Youth Scholarships Available for Jewish Summer Experiences

“Jacobs camp has been a uniquely wonderful and meaningful experience for 3 of my kids. It would not have been financially possible to send three kids so many years without help and support. Jacobs Camp, Temple Emanu-El, and JCRS were always generous supporters. Each has a simple, confidential process. It was as easy as filling out a simple form. It was unintrusive and quick. We are so grateful to each for their help in giving our children this incredible gift!” – Valerie Thompson

We firmly believe that Jewish summer camp participation provides a lifelong connection to Judaism and supports the attendance of our youth at the URJ-sponsored Jacobs Camp in Utica, Mississippi. Our senior staff is invited to participate each summer as guest faculty. Annually, Temple Emanu-El hosts a Jacobs Camp recruiting event and a Jacobs Camp Shabbat. To help ensure that every child who wishes to attend can participate in Jewish summer camping experiences or travel/study in Israel, numerous financial assistance scholarships are provided — thanks to our Sisterhood and Grafman Endowment Fund. These funds offer financial need-based scholarships for Jewish summer experiences.

• Grafman Endowment Fund Scholarship Application
  Youth Scholarship Application (2024)

Scholarships for study/travel to Israel are also available for those who have completed confirmation: Israel Experience Scholarship Form (2024)

Lester Seigel Award Application 2024

The Lester Seigel Award, of our Temple’s Grafman Endowment Fund, recognizes an outstanding 5th grader and/or 6th grader each year and provides full tuition to attend URJ Jacobs Camp for one session during the upcoming summer. The deserving student should represent the character traits of the designee for whom it was named. Dr. Lester Seigel has long been a prominent member of Temple Emanu-El, serving many roles as Executive Director, organist, member of the Executive Board, leading Torah study and services, and chanting Torah, as well as a model representative of the Jewish people in the broader Birmingham community.
Selection of the award winner will be based on the recommendation of Temple staff as one who possesses leadership potential and exemplifies Jewish principles. In addition, an application, which can be found below, will be reviewed. Consideration will be given to each student regarding their dedication to Jewish studies, service to their temple and secular communities, and the performance of Mitzvot.
The opportunity provides a summer to learn and enhance new skills while experiencing personal growth and spirituality through the incorporation of Jewish practice in daily life as well as through Jewish camp music and the celebration of Shabbat. Jacobs Camp allows the student to foster friendships with other Jewish youth in the southeast, many of whom will remain life-long friends through high school (NFTY & BBYO), college, and beyond. Immersion into Jacobs Camp reinforces our Jewish values and instills pride in our shared Jewish heritage and traditions.

Apply at Lester Siegel Award Application (2023)
Deadline: February 1, 2024