Summer of Smiles

A Jewish camping experience is fundamental and life-shaping.

Each year, JCC Chicago receives hundreds of requests for financial support from families deeply impacted by job loss, illness, divorce, children with special needs, or other difficult life circumstances. The JCC Women’s Board is committed to ensuring that every family who wants and needs a JCC Chicago camp experience will be served regardless of their ability to pay.

Help put a smile on a child’s face and make a real difference in his or her life by contributing to the Summer of Smiles campaign.

Make a Gift

The JCC Women’s Board seeks gifts to fuel a scholarship endowment, which will ensure that future generations of campers can rely on JCC Chicago for financial support.

An endowment gift of $5,000 generates a minimum annual gift of $250 for camp scholarships and leaves a legacy in perpetuity; a gift of $50,000 generates $2,500 in scholarship support, equal to the average annual award for three children in day camp or one child enrolled in Camp Chi.

To learn more about endowment opportunities and how your gift today will support children for years to come, please email Ali Friduss, or call 224.406.9213.

The JCC Chicago Endowment Foundation is established in partnership with the Jewish United Fund/Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago’s Agency Endowment Program; all commitments to the Endowment Foundation for the benefit of the “JCC Women’s Auxiliary Endowment Fund” are recognized as gifts to the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago.

A Tribute Card is a wonderful way to honor a loved one’s memory, wish a friend a speedy recovery, rejoice in a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, acknowledge a child’s naming/dedication, wish a couple Mazel Tov on their wedding or anniversary, or celebrate any simcha.  Your kindness will support the Summer of Smiles campaign.

Select from two Tribute Card packets. We will send them to you at the address provided.

$100 donation: Gold/Silver Tribute Pack (includes 10 cards)

$50 donation: Camp-themed Pack (includes 10 cards)

*Both packets include lines for a personal note and the following message: JCC Women’s Board has received a contribution.

To purchase JCC Chicago Women’s Board Tribute cards please email your inquiry to womensboard@jccchicago.org, please include Tribute cards in the subject line.

The Women’s Board hosts events throughout the year such as Decks, Dots & Desserts and group blocks to theater shows.

Our most recent event was:

Decks, Dots & Desserts

This was our 5th Annual Game Night hosted by the JCC Women’s Board. 100% of the event proceeds benefited JCC Chicago camp scholarship programs.

Board of Directors
President

Joyce Gerstein

Vice Presidents

Bette Feinerman
Julia S. Gerstein
Barbara B. Hochwert*
Barbara K. Katz*
Chickie Rosen*
Arlene Ruff*
Renee Soltan

Treasurer

Caryn G. Putterman*

Secretary

Madelon Gryll*

Directors

Janice Bernstein
Linda Dickens
Carole Feldman
Elaine Frank^*
Darlene Gilford*
Fran Grossman*
Judy Hecktman
Mari Schoen Hirsh
Sheila Jacobson
Liane Joseph
Carole Latimer*
Saralyn Levine*
Alicia R. Lieberman
Laurie F. Lieberman*
Karen B. Lutz*
Marisa Mandrea
Gail P. Manning*
Barbara P. Newman
Josi Rein
Suzie Ritter
Helen Schechtman*
Susan Spector**
Karen Sperber
Ileana Stone
Sandra Wanger*
Ellen Wolff

*Past Presidents
**Honorary Director
^In Memoriam

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