Crane Lake, we are so proud of our alumni and we wanted to express this by sharing with you a few updates.

ICYMI: Eisner Camp Reunion & Crane Lake Camp Reunion

As we enter the new secular year, our camp families have a lot to be proud of. Not only do our staff members continue to come back to camp in order to make the difference that camp had on them, we are also positively impacting the larger context of our Jewish world. As you read this, many of our alumni are doing amazing work changing the world for the better. Two of those alumni are spotlight below: Sheila Katz, Vice President for Social Entrepreneurship at Hillel International, and Jonah Pesner, newly announced Director of the Religious Action Center.

Sheila Katz

Sheila Katz grew up at Crane Lake Camp. She attributes camp as an impactful foundation for the work she does today. She has worked with Hillel for many years and has enhanced their program’s ability to connect with students and to influence future Jewish generations. Sheila is the youngest vice president in the history of Hillel and “has helped pave the way for a more diverse and inclusive Jewish world.”

Check out this article (Hillel’s Sheila Katz: Inspiring Others to Make An Impact) about Sheila and the efforts she is making to make a global impact:

Jonah Pesner

Jonah Pesner grew up at Eisner Camp. As the theater director, he was able to influence the Eisner Camp community to become more confident in their skin as young Jews. In his work as the Senior Vice President of the URJ, he was named one of the most influential rabbis in America by Newsweek magazine. His leadership in the Union propelled him to a national spotlight and has now been named the director of the Religious Action Center, which is the legislative branch of the URJ.

Check out this article (New Religious Action Center leader aims to sharpen Reform Judaism’s stamp on policy) about Jonah’s goals for the future of Reform Jewish policy.