Helene’s CRS STORY

Twenty-six years ago my life was changed by Camp Rising Sun. Since then I have shown my gratitude by working as a counselor, volunteering at Camp, serving on committees and now leading the Foundation. Every day I work at Louis August Jonas Foundation, I dedicate myself to preserving Camp Rising Sun so that future campers can have an experience as memorable and profound as my own. That’s why we need you to support our mission of bringing promising kids together from around the world to develop leadership skills and bring lasting change to their communities.

“I give because each day I live a life which would not have been possible without the trajectory-altering experience of CRS.”

Camp Rising Sun is about more than a fun time in the woods, hanging out in the camper’s lounge, or making new friends (though of course, it’s about those things too!) It’s about transcending the cultural barriers that divide us to create a microcosm of a better world. It’s about fostering coexistence among people of different nationalities, races, and religions. It’s about taking kids who differ in cultural background and socioeconomic status to find out what makes them similar and what they have to learn from one another. We are a community in which differences are celebrated. We pride ourselves on open-mindedness, seeking further understanding rather than deeper divides. We will stand with our principles of acceptance and love no matter what is happening in the political climate of the world. We will continue to open our doors and serve as a safe place for young people of every faith, culture, gender and political beliefs.

Leading and serving the community we had built together made me excited for the future, just as I am now excited to provide an opportunity for future campers to create long-lasting memories of their own. The camp has a powerful, meaningful legacy to the people whose lives it has touched, and it’s important to all of us to do whatever we can to maintain that legacy.  I also demonstrate my appreciation by donating to the annual fund. After high school, I started by giving $20 and then after college, $200. I clearly remember writing a check for $1,000 in 2009 - the year that Camp was closed - when I was just 29 working at a community center in the Bronx. In my lifetime, I have contributed more than $20,000 to the LAJF and it remains one of my top philanthropic priorities.

Private practice allergist/immunologist in northeastern Massachusetts. Previously at Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School for 25 years. Born in New York, NY and lived in Venezuela, Brazil, California and Massachusetts. My education includes Stuyvesant High School (New York, NY), Harvard College, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (New York), City University of New York (Ph.D.), Tufts Children’s Hospital (Pediatrics) and Boston Children’s Hospital (Allergy/Immunology). I have carried Camp inside me for more than 40 years and I have enjoyed every opportunity to give back.

Tony'S CRS STORY

When you hear people talk about their Camp Rising Sun experiences, the two descriptions that come up most often are “transformative and “life changing” – I feel the same. At Camp, I truly understood what “common humanity” means for the first time. I learned that beneath the surface of culture and experience, we are all more similar than we are different. For all of our campers, this deliberate lesson engenders respect for others and encourages us to be open to what we may learn from one another. Take a look at what’s going on in the world today. It’s obvious that mutual respect and understanding are in short supply.

Hooman is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital and runs a busy Cardiology practice in Manhattan. Following matriculation from Cornell University and University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine he finished Internal Medicine Residency and Cardiology Fellowship at NewYork Hospital. He chairs the Morbidity and Mortality conference and is a member of the Department of Medicine Quality Assurance Committee, Department of Medicine Residency Interview and Selection Committee. He has been elected to New York Magazine's Best Doctors several years running. He is vice president of the Association of Practicing Physicians at New York Hospital and the Medical Director of Plantable, a Whole Food Plant-Based Healthcare company. He was born in Iran and emigrated with his family in 1979. He lives with his wife (Deborah) and sons (Kion and Liyam) in Westchester.

HOOMAN'S CRS STORY 

CRS was a transformational experience which highlighted the potential of our shared humanity to help find solutions for the world's problems. It created a transcendent hope that our shared humanity can anchor and forward conflict resolution. CRS helps us discover the ways that we are alike through investigating what makes us different. Through this path I hope that CRS will continue to light a fire in teenagers that will illuminate a life trajectory to better out communities and the world.

Currently an Executive Coach and Leadership Consultant based in Palo Alto, CA, Tim’s first career was in the banking and investment industries. During that time, he worked outside of the United States for 25 years, in Hong Kong, London and Dubai. He served as the CEO of a securities firm in HK, and also worked in JP Morgan, Lehman Brothers and Citibank. He earned his BA from the University of Chicago, and later his MA in Counseling from Santa Clara University. Married to Helen, with two children, Bryan (CRS’13) and Jeanette (CRS ’13). Tim is a triathlete and marathoner.

TIM'S CRS STORY

When I was a teenager, I was lucky to attend Camp Rising Sun. Those two summers, I lived with other boys my age, and I learned what it meant to be a servant leader... In a safe space – where my voice and presence was seen and valued – I learned confidence, humility, risk-taking, and open-mindedness, the capacity to explore and broaden my horizons. I serve on the board of LAJF because I hope we can continue to offer CRS programs to young people around the world, encouraging them to become cross-cultural leaders, serving with compassion and understanding.

Strategic Planning Director retired from Emerson in June 2019. Tim has 40+ years of business experience in a variety of functions including purchasing, manufacturing, design, finance, sales, marketing, M&A activities, business development, and strategic planning. Tim has a BSME from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from the Sloan School of Management.

Tim has contributed on the Board of the Minnesota Alumni Association since 2009 and is currently serving as the Minnesota Alumni Association President. Tim has contributed to LAJF as a Committee member of the Strategic Planning Team since 2012. He joined the LAJF Board in 2015 and began serving as the President Elect in 2016. Tim started his term as Board President in 2017 and still serves on the Executive Committee. Tim has spearheaded a number of projects including the alumni survey in 2015, driving the development of the 2017-21 strategic plan, and led the Ad Hoc Solar Team which resulted in the Clinton Solar installation in the summer of 2022. Married to Donna, Tim has 3 adult children that have all married and have a total of 7 grandchildren. Tim is passionate about grandkids, cars, climate, and DEI topics.

TIM'S CRS STORY

I attended Camp at a time when traveling outside my rural community felt like a challenge for me. Camp allowed me to connect with other people from across the world who brought with them both experiences, perspectives and cultures vastly different from my own. This changed my fears of the greater world and increased my wonder and curiosity about others. Professionally, I was able to translate this into working effectively with people around the world as an employee of a multinational Fortune 100 firm. Further, when I think of the values and lessons I learned at Camp Rising Sun, I see a prescription for the divisive headwinds in our current world.

Cindy is in-house legal counsel at Spotify. She previously worked for public television, in the federal government, and at a large law firm. She earned her J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and her B.A. from The New School. Cindy was raised in South Brooklyn where she went to John Dewey High School and currently lives in Chelsea, Manhattan.

CINDY'S CRS STORY

As a camper in 1989 (the first year of the girls' camp!), my horizons were broadened and I learned so much from fellow campers from all backgrounds and from all over the world. As a board member, I am inspired by the newer campers and their passion to make the world a better and more unified place; and I am in awe of their strength and ability to put in the work to lead us all to a better future. In the current state of the world, I see nothing more important than empowering the youth to reach their potential and set them on a path to achieve social change for the betterment of all society.

Inna Kuvich is a strategy and marketing professional focused on consumer-packaged goods. She currently leads Demand Strategy at Pernod Ricard USA, putting consumer insights at the heart of portfolio strategy decisions. Prior to that role, Inna was a Senior Manager in Retail & Consumer Products at Deloitte Consulting, which is where she started her career after graduating college. Her areas of focus are driving organizational transformation through capability design, consumer insights, and marketing.

She has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Cornell in Applied Economics and Management. She lives in New York City and enjoys traveling (especially to places where Camp Rising Sun alumni live!), defying gravity with sports like trapeze, and cooking. As part of the LAJF Board of Directions, she leads the Strategic Planning Board committee.

INNA'S CRS STORY

Camp Rising Sun helped me to find my voice as a leader and to understand what it means to make decisions for a broader community. It taught me that leadership is not about the loudest voice, but that strong leadership involves listening, active empathy, and using one’s voice to impact what happens next. These are skills I use on a daily basis.

Our program teaches teenagers to find their voice, understand their power, and gives them a safe place to practice what it means to be an empathetic, servant leader. Because the world needs many more leaders like this, our 'to do' list is long and ambitious. We are counting on your donation to help us grow our program and broaden our mission's impact on today's teenagers.

Christina is the Executive Director of the Trial Lawyers Association of Washington, DC (TLA-DC), a network of attorneys and legal professionals dedicated to seeking justice for their clients. Her work is keenly focused on preserving the right to trial by jury, and to promoting and protecting the public good through concerted efforts to secure safe products, safe workplaces, a clean environment, and quality health care. Prior to TLA-DC, she served as Advancement Director at Rochambeau, the French International School in Washington, DC, an international community of over 80 nationalities of students age 2 through 12th grade. At LAJF and Camp Rising Sun, Christina has held many staff and volunteer roles, including as Interim Executive Director, Development Director, Alumni Relations Director and Board Member.

Christina earned her BA from American University’s School of International Service and then a JD from the Washington College of Law. She is a licensed attorney in New York and Washington, DC, focusing much of her prior legal practice on the educational needs and services for young students. In her free time, you can find Christina, her husband and their two children in Alexandria, Virginia. She is passionate about music and enjoys playing accordion and flute.

CHRISTINA'S CRS STORY

Attending Camp Rising Sun brought me out of my comfort zone. I met girls from around the world who helped me to better understand our many commonalities and appreciate our differences as valuable learning opportunities. Camp helped teach me how to ask better questions of others and of myself. Additionally, Rising Sun introduced me to the idea of servant leadership as a way to contribute to my community in positive ways. This formative teenage experience changed the trajectory of my life. Today, Camp continues to be a source of connection and opportunity for teenagers from around the world.

I serve on the Board because I believe deeply in the power of this program to change lives. In a world where it is so easy to recognize what differences divide us, Camp is training young leaders to imagine possibilities for solutions and build bridges. Rising Sun has been a force for positive change in the world for 90 years – and with your support, this important work will continue for another 90 and beyond!

Carl Vincent Manalo is currently the Deputy Superintendent of Bronx High School Districts 7, 9 and 12. Formerly Principal of Khalil Gibran International Academy in Brooklyn and Queens HS for Information, Research and Technology in Far Rockaway, Queens. Before becoming a Principal, Carl was previously an Education Administrator for the NYCDOE working with 26 diverse public schools in the city. With 20 years of experience in education, he is a proud product of the NYC Public School system. Carl has an undergraduate degree in Human/Organizational Development and English at Vanderbilt University through the Posse Foundation scholarship and a Master’s degree in Education from Fordham University and attended College of St, Rose and Hunter College for his building and district leadership certification. Carl is passionate about educating students of underserved communities and at-risk youth, as well as building educator leadership capacity and coaching pedagogues in instructional practices that best serve diverse learners. Carl is the recipient of the Principal of the Year Award in 2022 from the High School Principals Association and the Ainslie Alumni Achievement Award with the Posse Foundation.

CARL'S CRS STORY

When people ask me why I entered the field of education and why I work specifically with high school youth, I do not hesitate to answer, I do not need to stop and think about it. The answer is obvious: Camp Rising Sun. Camp was the first place to ask me for and genuinely value my opinion. The questions I was asked to consider were meaningful, and I could tell that my voice was important because we, as a community, followed through with my ideas! I remember feeling a glow. Someone appreciated my thoughts as a young person. Since then, I have grown to be a more confident person and leader. Genuinely listening to young people and providing them with a platform to use their voices and learn to self-advocate is key to my educational philosophy – especially in my work with underserved and marginalized communities. From curriculum development to my leadership as teacher and principal, Camp has deeply shaped my practice. Now, as a Deputy Superintendent in the South Bronx, I push the thinking of principals, other school leaders and local politicians to consider providing opportunities and spaces to listen to the voices of our youth and empowering them with the skills to make a difference in our world.

A graduate of The Klingenstein Center's Masters in Educational Leadership Program at Teachers College, Columbia University, Barrington “Barry” Fulton Jr. is currently the Head of Middle School at The Foote School in New Haven, CT. Having most previously served as Middle School Head at the North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, IL, Barry has also served as Middle School Dean of Students at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ, where he also taught English and Leadership. Prior to Pingry, Barry once worked with grades 9-12 at both The Pennington School and The Berkshire School, where he served in various capacities including Diversity Coordinator, English teacher, faculty advisor, dorm parent and hip-hop dance teacher. Barry has also served as a department chair, dormitory head and Dance Program Coordinator at Salisbury Summer School.

For seven summers, he served in various leadership roles at The Louis August Jonas Foundation, serving as Red Hook Camp Director of Camp Rising Sun and then as the Foundation's Program and Professional Development Director. He now sits on the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Barry graduated from Regis High School in New York City and earned his bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology at Williams College.

BARRY'S CRS STORY

After my own experience as a camper, a staff member, and having the current honor of serving on LAJF’s Board of Directors, I can share that Camp Rising Sun has undeniably taught me: the importance of leading compassionately by working alongside teammates instead of leading solely by issuing directives, the importance of resilience through setbacks, and the importance of empathic leadership that deeply values our common humanity. Additionally, the program opened my eyes to opportunities beyond my scope at the time and connected me in deep and meaningful ways to people around the world. I wouldn’t be who I am without Rising Sun & LAJF, and that’s why I continue to serve.

The amazing piece about all this is that Rising Sun programming has made a similar impact on so many others over time. Additionally, we remain committed to increasing the spread of our mission and its positive impact on youth with new programming. Please join me in supporting this exciting new growth period at LAJF and Camp by making a donation today!

Camille Torres is Manager of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) at Corning Incorporated based in Corning, New York. With her 20+ years in human resources and organizational development, experience in inclusion strategy, change management, employee engagement and talent management, she worked in various industries including financial services, medical device, e-commerce, insurance and media.

Camille holds a Master’s in Organizational Psychology in Change Leadership from Teacher’s College at Columbia University and received her undergraduate degree at the State University of New York at Albany. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and introduced to LAJF at Brooklyn Technical High School.

CAMILLE'S CRS STORY

At Rising Sun, I was first exposed to what servant leadership was and had the opportunity to practice it. I had several firsts during my time at Camp – canoeing, camping, living in a sustainable environment, and, most importantly, living with a group of amazing girls from all parts of the world and across the US. It was sometimes uncomfortable and intimidating making mistakes and doing things for the first time. It was also very gratifying and memorable. I knew this was a unique experience.

My time at Rising Sun has shaped how I engage people in my personal life and the career choices I make. I have now enjoyed several years of engagement with a vast alumni community. It has been invaluable to build relationships across generations, cultures, faiths, and locations with a collective desire for altruism and service to our communities.

Being able to live and practice these values and behaviors as a young adult will create future global leaders with the confidence to improve their communities.

Pete Comas was a Red Hook camper in 1989. He has been managing rental properties in Manhattan for more than a decade. Prior to his career in real estate, Pete was a journalist, writing for several publications. He was the Senior Editor of Linux Magazine from 1998 until 2003 and was the Editor-in-Chief of VoIP Magazine from 2004-2007. Pete has been volunteering for LAJF consistently since 2015 and served on the Board of the New York Alumni Association from 2016 to 2023. He was appointed to the LAJF Board in 2020 and currently serves as its secretary.

PETE'S CRS STORY

Now more than ever, the world needs compassionate leadership to navigate the many obstacles in our world and in our local communities. Camp Rising Sun taught me to see people for who they are, to genuinely listen to them, and to find common ground with others. If we are ever to come together to solve any of the conflicts we now see daily, the lessons and programs offered by LAJF are invaluable.

Ahmad was born and raised in Iran. He worked in different industries: academia, petrochemicals, real estate, telecommunications, finance and logistics in Iran, Europe and the United States. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tehran in Iran, his MS in Materials Engineering from KU Leuven in Belgium and his MBA from Yale University.

AHMAD'S CRS STORY

One of the most enlightening experiences I had was living in a foreign country and working with people who previously lived within cultural paradigms different to mine. In a short time, this experience helped me tremendously in my self-discovery journey to understand who I am and what my values are. I always wished I were a part of a multicultural immersive program at a younger age, similar to what LAJF offers with Camp Rising Sun.

Andrea is the Chief of Staff at ActBlue, the fundraising platform used by thousands of groups and millions of grassroots donors to make their voices heard and transform power structures in our country. Prior to ActBlue, Andrea was a VP & Assistant General Counsel at JPMorgan Chase & Co in New York. She earned her J.D. from Tulane Law School and her B.A. from Dickinson College (where she was one of their first POSSE scholars). Andrea was raised in Brooklyn and attended Edward R. Murrow High School. She currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband and two kids.

Andrea’s commitment and love for camp has never wavered. In addition to her current role as a board member, she previously served on the New York Alumni Association board and Alumni Council. Since attending camp, Andrea has traveled near and far visiting alumni from various camp seasons.

Janine is a VP of Finance at Deltek, a software and information solutions company in northern Virginia, where she has worked for 12 years leading a global team of strategic finance business partners supporting the company’s go-to-market efforts. She previously worked at Public Broadcasting Service, RCN Communications and Nextel Communications in similar roles. She earned her MBA from the University of Maryland and her BA from Middlebury College. Janine currently lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and son and enjoys traveling, reading and relaxing on the Chesapeake Bay.

JANINE'S CRS STORY

I am new to the LAJF and Camp Rising Sun community. I was looking to serve an organization that is furthering some values important to me, and I found in LAJF an organization that creates an environment for young leaders to be immersed in ethical leadership training, cross-cultural exchanges, and critical thinking to resolve conflicts and solve big problems. At Camp, tomorrow’s leaders join a multicultural community, learn more about other cultures and places in the interest of building relationships, and, in doing so, gain a greater understanding of their individual capabilities. Hearing from campers the impact that Camp has had on their confidence, empathy, and desire to make a global impact gives me greater hope for our future community and world.

The Louis August Jonas Foundation (LAJF) plays an instrumental role in the development of young talent and future leaders across the globe through its Camp Rising Sun program. Camp uses experiential learning to instill decision-making, organizational, and problem-solving skills in order to cultivate future ethical and diverse leaders. The values associated with this organization and the qualities that LAJF seeks to foster among its participants align with my own personal values and have helped to shape my own personal and professional self. They further reflect the characteristics that will be critical to success for generations to come.

As a teenager, I had an opportunity to play in a touring band that exposed me to a diverse set of people and ideas and which opened my eyes to the world around me beyond that of my hometown. Through these experiences with the band, I found a commonality among my peers and developed tools that instilled confidence in my abilities to collaborate and lead in a variety of situations, both personally and professionally. Our mission resonates with me because it focuses on these outcomes, which have been critical to my own development and will be required for the success of future generations.

Abhijeet is an entrepreneur at heart! Watching an idea grow and being a part of its building process is what he lives for. After giving his creative side its fill in the entertainment and Indian film industry for almost a decade, he decided it was time to be his own boss. From spending a few years exploring the commercial and residential real estate investment sector, to dealing in cut and uncut diamond stones, to now owning and running a restaurant/bar in Berlin, Abhijeet got to experience entrepreneurship in a diverse way, facing any of its challenges with a smile on his face.

He strives to live life with the basic principle of trying to make this world and surroundings a better place. Abhijeet grew up between Nigeria and India before moving to Canada for further studies and work. He now lives in Berlin, Germany. He loves to explore and realized early on in his life that great and interesting ideas come about through random interactions and conversations! Drop him a line.... you never know what may come about from a simple 'hello'!

"I believe in the difference the LAJF makes in the lives of young people and how the organization positively impacts those involved, not only directly during the Camp experience, but also in the form of skills and insights campers stand to gain. This kind of impact stays with a person – as it has with me – long after you attend the Camp. I’d like to do my part in ensuring that Camp Rising Sun continues making this difference and bringing about the kind of positive change that stays with someone throughout their life."

Abhijeet attended Camp Rising Sun in 1999. Originally selected as a camper from India, Abhijeet has since lived in Canada and now lives in Berlin, Germany, where he owns and runs his own restaurant/bar.

Robert is Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in NYC and is in solo private practice. Robert has a boutique solo private practice on the Upper East Side of Manhattan where he practices his specialty of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Oculofacial Plastic Surgery. He has over 50 peer reviewed medical publications in his field and regularly lectures on an international circuit. He has been chosen by his peers in NY Magazine Best Doctors List for the past 12 years straight along with Castle Connolly Best Doctors. Robert is on the board of American College of Facial Cosmetic Surgeons. He is also the inventor of a few surgical instruments and the owner and inventor of Orvos Skin Science, a plant-based clean skin care line. Dr. Schwarcz is the past chief of Oculofacial Plastic Surgery at Montefiore Medical Center and currently at Jacobi Medical Center. Rob graduated from Tottenville HS in Staten Island NY and attended the CUNY 7-Year BS/MD accelerated program and earned his medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine in Washington DC. He then completed his Ophthalmology residency at SUNY Downstate and completed his plastic surgery fellowship at UCLA Medical Center followed by a Facial Cosmetic Surgery fellowship in Beverly Hills, CA. He lives with his wife Monica, daughter Lily, who attended Camp Rising Sun in 2022, and his son Leo, in Westchester.

ROB'S CRS STORY 

I attended CRS in 1987 and then as a second-year camper in 1988. Camp was a transformative experience for me at a very influential time of my life. I was able to get to know boys from a diverse background and discuss cultural and political differences and learn how impactful this was of my own understanding and beliefs. I learned to lead others in an encouraging and stimulative environment. Accepting differences and finding similarities can translate into a broad spectrum of understanding and acceptance. It also brought an early concept of cultural awareness which was valuable in the pre-internet time. Seeing my daughter experience Camp made it clear Camp Rising Sun is just as relevant today and just as needed.