News
A $60 million grant from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation will serve as the cornerstone of a $75 million capital initiative to expand and strengthen Jewish camp experiences for children and families in Northeast Ohio. The grant is believed to be the largest gift made to a Jewish Community Center in North America.
Funding will be structured as a powerful 4-to-1 community challenge. Every dollar contributed by the community brings four dollars from the Mandel Foundation, providing an unprecedented opportunity to multiply the impact of local philanthropy.
A Strategic Investment in Cleveland’s Future
The investment responds directly to the recent Cleveland Jewish Population Study, which revealed a 31% increase in families seeking Jewish connection. It is designed to ensure that Cleveland’s children have access to high-quality Jewish experiences for years to come. It is especially impactful for students not enrolled in Jewish day schools, providing some of their deepest and most enduring connections to Jewish identity.
“Our mission is to invest in leadership and excellence, and there is no higher priority than the future of our youth,” said Jehuda Reinharz, President and CEO of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. “Investing in the Jewish camp experience is among the most effective things we can do to ensure Jewish continuity. This partnership creates an opportunity for children to discover that being Jewish is joyful, relevant, and theirs to own for life”.
“Mort Mandel believed that the JCC should be the heartbeat of the community—a place where excellence and inclusion meet,” said Steve Hoffman, Mandel Foundation Board Chair. “This investment will ensure Cleveland remains a world-class home for Jewish families for decades to come.”
Building a Year-Round Jewish "Town Square"
The initiative will expand the Mandel JCC’s capacity to serve over 1,300 campers each summer, replacing aging infrastructure with a modernized 12-month youth ecosystem across two primary hubs:
The Beachwood Campus: Consolidating all Day Camps to the Beachwood campus will transform the site into a 12-month Jewish Youth Hub. Key features include a new climate-controlled fieldhouse designed as a secure community gathering place and year-round resource for youth sports and wellness. The campus will also feature a reimagined theater and a premier aquatics center.
Camp Wise Reimagined: This plan ensures the 119-year-old overnight camp remains the Midwest’s leading destination through a “rustic excellence” approach, combining modern, comfortable facilities with the traditions and feel that have defined Camp Wise for generations. Highlights include all-new camper cabins with in-unit bathrooms (replacing structures from 1966), a new 700-seat dining hall for communal Shabbat celebrations, a new recreation center, a dedicated arts center, and high-quality staff housing to attract and retain elite counselors and adult leaders.
A Vision of Excellence for the Next 50 Years
“This record-breaking gift reflects a profound trust in our vision, and we are deeply grateful to the Mandel Foundation for their trust, vision, and partnership,” said Jesse Rosen, President and CEO of the Mandel JCC. “By creating these world-class environments, we are ensuring our children build their most transformative summer memories and lifelong friendships right here in their own Cleveland Jewish community. This investment allows us to finally bridge the ‘belonging gap’ and build the future our community deserves.”
Bruce Rosenbaum, Board Chair of the Mandel JCC, added: “This is a defining moment for Cleveland. We are building the infrastructure to ensure the Mandel JCC remains a leading organization, welcoming Jews no matter where they are on their journey. This project ensures we have the capacity to serve our growing community with excellence, creating a home where every individual and family can find a sense of belonging.”
Construction will be planned around the summer camp seasons and is slated for completion by June 2028.
About the Organization
The Mandel Jewish Community Center of Cleveland builds connections to Jewish life and to each other through social, cultural, educational, and recreational programs, including fitness and wellness, early childhood education, summer camps, cultural arts, and adult learning. Open to the entire community, the Mandel JCC serves people of all ages and backgrounds.
