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“My father and grandmother were very spiritual. Their Jewish community and Israel meant the world to them, and that’s why camp means so much to me, because it gave me the opportunity to strengthen my Jewish heritage.” – Rebekah Pariser Ferriel

Meet Rebekah Pariser Ferriel and Rachel Pariser Kellerman

In the wake of their father’s passing, sisters Rebekah Pariser Ferriel and Rachel Pariser Kellerman were entrusted with the stewardship of a memorial fund created by their grandmother, Dr. Roslyn Pariser. Of all the potential causes to fund, Rachel and Rebekah found that supporting Jewish summer camp scholarships was the best way to honor Ralph Pariser’s memory. 

“A lot of lifelong friendships were created [at summer camp]. I learned a lot of Jewish things in a natural way,” says Rebekah. “It’s a great way to remember and honor our dad. I think Rachel and I feel very fortunate to be running this scholarship that our grandmother started to keep our father’s memory alive.” 

It’s a great way to remember and honor our dad. I think Rachel and I feel very fortunate to be running this scholarship that our grandmother started to keep our father’s memory alive.” – Rebekah Pariser Ferriel

Together, these sisters have a wide array of Jewish summer camp memories that speak to why these experiences are so vital for establishing roots in the Jewish community. 

“I was a homebody so I never did the sleepaway camps, I was always a JCC day camp girl,” says Rachel. 

Rebekah on the other hand was ready to fly from the nest at an early age: “The earliest age you could go to JCC summer camp, I was there,” says Rebekah, who then went on to attend a wide array of sleepaway camps throughout her youth.

The memories and experiences shared during these stays at Jewish summer camp formed one of the cornerstones for these sisters’ lifelong commitment to a vibrant, inclusive Jewish community. Today, the Ralph Pariser Memorial Fund for Jewish Camping provides financial assistance to youth attending one of the JCC day camps and to those attending overnight Jewish camp.

“My father and grandmother were very spiritual. Their Jewish community and Israel meant the world to them, and that’s why camp means so much to me, because it gave me the opportunity to strengthen my Jewish heritage,” said Rebekah.

Rebekah and Rachel are proud that this scholarship fund widens access to Jewish camp for every child. 

“As a parent, I think it’s important for people to know there are lots of opportunities for their kids, regardless of their financial status,” says Rachel. “It can be overwhelming when it comes to the cost. We want people to know that there are lots of resources, whether through JewishColumbus or our father’s memorial fund, that make sending your child to camp doable, even if you think it may not be.” 

“It can be overwhelming when it comes to the cost. We want people to know that there are lots of resources, whether through JewishColumbus or our father’s memorial fund, that make sending your child to camp doable, even if you think it may not be.” – Rachel Pariser Kellerman

Rachel and Rebekah are thankful for JewishColumbus’ work to amplify the fund, as well as JewishColumbus’ continued efforts to raise funds that allow more kids to experience Jewish summer camp. 

“Sending your kids to Jewish camp means that they get to authentically be themselves and comfortable with who they are in their Jewish heritage,” says Rebekah.