Zoe Cole – Assistant Director – Welcome Home!

Hey y’all! My name is Zoe Cole and I am so thrilled to join the Jacobs Camp year-round team as an Assistant Director! I am from Jackson, Mississippi and I attended the University of Southern Mississippi where I majored in Elementary Education. After graduation, I spent two years teaching in a first grade classroom right outside of Jackson, Mississippi.

When I was finishing up my first year in the classroom, I knew that I wanted to have a fun-filled summer before starting the next school year. I had grown up going to Jacobs Camp and NFTY events. When I saw they were accepting staff applications I thought it would be so enriching to return to the very place that had shaped my Jewish identity growing up. Plus, I knew there was so much fun to be had at camp! Swimming in Lake Gary, arts and crafts in the art room, I was counting down the days until the summer.

Little did I know, the summer of 2022 was absolutely life changing. I had found a new but familiar love of being at camp. Creating Jacob’s magic for the new generation of campers was indescribable. By the end of my first summer on staff, I knew that it would not be my last. As much as I loved being in the classroom, I knew deep down that summer camp was calling my name. I knew that whatever I did next had to include me being at camp in the summer.

Over the past three summers, I’ve been so lucky to wear so many different kinds of hats at camp. I started my Jacob’s staff journey as a community care specialist. The following summer, I was so excited to join the Leadership team as the Garin Unit head. This past summer, I served as the Olim Unit Head and the Director of Operations. I feel so grateful to be starting off this year as the newest Assistant Director! It really is like a dream come true.

The best part about returning to camp has been the amazing friendships and connections that I’ve built. The most special part of Jacobs Camp is the community of Southern Jews and lifelong friendships you make along the way. I can truly say that there’s no other place in the world (or the South) like Jacobs Camp. Camp has provided me with a community unlike any other. It is so special to be surrounded by other Jewish people and celebrate each other. I have met people from all across the world at camp. I cannot express how valuable it has been to me to have this shared Jewish space where you’re never too old to make a new friend. Jacobs camp has taught me so many valuable life lessons about being a friend and the shared humanity that connects all together.

Being at camp has truly shaped the person that I am today. The gratitude I feel for being able to spread Jacobs Magic to the next generation of campers and staff is unlike any other. I cannot wait to make memories that will last a lifetime as I step into this new role.

See you this summer!

Zoe Cole