Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center

Originally incorporated in 1893 as the Jewish Working Girls Vacation Society, the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center was established as a summer camp offering Jewish working women, primarily immigrants in the New York garment industry, an affordable vacation. The camp paid for their vacation and reimbursed campers for lost wages. In 1936, the agency’s name was changed to Camp Isabella Freedman in honor of the philanthropist and board member.

In 1956, Camp Freedman moved to its current home in Falls Village, Connecticut, and instituted residential programs for Jewish senior adults, which have continued every summer since. In the early 1990s, Camp Freedman opened its doors year-round. Today, over 30 Jewish organizations spanning the denominational spectrum hold retreats at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center.

In 1994, Freedman developed the Teva Learning Center with Surprise Lake Camp, an innovative experiential learning program for Jewish elementary school students that combines ecology, Jewish spirituality, and environmental activism. In 2003, Isabella Freedman launched ADAMAH: The Jewish Environmental Fellowship, a leadership training program in which young adults live communally and engage in a hands-on curriculum that integrates organic farming and sustainable living skills with Jewish learning and living. The Hazon NY Jewish Environmental Bike Ride started from the IFJRC from 2004-2007. On February 16, 2006 Freedman announced the planned merger of the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center and the Elat Chayyim Jewish Retreat Center.