Our vibrant Jewish community is a gift from those who came before us, and given to us with the hope and understanding that we would protect it, strengthen it, and continue to build it for the next generation. Founded in 1989 by Jewish Federation, the Jewish Community Foundation serves as the centre of philanthropy and legacy giving for the Jewish community and helps individuals, families and organizations make a lasting impact for generations to come.

Institutional endowment funds enable charitable organizations to create a source of stable, long-term funding to support their important work in perpetuity.

For many children, summer camp is their main connection to Jewish life. Camp Miriam has a long-standing policy that no child be turned away due to lack of funds and provides approximately $200,000 in camperships each summer to assist families who are otherwise unable to afford camp.

In 2018, Camp Miriam established the John Fraser Fund for Camp Miriam to inspire alumni and community members to make legacy commitments that will provide funding for camperships in perpetuity. The fund was named to honour John Fraser, a former member of parliament and committed supporter of Camp Miriam and its ideals.

George Mate, an alumnus volunteer, spearheaded the effort to build the camp’s endowment fund. George was inspired by a friend who was passionate about the campership program and made a legacy commitment, despite not having children who attended camp.

“Our partnership with the Foundation ensures that we are establishing an endowment that alumni can contribute to with confidence, knowing the fund is being managed and invested in perpetuity,” expressed George.

“Our goal is to create an ongoing source of funding to enable us to continue to provide invaluable summer camp experiences for campers of all means, well into the future.”

To date, 30 alumni and community members have made legacy commitments in support of Camp Miriam camperships.

To find out how you can establish a Fund to support community contact Marcie Flom at mflom@jewishvancouver.com.

Read more in their annual report on their website.