Yashar: Skills Training Initiative

Yashar: Skills Training Initiative

Funder: The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation (with Foundation for Jewish Camp administration)

Status: Active - first cohort announced February 24, 2026; second cohort planned

Geographic Scope: North America (Jewish day and overnight camps)

Total Funding: $4.35 million commitment; first cohort: nearly $1.5 million to 5 camps

Funding Focus Areas:

Young adult disability skills training

Job training and workforce readiness

Housing infrastructure for young adults with disabilities

Teaching kitchen facilities

Program spaces for skills training

Employment preparation

Eligibility:

Jewish day and overnight camps with existing or planned skills training programs

Programs serving young adults with disabilities

FJC network member camps

First cohort: established programs expanding capacity

Second cohort (fall 2027): camps launching new programs

What They Fund:

Capital grants for housing construction/renovation

Teaching kitchen facilities

Program space construction

Multipurpose facilities

Infrastructure supporting workforce readiness

First Cohort Recipients (Announced February 24, 2026):
1. Camp Ramah in New England (Palmer, MA) - Former health center renovation into housing for 14+ supported staff
2. JCC Camp Chi (Lake Delton, WI) - Two new cabins and multipurpose facility for Avodah program
3. Roger and Jane Davis JCC Camps at Medford (Medford, NJ) - Expanded dining hall with teaching kitchen
4. Ramah Day Camp in Nyack (Nyack, NY) - Housing and program room renovation
5. URJ Camp Harlam (Kunkletown, PA) - New building for 18 skills training participants + 10 staff, kitchen and laundry

Program Background: Builds on FJC's original Yashar Initiative ($12.35 million to 46 camps for disability accessibility); approximately 80% of Jewish camps now run programs for campers with disabilities

Context: Announced during Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) - February

Contact: Foundation for Jewish Camp, New York, NY

Website: jewishcamp.org