2014 - Camp Solomon Schechter

We’re building the foundation for our next 60 years
A 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
The foundation for Camp Solomon Schechter was built
on a love for Jewish tradition and the desire for Jewish continuity. Our founders set
out to create a camping experience that plays an integral role in strengthening Jewish
identity and, ultimately, the Jewish community as a whole. As we continue to build
upon the last sixty years of camp traditions, our foundation is constantly renewed and
strengthened by the unique and passionate community we have developed.
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Sam Perlin
Director
Executive
Molding the foundation for another 60 years of
Jewish camping
In 2014, Camp Solomon Schechter continued building
the foundation of our unwavering vision. We strive to be
the premier Jewish camping experience in the Pacific
Northwest, creating programs based around nature, music,
art and sport that strengthen the bonds of our Jewish
communities and provide a high quality, critical Jewish
intellectual, physical, emotional and social experience for
its campers, staff and alumni.
This summer, campers, staff and community members
gathered together in celebration of performing the
613th mitzvah at Schechter’s
Hachnasat Torah, the
“This summer was a very
receiving and welcoming
special experience for my
children. The programming,
of a new Torah. Through a
the activities and, most
generous grant from the
important, the staff were
Samis Foundation, Camp
all great. Thank you Camp
Solomon Schechter was
Solomon Schechter! The
ruach and Judaism at
able to purchase a 100-yearcamp, love for Israel, the
old Torah, repaired and
quality of the staff – it was
completed by a Sofer at camp.
the total climate.”
Schechter’s founder Rabbi
Camp parent, 2014
Joshua Stampfer traveled
from Portland and spoke
beautifully about the uniqueness of this “once in a lifetime
opportunity.” With the addition of the new Torah and
a new camp chumash (Pentateuch), the foundation for
Schechter’s Jewish traditions are now stronger and richer
than ever.
Teva (nature) continues to be essential to Schechter’s
development, with beautification and accessibility at
the forefront of our continued growth. This summer,
a north beach campsite and trail along the Deschutes
River was established, as well as a trail to the beaver dam
system. Through a unanimous vote by the Camp Solomon
Schechter Board of Directors, the Schaeffer Teva Loop
Trail was named and dedicated in honor of former Board
President, Gordon Schaeffer. Gordon has been a longtime
supporter of camp and has worked tirelessly to create an
educational trail system in Camp Solomon Schechter’s
protected wetlands. A new fire access road was named
and dedicated to former Board President, Paul Norr, in
recognition of his unwavering devotion to Schechter’s
financial and legal health.
Year in Review
In 2014, we strengthened our foundation for an
impactful, fun and safe experience for Jewish children
to build their identity and have an immersive
Jewish experience. Here are some of
the accomplishments that made
Schechter stronger this year:
Our summer staff made a
commitment to the health and
future of the community by
registering as bone marrow donors
with the Gift of Life.
“It may seem like a long time to you, but
60 years in the life of an institution is just
the beginning. Camp Solomon Schechter
can be very proud of the many years and
the many thousands of campers that
have attended it and become so directly
involved in Jewish life and in observing
personally, their Jewish heritage.”
Rabbi Joshua Stampfer
Schechter Founding Director
Rabbi Emeritus,
Congregation Neveh Shalom
Portland, Oregon
This year’s 12th
grade (Gesher)
group traveled
together for a weeklong trip to Bend,
Oregon, which
included climbing
South Sister Summit.
Camp’s social
media campaign
and presence grew
tremendously
this year. Weekly
podcasts and blogs
throughout the summer built up energy and buzz
about the wonderful activities and programs at camp.
We were honored to receive the Impact in Technology
Award at this year’s Harold Grinspoon Foundation’s
JCamp 180 conference.
For the second year, campers participated in the Camp
Solomon Schechter Teen Foundation, funded by the
Jewish Teen Funders Network and the Special Initiatives
Fund from the Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle.
In addition, Bet and Gimmel campers donated to the
fund in order to grow our grant pool for the project. The
partnership with JTFN allowed campers to, once again,
engage in a consensus-based grantmaking process
guided by Jewish texts, traditions and values. With $2,500
at their disposal, the campers spent time reviewing
eleven grant proposals. Three grants were disbursed by
the campers: Two went to local organizations – Stonewall
Youth and SafePlace – and one went to Innovation: Africa,
which brings Israeli innovation to African villages.
Camp Solomon Schechter’s OSPREY program
(Opportunities for Stewardship Promoting Respect for
the Environment and Youth) launched last year with great
success offering a robust curriculum. Led by Director,
Sue Wattier, the program provides 5th and 6th grade
students from “at-risk” school districts with a powerful
application of science concepts as they live and learn in
the outdoors and focus on relationships with their peers.
OSPREY gives Camp Solomon Schechter an opportunity
to offer programming to the greater community, allowing
students to develop an appreciation for our
Board of Directors
camp’s natural environment and services, becoming
environmental stewards of the future.
Pedal-Powered Go-Karts and the Rave Sports Rope
Swing were two fun new additions to camp, made
possible in part by the Weinstein family.
In conjunction with the Goodman Camping Initiative for
Modern Israeli History, our Israeli staff members built a
map of Israel and replica of the Kotel using Jerusalem
Stone. Both will be used as part of our Israel education
program for years to come and were sponsored in part by
the Weinstein family.
Schechter turned 60! The Camp Solomon Schechter
60th Anniversary Gala was attended by nearly 400
Schechter supporters. The event not only commemorated
the past 60 years but served as a springboard to
announce the launch of Camp Solomon Schechter’s
community capital campaign. M’Shisheem ad Me’ah
v’Esreem . . . From 60 to 120: The Campaign to Build
Jewish Continuity is more than just about updating
the infrastructure and buildings at camp, it’s about
continuing to build upon our foundation for the vitality
of our Jewish community. Details about our capital
campaign can be found at www.from60to120.org.
“This was Daniel’s
first overnight camp
experience and he loved
it! He had a great time
and is still walking around
singing camp songs. I
think the major strength
is that the camp was very
warm and nurturing.”
Camp parent, 2014
David Schwartz, President, Seattle, WA
Sarah Kahn Glass, Vice President/President Elect,
Portland, OR
Robert Low, Second Vice President, Kirkland, WA
Andy Kaplowitz, Secretary, Olympia, WA
Mark Kalenscher, Treasurer, Portland, OR
Karen Twain, Immediate Past President, Portland, OR
Andrew Altow, Richmond, BC
Lisa Coe Altow, Richmond, BC
Barbara Atlas, Portland, OR
Lee Diskin, Woodinville, WA
Ellice Ellenhorn, Seattle, WA
Janna Stark Glassman, Vancouver, BC
Raphael Goodblatt, Portland, OR
Kari Harrison Haas, Bellevue, WA
Melissa Huppin Korch, Issaquah, WA
Scott Morris, Spokane, WA
Sam Rubens, Renton, WA
Corey Salka, Seattle, WA
David Schiller, Mercer Island, WA
Mike Schiller, Mercer Island, WA
Amee Huppin Sherer, Seattle, WA
Michael Sherer, Seattle, WA
Emeritus: Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, Portland, OR
Executive Director: Sam Perlin, Seattle, WA
We’re building the foundation for our next 60 years
A 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
The Camp Solomon Schechter
Legacy Circle
We are proud to recognize the generous individuals and families who have
remembered Camp Solomon Schechter in their wills or other long-term
financial plans. These bequests will help fund our endowments to ensure
Schechter exists l’dor v’dor, from generation to generation. If you have
included Schechter in your estate plans, please let us know by contacting
206.447.1967 or [email protected].
Anonymous (16)
Gloria Bacharach
Meredith Bedrick
Melissa Bloom
Shana P. Bloom
Marvin & Lisa Brashem
Caitlin Dane
Ellice Ellenhorn &
Michel Chriqui
David Furman
Jonathan Glass &
Sarah Kahn Glass
Andy Greenberg
Gary & Peri
Greenberg
Harold Grinspoon
Kari Haas
Melissa Huppin
C. Eugene & Gerry Huppin
Garry & Judith Kahn
Steven & Wendy Kahn
Mark R. & Jennifer
Kalenscher
Andy Kaplowitz
Harold Lesch
Eliot Low
Robert & Lisa Low
Josh Niehaus
Jef Nobbe
Paul Norr
Robert & Donna Peha
Alan & Elaine Peizer
Sam & Sharon Perlin
Scott & Joan Perry
Alex Pulda
Michelle Pullan
Corey Salka &
Lisa Orlick-Salka
Craig Saran & Joani
Diskin Saran
Gordon & Saskia Schaeffer
David & Wendy Schwartz
David Lee Schwartz
Joanne Schwartz
Michael Sherer & Amee
Huppin Sherer
Lynn Sommer
Bob & Mimi Sorkin
Bruce & Sheila Stern
Brian Suher &
Barbara Atlas
Karen Twain
Schechter finances:
A strong, accountable foundation
Contributions & Grants 8%
Rentals & Shabbatons
18%
Tuition & Transport
74%
Other income less than 1%
Contributions & Grants
Rentals & Shabbatons
Tuition & Transport
Other
TOTAL INCOME
$ 132,319
$ 285,046
$ 1,187,917
$ 1,269
$ 1,606,551
Thank you to our generous
supporters
We are grateful to the families, individuals, foundations and corporations
who enable Camp to keep tuition affordable. Thank you for providing
scholarships that allow families to experience Camp who would otherwise
be unable to. A complete list of our annual donors for fiscal year 2014
(October 1, 2013, to September 30, 2014) can be found at
www.campschechter.org.
Personnel33%
Grants
Alfred & Tillie Shemanski Trust Fund
Foundation for Jewish Camp
Goodman Camping Initiative for Modern Israeli History
Harold Grinspoon Foundation
Harry & Marjorie Spector Fund of the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation
Isador Simon Family Foundation
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle
Jewish Teen Funders Network
John Werner Friedman Revocable Trust
Estate of Dr. Leslie Mackoff
Reliable Credit Association, Inc.
Samis Foundation
Slavin Charitable Foundation
Tacoma Jewish Community Fund
The Weinstein Family
William/Morris/Betty Rashkov Charitable Trust
Personnel
Summer Programming
Rentals & Shabbatons
Operations
Property & Maintenance
TOTAL EXPENSES Synagogues
Congregation Beth Shalom
Congregation Neveh Shalom
Herzl-Ner Tamid
Temple Beth Shalom
For year ending September 30, 2014
Summer Programming 23%
Rentals & Shabbatons 11%
Operations
21%
Property & Maintenance 12%
$ 512,818
$ 361,778
$ 176,151
$ 337,574
$ 185,023
$ 1,573,344
117 E. Louisa St. #110
Seattle WA 98102
Where Judaism and Joy are One!
We’re building the foundation for our next 60 years
A 2014 achievement report to our Pacific Northwest friends & supporters
Our future is in our foundation
In 1954, a group of 25 Jewish children, led by camp founder Rabbi Joshua Stampfer, gathered in a small motel aside
north Seattle’s Echo Lake with the promise of creating a fun and immersive Jewish camping experience. Though camp
looked vastly different in that first year compared with today, the same values for Jewish education and a connection with nature remain at the forefront of the Schechter experience. “The association
of nature in that very special setting was very important to us,” recalls Rabbi Stampfer, when looking
back at camp’s early years. “Even though today we have much more attractive and remarkable physical
facilities, this left an indelible mark on our history.”
As we reflect on how far we’ve come, we are reminded of that inaugural summer with 25 kids at Echo
Lake that started it all. Year after year, we build upon Rabbi Stampfer’s vision of cultivating a fun,
safe and welcoming environment where children and young adults create their own unique Jewish
community, Where Judaism and Joy are One.
117
East Louisa Street, #110 • Seattle, WA 98102-3203
.
Tel: 206.447.1967 • Canada: 604.288.7655 • Fax: 206.447.2629
[email protected] • www.campschechter.org