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The Art Rotman Memorial Scholarship Fund for Camp JRF
Early in the 1960s, Art and Anita Rotman and a number of friends founded The Reconstructionist Synagogue of Montreal, Canada. Art was drawn to the writings of Mordecai Kaplan, which encouraged a reconstructed form of Judaism in North America that emphasized the importance of culture in Jewish life and reflected the evolving needs of modern day Jews.
Art's career in the Jewish Community Center movement embodied Kaplan's teachings. He devoted his entire professional life to the strengthening and enrichment of the Jewish community's health, identity, culture, spirit and intellect. He began this career working for the YM-YWHA of Montreal, and in 1968, he became the executive director of the JCC in Pittsburgh. In 1976 he joined the JCC Association of North America as the organization's chief professional officer, a position which he held for 18 years.
Throughout his life, Art continued to be active in the Reconstructionist movement, taking on leadership roles in congregations in Pittsburgh, New York, and Montclair, NJ.
Because of his keen interest in Jewish camps, Art and Anita were invited to visit the new site of Camp JRF in the Pocono Mountains of Northwestern Pennsylvania. They arrived on the hottest day of the summer and were overjoyed to see how beautiful the camp was. But what made the greatest impression was the spirit, or ruach, of the kids at the camp. Art and Anita fell in love with the place and became enthusiastic supporters.
When Art recently passed away, his family decided to establish the Art Rotman Memorial Scholarship Fund for Camp JRF. The Rotman family is encouraging donations be made to the fund from family and friends in Art's memory. Every summer, the fund will help a Jewish child experience the same energy and excitement that Art and Anita saw the day they first visited Camp JRF.
Donations can be made online by clicking the Art Rotman Memorial Scholarship Fund or by visiting jrf.org/development and clicking on the "Donate Now" button. Please be sure to note in the comment field that your gift is for the Rotman Fund. Learn more about Camp JRF.
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