Camp Yachad

Meet Max and Jess Cohen, a love story decades in the making, rooted in their shared history at the JCC. Max’s mom calls them The Golden Couple of Camp Yachad!! Max and Jess both started attending the JCC when they were just five years old. Max, a Springfield native, recalls how his mom’s friendships in the Westfield-Scotch Plains area brought their family to the JCC. Jess, a year older and also from Springfield, was a second-generation JCC kid whose aunt had been Max’s mom’s camp counselor years before. The two grew up together, from elementary school through high school, with summers spent at Camp Yachad. They were on the same bus route as kids and later worked alongside each other as counselors. Camp became their home away from home—a place where bonds deepened during the day and spilled over into late-night hangouts with friends. From camper to counselor to leadership team member, both Max and Jess found lifelong friendships. Jess even attended camp weddings as a bridesmaid. The Cohens' “camp family,” a tight-knit group of over 30 friends, filled their wedding dance floor. One of Max’s core memories is seeing Jess walk down the aisle for the first time. Jess looks back fondly on performing their first dance as a couple while “In Case You Didn’t Know” by Brett Young played. Zach, a fellow Camp Yachad alumnus, officiated the ceremony. The three had previously gone on Birthright together through the JCC, an experience that only brought them closer. Max, now a team lead at a software company, and Jess, a second-grade teacher, cherish the foundation the JCC gave them. “We wouldn’t be who we are without the JCC and Camp Yachad,” Max says. “It’s where we grew up and became who we are.” The honeymoon is just around the corner! Max and Jess plan to go to South Africa to celebrate their wedding. As newlyweds, they look ahead to traveling, starting a family, and creating a forever home—together, step by step, just like they’ve alway

Fresh off its Olympic run: highlights from Maccabiah 2024! #YachadRocks

Camp Yachad goes crazy for Color Run! 🌈 #YachadRocks

Come dive in for an up close look during our Thursday favorite tradition, Dunk The Whale! 🐳 #YachadRocks

Kicking off day 1 with sunshine, new friends and so much ruach (spirit)! We can’t wait to see what the next 38 days have in store! #YachadRocks

We can’t wait to see you tomorrow! Camp Yachad summer 2024, lets do this! #YachadRocks

We can't wait! Camp Yachad begins this coming Monday, June 24! Over 850 campers and 350 seasonal staff members will fill our campus with smiles, laughter, fun and joy. #campyachad #yachadrocks

Our staff had a blast learning the summer 2024 camp dance! Post your song guess below and get ready to dance the summer away! #YachadRock

Many of our camp counselors were once campers themselves! Seeing our community grow and thrive from generation to generation is part of the magic of Camp Yachad. Join our team today! Visit https://www.jccnj.org/employmentcamp/ #yachadrocks #campyachad #summercamp #njsummercamp #summerjobs #summerjob #NJjobs

Grow your career with the help of a supportive community -- whether you’re a seasoned professional or a first-timer. Apply to be a counselor and Camp Yachad today! Learn more here: https://www.jccnj.org/employmentcamp/

Happy Pi Day! What's your favorite Camp Yachad Tradition? #yachadrocks #campyachad #whyij #PiDay #pieday #SummerCampFun

Camp counselors LOVE Camp Yachad! Become a part of our tight knit community. Learn more and apply here: https://www.jccnj.org/employmentcamp/ #whyij #campyachad #yachadrocks #summerjobs #newjerseyjobs #summercamp