Jewish Press of Tampa

Lili Kaufmann endows fund for overnight Jewish camp scholarships


Lili Kaufmann

Lili Kaufmann

A new endowment fund has been created to support scholarships for children who otherwise could not afford to attend a Jewish overnight camp.

The scholarship is being funded by Lili Kaufmann, a long-time supporter of Jewish philanthropic projects and Jewish organizations locally and worldwide. The program was originally established several years ago by the Tampa JCCs and Federation to award need-based scholarships to Jewish children in Hillsborough County.

With Kaufmann’s gift, the program – officially the Lili Kaufmann Lilah Tov Overnight Camp Scholarship Fund – will continue in perpetuity. The fund will be administered by the TOP Jewish Foundation.

Previously the JCCs and Federation awarded about 20 scholarships annually for children to attend a Jewish non-profit, overnight camp. Kaufmann’s endowment will double that number.

The scholarship will be a minimum $5,000 and could be as much as $10,000 per recipient.

Kaufmann said it was important to her to help ensure a Jewish future for our children and believes Jewish camping can go a long way toward fulfilling that goal.

Both Lili and husband Barry attended Jewish day camps. But she said she was particularly inspired by how overnight camping impacted her own children. Kaufmann recalls how the overnight Jewish camping experience stoked their enthusiasm for Judaism, more so than regular synagogue attendance, religious school classes and holiday observances.

“We enrolled them in overnight camp when my kids were 10 and 12 as a way to give them a different experience. Our oldest child went with great resistance and came back enthusiastic, saying, ‘Thank you – I had the most amazing experience and I like being Jewish’,” Kaufmann said. “My second child, who was in day school and was involved in Jewish youth activities at home, went for even more years of camp, going on to be a counselor in training at Camp Coleman and then went to work for a Jewish summer camp. Both sons also went to Israel, which impacted them for life, and the experiences made them Jews for life.”

Kaufmann’s grandchildren have followed in their parents’ footsteps, all attending overnight Jewish summer camps.

“That’s the future,” Kaufmann said. “If they can strengthen their Jewish identity in an overnight summer camp experience, we have a home run. Judaism is more secure. … My grandchildren went to Camp Coleman and Camp Ramah – they live for going to summer camp. My granddaughter’s whole Jewish identity and her friends revolve around camp. …She’s very proud of her Jewishness.”

Kaufmann said she also wants to set an example and inspire her peers and others to give back, whether its toward a nonprofit Jewish summer camp or for other important projects that improve the Jewish community, such as education scholarships for children to attend preschool or day school.

“I’m doing it as a challenge so that others will step up,” Kaufmann said. “When I saw the ad in the paper that the Federation was offering scholarships for overnight camp, I was so proud that the Federation’s Annual Campaign dollars are creating this kind of opportunity for those who need it in the community. “

The Kaufmanns have previously setup a Camp Coleman fund at their synagogue, Congregation Beth Am. Now, Kaufmann has decided to broaden the scope.

“I think all Jewish camps create benefits for young people. That’s why we decided to put our money into the community effort rather than increasing money for one camp or one congregation,” she said. “We have always lived very fully. We have done everything we have wanted to do, and we feel more fulfilled by enabling others.”

Kaufmann has been an active member of the Tampa Jewish community for more than 45 years, serving as a past president, Women’s Division chair, and treasurer of the Tampa Jewish Federation. She is an endowed Lion of Judah, meaning that her gift to the Annual Campaign will be made in perpetuity. She is a committee member of the Tampa JCCs and Federation’s Jewish Community Relations Council and its Leadership Council. Kaufmann is a founding member and past president of Congregation Beth Am, past president of the Tampa Chapter of Women’s American ORT, and sits on the board of TampaBay-Job-Links.

She also has held many national and international positions within the Jewish world including as a member of the Jewish Agency for Israel. Frequently honored for her philanthropic efforts, Kaufmann is an International Lion of Judah Kipnis-Wilson/Friedland award winner, the first recipient of the Tampa JCCs and Federation’s Hope Cohen Barnett Young Leadership Award, the Federation’s 2019 Tikkun Olam Award Winner, Leo Levinson Outstanding Service Award, the Lenore Kessler Memorial Women’s Award and an Israel Bonds honoree.

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To learn how to apply for a scholarship, visit jewishtampa.com/lilahtov, or contact Alissa Fischel, chief development and engagement officer, at (813) 769-4726 or email alissa.fischel@jewishtampa.com. Deadline for applications is Dec. 2.

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