Last month, the Shalom Institute, which operates a popular overnight summer camp that was destroyed in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, marked a new beginning during a hopeful event for its camp community.
On May 18, Shalom Institute dedicated the following new spaces on its Alan D. Leve Campus in the Malibu mountains: its Annette M. Leve Amphitheater; Spatz Wunderlich Family Ropes Course and Adventure Center; and the Kaplan Family Nature Grove.
“These new facilities represent more than just buildings — they are places where community connections will flourish for generations to come,” Shalom Institute CEO Rabbi Bill Kaplan said. “From the ashes of the Woolsey Fire, we are creating vibrant spaces that will enhance community in meaningful ways.”
Last month’s event, “Ashes to Blossoms: Rebuilding a Jewish Community Gem,” coincided with the organization’s multiyear rebuilding process, which includes a multi-phase $90 million capital campaign to relaunch Shalom Institute’s Malibu campus. It was held nearly seven years since the Shalom Institute was destroyed in the Woolsey Fire of 2018.
The campus rebuild is happening in three phrases. To date, the organization has raised 82% of the funds it needs to complete phase-one, a $55 million campaign that paves the way for Camp JCA Shalom — Shalom Institute’s overnight summer camp for kids in grades 2-12 — to return to its Malibu campus. Since 2019, Camp JCA Shalom has operated from rental sites.
To date, Shalom Institute has raised $45 million of its $55 million goal, according to the Shalom Institute website.
At the recent event, attendees enjoyed a kosher brunch, participated in a campus rebuild tour and experienced camp through ziplining, a ropes course, nature hike and crafts. Among the stops on the tour were the campus’ Retreat Center and Aquatics Center, which are currently undergoing construction.
Those in attendance included donors and community leaders, including LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath, Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles CEO Rabbi Aaron Lerner and Shalom Institute Capital Campaign Chair Larry Cohen.
“Community is the heartbeat of our campus,” Cohen said. “We are curating a space that brings people together, fostering meaningful connections and a profound sense of belonging. Through shared experiences, this will be a place where individuals from all walks of life can thrive as part of a vibrant community.”
Under Lerner’s leadership, the Jewish Community Foundation of Los Angeles has supported the Shalom Institute’s capital campaign. The Shalom Institute was among the Foundation’s 2023 Next Stage Grants recipients. The grant provides up to $300,000 and aims to strengthen the internal operations of local Jewish nonprofits.
“With the Next Stage grant, we’re helping to ensure this sacred space, rebuilt from the ashes of the Woolsey Fire, and it’s hard to imagine sitting here that this space was ashes,” Lerner said during the gathering in Malibu.
According to the Shalom Institute, additional philanthropic supporters have included Harold Grinspoon Foundation, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Foundation for Jewish Camp and Jewish Federation Los Angeles.
Powered entirely by solar energy, the amphitheater was designed to accommodate more than 500 people and will host performances, lectures, gatherings and cultural events. The ropes course and adventure center, meanwhile, features three zip lines, a “skypark” and climbing wall and has elements accessible for group challenges and individuals with diverse abilities.
According to the Shalom Institute website, construction is in progress on an aquatics center and the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Village, while facilities “in development” include a dining hall, eco village and conference and arts center.
As to when Shalom Institute programs will return to its Malibu campus, Natalie Shapiro, the marketing and communications manager at Shalom Institute, told The Journal no specific date has been set.
“We are focused on the campaign goal, the excitement of the spaces that have been built, like the amphitheater, and construction in progress, without identifying a move-back date yet,” Shapiro said.
Established 74 years ago, Shalom Institute is a camp, conference and retreat center in Southern California. Along with Camp JCA Shalom, Shalom Institute programs include Camp Gesher, the only camp in North America for campers from Russian-speaking families; Sherut L’Olam, which build advocacy skills in teens; and Shemesh Farms, an employer of adults with neuro and physically diverse abilities.
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