Star Icon Program of- Jewish Education Center of Cleveland (JEC)
With a strategic goal to deepen high-quality, compelling and accessible Jewish learning experiences, the Israel Scholarships and Camp Grants department offers funding to help teens and young adults enjoy an Israel experience and/or Jewish overnight camp.
ISRAEL SCHOLARSHIPS:
A Gift of Israel is an incentive savings plan that helps families save for an approved educational experience in Israel, including 8th grade trips, summer high school programs, and a semester/year in Israel during high school, college and beyond. Funds are available through age 26.
Israel and Travel Program Financial Aid is available for approved 1st and 2nd time experiences for families that demonstrate financial need.
The Jewish Education Center works closely with the Jewish Community Federation, Jewish Family Service Association and national and local donors to provide financial incentives that enable Jewish children in Cleveland to attend Jewish overnight camp.
CAMP GRANTS:
Summers at overnight camps are packed with a wide range of fun activities-aquatics, arts and crafts, basketball and soccer, dance, music, cooking, archery, drama, outdoor adventure and hiking, and much more! Campers are encouraged to discover new skills and interests they never knew they had.
Jewish camp weaves Jewish values, culture, and traditions into the fabric of camp, helping campers to connect to their own identity and the larger Jewish community. Spirited and dynamic staff members use experiential learning to reveal what makes Jewish religion and culture so unique in today’s world. At camp, Jewish and Israeli culture is celebrated through song, food, art, and dance.
The Michael & Anita Siegal One Happy Camper Program
Receive up to $1,000 for Jewish overnight summer camp! For first-time campers who are entering 2nd-12th grades and attending camp for a minimum of 19 days – this is not needs based.
Children attending the mini-sessions at Jewish overnight camps may be eligible for up to $700 toward the cost of camp. Children who are entering 2nd grade in the fall and are attending camp for 12-18 days are eligible.
To see if your camp is affiliated with the One Happy Camper program, use the ‘Find a Camp Tool’ on our website.
Additional Camp Grant Opportunities
David and Inez Myers Foundation Camp Leadership Scholarship: For high schoolers attending a Jewish summer overnight camp that offers leadership training.
Gurland Memorial Fund Camp Scholarship for Families of Children with Special Needs: For children with special needs to attend a variety of day and overnight camps.
Grants for Russian-Speaking Jewish Campers: Available through the support of the Foundation for Jewish Camps, this scholarship is for campers who speak Russian, or have parents or grandparents living with them that speak Russian. Both day and overnight camps are eligible, priority given to 1st and 2nd time campers.
There are various needs-based overnight camp scholarships for children from low-income families not affiliated with a congregation. These grants are supported by individuals, foundations and the Jewish Federation of Cleveland.
