Blog - URJ Jacobs Camp

Welcome Home, Always – Thank you Tori East-Harris

I’ll never forget the first time I drove through the Jacobs Camp gate. Assistant Director Elijah greeted me with a big smile and said, “Welcome Home!! Who are you?” I’ve told that story countless times because it captures something special. Before your name is known,...

Exciting Progress at Jacobs Camp

Construction is in full swing at camp, and it’s a joy to see so much progress unfolding. Cabins 1–12 are being renovated ahead of summer to strengthen the spaces that have nurtured connection and belonging for more than 50 years, and we’re also building a new...

Some Places You Visit. Some Places Become Home.

I first heard about URJ Henry S. Jacobs Camp from my older brother, who visited toward the end of his camper days. Growing up in Sarasota, Florida, we went to a different Jewish summer camp, but when he came back talking about this mysterious other Southern camp, my...

A New Kind of Leadership is Emerging at Jacobs Camp

There are moments as Camp Director when I am reminded just how extraordinary the Jacobs Camp community truly is. As we continue the Our Camp. Our Home. Our Future. Capital Campaign, this is very much one of those moments. I have been deeply inspired by the generosity...

Why “Pick-Up Promises” Can Undermine the Camp Experience

It’s very common for parents to say before camp, “If you want to come home, we’ll pick you up.” We get it! This comes from a place of love. You want your child to know you are there for them. But in reality, this promise can make camp more difficult. When kids believe...

Expanding the Light: B’nai Mitzvah Fundraisers for Jacobs Camp

"If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" — Hillel the Elder, Pirkei Avot 1:14 It can be overwhelming to look at the world today and wonder where to even begin making a difference. While we may not be...

Donate for Today and the Future

If you’ve visited camp lately, attended one of our Capital Campaign launch parties, or just followed along online, you’ve likely heard a lot of excitement about the future of Jacobs Camp. Our community is incredibly passionate about supporting camp, and we are so...

Southern Jewish Resilience, From Generation to Generation

The arsonist who confessed to burning Beth Israel Synagogue in Jackson, Mississippi, told police he targeted the building because of its "Jewish ties."What an odd phrase, I thought. As if there was nothing more than a flimsy connection between the building he aimed to...

More Than a Summer Job: How Camp Experience Builds Real Career Skills

These days, college students and young professionals feel more pressure than ever to land a “real job” or a resume‑building internship. Where summer camp used to feel like an escape, many staff now worry they might be falling behind if they spend their summer at camp...

Thank you Carolyn Harari!

If you had told me six years ago, I would be spending my summers in Utica, Mississippi I would have never believed you. Now, it’s hard to imagine what a summer will look like otherwise I’m excited for the opportunity to become the Camps and Immersive Manager where I...

Preparing Parents 2022

May 17, 2022 | Camping and Youth Engagement, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

Preparing Parents 2022 Shalom from Jacobs Camp,As Camp Director, I can tell you first hand that when a child goes away to camp, the entire family grows from the experience. But that doesn’t make getting ready for the summer any easier!Like everything else, preparing...

“Homesick” is a Four-Letter Word

May 5, 2022 | Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022, Youth & Family

“Homesick” is a Four-Letter Word The idea of missing people, places and routines is actually a lovely sentiment--how lucky we are to have people and things to miss (and people to miss us) while we’re away! Labeling this as a “sickness” is a directly negative label to...

What Do I Love About Camp?

Apr 28, 2022 | Fundraising, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

What Do I Love about Camp? What do I love about camp?… well everything, but here are a few of my favorite things. My name is Rachel, and I have been going to camp for 6 summers, and this will be my 7th and final summer as a camper because I am going to be in...

Being Camp Nurse Brings Family Joy

Apr 4, 2022 | Camping and Youth Engagement, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

Being Camp Nurse Brings Family Joy In 2012, I came to Jacobs to be the camp nurse for a week. Being a camp nurse was not new to me. I first went to be a Camp Nurse at a summer camp in Wisconsin in 1995. That was special, as it was the camp I grew up going to and my...

Introducing Ben Cohen: Assistant Director

Mar 14, 2022 | Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

Introducing Ben Cohen: Assistant Director Howdy y’all! My name is Ben Cohen and I am so excited to join the Jacobs Camp team as Assistant Director! I am from St Louis, MO and was active in NFTY Missouri Valley as a teenager, went on a NFTY in Israel trip and spent...

My Friendships, Jewish Identity and Home: A Bat Mitzvah Project

Feb 22, 2022 | Bnei Mitzvah, Fundraising, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

My Friendships, Jewish Identity and Home: A Bat Mitzvah Project I grew up in the small town of Clemson, SC. Out of the 1,000 people at my school, my sister is the only other Jewish person. People assume I’m Christian and they get uncomfortable when I say that I'm...

New Family Buddy Program

Feb 8, 2022 | Friendships, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

New Family Buddy Program Living Our Values: Welcome Home Hospitality We are excited to announce the launch our new Jacobs Camp New Family Buddy Program! This summer Jacobs Camp has 63 new families, and we need YOUR help to welcome them to the Jacobs Camp community....

Mitzvah Projects Make Jacobs Magic

Feb 3, 2022 | Fundraising, Jacobs Blog, Volunteerism

Mitzvah Projects Make Jacobs Magic The whole value of a benevolent deed lies in the love that inspires it. – Talmud: Sukkah Love inspires many of our amazing campers who are becoming B'nai Mitzvahs to use this important time in their lives to support the place they...

From the Cabin to the Boardroom

Jan 27, 2022 | Camps & NFTY, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2022

From the Cabin to the Boardroom When the words “camp counselor” or “camp staff member” at Jacobs Camp came to my mind, I used to think of the obvious: sweating in 100-degree weather, gathering nine-year-olds to go to the pool, and making lasting memories with your...

Jacobs Camp is My Home

Jan 18, 2022 | Friendships, Jacobs Blog, Summer 2021

Jacobs Camp is My Home I have always thought about a certain question for the past year or so. Why do I want to go back to camp? And the answer is Jacobs is my home! When I think about it, it always can guarantee a smile because I can recall so many happy memories....

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