If you're having trouble viewing this email, you cansee it online.
Where Our Campers Come From — And Who We Miss This Year
Dear LAJF,
Each summer at Camp Rising Sun is a reminder of what’s possible when young people from around the world come together to grow, lead, and connect. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome an incredible and diverse group of campers—from places such as Thailand, Iowa, France, Moldova, Finland, Cameroon, and Japan—as we celebrate our 95th summer of Camp Rising Sun. Our summer staff have been working hard since early June to create a transformative experience and this summer is already shaping up to be a great one. But we’re also reckoning with who isn’t here and why.
We are missing campers from Greenland, after their selection committee and families concluded that political tensions with the U.S. were too high to make participation feasible. Campers from Liberia, Brazil, South Africa, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan were denied visas, often on the grounds of not proving sufficient ties to their home countries—despite living with their families and attending school there.
Despite enormous efforts by our Palestinian selectors, Israeli alumni, and other volunteers, our selected campers from Palestine were unable to join us. Though they secured U.S. visa interview appointments in Tel Aviv, they could not obtain the permits required to leave the West Bank. Even if visas had been issued, additional permits would have been needed to exit via Jordan. Our Israeli campers also faced significant obstacles but were thankfully able to join us in the end. With Israeli airspace closed, they traveled by sea to Cyprus, then flew to London and finally to New York.
We were also fortunate that most of our international summer staff received their J-1 visas before sudden changes in U.S. policy took effect this spring. In late May, the State Department paused visa appointments worldwide to implement new social media screening. Although one of our staff members was ultimately denied a visa, the majority secured theirs just in time. The experience was a stark reminder of how quickly immigration policy can shift—and how critical timely support, preparation, and advocacy are.
Neither campers nor staff come to CRS as representatives of their governments, but they do bring the fullness of their lived experiences. When shared in an environment of trust and curiosity, those experiences become the foundation for transformation. At a recent CRS event, Daniel Benaim—a foreign policy adviser and Middle East expert who served in the White House and State Department—spoke about how diplomacy and leadership begin with building trust. That’s what CRS has done for 95 years and will continue to do. To build that trust, we must continue working to ensure that young people most affected by global injustice have the opportunity to be here.
Despite the many obstacles, every camper and staff member who received a visa made it to Camp safely this summer. One visa rejection was even overturned. That progress was made possible by the support of a pro bono immigration attorney and other experts. We’re also deeply grateful to our host families, whose warmth and care made the first days in the U.S. welcoming and meaningful—and to our incredible network of volunteer selectors, who reviewed over 1,500 applications for CRS and nearly 500 for TELE.
Looking ahead, we’re exploring an earlier selection timeline and seeking new partnerships with immigration experts and policy advisors to reduce structural obstacles. In past years, we benefited from the insight of an alumni at the U.S. State Department—and we’ve felt the absence of that relationship since his passing.
We will also continue working to expand and diversify our camper community—both within the U.S. and abroad. This summer, we’re welcoming back campers from Latvia, Nebraska, and Peru. We’re also in conversation with selectors in Mississippi and other places for future cycles. TELE (The Ethical Leadership Experience), which begins this month, also plays a key role in welcoming youth who might otherwise be unable to participate due to travel restrictions, conflict, or financial barriers. This year’s participants include youth from Afghanistan, Morocco, Nigeria, Peru, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, India, Egypt, Korea, Russia, Uzbekistan, Zambia, and across the U.S.
Ensuring global access to Camp Rising Sun is core to our mission: developing compassionate, responsible leaders from all backgrounds. That mission is only possible because of our extraordinary community.
If you want to help, there are four key ways to get involved:
Lend your visa or legal expertise to support future participants (contact me by email at echej@lajf.org)
Join us for our 95th Anniversary Reunion + Gala at the TWA Hotel in New York City, October 24–26, 2025. Tickets and information here.
Together, we can keep building a more connected and just world—one summer at a time.
Sincerely,
Elyem Chej Director of Programs
The First Day of Camp!
Tuesday, June 24 marked the first day of the Boys and Non-Binary Session of Camp Rising Sun! What an epic day of getting to know each other, the counselors, and our campus. Big shoutout to our second-year campers who helped to welcome first-years, and of course to our Summer Staff for making the day memorable.
95 years of Camp Rising Sun and ethical leadership is a milestone well worth celebrating! We hope you will join us for an unforgettable alumni reunion and gala event at the TWA Hotel at JFK International Airport in New York City.
Reunion tickets, gala tickets, and sponsorship opportunities are now available. Please visit our event website, lajf.org/events/95th-celebration, for more information and to purchase yours today.
Your All-Inclusive Registration Includes:
Friday Welcome Reception in the legendary Sunken Lounge with vintage cocktails
Saturday Breakfast, Lunch, and Alumni-Led Activities featuring panels, workshops, and time to reconnect
Saturday Evening Gala and seated dinner in the glamorous Constellation Ballroom
We want to say a big thank you to our incredible hosts in New York City that helped to provide a soft landing for Session I campers! The journey to Camp is often the first time many campers will be away from their home and families, and even out of their home country. Having warm and welcoming hosts make the transition from homeland to Camp much more smooth.
We're still looking for hosts for Session II! If you would like to support and live in the NYC-area, please click the button below to fill out our interest form. We look forward to hearing from you!
This year, the CRS Israel Selection Committee hosted a three-day seminar in Jerusalem to help prepare campers for their summer at CRS! The seminar objectives were: Empowering Diversity,Building Community, Enriching Knowledge, and Fostering Awareness and Empathy.
Avi Blecherman (CRS '85) detailed the three days on our blog. Click the button below to read more.
"The seminar was a transformative experience, equipping the selected campers with the tools, perspectives, and community to represent Israel thoughtfully at Camp Rising Sun. By addressing identity, conflict, democracy, sustainability, and activism, the program empowered the youth to embrace their roles as empathetic, critical, and open-minded leaders."
- Avi Blecherman (CRS '85), CRS Israel Selection Committee
A big welcome back to CRS Co-Directors, Nick Basalyga and Raven Joakims, who are heading up the team for a second year in a row. Nick and Raven shared their vision for this summer, which you can read in full on our blog by clicking the button below.
“We step into this season with hearts full of hope and a profound sense of purpose.
This camp is a place where campers have been empowered to express their most authentic selves, step outside their comfort zones, and lead with integrity and compassion—fostering an appreciation for both diversity and our shared humanity, expanding their intellectual and artistic horizons, developing leadership skills and self-reliance in a supportive environment, and embracing a philosophy of living that serves society through humanitarian values.
We trust that this year’s campers and counselors will create something truly special—something that will inspire and empower us all. We believe its ripple effects will extend into their communities, fostering kindness and change for years to come!”
We have a couple of spots available for Camp Counselors this summer! In addition to counselor positions, we are also looking for volunteers who might want to spend a few days or weeks at CRS.
Be a part of a dynamic team of passionate people who have come from all around the world. Spend the season at Camp Rising Sun, mentoring, teaching, and inspiring teenagers on our campus in Rhinebeck, New York. Our positions are competitive and those who are hired find it to be an incredibly rewarding work experience. If interested, click the link to apply below.
Friendships cross borders and last a lifetime at CRS. In this video, 2023 campers from Denmark and Kyrgyzstan share their journey of becoming close friends: how they met, what they learned from each other's cultures, and their advice for future CRS participants on building meaningful connections.
Apply Today for the GEJ Scholarship!
Thanks to the generosity of the Georges Lurcy Trust and CRS alumni and friends, LAJF offers the GEJ Scholarshipto CRS alumni. The scholarship fund is dedicated to the memory of George E. ("Freddie") Jonas, founder and benefactor of Camp Rising Sun.
Who is Eligible?
Alumni of Camp Rising Sun (including former staff members) are eligible to apply. You must be an undergraduate or graduate student in a college or university in the United States during the academic year 2025 - 2026. You may also apply as a high school senior planning to enter college.
We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to serve on the following committees at the foundation: Finance and Investment, Strategic Planning, and the GEJ Scholarship committees. Participating in committees is a way to contribute relevant professional skills to help the organization and stay close with the Foundation. It's also a great opportunity to give back while gaining experience in working with non-profits.
If interested, please contact our Director of Operations, Jill Fieldstein, at business@lajf.org for more information.
.png)
.png)
