Honoring a Legacy: Esther Duitch’s Impact on Camp and Beyond

This past summer, our camp community experienced a profound loss with the passing of Esther Duitch, beloved mother of our Executive Director, Zach Duitch. Esther was not only a dedicated and active member of the Jewish community, but also someone whose love and support for Camp Solomon Schechter was deeply felt. She had a strong connection to camp, having sent both of her sons, Zach and Jeremy, here for many summers. The values and friendships they formed at Schechter profoundly influenced their lives, leading both to careers in the Jewish world, where they continue to inspire others.

Esther’s legacy as a loving Bubie to her grandchildren Charley, Bayley, Jonah, and Mia, all of whom are Schechter campers, will always be cherished. Her love for them was unconditional, and she took immense pride in seeing them thrive at camp, building their own strong Jewish identities, and forming their own memories at camp.

In her honor, many have chosen to contribute to Camp Solomon Schechter, helping continue Esther’s legacy of ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the magic of camp. We are deeply moved by the overwhelming generosity, including a significant gift from Felice and Coleman Becker. Felice shared, “I treasured my summers with Jeremy at Schechter, as did so many of us, and I am forever grateful that Esther always made sure he was there. She was the sweetest mom ever.” Thanks to their gift, and so many others, we will be naming a cabin after Esther, ensuring that her spirit remains a part of Schechter for generations to come.

Fittingly, all donations made in her memory will go directly to our camp scholarship fund – something Esther held close to her heart. She believed deeply in the importance of camp and wanted to make sure that every child had the chance to experience it, just as her boys did. Her legacy lives on in the countless children who will now be able to attend Schechter thanks to these contributions.

If you would like to make a gift to the scholarship fund in Esther’s honor, you can do so here.

May her memory be a blessing.