Camping gets $15 million boost

An anonymous donor gave $15 million to the Foundation for Jewish Camping in what is believed to be a record gift for a Jewish camp initiative. The donation from a Chicago businessman will be used to expand participation in overnight Jewish camps across the country, the foundation announced this week. Over the next four to five years, the foundation and the Jewish Funders Network would like to bring in up to $50 million to double the number of Jewish campers, foundation Executive Director Jerry Silverman told JTA in March. Some 62,000 Jewish children are attending 130 Jewish not-for-profit overnight camps each year.