Cleveland JCC Gets Record $60M Gift for Youth Camps

The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation just gave $60 million to the Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland, shattering records as the largest gift ever made to a JCC in North America. The money will rebuild aging summer camps and create a brand new year-round youth hub where over 1,300 kids can gather, play, and grow together.

The gift works as a 4-to-1 community challenge. For every dollar Cleveland residents donate, the Mandel Foundation will add four more, turning local generosity into something much bigger.

"Investing in the Jewish camp experience is among the most effective things we can do to ensure Jewish continuity," said Jehuda Reinharz, president and CEO of the Mandel Foundation. "This partnership creates an opportunity for children to discover that being Jewish is joyful, relevant, and theirs to own for life."

Camp Wise, founded in 1907 and the third oldest overnight camp in America, desperately needed updating. Camper cabins built in 1966 will be replaced with modern structures featuring in-unit bathrooms. A new dining hall for Shabbat celebrations, a recreation center, an arts facility, and improved staff housing will all be built from the ground up.

Back in Beachwood, the JCC's main campus will transform into a 12-month Jewish Youth Hub. A climate-controlled fieldhouse will anchor the space, providing year-round sports and wellness activities while serving as a safe gathering place for the entire community. The campus will also feature a reimagined theater and a premier aquatics center.

The Ripple Effect

This investment responds directly to real community needs. A 2022 study found a 31% surge in Cleveland families seeking Jewish connection. For kids who don't attend Jewish day schools, these camps often provide their deepest connections to Jewish identity and culture.

The project will consolidate all day camps to one central location, making it easier for families to access quality programming. Construction crews will work around summer camp seasons, with everything scheduled for completion by June 2028.

"We are building the infrastructure to ensure the Mandel JCC remains a leading organization, welcoming Jews no matter where they are on their journey," said Bruce Rosenbaum, board chair of the Mandel JCC.

Thousands of Cleveland kids will soon have access to world-class facilities where they can make summer memories and lifelong friendships right in their own community.