Families tell us stories of a sunrise tefillah (prayer) that sparks growth, new friendships that feel like home, and a sense of belonging that can’t be taught. And for many, financial support like our One Happy Camper grant is what makes that magic possible.
For this two-parent working household, balancing synagogue dues, religious school fees, and the rising costs of Jewish life made camp feel daunting. The help they received made a real difference.
It also made an impression: when their ninth grader recorded a school video about an inspirational moment, they chose sunrise tefillah (prayer) at camp.
“I can teach them all the Torah I want,” the parent said. “But it is camp that inspires my kids.” “If we hadn’t received support, I don’t know if he could have gone.”
That’s what one parent told us after being unexpectedly fired from their job without severance—a shock that left them searching for employment for months.
In that moment, camp felt completely out of reach.
But with support from Federation, camp, and their synagogue, their son spent a month at Ramah Poconos—a month they described as “pivotal.” He came home more connected to his Jewish identity, more grounded, and surrounded by deep friendships that carried him through a hard year.
The parent is still unemployed and already worried about next summer. But their gratitude is unmistakable: “I am so grateful for the generosity of the Jewish community, and will likely have to count on more support next year.”
For another family, camp would have remained just a dream without support.
For their daughter, a summer at Capital Camps meant:
As her parent put it: “Financial aid isn’t just a subsidy. It’s an investment in children, families, and the future of the Jewish community.”
Another family shared that when the husband lost his job due to federal cuts, camp became the first thing they thought they’d have to remove from the budget.
But because of the grant they received, their children still experienced everything camp offers—confidence, leadership skills, connection, and identity-building.
“The support made it possible for our children to find a home within the Jewish community where they feel strongly connected and wish to give back.”
Jewish summer camp gives kids joy, independence, community, and identity.
It’s where friendships form in bunk beds, where confidence grows by the lake, and where Judaism becomes something kids feel proud of, not just something they learn.
And for so many families in our region, financial support is what makes that possible.
Make the magic of Jewish camp possible—whether for your family or another.
Apply for a One Happy Camper grant for up to $1,500 through December 31.
And if you’re in a position to give, your support can help another family send their child to camp. Donate today
One Happy Camper (OHC) is a need-blind first-time incentive grant sponsored by a partnership between Federation and Foundation for Jewish Camp. Federation supports over 220 first time campers attending 30+ camps across the country each year through OHC. Federation has distributed first-time incentive grants through One Happy Camper for over 15 years.
Since 2020, Federation also significantly allocates funds annually to 20+ camps for need-based financial aid scholarships for campers from Greater Washington.
Photo: Capital Camps & Retreat Center
Reading the news reminds me of the comic books I read as a kid. They’d start off with large headlines announcing the latest victories of the world’s villains, each update more concerning than the last. Then, when things were at their bleakest, the superheroes would show up and answer the call of a world in distress. Which is to say I’m accustomed to looking around for heroes when times get tough.
This year, I found the heroes I was searching for in all of you. Harnessing the twin forces of empathy and resolve, community members across Greater Washington stepped up to be there for people in need in a year of overwhelming uncertainty. Thanks to your support, Federation was able to expand and strengthen a network of care across D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia and infuse resources where they were needed most.
Our partners at JSSA, Yad Yehuda, and Hebrew Free Loan Association of Greater Washington, among others, responded to serial crises with food assistance, interest free loans, mental health resources, and other emergency support. Our area rabbis joined together to distribute grants made available by Federation to those who could use a helping hand. And Jewish organizations of all sizes set aside funds to make Jewish experiences, including Jewish day school and Jewish summer camp, more accessible to more people.
Meanwhile, Makom, JCADA, and JCA, and Tzedek DC, and others continued the quiet, sacred work of caring for the elderly in our community, advocating and providing services for those living with disabilities, responding to reports of abuse and domestic violence, and helping families get back on their feet after periods of struggle. This work was made possible by your partnership.
That’s why even as we close out a year that often felt challenging, I’m encouraged, hopeful even, about what lies ahead. The world does not lack for destructive forces. But there are even more heroes in our midst who meet suffering with love and generosity and do what they can to ensure our community’s human service offerings remain strong.
If this work moves you, I invite you to keep responding and give to Federation’s Annual Campaign. The Annual Campaign is the most essential source of funding for Federation’s work across our region, enabling us to support vital services people rely on every day and all the more so in times of crisis.
The impact of federal layoffs, the government shutdown, and the ongoing affordability crisis is hitting our area hard. Thousands of members of the Jewish community are struggling with poverty and meeting their basic needs. A gift to Federation ensures we can continue helping people through this moment and access the joy of Jewish life.
As the saying goes, not all heroes wear capes. But what our local champions lack in costume, they more than make up for in heart. The resources we are able to provide through the Annual Campaign reflect our commitment to each other. Thank you for showing up in the name of community. We need you.
Last week, Federation staff rolled up our sleeves (literally) at STOP THE BLEED®, a hands-on emergency training that teaches you how to respond to life-threatening bleeding. We practiced using tourniquets, packing wounds, and applying pressure—skills we hope we’ll never need, but ones we’re grateful to have learned.
In a crisis, there’s no time to think. When tensions are high and lives are on the line, you fall back on your training. And you hope it’s training that sticks.
That’s where JShield comes in, turning preparation into practice, and making sure that training happens before the moment it’s needed.
For our staff, this training was memorable, even intense. For JShield, it was any other Wednesday. These kinds of high-impact, real-world trainings are standard operating procedure for our community security initiative—proactive, practical, people-first.
JShield supports synagogues, schools, and Jewish organizations across Greater Washington with the tools they need to protect their people: security assessments, grant support, expert trainings, and real-world readiness. So far in 2025, that’s added up to nearly $600,000 in estimated support—from consultations and training to grant writing expertise and threat assessments—helping institutions across the DMV stay prepared and protected.
This kind of training doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of your support for Federation’s Annual Campaign.
And right now, your gift toward security goes even further, thanks to a limited-time Security Match from The Morningstar Foundation, which is matching 50¢ on the dollar, up to $1 million, to strengthen community safety across Greater Washington.
That means more trainings like this. More experts in more spaces. More peace of mind in a time when it’s never felt more urgent.
So far this year, JShield has helped local Jewish organizations secure more than $4.33 million in federal and state security funding. Your support helps unlock even more.
There’s nothing flashy about learning to stop a bleed. It’s messy. It’s tense. It’s vital.
But it’s also hopeful. Because it means we’re not waiting to react—we’re ready to respond, thanks to JShield. Together, we’re building a community that leads with courage, care, and preparation.
Help power the next life-saving training across Jewish Greater Washington.
Every gift is matched. Every action counts.
Tracking the impact of the federal government shutdown is like watching a storm roll in.
It’s already drizzling. As SNAP benefits expire and federal workers miss their first paychecks, the forecast is likely to worsen.
For many in our community, what started as financial uncertainty is becoming a true crisis.
To help address the rising tide of need, we’re allocating $150,000 to assist those affected by the shutdown.
These grants are part of our ongoing commitment to respond quickly and compassionately to community crises.
In coordination with local partner organizations, including JSSA (who runs our J-CARING hotline), we’re monitoring needs in real time to ensure help reaches those who need it most.
We’ve long been at-the-ready to respond to the needs of our community—the last few years have made us experts. From the pandemic to national protests, the war in Ukraine to October 7 and its aftermath, and now this shutdown, we’ve learned how to act swiftly and strategically when the need is urgent.
Today, we’re proud to help meet immediate needs while strengthening our community’s network of care for the future.
This work is only possible because of the trust and generosity of donors who give to our Annual Campaign, ensuring our community can weather the hardest days and prepare for the brightest ones.
It’s raining out. If you can help keep those around us dry, please donate today.
If you or someone you know needs support, call the J-CARING hotline or visit our Crisis Response resources page.
