It’s a shame the person giving $2 million to Camp Swig wants to remain anonymous. The Atherton donor deserves thanks and praise from Jewish families throughout California.
That generous donor has performed the highest of mitzvot. The gift has saved a Jewish camp, a facility that instills Jewish values in our children.
So many of today’s Jewish leaders in the Bay Area and beyond revel in their childhood memories of Camp Swig, or of other Jewish camps such as Tawonga.
Those summer experiences have helped shape a generation of dedicated Jews. And many will freely admit how much an influence Swig had in forming their Jewish consciousness.
While the new Camp Newman in Sonoma Country has taken a burden off of the overcrowded Swig, it was clear that Newman is a long way off from handling all the kids who want to experience a Reform movement camp. Even after enough money is raised to add more facilities to Newman, an ever-growing enrollment will probably keep both camps busy for years to come.
Only a year ago, the Reform movement came close to selling Swig. The Union of American Hebrew Congregations thought it could never afford the cost of repairing the dilapidated plumbing, sewage and dormitories that sit on top of an earthquake fault. Thankfully, the anonymous Atherton donor thought overwise.
The gift not only saves the 190-acre camp in Saratoga but it also saves the Jo Naymark Holocaust memorial chapel with its beautiful entrance, featuring tiles hand-painted by hundreds of campers over the years.
It is now up to the Reform movement to use the $2 million donation wisely and to restore Camp Swig to its former splendor.
Again, we owe our thanks to the anonymous giver who will make that rebirth possible.