Schechter Spark

The Atkins Family

Portland Honorees

The Atkins family’s journey with Camp Solomon Schechter is a story of deep-rooted dedication spanning four generations. The first Atkins camper was Marci Moskowitz Atkins, who first joined Schechter’s community in the mid-1960s on Whidbey Island. In the camp’s earliest days, Marci’s father, Ed Moskowitz (z”l), joined Rabbi Stampfer (z”l) and other pioneers from across the Pacific Northwest to secure our current location in Tumwater, where camp continues to flourish today.

The Schiller Family

Seattle Honorees

The Schiller family’s relationship with Camp Solomon Schechter spans generations, and each member embodies the Jewish value of l’dor v’dor, or “from generation to generation.” The late parents of Alan, Mike, and David Schiller, who grew up in a post-World War II world marked by anti-Semitism, instilled in their children a resilient Jewish identity and deep sense of community. Through Camp Solomon Schechter, the Schiller family found not only a home for Jewish expression but also a foundation for lifelong friendships, leadership, and purpose – experiences they are dedicated to passing down to the next generation in the face of rising anti-Semitism today.

The Siegel Family

British Columbia Honorees

Camp Solomon Schechter has been the foundation for the Siegel family’s dedication to a life of Jewish learning, service, community, and most importantly, joy. When Howard Siegel first arrived at camp on Whidbey Island in 1961, from a life in Spokane, WA with little Jewish connection, his experiences led him down a path toward the Conservative rabbinate, a Jewish family, and a life of Jewish service that continues to take him to congregations across the US and into Vancouver, BC.

Lisa & Andrew Altow

Lisa and Andrew have a strong connection to camp, which has played a pivotal role in their lives. While they were both campers at Schechter, they met instead at a party hosted by a friend’s father, who was hoping to find a nice Jewish girl for his son. However, Lisa and Andrew ended up falling in love and eventually got married.

Eva Corets, Rochelle Huppin, Wendy Rosen, and Karen Twain

Eva Corets, Rochelle Huppin, Wendy Rosen, and Karen Twain (originally from Bellevue, Spokane, Mercer Island, and Portland, respectively) connected in the early 1970’s at Camp Solomon Schechter, and have been friends for the 50 years since then!

Melissa & Matt Korch

They do not remember the exact day they met, but as young Jews in the Pacific Northwest, Melissa and Matt crossed paths as campers and at USY events in high school. They knew of each other as camp counselors, but first connected as boys’ and girls’ side supervisors during the summer of 2007, and have been together ever since.

Yvonne Rosenberg and Sharon Stern

Yvonne Rosenberg and Sharon Stern met in the early 1960’s, when Camp Solomon Schechter was located at Camp Casey on Whidbey Island, and serviced fewer than 90 campers per session. The girls lived upstairs in the rooms above the Chadar Ha Ochel, and knew each other well. At the end of summer, Yvonne and Sharon wrote letters back and forth before re-meeting in Vancouver in 1975 and starting families.

Saskia & Gordon Schaeffer

Gordon and Saskia Schaeffer have been devoted members of the Camp Solomon Schechter community for many years. Gordon’s lifelong connection to camp spans his time as a camper, board member, and president, as well as his ongoing hands-on volunteerism, including helping build the Schaeffer Teva Trail. Saskia’s involvement began as camp nurse and has continued through dedicated service on the Health and Safety and Fundraising committees. Together, their love of camp has shaped their family’s life and enriched the Schechter community in lasting ways.

Judith & Garry Kahn

Judith & Garry Kahn were unable to attend Jewish summer camp when they were children. Judith, whose father was a Portland Hazan, kept kosher, and there were no local kosher camps when she was young. That, of course, changed when Rabbi Joshua Stampfer created Camp Solomon Schechter. As soon as Garry & Judith’s oldest son, David, was eligible to attend, the Kahns became a Schechter family. The Kahns knew and trusted that the camp, run by Rabbi Joshua & Goldie Stampfer, would provide a safe, fun, and educational experience. David was followed by Steven, Robert, and then Sarah, all of whom attended CSS for as long as they were able, and most of whom spent at least one summer employed at camp.

Gerry & Gene (z”l) Huppin

More info coming soon!

Goldie (z”l) & Rabbi Joshua (z”l) Stampfer

In 1952, a young, vibrant Rabbi and his family, the Stampfers, moved from Nebraska to Portland. To his dismay, the local Jewish camp was not kosher. Rabbi Stampfer recognized the need for a camp that would serve all Jewish families. By the end of 1954, they had founded Camp Solomon Schechter.

Learn more about Goldie (z”l) & Rabbi Joshua (z”l) Stampfer.