First Time Campers

Goldring First Time Incentive

First-time campers are eligible to receive $1,500 from the Goldring Family Foundation of New Orleans.

Eligibility Requirements: (a) First-time attending a session of 10 days in duration or longer. (b) Currently in grade 1 through 9. (c) Resident of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas or Florida Panhandle. Grants are not based on financial need. Both parents need not be Jewish. Temple or synagogue affiliation is not required.

Apply here

Jacobs Camp Small Community First Time Incentive

Jacobs Camp (through a grant from the Legacy Heritage Fund) has established an incentive program offering $1,500 for new campers in 3rd - 9th grade from small (less than 10,000 Jews) Jewish communities to attend first session. And the best part – this incentive can be combined with the Goldring First Time Incentive!

How does it work? Talk to the staff at Jacobs Camp! Anna Herman, the director, and her colleagues are eager to talk to you about the Jacobs Camp experience and if it is a fit for your child. They can be reached at aherman@urj.org or 601-885-6042.

Jewish Children's Regional Service

The Jewish Children's Regional Service, based in New Orleans, provides partial need-based scholarships to qualifying families.

Eligibility Requirements: (a) Children must reside in the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee or Texas. (b) They should be within the ages of 9 and 16, as of the end of the summer.

Find the application and more information here

To receive priority consideration, completed applications must be received no later than February 15, 2021. A completed application will not be entered until all requested information is received.

If you applied and were granted a camp scholarship for the 2020 summer, you do not need to reapply.   You must complete the Form For Families Who Applied in 2020.

RoseMary and Saul Brooks Fund for Jewish Youth Engagement

The Rose Mary and Saul Brooks Fund for Jewish Youth Engagement will provide an incentive grant of at least $550 for up to ten Jewish children to attend a Jewish nonprofit sleepaway summer camp each year.

Eligibility and Grant Guidelines:

  • One parent must be Jewish AND the child(ren) must identify as Jewish.
  • Residing full-time in Louisiana, outside of a major metropolitan area (including the Greater New Orleans and Greater Baton Rouge areas) for the past year.
  • Entering grades one through 12 (after camp).
  • Attending a nonprofit, Jewish sleepaway camp.
  • One application must be submitted for each child.
  • Child(ren) may re-apply every year he/she is eligible.
  • Funding is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
  • Applications will be reviewed by a small group, including JEF staff, Board, and a representative of the Brooks family.
  • Funds will be paid directly to the camp.

Download the 2021 application form and submit to Debbie Berins by March 31, 2021. Email: debbie@jefno.org

Soozi Waxman Camp Scholarship Fund

On November 6, 2020, WRJ Southwest District announced the creation of the Soozi Waxman Camp Scholarship Fund, in memory of our beloved, long-time member and VP of Development (2018-2020), Soozi Waxman.

Eligibility and Scholarship Details:

  • $1,000 Scholarship to one camper (male or female) per year
  • Eligible if attending Henry S. Jacobs Camp
  • Applicant must have parent/guardian affiliated with WRJ Southwest District
  • Applicant must attend a full session
  • Applications must be received by January 31st and will receive notification by February 15th

Click here to apply for the Soozi Waxman Camp Scholarship! For more information, contact Pat Blum at patkblum@yahoo.com.

Alexandria

Congregation Gemiluth Chassodim member-families should contact Rabbi, Cantor Raina Siroty: 318-445-3655, rabbi@jewishtemple.org.

Baton Rouge - Beth Shalom

Beth Shalom Synagogue member-families should contact Rabbi Natan Trief: 225-924-6773, rabbi@bethshalomsynagogue.org.

Baton Rouge - B'nai Israel

Congregation B'nai Israel member-families should contact Jessica Yellen: 225-343-0111, relschool@bnaibr.org.

Baton Rouge - All Families

All Baton Rouge families are eligible to apply for the Baton Rouge Jewish Federation Scholarship. The application is available online here.

Lafayette

Temple Shalom member-families should contact the Temple office: 337-234-3760, templeshalom@lusfiber.net.

Lake Charles

Temple Sinai member-families should contact the Temple office: 337-439-2866.

Mandeville/Northshore

Northshore Jewish Congregation member-families should contact the office: 985-951-7976, njc1403@gmail.com.

Metairie - Gates of Prayer

Gates of Prayer member-families should contact Rabbi David Gerber: 504-885-2600, rabbi@gatesofprayer.org
The Gates of Prayer Brotherhood and Sisterhood also sponsor an annual campership essay contest. Details are available each fall.

Monroe

Temple B'nai Israel member-families should contact the Temple office: 318-387-0730, templebnai@bellsouth.net.

New Orleans - Temple Sinai

Temple Sinai member-families should contact Cantor Joel Colman: 504-861-3694, sinai@usa.net.

New Orleans - Touro Synagogue

Touro Synagogue member-families should contact Rabbi Todd Silverman.

 

Shreveport

B'nai Zion Congregation member-families should contact Rabbi Jana DeBenedetti: 318-861-2122, bnaizion@bellsouth.net.
Funds are made available in partnership with the North Louisiana Jewish Federation.