Genealogy project re-connects Camp Haiastan teens to their roots

Answering Dan Senor’s call with Project Campfire

In his 45th annual “State of World Jewry Address” back in May, Dan Senor issued a powerful challenge to those of us in Jewish philanthropy: If we want to shape a vibrant Jewish future, we must invest in the institutions that build identity and connection. Chief among those, he argued, is Jewish summer camp. At the Max and Marian Farash Charitable Foundation in Rochester, N.Y., we too believe in the power and potential of Jewish camping. Just las…

Genealogy project re-connects Camp Haiastan teens to their roots

Every summer, AYF Camp Haiastan re-establishes itself as more than just a camp. For young diasporan Armenians, it’s a vibrant hub where identity takes root, friendships last a lifetime and the past feels vividly alive. This year, the Zartonk Teen Session added something special to the mix: a deep dive into genealogy. Led by program director and summer director Degeen Seran Tcholakian, the initiative went beyond the usual camping experience—it as…