Dear Friend,

Where to begin? Without a doubt, 2020 was one of the most tumultuous years in Tawonga’s history. In the face of so many personal challenges, our community showed up like never before. We are grateful to each of you who protected not only the financial foundation of Tawonga, but the values we hold dear. We met loss and disappointment with hope and resolve. We stayed connected.

This report calls attention to the many accomplishments of 2020 – in spite of the cancellation of our entire Camp season. We joined together for virtual Friday night song sessions, Tot Shabbats, Jewish holidays and more. We advanced our commitment to justice with online staff trainings, affinity spaces for Jews of color and teen workshops. Our third cohort of Tawonga B’nai Mitzvah students graduated!

Construction projects moved forward with gusto – some were completed and others broke ground. We also worked tirelessly to design a detailed plan for reopening Camp with the safest protocols in place.

Whether you’re the parent or grandparent of a camper, a Tawonga alum, a participant in local programs, a donor to Tawonga – or all of the above – we hope you will marvel at the resilience we found together in 2020.

Thank you for your dedication to Camp. We are Tawonga … together.

We are humbled by the overwhelming support of our emergency fundraising campaign, “Tawonga Together.” With our season cancelled and financial foundation at risk, Tawongans across generations were moved to step up. People who hadn’t been in touch with Tawonga in decades contributed; 418 current Camp families donated their 2020 fees back to us; and a whopping 505 people made a donation to Tawonga for the very first time.

In total, 1,400 donors contributed to our Tawonga Together campaign, sustaining the transformative magic of Tawonga for generations to come. You are the true changemakers of our community.

Here are just a few of the comments community members shared while donating:

“I’m not sure who I’d be today without this deeply meaningful and transformative community. Thank you for changing my life.”

“Thank you for your help in raising two wonderful daughters! May the same happen for many more!”

“This is for growing my love of the tall, tall trees. For a warm and vibrant Jewish community. For introducing me to Yosemite. And, for the many more children and families for whom you will do the same.”

Thank you to everyone who gave to Camp in 2020. Each gift has helped to safeguard Tawonga as a haven of joy, inspiration, spirituality and connection. Your support is a silver lining during this challenging time.

Click here to view all of our 2020 annual donors.

In 2020, Tawonga faced the hardest financial challenge in our organization’s history. After cancelling our entire 2020 season, we were left with a $4.2 million deficit. Here’s how you helped us bridge the gap:

This pie chart outlines how we made up the difference:

In a typical year, the support of Tawonga donors covers 20% of our budget – funding Camperships, program innovation and facility maintenance. In 2020, fundraised dollars covered almost 80% of our budget – our donors quite literally steadied our financial foundation.

Last year, as a moral reckoning gripped the nation, Tawonga’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) initiative – which began in 2019 – gained significant momentum and continued to hold steady as an agency priority. We asked ourselves how our outreach and programs could better include, center and empower more families and individuals of color.

Leading these efforts is Assistant Director Kiyomi Gelber, who identifies as a Jew of color. We secured critical funding and launched new programming; our year-round staff and Board of Directors participated in ongoing training to promote racial justice, gender inclusion and a culture of equity.

In addition to adding an inclusion track to our B’nai Mitzvah program and running social justice-themed programs for our teens, Tawonga hosted a Families of Color Hanukkah Celebration. After the Zoom gathering, one parent shared:

“As a family that mixes Mexican and Jewish cultures, we are so grateful that Tawonga is committed to building spaces where family cultural mixes are the norm. I am hopeful that this will help our boys grow up feeling understood, confident and whole.”Anna Dorman

Tawonga is committed to the transformation necessary for fully living the Jewish values of tzedek (justice), chesed (caring) and tikkun olam (repairing the world). We are approaching this work with humility and hope – and know we have a long way to go!

Tawonga (Zooming) Down the Mountain

When Tawonga’s 2020 at-Camp season was cancelled due to COVID-19, Tawongans yearned for that Camp ruach (spirit) more than ever – especially as an increasing number of community members claim Tawonga as their primary Jewish affiliation.

From the wildly popular and creative “Tawonga at Home” virtual offerings to a trailblazing B’nai Mitzvah Program and impactful social justice-themed teen leadership series, our local offerings last year filled a particularly pressing need for connection during a year that challenged us all.

“Thank you for filling my heart and soul with the unbelievably powerful Tawonga warmth this year – I felt the love from two states away through the amazing virtual programming! There is nothing harder to build than a sense of togetherness when we are separated, but wow – you all did the dang thing.” – Natalie Lyons-Cohen, Camper & Summer Staff Alum

Tawonga At Home

After a handful of in-person gatherings at the start of 2020 (including an inspiring women’s Shabbat with 50 participants spanning generations!), Tawongans of all ages embraced a slate of virtual “Tawonga at Home” programs: song sessions, Torah services, Tot Shabbats, talent shows and more. Meanwhile, our summer staff Zoomed into a dozen dynamic programs, often with a social or racial justice bent. Despite the physical distance, the Tawonga bond remained stronger than ever.

“It fills my heart all the way up to share the music and ruach of Camp with my daughter (2 years old). Already, it’s shaping who she is. Tot Shabbats hit all the crucial notes – silliness and awe and gratitude and community – all the things that Judaism means to me.”
– Rachael DeWitt, Camper & Summer Staff Alum

For a break from screens, many of you tuned into behind-the-scenes Camp stories with your host, Aaron Mandel, on Tawonga Radio. Listen below!

In case you missed it, take a peek at our Erev Rosh Hashanah Celebration

B’nai Mitzvah Program Evolves

In its fifth year since launching as a small pilot, Tawonga’s Bar, Bat and B’nai Mitzvah Program pivoted with tremendous innovation during the pandemic to keep the Jewish rite of passage meaningful (and safe) for our 130 students.

Our task? To teach, support and bring families together as they envision unique B’nai Mitzvah experiences that reflect who they are. We strove to stay true to our community-centered values while adjusting our program to a hybrid virtual and in-person structure that included classes, mentoring sessions, expanded parent education, nature retreats and service projects. Additional Shabbat services filled an increased need for connection while new at-home materials spared kids unnecessary screen time.

“We lent a pastoral ear in a way we never have before,” shared Meg Adler, Assistant Director of Jewish Life & Learning and leader of this program, which has become a national model for unaffiliated families. “We took care of people’s spirits.”

“When I was younger I had a subconscious curiosity for Judaism through the various prayers we did as a family. Tawonga’s B’nai Mitzvah Program (although I was skeptical at first!) has really increased that curiosity and deepened my knowledge of Jewish culture.”
– Jude Cox, 12 yrs old, Tawonga B’nai Mitzvah Student

Teen Leaders Take On Social Justice

We know teens have struggled in profound ways as they endured a year of social isolation and cancelled plans. For 25 rising 10th and 11th graders, Tawonga offered a bright spot of learning and growth through a social justice-themed teen leadership series last summer.

Teen participants were able to build community and connect with their peers while examining urgent social justice topics. They learned how to tangibly engage in this kind of work through the lens of Tawonga’s mission and Canon of Ethics. We will continue to build social justice into upcoming teen programming so that our future changemakers can get to work.

“This program helped me understand how I can make a difference. It pushed me to realize that even seemingly simple things like signing a petition and showing up with your voice can make an impact on social justice. It was an amazing opportunity.”
– Addison Lentzner, 16 years old

Tawonga Institute Takes Off

In August, we formally launched Tawonga Institute – the professional consulting arm of Camp Tawonga – to offer online training and one-on-one consulting services to individuals and organizations. Through workshops led by members of our executive and senior staff, emerging women-identifying professionals gained empowerment tools; parents learned how to manage power struggles with toddlers amidst a pandemic; colleagues across the Jewish and camping worlds shared roadmaps for leading organizations in a new remote, work-from-home landscape; and agencies across the Bay Area benefited from emergency preparedness and response training. Passing down the curated wisdom of a near century of organizational know-how couldn’t be more mission aligned.

Investing for the Next 95 Years in Tawonga’s Site

In Tawonga’s 95th year, stewardship of our precious property is one of our highest priorities. We are deeply grateful to the Tawongans of the 1920s who bought this land for us – free and clear – so that every donated dollar directly enriches the Tawonga experience.

In 2020, thanks to the generosity of donors who made significant gifts, we were able to complete several major upgrades to our buildings and grounds. Each of the projects listed below reflects our commitment to providing the best possible facilities with the highest regard for the natural environment.

Family Donor Spotlights

Families share why they choose to support Tawonga.

Annual Donors – It’s All Thanks to You!

The individuals and institutions that support Tawonga’s Annual Fund are the true changemakers. Thank you for impacting so many children, families and young adults. Your support makes all of this possible.

A Special Thanks

Thank you to the following extraordinarily generous supporters, who donated $100,000 or more in 2020. Tawonga is incredibly grateful for your investment during the hardest financial challenge in our organization’s history.

Anonymous
The Chizen Family
Leslie Family Foundation
Mark and Debra Leslie
Susan Wojcicki and Dennis Troper

Teens Thank Tawonga Donors

Tawonga Legacy Society

Our Legacy Society members secure Camp’s future by including Tawonga in their will, trust, retirement account, or life insurance policy. Thank you to our members – your investment is deeply appreciated.

Tawonga Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors is an inspiring group of professionals. With their vision, guidance and leadership, Tawonga is in amazing hands.

Tawonga Alumni Board

The Tawonga Alumni Board is comprised of young professionals who want to give back to Camp in deeper ways.