Bright summer days, bug spray and bunk beds, lifelong friendships and newfound independence – this season reminds us why we do what we do. With camps in full swing, we’re celebrating the next generation of changemakers and the generous donors who make it all possible. What begins at camp often sparks a deeper connection to Jewish identity, and we are proud to partner with our local camps to help ensure a safe and secure environment where our kids can thrive.
At the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, this is a season of creativity, growth, and new beginnings. From launching a new video series on smart giving to planning exciting community events, we’re building toward a future rooted in purpose and joy.
Wishing you a safe and inspiring July,
Lindsay
Summer Camp is a joyful time, when the future generation cultivates independence, lifelong friendships, and a deep connection to Judaism. Yet, recent events in Texas cast a stark light on the importance of emergency preparedness. Over the July 4 weekend, flash floods along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County tragically claimed at least 120 lives, including many girls and counselors from Camp Mystic. For Jewish families sending their children and grandchildren off to summer camp – especially in today’s climate – safety is understandably top of mind.
Here in Atlanta, we partner closely with Camp Barney, Camp Coleman, Camp Ramah Darom, and In the City Camp to ensure our local and regional camps are doing everything possible to keep our kids safe. We sat down with Brian Davis, Community Security Director at the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and Atlanta Jewish Foundation, to hear firsthand how our community prepares for emergencies.
Year-round Training
“It all starts long before the first camper even steps foot on campus.” Brian said. “Before camp season, we talk to camp directors about how we will approach security training for the summer.” Those training sessions often include the whole staff, as many as 200 team members, including armed officers and medical personnel. “We break into smaller groups of about 40 and go more hands-on: how would you actually secure this cabin? How would you do a lockdown? Who do you call in a situation?” Brian emphasized the importance of situational awareness – knowing what belongs and what doesn’t, and how to escalate concerns quickly.
The recent antisemitic attacks in DC and Colorado made Brian’s team sharpen their focus even further. “That made us worried, because they started happening back to back. Then the situation with Iran happened right before the camp season. So we put word out to the camps again: be extra vigilant.”
Technology and Protocols
From walkie-talkies and security drills to direct communication with law enforcement, each camp has customized protocols, regularly reviewed and rehearsed. LiveSecure funding, made possible by generous donors and matched by Jewish Federations of North America, allows for critical safety upgrades – from license plate readers at camp entrances to night-lock devices for cabins. “Those night-locks are there to preserve lives until the good guys can get there,” said Brian. Still, as Brian is quick to remind us, while most people focus on the human threat, other incidents are far more common: “A bee sting, snake bite, a drowning, a child wandering off campus… Our camps have full-time nurses and doctors to address these medical emergencies. They’re prepared.”
Collaboration With Local Officials
“We have multiple armed officers on campus to respond as quickly as possible,” Brian shared, “and we work with the local police and law enforcement. They even train at our camps.” Those partnerships extend beyond the campgrounds. “When campers go on fieldtrips like to New York or North Carolina, I work with local police and the local Federation director. That way they know our campers are there, pick up patrols, and partner with us to protect our kids.”
Advice to Families
When asked what advice he has for concerned parents and grandparents, Brian replied: “I get individual calls from parents quite often. They ask, ‘What is Camp doing to prepare? How do I know my child is safe? Should I let my child go to camp this year?’ And what I tell them is – our camps are more prepared than most. We’ve done everything we can to make our camps as secure as we can.” For families who want to get more involved, Brian recommends giving through the Federation Annual Campaign or donating to camps through Donor-Advised Funds. “You can also talk to Camp Directors directly, to learn more about their specific needs.”
Ghila Sanders, Vice President of Philanthropic Advisory at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, echoed that sentiment: “You can respond to immediate Camp needs by giving through your DAF or donating to the Federation Annual Campaign. That kind of giving is crucial. But, if you’re thinking long term, if you want to ensure that camps continue to blossom for many more generations, Endowments are your best tool.”
Camp remains one of the most transformative Jewish experiences a young person can have. It creates lasting friendships, fosters confidence, and strengthens Jewish identity. By prioritizing preparedness, investing in safety, and partnering across our community, we ensure that magic can continue.
Support a camp through your donor portal or contact Ghila at gsanders@jewishatlanta.org to learn more about how you can keep our camps safe – and our children happy.
Introducing: Lemonade with Lindsay
From Lemonade Stands to Lasting Legacy: 3 Philanthropy Tips Every Donor Should Know
Remember when giving back felt simple? Maybe it was a few coins in a Tzedakah box, or the proceeds from a lemonade stand. These early moments often spark a lifelong journey of generosity. But today, with so many causes to support and so many ways to give, philanthropy can feel overwhelming.
That’s exactly why Lemonade with Lindsay was created.
In this new video series, Lindsay Kopecky, Frances Bunzl Chief Advancement Officer at the Atlanta Jewish Foundation, draws on over a decade of experience helping individuals, families, and organizations align their giving with their values. Her goal? To make philanthropy meaningful, impactful, and yes – simple and sweet, like selling lemonade.
In Episode 1, Lindsay shares three essential tools that can take your giving to the next level:
1. Know Your Values
Lindsay recalls a formative moment at nine years old, when she used her Hebrew School snack money to buy lunch for a person in need, out on the street. When she came home and told her father what she had done, he teared up and said, “Lindsay, I am so proud of you.” That moment lit a spark that shaped her philanthropic path – and serves as a reminder that the values that move us emotionally often point to the kind of change we want to create in the world.
“What are the issues you talk about around the dinner table?” Lindsay asks. “What are the moments in your life that filled you with pride, that filled your parents with pride? What do you hope to inspire in your children?”
Answering these questions is the first step toward intentional, lasting, and heart-centered giving.
2. Build the Right Team
Once you’ve identified what matters most to you, surround yourself with the people and partners who can help bring your vision to life. “When people work with the Atlanta Jewish Foundation,” Lindsay shares, “they often say it feels like coming home – because our team understands and lives the same values that you do.”
With over $59 million granted last year to more than 1,300 organizations, including those serving Atlanta’s Jewish community, Israel, and global causes, the Atlanta Jewish Foundation helps donors maximize both impact and meaning.
Whether you’re giving as an individual or engaging your entire family across generations, remember that philanthropy takes a village, and the right philanthropic partners can turn your values into action.
3. Start Now
“You don’t have to be rich to be a philanthropist,” Lindsay reminds us. Just as it’s wise to start investing early, the same is true for charitable investments. With tools like donor-advised funds and endowments, you can make a meaningful impact today while planning for the future and allowing your giving to grow over time.
Often, people give reflexively – waiting for a crisis or campaign to donate to. But having your philanthropy structured and ready, enables you to respond more effectively and intentionally. As Lindsay notes, “After October 7th, our donors were able to quickly deploy the resources they had already set aside to support the causes they cared most about.”
Whether you’re just beginning your philanthropic journey or looking to deepen your impact, the time to start is now.
Watch Episode 1 of Lemonade with Lindsay to hear more stories, insights, and practical tools to do good.
Ready to explore your own giving goals? Connect with the Atlanta Jewish Foundation today.
Your June 2025 Impact:
361 Grants recommended from Donor-Advised Funds.
$1,898,851 Donated to charity.
208 Organizations supported in Atlanta, Israel, and globally.
73% Jewish Causes / 27% Secular Causes.
Visit your Donor Portal to see your personal giving history and impact.
Kerr County Flood Relief Fund, launched by the long-established Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, is supporting rescue and rebuilding efforts.
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Intown Jewish Preschool provides the highest quality, child-centered education (and summer camp) and a love for Jewish values in a secure, nurturing and stimulating environment.
