2023 Recipient: Jeremy J. Fingerman
Jeremy J. Fingerman, CEO of Foundation for Jewish Camp, is honored with the 2023 Bernard Reisman Professional Excellence Award.
The Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program at Brandeis University is pleased to announce Jeremy J. Fingerman as the 2023 recipient of the Bernard Reisman Award for Professional Excellence.
Jeremy J. Fingerman received the award and delivered an address at the Hornstein Program's annual celebration of student final project presentations on May 4, 2023.
When the pandemic first hit, Fingerman led FJC’s efforts to mitigate the estimated $150 million funding gap resulting from overnight camp closures. In 2020, FJC enabled more than 60 camps to receive emergency grants or loans of nearly $22 million, and then in 2021, FJC awarded close to $4 million in Capacity Expansion Grants to help over 50 camps maximize enrollment while working with the constraints of COVID safety guidelines. That summer, as a result of FJC’s investment, camps were able to serve an additional 4,000 youths who enjoyed the magic of Jewish camp, while the camps themselves generated much-needed tuition revenue.
Fingerman’s impact in the camping field long precedes the COVID-19 crisis, and reflects his commitment to unifying the field around a communal mission. FJC, under his leadership since 2010, has raised over $170 million to benefit the field: incubated fifteen new specialty camps; invested in accessibility infrastructure and staff training to make 46 camps more inclusive of campers and staff with disabilities; provided professional development to more than 120 camp leaders; welcomed 3,000 returning counselors through FJC’s Cornerstone Fellowship; awarded more than 100,000 first-time camper grants through FJC’s One Happy Camper® program; and most recently, supported mental, emotional, social and spiritual health training at more than 100 day and overnight camps.
“As Jeremy enters his fourteenth year at the helm of the Foundation for Jewish Camp,” Idelson said, “the Hornstein Program is delighted to honor him with the Bernard Reisman Award in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Jewish life.”
About Jeremy J. Fingerman
Jeremy has served as the Chief Executive Officer for Foundation for Jewish Camp since 2010. Prior to joining FJC, he had a highly regarded 20+ year career in the consumer foods industry, beginning at General Mills, Inc, then at Campbell Soup Company, where he served as President of its largest Division, US Soup. In 2005, he was recruited to serve as CEO of Manischewitz.
Jeremy experienced many wonderful summers at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin as a child where he discovered the joy of Judaism and made lifelong friends. He started his Jewish communal work in high school, serving as international president of United Synagogue Youth. He since served on several philanthropic boards including Jewish Federation, Israel Bonds, American Friends of Magen David Adom, and his synagogues, and currently serves as Treasurer of JPRO, the North American professional association for Jewish communal practitioners.