Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center
Encyclopedia
Summer camp
Summer camp is a supervised program for children or teenagers conducted during the summer months in some countries. Children and adolescents who attend summer camp are known as campers....
offering Jewish working women, primarily immigrants in the New York garment industry, an affordable vacation. The camp paid for their vacation and reimbursed campers for lost wages. In 1936, the agency’s name was changed to Camp Isabella Freedman in honor of the philanthropist and board member.
In 1956, Camp Freedman moved to its current home in Falls Village, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, and instituted residential programs for Jewish senior adults, which have continued every summer since. In the early 1990s, Camp Freedman opened its doors year-round. Today, over 30 Jewish organizations spanning the denominational spectrum hold retreats at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.
In 1994, Freedman developed the Teva Learning Center
Teva Learning Center
The Teva Learning Center is a Jewish-based environmental education 501 non-profit organization that teaches about Judaism and the environment at Jewish day schools, summer camps and Hebrew schools...
with Surprise Lake Camp, an innovative experiential learning program for Jewish elementary school students that combines ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
, Jewish spirituality
Spirituality
Spirituality can refer to an ultimate or an alleged immaterial reality; an inner path enabling a person to discover the essence of his/her being; or the “deepest values and meanings by which people live.” Spiritual practices, including meditation, prayer and contemplation, are intended to develop...
, and environmental activism
Activism
Activism consists of intentional efforts to bring about social, political, economic, or environmental change. Activism can take a wide range of forms from writing letters to newspapers or politicians, political campaigning, economic activism such as boycotts or preferentially patronizing...
. In 2003, Isabella Freedman launched ADAMAH: The Jewish Environmental Fellowship, a leadership training program in which young adults live communally and engage in a hands-on curriculum that integrates organic farming
Organic farming
Organic farming is the form of agriculture that relies on techniques such as crop rotation, green manure, compost and biological pest control to maintain soil productivity and control pests on a farm...
and sustainable living skills with Jewish learning and living. The Hazon
Hazon
Hazon is a nonprofit organization, based in New York City, that seeks to create new vision in the Jewish community through outdoor and environmental education...
NY Jewish Environmental Bike Ride started from the IFJRC from 2004-2007. On February 16, 2006 Freedman announced the planned merger of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and the Elat Chayyim Jewish Retreat Center.