Season’s Greetings from Helene Mattera, Executive Director

The holiday season is a time when I find myself reflecting on what I am grateful for. It is hard to believe that 2020 will mark my 12th summer with Camp Rising Sun. I clearly remember sitting in my high school’s conference room, sixteen years old and having my first interview with an LAJF staff member. That Helene, sitting nervously in 1997, could never have imagined the life-changing impact of that moment. How my eyes would be opened to a world full of passionate people working on the worlds’ problems. That friends I would make at sixteen would last a lifetime. That I would forever be part of a multi-generational, international network of allies. That young woman had no idea of the life in store for her after participating in Camp Rising Sun.  

This year, I had the privilege to visit with more than one hundred alumni. In my quest to learn more about the creation of the girls’ program, I met with amazing alumnae from 1989 and the LAJF visionaries who conceived of the initiative. My travels led me to Boston in the Winter and Europe in the Fall for the Stendis Reunion. These trips allow me to reconnect with our values by hearing the stories of our alums: alums working in college campus diversity, innovation in technology, teaching and running schools, politics and beyond. I leave each meeting feeling inspired by the ripple effect our program has had on the world. 

Year after year, the cycle continues, widening our circle of alumni and supporters. I am humbled to think of the hundreds of dedicated alumni and supporters who have given so much of themselves to continue the legacy of our program. From the founder, George “Freddie” Jonas, to the campers from the 1930’s and 1940’s. These original campers have grown up to take care of the organization for decades and have now passed the torch from one generation to the next. As we approach 100 years, I am curious and eager to see what is next for LAJF. In what ways will our program be just the same as the founder designed it, and how we will be different? In what ways will we expand and grow by our 100th birthday?

In 2020 we will be celebrating 90 years of Camp Rising Sun with a gala in New York City and a big summer reunion at Camp. We want this to be the year of reconnection for alumni. Our leadership team will be traveling to every alumni association next year and want to connect with each of you. Stay tuned for our travel itinerary and for ways to be involved in celebrating our 90th anniversary!

Happy Holidays,

Helene Mattera, LMSW
Executive Director
CRS ’97, ’98, ’00, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19