Make The Promise

JYP Partner Interview x Ilana Kornblatt, Assistant Camp Director, Capital Camps

Ilana Kornblatt, Assistant Camp Director
Capital Camps

When did Capital Camps first begin using the Jewish Youth Promise in its paper format, and what prompted that decision?

Our first summer using the Jewish Youth Promise’s paper format was last summer in 2025.

We had previously discussed using the Jewish Youth Promise, but the paper form really aligned with how we approach things at camp. Our teens don’t have their phones or screens, so the paper form allowed us to utilize the process in a way that fit with the camp program.

What initially drew you to JYP, and why did it feel like the right fit for your campers and the community at that time?

It was a great opportunity for us to lean into the alumni conversation with our campers.

We did it for our Counselors in Training, who are in their final formal participant program before becoming staff members. In their training, they focus a lot on how to become staff members and the impact they want to have at camp. We also do programming about what their Jewish leadership looks like in their daily lives, in college, and beyond. JYP aligned as a tool to continue those conversations and help them think about their own Jewish leadership in the big picture.

Can you walk us through how the paper-based program is integrated into camp life – from when CITs receive it to how they complete it?

We had our counselors complete JYP towards the very end of the summer, about two to three days before the end of their full summer counselor training program. During that time, there were already many conversations about how they would take what they learned home and apply it in the future at camp and in college. The best time for us to do it was towards the end, when they were already in that reflective headspace.

I led a modified version of the camp program, helping them reflect on experiences that had impacted them over the summer. We gave them time and space to write the letters for the Time Capsule before collecting them. A lot of our Counselors in Training really appreciated having the time and space right there to collect their thoughts and put them on paper.

From your perspective, which part of the paper-format experience has been most meaningful or memorable for Counselors in Training (CITs)?

Writing the letter to their future selves and taking the time to reflect was the most memorable.

There are other moments throughout the summer where we have them write letters to themselves, outside of JYP, that they get back at the end of the summer when their training is complete. Or we have them write a letter at the end of the summer, and they get it back the following year. So, the concept of writing a letter to your future self is already part of our programing and utilizing that concept for something else felt really natural to them.

What was really meaningful for them was having the dedicated time and space to reflect back on the summer that had passed in relation to the future.

How has using JYP in this tangible, hands-on way helped deepen campers’ reflection or their connection beyond simply writing a letter?

Writing the letter, combined with the JYP program, was a great way to prompt them to really think about these concepts and what they want to do in the future, and it aligned really well with our program’s goals.

Have you seen the paper format lead to longer-term engagement, conversations, or Jewish growth after the summer ends? If so, how?

Our CITs have had a lot of reflections on their Jewish growth. I am really excited to see how it impacts them over the next few years as they get those reminders, and then eventually the letter, and what they can take from that.

What feedback did you receive about using JYP in this format?

I got a lot of great feedback. They really enjoyed it. I remember explaining the process, and handing out those paper forms, and right away, so many of them were like, “Wow, this is so cool, what an amazing tool.” I was only planning to hand it to the CITs, but I remember one of the staff members, who was a rising college senior at the time, asked to get the paper form as well. It was exciting to see that not only our CITs seemed really enthused about it, but also that their staff was interested.

If you were recommending the Jewish Youth Promise to another camp or youth organization, especially in paper form, what would you highlight as its greatest value?

The value for us was that it aligned well with this culmination of the last few days of their training experience.

It was a really great tool for doing something tangible related to ending your time as a camper and making the transition to staff. In the context of the transition from high school to college, this tool worked perfectly. We already have programming and conversations with our teens about the idea of transition, and this was a great way to make it tangible for them.

Debbie Campbell’s career as a marketing professional spans over three decades. Well-known and highly regarded in the retail, hospitality, franchising, and non-profit industry, she has played a leadership role in developing highly successful brands, and fully integrated marketing and advertising programs, and service cultures.

Most recently, Campbell, served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Georgia Aquarium, a 501(c)3, responsible for driving attendance, as well as creating and expanding the revenue streams. Prior to Georgia Aquarium, Campbell served as vice president of marketing and branding for Foot Solutions, Inc.

Previously, Campbell served as senior vice president of marketing for Atlanta-based U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc. She was a key player in this start-up company and served as a member of the USFS Operating Committee, USFS Executive Committee, and key liaison to two Franchise Advisory Councils.

Campbell is a graduate of Emory University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing. She holds a Master of Business Administration in management from Georgia State University.

Prior to joining the Jewish Future Pledge team, Jenna worked at Jerusalem U as a Distribution Associate and Writer.  She has worked for many Jewish organizations in her professional life including the Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal, and Aish International.  Jenna is dedicated to Jewish causes, animal welfare and the environment. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  She currently lives in Denver with her husband and children.

Mark Silberman is the Chair of the Board of the Jewish Future PROMISE. He is the former president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia and former national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC), budget, and business practices committees. 

He is the former Chair of the Board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has served on the Board of Trustees for the past eight years, was the campaign chair in 2017, and has served on numerous Federation committees. 

Mark is on the ex-board of JFNA and serves on the board of Jewish Family & Career Services, Hillel’s of Georgia, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and the Alliance Theatre. He has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Additionally, Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. The couple has four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mark Silberman is a partner and co-owner of Refrigiwear, the world’s leader in cold weather industrial work clothing and accessories. The company, nearing its 65th year, has now welcomed 3rd generation of family members into the workplace. 

Mark is a past president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia, as well as a past national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC) committee, budget committee, and business practices committee. He is currently the chair of the board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 8 years, as well as the campaign chair in 2017 and on numerous Federation committees. Mark also serves on the nation JFNA board.

Mark also serves on the board of Hillel’s of Ga.  Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the Alliance Theatre. Mark has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Nadav Alkoby has established a career in public relations, having previously worked with Alpha Epsilon Pi and Zionist Organization of America. Additionally, he worked on political campaigns in Florida and Alabama for United States Senators and members of Congress. A native of Miami, Florida, Nadav attended Florida Atlantic University and earned a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on Middle East Politics.

Nadav owes his deep passion for Israel to his family roots in the Holy Land and his religious faith. One of the values of the Torah most important to him is love thy neighbor, and he spends much of his free time volunteering within his community.

Most recently, Nadav was instrumental in the Surfside Champlain Tower collapse recovery efforts. He volunteered by preparing and handing out meals to first-responders, comforted survivors and victims’ families, and coordinating the distribution of donations. When not pursuing his passion for the Jewish Community, Nadav enjoys seeking adventure at National Parks. 

Yanna Angel, originally from Israel, is a former Contact Personnel/Case Manager – Sergeant in the Israel Defense Forces. Angel has a strong background in customer success, having worked most recently with Engaged Media, a WebMD Company. Dedicated to serving others in the non-profit sector, Angel previously worked for the Jewish Family & Career Services as their case manager focused on Holocaust Survivors, The Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN, and with the Consulate General of Israel.

Angel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from Sapir Academic College in Israel.

Mark Silberman is a partner and co-owner of Refrigiwear, the world’s leader in cold weather industrial work clothing and accessories. The company, nearing its 65th year, has now welcomed 3rd generation of family members into the workplace. 

Mark is a past president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia, as well as a past national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC) committee, budget committee, and business practices committee. He is currently the chair of the board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta and has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 8 years, as well as the campaign chair in 2017 and on numerous Federation committees. Mark also serves on the nation JFNA board.

Mark also serves on the board of Hillel’s of Ga.  Atlanta Jewish Film Festival and the Alliance Theatre. Mark has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. They have four grown children and six grandchildren.

Prior to joining the Jewish Future Pledge team, Jenna worked at Jerusalem U as a Distribution Associate and Writer.  She has worked for many Jewish organizations in her professional life including the Anti-Defamation League, United Jewish Appeal, and Aish International.  Jenna is dedicated to Jewish causes, animal welfare and the environment. 

She received her bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University and her Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts.  She currently lives in Denver with her husband and children.

Josh is an experienced non-profit professional, having most recently served as a Regional Director at BBYO. Additionally, he has experience working in retail management, high end luxury sales, and customer service.

A native of Herndon, VA, Josh is a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was an active member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity and Hillel. Post college, Josh spent a year living in Israel as a participant on Masa’s Israel Teaching Fellows program, then gained practical life skills while traveling the world.

Josh loves great food experiences, spending time with family and friends and helping build a strong Jewish future.

 

Mark Silberman is the Chair of the Board of the Jewish Future promise. He is the former president of Temple Kehillat Chaim in Roswell, Georgia and former national board member of the Union for Reform Judaism (URJ), where he served on the North American Camping (NAC), budget, and business practices committees. 

He is the former Chair of the Board for the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta, has served on the Board of Trustees for the past eight years, was the campaign chair in 2017, and has served on numerous Federation committees. 

Mark is on the ex-board of JFNA and serves on the board of Jewish Family & Career Services, Hillel’s of Georgia, Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, and the Alliance Theatre. He has been a primary funder and advocate of PJ Library and Jewish Camping in the Atlanta community. Additionally, Mark is a national board member of the Foundation for Jewish Camping.

Mark holds a BA from American University and lives in Atlanta with his wife Linda. The couple has four grown children and six grandchildren.

Before coming to Jewish Future PROMISE, Hadara has had a varied career in both the for-profit and not-for-profit worlds. She has been an entrepreneur, building Jan Micolle, a successful women’s clothing manufacturing company that sold to major retailers like Bergdorf Goodman, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Bloomingdale’s.

As vice president of distribution and a co-producer at Imagination Productions, an independent documentary film company with a focus on the Jewish world, Hadara placed their films with services like Netflix, Amazon, and iTunes.

Hadara also served as vice president of partnerships at OpenDor Media and brought their Israeli history content to a diverse group of religious, educational, civic, and governmental organizations throughout North America.

Hadara is a community leader and innovator.  She co-founded Chaver L’Chayel and helped establish the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces in Atlanta, where she also served as a board member for seven years.

Mike Leven is a legendary business executive and visionary philanthropist. Inspired by Warren Buffet’s and Bill Gates’ Giving Pledge, Mike founded the Jewish Future PROMISE to carry on his family’s commitment to Judaism.

Mr. Leven currently serves on the boards of AEPi Fraternity Foundation; HERSHA Hospitality Trust; Honorary board member of Birthright Israel Foundation; Trustee Hadassah College of Jerusalem and The Marcus Foundation.

Professionally, Mike ended his tenure in 2019 as the chairman and chief executive officer of the Georgia Aquarium to devote more time to charitable endeavors like the Jewish Future PROMISE. In the past, he has served as president and chief operating officer of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, the chairman and chief executive officer of US Franchise Systems, the president and chief operating officer of Holiday Inn Worldwide, and the president of Days Inn of America.

Mr. Leven is a co-founder of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), an organization that has more than 19,000 members owning more than 40,000 hotels.

Mike is the author of Can’t Do It Yourself: How Commitment to Others Leads to Personal Prosperity, which shares his roadmap to personal and professional success, ending each chapter with a lesson to live by in business and life.