JFedSHAW Overnight Jewish Summer Camp and Summer Israel Experience Scholarship Program

The Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren Counties is pleased to announce the establishment of a new Scholarship Program designed to promote attendance at overnight Jewish camp and Israel programs.  The scholarship program is need-blind and is only available to qualifying Jewish individuals between the ages of 6 and 18 who live in any of the above three counties served by the Federation.  Applicants must be first-time campers at a recognized Jewish overnight camp or first-time visitors to Israel with a recognized youth program.  Family trips to Israel are not eligible.  Scholarships are available only for the first year of camp or for a first visit to Israel with a youth group (excluding Birthright Israel). Individuals are eligible for only one scholarship, either camp or an Israel experience.  For example, if an individual has received a scholarship to attend their first year of summer camp, and in a subsequent summer decides to attend a program in Israel, they are not eligible for a scholarship for the program in Israel.

Scholarships are available on a first come, first served basis based on the date and time of the receipt of their completed application by the Jewish Federation office.  The scholarship program for this year will end when the moneys allocated to this program are all awarded.

If you wish to donate to this fund so more children can take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, please call Shaina Sherman at 908-758-2002 or email her at ssherman@jfedshaw.org and she will be glad to assist you.

The schedule of scholarship amounts is as follows:

• 43-56 day programs: $500
• 29-42 day programs: $375
• 15-28 day programs: $250
• 7-14 day programs: $125

Programs of fewer than 7 days are not eligible for scholarships.

Qualified Camps/Israel Programs

For a camp/program to qualify it must: 

EITHER be approved or sponsored by a JCC/Yeshiva or one of the four major Jewish movements (Orthodox, Conservative, Reform or Reconstructionist)

OR publicly advertise itself as a Jewish overnight camp/Israel program and meet two or more of the following criteria. 

The camp/Israel program must:

• follow kosher dietary laws or provide kosher meals upon request
• provide for Shabbat with services on Friday night and/or Saturday morning
• offer programs of Jewish content such as: cultural programs, Hebrew, and Israel awareness
• be an approved camp by the Foundation for Jewish Camp

How to Apply

Once your camper is accepted by an approved Jewish Overnight Summer Camp or Israel Youth Program, please complete the online application or download the PDF application and mail it into the JFedSHAW office. Completed applications must be submitted by Friday, April 30, 2021. Late applications will not be accepted. Again, once the available funds are all awarded, there will be no more scholarships available for this year. Applications will be reviewed based on the order received.

Once your request for a scholarship has been granted, please forward an invoice from the camp/Israel program. All grants will be paid directly to the qualified program.

Please note that JFedSHAW makes every effort to provide scholarships to qualified applicants but reserves the right to decline any application and has no obligation to and cannot award scholarships in excess of available funds committed for this purpose.

For any general questions about JFedSHAW’s Overnight Jewish Camp and Israel Experience Scholarship Program or for questions regarding the application, please contact us at info@jfedshaw.org or 908-758-2006.