For an update on this post and the response, check out:

A response and update regarding camps supporting Israel, its military, and anti-Palestinian racism

There are countless explanations for why summer camps are good for kids. They’re said to build social and emotional skills, independence, collaboration, confidence, inclusion, and belonging. But what happens when camps support a genocidal State? Well, in Canada, those camps often get tax breaks and support from camping associations. It’s time to expose these connections and demand an end government subsidies. Let’s dive in. (Ready to do something already? Click here to take action!)

Ontario Camps Association (OCA)

The OCA “supports, advances, promotes and accredits camps throughout Ontario.” Its values include integrity, respect, responsibility, inclusiveness, caring, and openness. However…The Executive Director, Joy Levy, is a Zionist who publicly supports Israel, its military, and promotes anti-Palestinian racism. She has public posts on Instagram where she is: holding a “IDF Flag”, showing a sign that reads “FREE PAGERS 4 TERRORISTS”, and visiting an Israeli military base 1 kilometre from Gaza.

In May 2025, Levy also posted about raising $20K to bring Israeli staff to Canada. This was reportedly done in collaboration with Camp Canada. Not only was Levy in attendance, but so was Lea Randall and Jenna Purther, two other OCA staff members.

All of this raises serious concerns about Levy’s leadership ability at OCA. But, clearly, it is not isolated to Levy. In addition to other staff, the Board of Directors also seem implicated. OCA published a “Statement on Antisemitism” (updated in 2025 by the Board and Levy).

In that, they promote the IHRA definition of antisemitism. They also state, “our primary concern is always the safety and well-being of campers, and we work continuously with our members to strengthen the inclusive experiences that define the camping world.” Finally, they cite to resources from B’nai Brith, CIJA, and Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center — all of which espouse pro-Israel, Zionist perspectives. There are only two other statements on the OCA website; one on the “Forest Fires” and another regarding the “Vancouver Lapu Lapu Tragedy.” But, the issues are not isolated to one person or association.

Overnight Summer Camps

We have identified at least 17 overnight summer camps throughout Canada that support the State of Israel in some way. These camps are not problematic because they encourage connection to Jewish identity. Rather, they pose a problem because they encourage support for a genocidal, settler-colonial State. This support ranges from celebrating Israel’s “Independence Day” – a celebration of the Nakba, Naksa, and ongoing genocide – to employing Israeli military personnel as staff. Of the 17, 10 are in Ontario, 3 in Quebec, and 1 each in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia. All but one of these camps offer tax receipts for donations. Many also receive government funding.

Support for Israel

All 17 camps show support for Israel in one way or another. For example, “Israel” is one of the main tenets of Camp Massad Manitoba. They say, “Camp Massad instills in all campers a respect and love for Eretz Israel and its diverse peoples, cultures, history, and geography. Campers are educated and enlightened about Israel.” They also “adopted and fully suppor[t] the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, including the accompanying illustrative examples that guide its understanding and application.” Like many others, Camp Solelim for instance, enmeshes the connection to Jewish identity with connection to Israel. Their website states, “At Solelim, we don’t “teach” Israel: we experience it with all our senses. The sounds of Israeli top 40 echoing through the campsite. The colourful building signs in Hebrew and in English. The smell of zatar sprinkled on top of pita roasted over an open campfire…” Not only does this show the entrenchment of Israel in camp life, it also demonstrates the appropriation of West Asian and Palestinian culture.

Hiring Israeli Staff, including Israeli Military Members

Many camps, including Camp BB Riback, Camp Miriam, BB Camp Kenora, Camp Ramah in Canada, and Camp Gesher hire Israeli staff. This is concerning because military service is required in Israel. Therefore, there is a real possibility that these individuals were or are members of the Israeli military. This is not an abstract possibility. Multiple camps proudly and publicly share their staff connections to the Israeli military. For example:

• Camp Kadimah’s Head of Camper Care, Sharon Friedberg, is “an IDF veteran with strong ties to Israel.”
• Camp Northland BB hosted Barak Malichi, a member of the Israeli military who has posted clips of himself in Gaza ‘joking’ about eating humanitarian aid.
• One of Camp Biluim’s Head Counsellors, Liry, is an Israeli military veteran who “served as a Mashakit Tash in Givati unit during the war.”
• Camp Moshava Ennismore’s Head Chef in 2023 was a “chef in the IDF for 3 years.” Their Head Chef in 2024, Yehudah Jacobs, is the founder of the non-profit Smiles for the Kids “which feeds IDF soldiers weekly…” They’ve also hired individuals living in illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, such as Chaim Marcus who lives in Gush Etzion. In this case, Marcus was also a member of the Israeli military, on “the front lines”, in October 2023. Camp Moshava Ennismore also hired a “Duvdevan IDF commander” and his wife in 2023 for “special programming.”

Showing Support for the Israeli Military

Other camps, while not publicly advertising their staff as “IDF”, show their support online. For instance:

• The Harry Bronfman Y Country Camp (YCC) honours Yom HaZikaron, a remembrance day for Israeli soldiers. The YCC leadership team also travelled to Israel in April 2025. While there, they met with “IDF Major (res.) Gilad Kabilow” and “discussed the intersection of politics and defense intelligence in Israel.”
• Camp Timberlane has posted at least one photo with a member of the Israeli military in Israel. They are part of OneFamily Canada which actively fundraises for “war relief” efforts. (The Director of Camp Timberlane, Corey Mandell, also appears to be close with Doug Ford).
• Meanwhile, Camp Massad Canada posted a reel which included a poster that read “I ♥️ IDF”.

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