Jerusalem, April 15, 2025 — The Jewish Agency for Israel, with the generous support of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation, is continuing its Campers2Gether program. The initiative strongly cultivates a sense of peoplehood and connectedness for Israeli and North American Jewish youth, with that closeness bridging the distance that separates them across the Atlantic.

For the second year running, Campers2Gether will bring 700 Israeli teenagers from the country’s southern and northern confrontation lines to Jewish overnight camps throughout North America in the summer of 2025. This begins a three-year, $2.5 million annual matching commitment from the Mandel Foundation, ensuring that thousands of Israeli and North American teens will have the opportunity to connect in an authentic and lasting way. The program is made possible through partnerships with local Jewish federations and summer camps throughout North America.

Campers2Gether embodies The Jewish Agency’s mission and work for more than 95 years to ensure that every Jew feels connected to the Jewish people, has a strong sense of Jewish identity, and feels a living connection to the Jewish state; and that all of Israel’s citizens are cared for and empowered.

Additionally, Campers2Gether plays a key educational role in helping younger Jews worldwide discover the real Israel, as opposed to the content and messages they encounter on social media. The program is filling a major void as young North American Jews are currently missing out on critical face-to-face interactions with everyday Israelis, because trips to the country have been scarce during the Swords of Iron War.

At the same time, Campers2Gether enables Israeli teens to momentarily step away from trauma and to build resilience amid the current war by offering them the opportunity to connect with their peers from North America in a deeply personal way.

“Campers2Gether is the ultimate mifgash (cultural exchange), taking place in the most natural setting possible—Jewish summer camp. We saw the tremendous impact of this immersive experience on youth from Israel and North America alike last summer,” said Yehuda Setton, CEO of The Jewish Agency for Israel. “Simultaneously, the continuation of this program means that it is poised to make a deep and enduring impact on Israeli society. With more than 2,000 Israeli teenagers expected to participate during the next three years, Campers2Gether will play a major role in building the Israeli people’s long-term resilience.”

Israeli campers ages 14-15 will travel in cohorts of up to 20, accompanied by trained madrichim (counselors) and mental health professionals to ensure a safe and supportive environment. Over two weeks, they will fully integrate into camp life, experiencing outdoor adventures, cultural programming, and communal moments that deepen their connection to their North American peers. Pre- and post-camp sessions will extend the program’s impact.

“We are gratified to support Campers2Gether, The Jewish Agency’s critically important initiative that enables Jewish youth in Israel and North America to flourish in the most challenging of times,” said Dr. Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “Campers2Gether leverages the power of the immersive Jewish summer camp experience to ensure that members of the young generation in our community—representing our next generation of leaders—form meaningful relationships that will last a lifetime.”

The Mandel Foundation’s investment enables The Jewish Agency to oversee recruitment, staffing, training, travel, and mental health support for Israeli participants. Meanwhile, The Jewish Agency is calling on Jewish overnight camps across North America to open their bunks to Israeli teens and urging Jewish Federations to join this effort by partnering with local camps. Interested summer camps are still able to apply to join the program.

“Campers2Gether represents an essential collaboration with our core partner, The Jewish Agency, that advances our goal to strengthen both Israeli society and North American Jewish communities following the October 7th attacks,” said Eric Fingerhut, President and CEO of The Jewish Federations of North America. “We are proud and grateful that 700 Israeli teens will once again receive a much-needed respite from the war while they build relationships with thousands of their North American peers at one of our community’s hallmarks: Jewish camp.”

According to research from Mosaic United, Campers2Gether had a profound impact on teens from North America last summer—inspiring them to want to visit Israel; significantly increasing their feelings of connection to Israel; and expanding their knowledge of Israeli culture, traditions, and society.

Media Contact:
Jake Sharfman, JCubed Communications
Jake@JCubedPR.com

About The Jewish Agency for Israel:

Since 1929, The Jewish Agency for Israel has been working to secure a vibrant Jewish future. Today, The Jewish Agency acts collectively to strengthen Israel and the Jewish people worldwide—by advancing Aliyah as a core value, deepening connections between our global Jewish family, supporting the resilience and security of global Jewish communities, and encouraging every Jewish person to engage with Israel. The Jewish Agency also continues to be the Jewish world’s first responder, prepared to address the Jewish people’s greatest challenges and respond to emergencies in Israel, and to rescue Jews from countries where they are at risk.

About the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundations:

Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel established their first foundation in 1953 in their hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Their philanthropic legacy is continued through the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation. The work of the Foundations is grounded in the belief that exceptional leaders, inspired by powerful ideas, are key to improving society and the lives of people around the world. The Foundations have identified five areas of engagement that receive support, which include: leadership development, management of nonprofits, humanities, Jewish life and urban engagement. For more information, please visit mandelfoundation.org.