Camp Kesher began in 2007 through the efforts of Son of David congregational leader Scott Brown as an initiative of the Kesher group of congregations in the Washington DC/Baltimore area. It was essentially the rebirth of a camp that was run by Chosen People Ministries called Simchat Yeladim in the 1980’s and 90’s by Rabbi Larry Feldman.
Scott Brown, who now serves with Chosen People Ministries in New Zealand, turned Camp Kesher over to other local leaders when he moved to New Zealand. A couple of years after that Camp Kesher came back under the direction of Chosen People Ministries with the congregations of the Mid-Atlantic region still heavily involved. We now serve campers from congregations throughout the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions, with kids coming from as far north as Boston and as far south as North Carolina!
In 2020, Camp Kesher expands to the West Coast! We are changing Camp Sar Shalom to Camp Kesher West.
Chosen People Ministries was founded in Brooklyn, New York in 1894 by Leopold Cohn, a Hungarian immigrant rabbi who encountered and came to believe in Yeshua as Messiah. Rabbi Cohn saw physical and spiritual needs in the Jewish community around him, and he responded! Since then, Chosen People Ministries has grown and now ministers in 17 countries globally.
Chosen People Ministries desires to see Jewish people come into a saving relationship with their Messiah. We have many workers who creatively evangelize and disciple Jewish seekers on the streets, university campuses, in congregations, and around a friend’s dining table. Sometimes a spiritual need cannot be met until the physical needs are met. Chosen People Ministries has benevolence ministries including food and clothing distribution, visiting of shut-ins and other practical aid. There is no limit when it comes to fulfilling the Lord’s command to make Him known.
Chosen People Ministries loves to invest in young people for the growth of the next generation, to lead our Messianic Jewish Movement in reaching those who don’t yet know Yeshua. That is why we happily host Camp Kesher!