It is generally acknowledged that two things provide outsized benefits to children (beyond loving, stable, nurturing families). One is early childhood Jewish education, specifically preschool programs, and the other is Jewish summer camp. The Jewish Federation of Greater Nashville supports both activities through scholarships and grants, but every year we find the demand far exceeds our capacity to provide all the support that is needed.
If you are a family with very young children of your own, or grandchildren of a certain age, you already know how much development — educational, cultural, social, and religious — occurs when the children are enrolled in Jewish preschool programs. You can see how the children blossom before your eyes, and you know that they are going to be better prepared for kindergarten and beyond because of their participation in these activities.
As the children get older and go off to Jewish sleepaway camps (like Ramah, Barney Medintz, Blue Star or Young Judea, for example), or participate in Jewish day camps, they make new friends and learn new skills. Studies consistently show that children who go to Jewish summer camps are more likely to be involved in Jewish life in college and beyond.
Since the cost of both preschool programs and summer camps is on an ever-increasing upward path, families have to weigh what they can afford against the obvious benefits. Sometimes, outside financial assistance is the only thing that makes attendance at either type of program possible.
We also know that, for some families, being able to send their children to preschool or summer camp is the only way for one or both wage earners to get and keep a job. Otherwise, the need for childcare drastically limits employment options.
The Federation wants to help every family send their kids to quality Jewish preschool programs or summer camps. This can be accomplished through grants or scholarships. However, we know that demand in both areas far exceeds the supply of available money. For example, for the 2026-2027 preschool year, the gap between tuition ($498,663) and what parents could pay ($221,093) was $277,570. We were only able to award $50,000 in grants, or about 18% of the unmet need.
This is where you can help. You can set up or contribute to designated funds for scholarships. You can make a larger contribution to the Federation’s Annual Campaign, which helps fund the preschool grants and camp scholarships. You can also contribute to existing camp funds established by others, so there is more money available for camp programs.
Currently, grants for preschool are made from Federation funds that come from the Annual Campaign. Scholarships for camps can come from similar campaign funds, as well as the One Happy Camper Fund. If you want to set up a Designated Fund to support a preschool program, or a particular Jewish summer camp, you could target your donations. Alternatively, you could make a more general donation to a Designated Fund that supported either preschool or summer camp programs, or both.
We can strategize with you to help you explore multiple funding options. We are available to assist you in making Jewish preschool and summer camp more widely available to a larger number of families. Contact any of the following for assistance: Michal Eskenazi Becker, chief impact and planning officer (michal@jewishnashville.org, office - 615-354-1696; Jason Sparks, chief development officer (jason@jewishnashville.org), office - 615-354-1639; or Barry Allen, director of planned giving and endowments (barry@jewishnashville.org, office - 615-354-1637. We are ready to partner with you to ensure the growth of proven programs that enhance Jewish identity, now and in the future.
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