Introducing The Bayit – The New “Home” for Solelim

Supporting the Leaders of Tomorrow

Solelim is more than just a summer program. It’s a life-changing experience designed for rising high school seniors who aspire to return to Jacobs Camp as counselors, specialists, and future Jewish leaders. With a curriculum rooted in leadership development, Jewish values, and hands-on experience, Solelim prepares our oldest campers to step into roles of responsibility and impact. The Bayit, which means “home” in Hebrew, will provide these young leaders with a place to live, learn, and lead. Thoughtfully designed to meet the needs of today’s teens and tomorrow’s counselors, this new facility is a critical investment in the future of our camp community.

A Vision Realized: What The Bayit Will Offer

The Bayit is being built with flexibility, community, and long-term impact in mind. When it opens, it will include:

• Living Quarters for 48 Solelim Participants and Two Advisors – Comfortable, community-focused housing that fosters connection and responsibility.
• Dedicated Learning Spaces – Designed for training, reflection, and leadership development for 16–18-year-olds in our CIT program.
• Year-Round Program Areas – Flexible indoor spaces that will support camper recruitment, retention initiatives, and off-season programs that strengthen camp’s reach beyond the summer months.

By creating a home base for Solelim and future leadership programs, The Bayit will play a central role in growing our counselor pipeline and deepening the Jacobs Camp experience for generations to come.

Our Camp. Our Home. Our Future.

The Bayit is a key part of the Our Camp. Our Home. Our Future. Capital Campaign, Jacobs Camp’s bold vision to enhance our facilities, enrich our programs, and ensure a vibrant, thriving future. Thanks to the generous support of our community, this campaign is making it possible to build spaces that nurture leadership, foster connection, and expand our impact throughout the year.

We are especially grateful to The Orgel Family of Memphis, TN, whose leadership gift—made in memory of Richard “Dick” Orgel—made The Bayit possible. Dick Orgel was a passionate supporter of Jewish life, youth development, and community, and his legacy lives on through this transformative space. The Orgel Family’s generosity ensures that generations of Jacobs Campers will have a place to grow as leaders, build lifelong friendships, and strengthen their connection to Jewish values and community.

Construction Progress

About Jacobs Camp

The mission of Jacobs Camp is to provide a high-quality Jewish camping experience to the children of Southern Jewish communities that enriches and enhances their lives spiritually, intellectually, and physically in a safe and friendly environment. Founded by the Jewish community of our region to provide our youth with a Southern Jewish home, we continue to thrive as a place that develops future Jewish leaders and fosters lifelong connections and friendships. At Jacobs Camp, children spend the summer molding their future selves—transforming the Jewish beliefs and values they’ve lived and learned from others into a strong and confident identity that will guide their actions for a lifetime. In the heart of Mississippi, campers, counselors-in-training, and staff experience the magic of Shabbat, build a relationship with Torah, learn about Israel, participate in social action, and are motivated to infuse their home lives with Judaism. Immersed in a wholly Jewish environment, campers build friendships that will last a lifetime and experience a sense of belonging different from their lives outside of camp.