As part of a new initiative included in an ambitious five-year strategic plan, Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC) is opening a West Coast Regional Center to better serve Jewish day and overnight camps, naming Margalit C. Rosenthal as its West Coast regional director.
The inaugural West Coast Regional Center will focus initially on California camps, enabling FJC to strengthen valued relationships with local Jewish camps and federations, meet the needs and leverage the opportunities specific to West Coast camps, and help create more meaningful immersive Jewish experiences for the local Jewish communities year-round.
According to CEO Jeremy J. Fingerman, “Our new regional center will accelerate innovation across the field to help meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”
The FJC West Coast Regional Center is the first of six planned regional centers in locations across North America, and is a key executional element of the organization’s new strategic plan.
After 20 years of operating primarily from New York City, FJC will utilize the local grassroots network to innovate, pilot, evaluate and scale programs that will benefit all camps.
“By adding ‘boots on the ground,’ ” says Fingerman, “FJC will improve its ability to address local needs, advocate on behalf of camps, partner with Federations and other area organizations to raise Jewish camp on the communal agenda.”
Rosenthal comes to FJC directly from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, where she worked for more than six years, most recently as the senior vice president of NuRoots.
She holds master’s degrees in public administration, and in Hebrew and Judaic studies, from New York University’s Wagner/Skirball dual-degree program. She is a lifelong participant in Jewish camps herself, having spent 15 summers at Camp Ramah in California.
Marina Lewin, COO of FJC, welcomed Rosenthal and said “opening this regional center is a significant moment not only for FJC, but for the entire field. We look forward to continuing to grow, build and innovate with our incredible camp community across North America.”