BB Camp’s Koplan graduates from leadership institute

By Jewish Review

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B’nai B’rith Camp Director Michelle Koplan was one of the 19 inaugural graduates of The Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Executive Leadership Institute. She was honored at a special graduation ceremony in Boca Raton, Fla.

Keynote speaker Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of Home Depot and Chairman of The Marcus Foundation, stressed to the graduates the significance of camps’ role in the continuity of Jewish identity. In addition, he emphasized the importance of staff development and training. He strongly encouraged the camp directors to learn from others in the field.

Funded by The Marcus Foundation, ELI is designed to teach seasoned camp executives the leadership, management and business skills required to lead camps in the 21st Century, while weaving in Jewish values and ethics. It has been characterized as an executive MBA program for Jewish camping professionals.

The graduation ceremony was the culmination of the 14-month program, which included seven professional development seminars, as well as executive coaching, training in camp management and marketing, and the sharing of successful strategies for creating program excellence.

“When I applied for FJC’s Executive Leadership Institute, I felt BB Camp was at a pivotal stage in our existence” said Koplan. “What I didn’t realize, is that it was I who was at a pivotal stage in leading my camp in a new direction. ELI provided me with an incredible opportunity to gain new skills and tools to assist me in evolving my position into an executive director’s role. ELI’s program allowed me to become more strategic in executing our camp’s mission and vision, as well as gave me new confidence, leadership and management skills.”

According to Jerry Silverman, FJC president, “Our most prized asset today is our camp directors; investing in their continued growth is critical to the future of Jewish camping and the Jewish community as a whole.”