Ruth & Norman Rales Jewish Family Services, a valued campus partner of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, has received a $250,000 state appropriation to support its Keep Our Families Working Summer Camp Scholarship Program.
Federation was pleased to join Rales JFS in welcoming State Representative Debra Tendrich to campus as she presented the funding in support of Rales JFS’s program. The appropriation will help more local families access summer camp while giving working parents dependable support during the summer months.
Beyond the practical support it provides for working families, the funding reflects a larger investment in Jewish continuity. Jewish summer camp is where children build lifelong friendships, celebrate Shabbat under the stars, sing, learn, laugh and discover the joy of being part of a Jewish community. It is where Jewish identity grows naturally, through everyday experiences that stay with them long after summer ends.
For generations, Jewish summer camps have helped young people build confidence, strengthen their Jewish identity and develop leadership skills in a supportive environment. Yet as the cost of camp continues to rise, these transformative experiences are increasingly out of reach for many working families.
As one parent, Jessie Levine, shared, “This unbelievably kind support lessens the burden and helps ensure they can continue their Jewish learning throughout the summer in a supportive, Judaically rich environment.”
Scholarship assistance helps remove financial barriers, so more children can access these formative experiences. Rales JFS’s state-supported scholarship program complements Federation’s ongoing camp scholarship efforts, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to Jewish summer camp for local families. Meeting that need takes community, philanthropy, partnerships and strategic investment.
This summer, Federation is helping 215 local children attend Jewish summer camp through scholarship assistance. While that impact is meaningful, it also underscores how much more remains to be done. The demand for financial assistance continues to grow, and many families still struggle with the rising cost of camp.
Federation congratulates Rales JFS on this meaningful achievement and thanks Representative Debra Tendrich for championing an investment that supports working families and helps more children experience the friendships, confidence, Jewish pride and sense of belonging that make Jewish summer camp so transformative.
Deepest thanks to Boca Pointe Federation Campaign Chairs and Committee Members for their continued dedication and leadership.
Learn more about our Federation and how you can help at http://www.jewishboca.org.
