Camp Ben Frankel is hoping to welcome up to 50 Israeli children this summer, up from the 18 it hosted last summer, thanks to a fundraising campaign that has drawn strong support from the St. Louis Jewish community and beyond, as well as funding from Jewish agencies.
(Photo courtesy Camp Ben Frankel)
Last year, the Jewish sleepaway camp in Makanda, Ill., located about two hours southeast of St. Louis, raised money to provide scholarships for Israeli children who either were displaced from their homes due to the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7, 2023, or live on the Lebanon border. This year, the camp’s initial fundraising goal of $100,000 to support scholarships for 24 Israeli campers has been increased to $130,000 to bring 30 Israeli children to camp. To date, $118,000 has been raised.
“Participants are evaluated on their potential to successfully be away from home and immersed in Camp Ben Frankel’s environment. Through our Israeli Camper Respite Campaign launched last year, we welcomed 18 Israeli children to a storybook summer experience where for the first time since Oct. 7th, they were able to feel fully safe,” said Aaron Hadley, director of Camp Ben Frankel.
“They participated in the camp’s 100+ elective activities, developed strong friendships with Americans and sang camp songs the whole way home, including a stirring rendition of the Camp Ben Frankel song at Ben Gurion Airport’s baggage claim,” he said.
The camp plans bring back the same Israeli children and expand the program with 12 additional participants during the camp’s first session.
Hadley said since the camp was at capacity in 2024, it is expanding its season in 2025, adding a new second session to serve more children and staff.
The camp has received a pledge from the Jewish Federation of St. Louis to support up to 20 additional Israeli campers through the Jewish Agency for Israel’s Campers2Gether program during the second session of the summer.
Hadley also said several new funding initiatives are underway to expand access to Jewish camp experiences for a broader range of families.
A $165,000 grant over three years from the Foundation for Jewish Camp has made it possible to launch the Kulanu Fund (“All of Us”). This initiative is designed to increase camp affordability for families with significant financial need, particularly those who may not have considered Jewish camp due to cost barriers. The Kulanu Fund can reduce tuition by up to 90% for qualifying families.
“Part of the vision is to serve families who would never otherwise consider Jewish camp due to financial reasons. These often look like families who had unexpected challenges or changes in their circumstances,” said Hadley. “This is year one of a pilot program, and one with a very compact timeline, so what we’re doing now may change. That said, we are seeking referral partners who work with these types of families and can refer them to the program. The referral would serve in lieu of an onerous and extensive application. If there is a family interested, we are also happy to connect with them directly.”
In addition, Camp Ben Frankel was awarded a $40,000 Scaling Impact grant (over two years) from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. These funds will support new strategies to increase enrollment among interfaith Jewish families. Camp Ben Frankel is partnering with 18Doors, a national organization focused on interfaith engagement, to implement targeted outreach and inclusive programming over the next two years.
“Camp Ben Frankel strives to create a safe, kind, inclusive Jewish community for any camper or staff member in need of one. That means a pluralistic mix of families from an array of Jewish backgrounds and practices who travel to Camp Ben Frankel from St. Louis, Chicago, Israel and more than 20 states across the country,” said Hadley. “It also means being a place for interfaith families, Jews of color, those with disabilities and special needs, LGBTQ+ campers and staff, families with financial need and anyone in search of the community Camp Ben Frankel offers.”
Donations to support Camp Ben Frankel’s Kulanu Fund or Israeli Camper Respite Campaign can be made online here: https://campbenfrankel.org/donate/ or checks can be mailed to Camp Ben Frankel 3419 West Main St., Belleville, Ill., 62226.
