09/03/2025
Jewish Federation of Cleveland Announces 2025 Class of Mandel Myers Fellows
– The Jewish Federation of Cleveland announced today the 2025 cohort of Mandel Myers Fellows who worked as staff at select Jewish overnight summer camps. This year’s program featured a cohort of 81 fellows.
The “Mandel Myers Fellowship Program” – funded by five-year grants of $1,800,000 from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Supporting Foundation and a grant of $450,000 from the David and Inez Myers Foundation – was established in 2022 and enables Jewish overnight camps to attract and retain high-caliber staff, help students from Cleveland offset the costs associated with attending a four-year accredited university, and add professional development experience to the camp counselor role to make it more competitive with other internship opportunities. Returning overnight camp counselors receive a scholarship of $5,500. First-time overnight camp counselors receive a scholarship of $4,500.
“I realized the value of being a camp counselor from a very young age, and the Mandel Myers Fellowship has matched that value with financial assistance for my education,” said Shayna Caruso, a fourth-year fellow, counselor at Camp Wise and student at American University. “This fellowship is a unique opportunity that shows how the Cleveland Jewish community supports every part of our lives and helps us build successful futures in any career path.”
In addition to receiving a scholarship, fellows participated in three professional development workshops throughout the summer. Several fellows were matched with professionals in different career areas who serve as mentors in their field of interest.
“In just four years, the Mandel Myers Fellowship has supported nearly 300 young adults as they grow as leaders, mentors, and professionals,” said Melanie Halvorson, Vice President /Community Planning and Allocations at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland. “This program not only strengthens Jewish summer camps but also invests in the future of our community by giving young people the tools, experience, and support they need to succeed.”
The Mandel Myers Fellowship Program is a program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland and operates in partnership with Jewish Family Service Association and Foundation for Jewish Camp. For more information, contact Carly Dunno at cdunno@jewishcleveland.org or 216-593-2817
