Meanwhile, the Essex County Prosecutors Office confirmed that it is reviewing materials related to other allegations that have arisen against Robinson and NJY Camps handling of the matter. Each . Ellen Goldner, a former employee of NJY Camps and the former president of the MetroWest Federation, told The Jewish Week she warned the then-board president, Bruce Tucker, about Robinsons behavior; Tucker dismissed the information, according to Goldner. Email Us. A new parent? We are an incubator, HaZamir chapters rehearsing for 30th anniversary gala performance at Lincoln Center, The Belarusian-born educator from Morristown and Randolph was 92, Hearing the Gettysburg Address in Hebrew again. An old parent? Are you a bitter person? Acouple of years ago, I wrote a column called Parenting at 10,000 Feet. It was about a family that Husband #1 and I had the pleasure of sitting next to on an airplane. click the link in that email to complete your registration. Being cooped up during the pandemic made . A newlywed? Do you wish you belong to any of those previously mentioned demographics? 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An independent investigative report, commissioned by NJYs board in April and completed in September, found that board leadership had known of Robinsons behavior NJJN reported that members of the board were informed three years ago that Robinson had pressured at least one female staff member to engage in sexual activity but failed to act. Make a donation now to support independent Jewish journalism in New York. Bruce Tucker, GPS . Len Robinson did not respond to requests for comment. There was a whole movement on the importance of taking care of yourself before addressing the needs of others. The most common foreign language among camp directors is Spanish at 62.8%. For 100 years, our NJY camps have been creating lasting friendships, positive Jewish experiences, and summers of fun, said board president Stephen Seiden in an email to camp families, alumnae, and donors. NJJN has also learned that the NJY board reached a settlement with at least one woman who was repeatedly sexually harassed by Robinson while she was employed by NJY Camps. Fairfield, New Jersey, United States. Please try again or choose an option below. Well, I am old, and my kids are old, so yeshiva week is just a reminder that I am too old to have kids who are still in yeshiva. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Jewish cultural activities are prominent in camp programming. An opportunity for your camper to meet potential bunkmates for future summers! More than $2.6 million is distributed in scholarships each year. We are determining if there is basis for a criminal investigation, a spokesperson from the Prosecutors Office told NJJN on April 8. Hannah Dreyfus is a staff writer for The New York Jewish Week, NJJNs sister publication. click the link in that email to complete your registration. He will find that our staff is excellent, passionate, strong, and dedicated to the mission of camp. Leonard Robinson, a veteran and much-admired administrator in the Jewish camping field, resigned under pressure April 12 from his post as executive director of NJY Camps after . In addition, Amy, a former associate director at NJY Camps, is alleging that Robinson, then her boss, sexually assaulted her in his car during the winter of 1999. View job. A grandparent? She was working at the camp as a library assistant under the supervision of Robinsons wife, Carol Robinson, according to the police report. Michael is a longtime active member of the New York Jewish community: sitting on the board of Hofstra Hillel, as president of his synagogue, and as a member of the AIPAC Long Island Council. I have spent much of my career immersed in summer camp, and I know the transformative role camp can have on a childs life. Located in the beautiful Poconos of Pennsylvania, they are the perfect summer escape that can also provide amazing leadership and professional development opportunities for college students. The investigators' report "is a shameful, damning, heart-breaking and miserable study in leadership failure . To implement these changes, the organization will appoint a transitional board for roughly one year with the intent of handing off responsibility to a durable governing board as early as January of 2020, according to the organizations Feb. 7 statement. First Step at Camp Nah-Jee-Wah. Managed $17 million not-for-profit Jewish overnight camp organization. Rebecca currently sits on the executive board of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, is the immediate past president of the alumni association and is the 2018 recipient of the Alumni Leadership Award. Email: campinfo@njycamps.org, Lake Como Campus: 90 Woods Road Robinsons career in Jewish communal spaces spanned five decades, during which he worked at JCCs across the country before assuming the position of executive director of NJY Camps in 1993. The summer camp experience is hands down one of the most important experiences we can provide to help children develop a deeper sense of their identity. The Jewish Week obtained a copy of recommendations the investigators suggested in order to overhaul NJY Camps governance. Her extraordinary leadership has seen us through the past few years, which were full of challenges and hard decisions. A new parent? A grandparent? According to Ben-Shimons letter, the report unearthed 11 cases in which Robinson harassed, abused, mistreated, intimidated and harmed women during his 25-year tenure as NJYs top executive. For as little as $6 a month you can help support our quality journalism while enjoying The Times of Israel AD-FREE, as well as accessing exclusive content available only to Times of Israel Community members. Free Sign Up. She discusses what the experience may tell us about Jewish obligation, history and dignity. Suzanne Albin Tucker. Find out what works well at NJY Camps from the people who know best. NJY Camps, a Jewish camping association in New Jersey, announced on Feb. 7 that its board of directors voted unanimously to suspend itself after an independent investigation found that Leonard "Len" Robinson, the 74-year-old former executive director of the organization, had sexually abused or harassed at least 11 women during his 25-year . To Our NJY Camps Community, I am excited to share with you that after a nationwide search, the NJY Camps Board of Directors named Michael Schlank to the newly created position of chief executive officer. Are you a bitter person? Camp Nah-Jee-Wah for 8-11 year olds, Cedar Lake Camp for 11-14 year olds, Teen Camp for 14-16 year olds, Round Lake Camp for children with special needs and Club Enjoy for short term camping programs. . Tucker has declined repeated requests for comment. Well, I am old, and my kids are old, so yeshiva week is just a reminder that I am too old to have kids who are still in yeshiva. While a publicist for NJY Camps said that "almost all board members had no knowledge" of the. H ours after NJJN published a report in which New Jersey federation executives called for the entire board of NJY Camps to resign for not taking action after learning of allegations of predatory behavior by its former executive director ("After damning probe, NJ fed exec urges board purge at NJY Camps," Dec. 20), the president of the NJY board announced his intention to resign, and advised . What happens to the notes placed in the Kotel? Leadership at NJY Camps continues to decline NJJNs requests to disclose the full report, citing the confidentiality of women who have made allegations, according to an NJY Camps spokesperson. While these are uncertain times for many of us, I am confident in the bright future for NJY Camps under Michaels leadership and I ask you to join me in welcoming him to our community. Sign in to stop seeing this, Sara Netanyahu accosted by protesters at Tel Aviv hair salon, extricated by police, Brides joy turns to sorrow after Elan Ganeles killed driving to her wedding, Hiker discovers 2,500-year-old ancient receipt from reign of Purim kings father, Netanyahu compares Tel Aviv protesters to settlers who set fire to Huwara. She remained at the camp, but refused to be alone with Robinson going forward. The NJ Y Camps is one of the nation's premier Jewish camping organizations, with seven camps clustered at two locations serving children, families and seniors. Senior Accounting Manager Location: Fairfield, NJ About NJY Camps: NJY Camps (NJY) is one of North America s premier Jewish summer camp organizations. Doron Krakow, president and CEO of JCC Association of North America, said in a statement that he is honored to help assist NJY Camps through what has been a difficult period. Family Camp. And I have seen the impact that residential camp has had on our own two children, their friends, and our family. Family Camps. By Hannah Dreyfus April 13, 2018, 12:00 am. Robinson, 77, declined The Jewish Weeks request for comment. That's why we carefully select our staff from the USA and abroad including Israel, United Kingdom, South America, Russia, Australia and New Zealand. The president of a Jewish camps association in New Jersey has urged its entire board to resign, in the wake of an investigation finding that the board knew for years about the predatory behavior of its former executive director. NJY Camps at Milford operates 5 sleepaway camps in Milford, Pennsylvania catering to a wide array of campers. Joanna reported the incidents of sexual assault to the Ramsey Police Department when she was 23. and Michael Schwartz! keeps NJY Camps our home away from home. (Photo illustration by Janice hwang). NJY Camps is the largest Jewish camp complex in the world, serving more than 7400 participants in our overnight camps, family camps, visiting groups and year round senior adult programs. NJY Camps is part of the Jewish Community Center movement and is the umbrella organization for numerous overnight and family camps, and year-round programs for senior adults. . A person Wiesenthal Centers program puts students in government offices, Rabbi Moshe Josef Rubin talks about his family history and looks forward, We are more than a choir. In that role, Michael will lead our professional staff and oversee all of NJY Camps' operation. What is life? Our nonprofit newsroom depends on readers like you. Executive Director. Are you a kid? Jan 2012 - Jun 20208 years 6 months. (NJY Camps via JTA). 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NJY is focused on creating a wholesome and inspirational community while simultaneously promoting critical discourse surrounding mental illness and its de-stigmatization. are informed and ready to be placed making working with Camp America a breeze. Hours after NJJN published a report in which New Jersey federation executives called for the entire board of NJY Camps to resign for not taking action after learning of allegations of predatory behavior by its former executive director (After damning probe, NJ fed exec urges board purge at NJY Camps, Dec. 20), the president of the NJY board announced his intention to resign, and advised the rest of the board to follow suit. Are you a kid? Life is good, life is bad, life is surprising, life is challenging. Acouple of years ago, I wrote a column called Parenting at 10,000 Feet. It was about a family that Husband #1 and I had the pleasure of sitting next to on an airplane. They include the first victim to claim she was a minor when she was allegedly sexually abused by the network's former executive director, Len Robinson. 2020-09-01. Please use the following structure: example@domain.com, Send me The Times of Israel Daily Edition. NJY Camps in New Jersey is the largest Jewish camp complex in North America, serving about 5,500 youth annually. "We are very excited to welcome chief Levi to our board," said Alan Himelfarb, executive director of Starting Hearts, in a news release. Rachel Jacoby Rosenfield opened her Riverdale home to a family of Ukrainian refugees. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. Already a member? Len started his career as the Resident Camp Director - Youth Director at the Portland, Oregon JCC. 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Under this umbrella we serve a spectrum of ages, denominations and abilities, across the entire Jewish community. At the same time, camp is about having fun and creating lifelong friendships. Advisory Board; Globalize Your Camp. In 2014 he joined the full-time team and for the seven years to follow, Jason was the Assistant Director of Camp Nah-Jee-Wah and directed NJY Camps' Pre and Post Camp seasons, First Step and short stay programs. Last year, Robinson was forced to resign from his position as executive director last April, a day before The Jewish Weeks initial story was published. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. Fairfield, NJ. Do you rely on The Times of Israel for accurate and insightful news on Israel and the Jewish world? Sign in to stop seeing this, Sara Netanyahu accosted by protesters at Tel Aviv hair salon, extricated by police, Brides joy turns to sorrow after Elan Ganeles killed driving to her wedding, Hiker discovers 2,500-year-old ancient receipt from reign of Purim kings father, Netanyahu compares Tel Aviv protesters to settlers who set fire to Huwara. Tucker has declined repeated requests for comment. Incorrect password. A few key facts about NJY Camps: NJY Camps is the largest Jewish overnight camping agency serving over 5,000 children each year. Marketing and Communications Coordinator. The most common race/ethnicity among camp directors is White, which makes up 61.1% of all camp directors. In that role, Schlank will lead the professional staff and oversee all of NJY Camps'. 2 Day Intro to Overnight Camp. Illustrative photo of one of the summer camps in the NJY Camps network. Our mission is to show the world that mental health is a lot less scary to face when we do it . Was the Director of Logistics for Malan Breton's February 2020 London Fashion Week Show. His resignation came less than a month after Debbie Findling, a philanthropic adviser in the San Francisco Bay Area, wrote an op-ed in The New York Jewish Week, NJJNs sister publication, detailing how she had been sexually harassed and propositioned for sex by a communal leader she later identified as Robinson. The New York Jewish Week reported in December that Peter Horowitz, the then-president of NJY Camps, urged all 60 members of his board to join him in resigning for allowing the former executive . Get New Jersey Jewish News's Newsletter by email and never miss our top stories, The New Jersey Jewish Film Festival returns to the JCC MetroWest, Kosher-chef-whiz-kid Eitan Bernath turns to social action as he works to feed the hungry, Local production,as in New York, takeson the Leo Frank story. Doron Krakow, president and CEO of JCC Association of North America, said in a statement that he is honored to help assist NJY Camps through what has been a difficult period. Reached by NJJN last week, Robinson declined to comment. The independent investigation, conducted by the law firm McCusker, Anselmi, Rosen & Carvelli, P.C. For one hundred years, our NJY camps have been creating lasting friendships, positive Jewish experiences and summers of fun. Horowitz, the president of the NJY Camps board, said he intends to resign no later than February, The Jewish Week reported. Her claims were corroborated by her college roommate, who recalled Robinson picking up Joanna from her dorm room in college. He stomped on my soul, and I was left to pick up the pieces.. 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, NJY Camps runs a network of Jewish camps serving the New York metropolitan areas. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. We are all committed to the future of NJY and believe that this move will be of great benefit to our community, our camp, and our campers.. Full-time. Camp Fire envisions a community in which every child has equitable access to the learning opportunities they need to succeed and thrive in a rapidly changing world. NEW! (MARC), was completed in September 2018. Thinking About Overnight Camp? Our mission is to support, empower, and inspire. Loving memory of David Lenusky. In 1968, another 1130 acres, and two lakes, were purchased in Lake Como, Pennsylvania. NJJN obtained a copy of recommendations the investigators suggested in order to overhaul NJY Camps governance. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. . A spokesperson said that until then the camping network is following all the necessary procedures called for by our bylaws.. On our Milford campus, Camp Nah-Jee-Wah serves boys and girls from grades 1 through 6; Cedar Lake Camp, grades 7 through 9; and Teen Camp, grades 10 through 11. Ben-Shimon also writes that the investigation clearly points to the fact that many in the senior board and past president leadership knew of [Robinsons] behavior and did nothing to prevent it.. Len has been Executive Director at the NJY Camps since 1993. . His letter was obtained by The Jewish Week. Caren Ford, Elyssa Wright. He also serves as an Assistant Executive Director of Camp Nesher's parent organization, the New Jersey YM-YWHA (NJY) Camps. Police, security agencies advise Jews to be on alert ahead of planned National Day of Hate on Shabbat. There was a whole movement on the importance of taking care of yourself before addressing the needs of others. E ven as NJY Camps, the embattled New Jersey network of JCC Association of North America-affiliated summer camps, focuses on moving forward with a new board, two alleged victims have come forward. When she was 19, Robinson introduced her to cocaine, Joanna alleged. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel, 2023 The Times of Israel , All Rights Reserved, NJY Camps runs a network of Jewish camps serving the New York metropolitan areas. Under the supervision of the Teen Programs Director and the NJY full-time Mental Health professional, the MESSH professional is responsible for the development . Life is good, life is bad, life is surprising, life is challenging.