Belonging is letting out the breath you didn't realize you were holding in. Belonging is knowing you can be YOU, as a person, as a leader, as a friend, as a Jew.
At Camps Pembroke, Tel Noar, and Tevya, we build belonging. With every song, laugh, word of encouragement, Shabbat celebration, and grilled cheese sandwich, camp catalyzes confidence, growth, and connection that lasts all year... and for your whole life.
“Throughout the year, I try to be my camp self.
The person I am at camp is who I believe is the best version of myself.”
~ 2025 camp teen
Each summer belongs to hundreds of campers and caring staff.
Camp's impact on young lives belongs to YOU.
Thank you.
"I attribute to camp my growth into an adult.
The sense of belonging in a loving community was my compass when I was trying to find my place in the world. Camp gave me confidence to take risks in my career and push forward."
"The sense of belonging he feels
in the camp community is unlike anywhere else—he is surrounded by friends and role models who truly understand him."
"Camp reminds her that the goals we strive for - inclusivity, kindness, faithfulness - are attainable and possible."
"My daughter told me that every single person at camp feels like her family."
"Being at camp = being Jewish to my kids.
The camp experience is what makes them feel confident, happy, and part of the Jewish community."
"The Big/Little program made my kids feel that they were essential members of the community. My son even said that the reason he loved his big was because “he always made me feel important.”
"At camp they become part of a rich history
and they know they have the opportunity to experience something really special."
IN HONOR AND IN MEMORY
A Longing for Peace
In this difficult year since October 7th, the Cohen Camps family has shared hope, solace, togetherness, and ways to help. We mourn the lives lost, including that of Hersh Goldberg-Polin z”l, a treasured participant in Dor L’Dor 2017. We pray for the safe return of the remaining hostages. And we long for an end to suffering and the rebirth of peace for all.
Summer 2025
belonged to:
campers
812
teens
106
counselors + staff
409
Jonathan Cohen, recently retired
Jonathan's parents + longtime camp leaders,Annebelle + Arnold Cohen ז״ל
Jonathan's grandparents, founders Eli + Bessie Cohen ז״ל
With gratitude to Jonathan Cohen
President/CEO (now retired) through Fiscal Year 2025, this Impact Report’s timeframe
We are thankful to Jonathan for his 21 years of steady, thoughtful leadership, and look forward to his continued role on the Cohen Camps Board of Directors. Kol Hakavod, congratulations, and mazel tov on your retirement, Jonathan!
Please join us in extending appreciation to the entire Cohen Camps family. Their legacy and gift to us all is the opportunity to call Camps Pembroke, Tel Noar, and Tevya our home.
Each summer, our campers arrive to a special place where belonging feels real. Friendships form, kids try things that stretch them, and they get the rare chance to grow without the pressures that follow them through the year. These easy moments of confidence and connection matter. Camp gives our young people a community that knows them well and helps them stand a little taller all year.
This Impact Report shares some of the ways that camp spirit shows up—through families who partner in this work, alumni who cherish their lifelong bonds, staff who lead with heart, and donors whose commitment keeps camp thriving.
Thank you to you all. YOU create the next era for these camps.
Pool and pool deck full renovation included new fence and new lighting.
Inspired by the book "Strong Is the New Pretty: A Celebration of Girls Being Themselves," we added even more programming in fitness, confidence, and self esteem.
Created community murals camp-wide, led by the Jewish Studio Project with the theme We Belong.
Ever-growing culinary program cooked up even more delights!
We were not sure our Israeli counselors would be able to get to the U.S. this year... but they did, with just days to spare. We picked them up from the airport and got back to camp late, close to midnight. We assumed everyone would tiptoe in, because most staff would be asleep. But no! We turned the corner into the Horseshoe to find our entire staff awake, signs in hand, music blaring, blue and white balloons and streamers everywhere! The welcome was everything our Israelis needed. It set the tone for creating a powerful summer of connection and belonging.
New Chaverim program, pairing new campers with returning ones before arrival.
New Shabbat schedule, adding rotating activity options to an afternoon of relaxed free play after services.
New Hammock Grove, which quickly became a favorite hangout spot.
Chug common space renovations got underway, starting with the Renovated Tsofot common room and new lounge furniture across camp, adding comfort to shared spaces.
A new camper who had come to us after challenging experiences at a previous camp was struggling during his first week. He even came to me to say, “It’s okay, camp just isn’t for me — I’m not a camp kid.” We convinced him to give it a little more time, and with support from his counselors and friends, something clicked soon after. By the end of the session, he was all in. The power of our community and our individualized care truly makes a difference.
We welcomed two Israeli campers to camp this summer; one traveled on her own to be with us. She arrived with a big smile and eyes that filled with wonder. Watching her bunk welcome her felt heartwarming. Every time I saw her around camp, she was happy. It made me happy to know we had done something amazing by bringing her to camp, not only for her, but for our camp community.
Traveled to Portugal and Spain to explore the history and culture of what once were thriving Jewish communities, when we could not travel to Israel.
Teens took ownership of Shabbat planning by taking part in Shabbat Committees: Parsha Players (acting out the Torah portion), Rikud (Israeli dance), Shira (song sessions), Havdalah, and Shabbat prayers.
Back at camp, teens took part in three Tikkun Olam (repairing the world) projects, including building desks for schools and wheelchair-accessible picnic tables.
The day before visiting Belmonte—a small Portuguese town where crypto-Jews have re-embraced Judaism after 500 years of secrecy—we held an educational session about the connections between today’s Jewish experience and the legacy of crypto-Jews. Our teens reflected on antisemitism, courage, and continuity. Standing in Belmonte, surrounded by a vibrant synagogue and museum that celebrate the rebirth of Jewish life, we were able to draw deep parallels between history and the present. We came away with a renewed understanding of the importance of Israel and the strength required to sustain Jewish identity in every generation.
After two summers away, our return to Israel in 2026 will be both deeply meaningful and profoundly different.
We will integrate the Kadima Teen Leadership Curriculum into our DLD Back at Camp program. This will merge the strengths of both initiatives—combining DLD’s emphasis on Jewish identity, learning, and values with Kadima’s focus on leadership and counselor skill-building.
Philanthropy makes all the difference for scholarships, security, facilities, programs, counselor development, and more.
unique donors
970
generous gifts
1662
first-time donors
315
$1,000+ donors
74
Support comes from the entire community
Your donations create opportunity.
Strong Programs
Financial Assistance
Ongoing Security
Staff Development
TLC for Facilities
There’s a GROWING NEED for scholarship assistance.
More camp families requested support this year than last year.
Together we supported
21%
of camp families.
1 in 3 camp families received financial assistance from the Cohen Camps, thanks to your generous donations.
Families who received scholarships say...
"Thank you SO much for your generosity.
One day I hope to be able to pay it forward. Until then, you changed my 8 year old forever and gave her the experience of a lifetime."
"This opportunity would not have been on the table
without assistance this year. We knew the chance to try new things in a welcoming setting would be great for our child. He is so excited to return and to get together with his new friends again.
"It means the world to us
to be able to send our twins to camp. That money made their summer possible and we are forever grateful.
"Financial assistance for tuition is so impactful.
Building a strong Jewish identity and connection to Israel for even one camper has ripple effects that are immeasurable. That one camper’s impact on their own community will have far-reaching impacts, well beyond one summer.
"Helping make camp happen for a child
is something a parent will never take for granted. The sense of community and independence children gain from camp is so vital to their growth."
"As a family, we are beyond grateful
for those donors who make this experience happen for not just my family, but all families. "
2025 Donor Honor Rolls
Gifts in Fiscal Year 2025
(October 1, 2024 - September 30, 2025)
We have tried to list everyone correctly! If you would like your listing to appear differently, please email development@cohencamps.org.
Leadership Gifts
Camp Pembroke
Camp Tel Noar
Camp Tevya
Cohen Camps
Tzaddikim (Exceptional Leaders): Our Challenge Match Partners $85,000+
JCamp180®, a program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, and its Forward Together matching challenge
To enrich children’s lives by encouraging Jewish youth to be comfortable and confident in themselves so that they can connect positively with others and the world they live in.
My daughter told me that every single person at camp feels like her family.
My daughter came home a changed human. I would describe it as a spiritual experience. The level of kindness and peace-seeking ways of living were inspiring to her, and she brought that back home with her.
Our child clearly felt a strong sense of belonging at camp and he was very excited about the friendships that he made there. He came in with a strong sense of Jewish identity, but he has brought back some camp Shabbat traditions and we notice his confidence and sense of self.
As an alum, camp opened up my world, particularly through the role models of older campers and counselors. I made lifelong friends and felt a part of a special, close community. My child has found independence, friendships and the kind of connection only possible at camp.
I attribute to camp my growth into an adult. The sense of belonging in a loving community was my compass when I was trying to find my place in the world as a young adult. Camp gave me confidence to take risks in my career and push forward when I hit roadblocks. My camp friends have a deep understanding of who I am and have been able to grow with me throughout the years.
The Big/Little program and Table Wars made my kids feel that they were essential members of the community. Being connected with an older kid before camp and then another kid while at camp (and from my perspective, some of the kindest, most delightful teens I’ve ever encountered!) was key to their feelings of belonging. They felt so cool having “camp bigs.” My son even said that the reason he loved his big was because “he always made me feel important.”
Being at camp = being Jewish to my kids. It is their strongest connection to the Jewish community (much stronger than temple and holidays). Being part of the camp community is what makes them feel confident, happy, and part of the Jewish community.
The difference we see in our child coming back from camp is incredible. They are so much more confident, independent, considerate, thoughtful and helpful at home. They love their friends and have so many special bonds that last all year long. I’m so proud of our child and the obvious growth from going to Tevya.
Throughout the year, I try to be my camp self. Who I am at camp is who I believe is the best version of myself. I am confident at camp, and my happiness is very high. Additionally, camp encourages me to lean into my Jewish identity while I'm there and during the year. My Kadima experience has further solidified all of these feelings and shaped my belonging in a new role as a counselor.
My child's interest in Judaism has skyrocketed since she began at Pembroke. She didn't feel particularly connected with the religion prior to her start there and now she asks to attend services and is looking forward to her bat mitzvah.
Camp has become her everything! She feels unbelievably confident from her experience at camp, and it has pushed her to seek out other opportunities. Camp is truly her happy place, a place where she shines, she feels confident and herself, and a sense of belonging.
They know that they have become part of a rich history and that they have the opportunity to experience something really special. It boosts their confidence to make new friends outside of their hometown and makes them happy to look forward to seeing their "summer sisters".
Yes, I am a camp alum and yes, my leadership skills stem from my years at Camp Pembroke. My Jewish identity is also strong because of camp Pembroke. My kids have a strong sense of Jewish identity from home life and camp. My daughter gained confidence at camp and felt that she belonged to a community and built friendships.
At camp my child feels like she can be herself and her best self. She learns to do things for herself and for others, and each summer she learns new skills and how to thrive in good times and hard times. She learns how to listen, lead and love. Being in a Jewish second home makes her feel like she belongs and makes her proud to be Jewish and sing it LOUD!
My camper's independence grows exponentially each summer she comes to camp. She feels it's where she belongs, as do her fellow campers. She's called it the "magical place", "not real life", and wishes her school community of girls would be like the Pembroke girls. Pembroke reminds her that the goals we strive for - inclusivity, kindness, faithfulness - are attainable and possible.
The sense of belonging he feels in the camp community is unlike anywhere else—he is surrounded by friends and role models who truly understand him. This past summer's travel gave him the chance to broaden his perspective, deepen his appreciation of Jewish history and culture, and strengthen his bonds in a supportive community. All this has boosted his confidence and happiness, while also reinforcing his Jewish identity in a meaningful and lasting way.
The Cohen Camps have earned a Platinum Seal of Transparency! This means you can see our nonprofit goals, metrics, and achievements—and donate with confidence: