About Us
Our Mission and History
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Financial Reports
Strategic Plan
Contact Us
Work With Us
Programs
Our Programs
Camp Rising Sun
The Ethical Leadership Experience
Custom Programs for Schools & Groups
Curriculum
Apply
Apply
Apply to be a Second Year
Legacy Campers at CRS
Summer Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Alumni
Get Involved
Our Global Community
CRS Alumni Directory
Alumni Networks
Alumni Scholarships
Alumni Opportunities
Alumni Publications
Events
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Media
Blog
Podcast
Newsletter
Why Give
Why Give?
Ways to Give
CRS Sustainers
Planned Giving
Matching Gifts
Donate

The Louis August Jonas Foundation

About Us
Our Mission and History
Our Staff
Board of Directors
Financial Reports
Strategic Plan
Contact Us
Work With Us
Programs
Our Programs
Camp Rising Sun
The Ethical Leadership Experience
Custom Programs for Schools & Groups
Curriculum
Apply
Apply
Apply to be a Second Year
Legacy Campers at CRS
Summer Staff
Frequently Asked Questions
Alumni
Get Involved
Our Global Community
CRS Alumni Directory
Alumni Networks
Alumni Scholarships
Alumni Opportunities
Alumni Publications
Events
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Media
Blog
Podcast
Newsletter
Why Give
Why Give?
Ways to Give
CRS Sustainers
Planned Giving
Matching Gifts
Donate
October 8, 2025
Emily Barnard
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park

This year was the 11th Annual CRS NYAA Picnic in Central Park! Thank you to the New York Alumni Association for hosting and for everyone who joined us. Click the post to check out photos from the event.

11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
October 7, 2025
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Liz Lee’s story—current Minnesota state representative of St. Paul’s Eastside district—who attended Camp Rising Sun in 2004.

95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
October 7, 2025
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Richard Gibbs’ story—a 1963 CRS alum, ballet dancer, and founder of the San Francisco Free Clinic.

95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
September 30, 2025
Emily Barnard
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang

Since 1930, LAJF and our programs, Camp Rising Sun and The Ethical Leadership Experience, have shaped the lives of more than 6,500 alumni from dozens of countries around the world. Across generations and continents, CRS and TELE alumni continue to lead with empathy, curiosity, and courage—bringing Rising Sun values into classrooms, courtrooms, creative industries, clinics, and communities. As we celebrate 95 years of impact, we’re spotlighting just a few of the many stories that show how a summer at Camp becomes a lifetime of meaning.

Here’s Jeff Orlowski-Yang’s story—an Emmy Award–Winning filmmaker and environmental advocate—who attended Camp Rising Sun in 1999 and 2000.

95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
August 27, 2025
Emily Barnard
Meet our 2025 TELE Facilitators and Intensive ...

Get to know this year’s TELE facilitators and guest Intensive instructors! TELE is a unique and immersive experience that connects young people from all over the world in a virtual model that reflects our in-person Camp Rising Sun program. Meet the people who made it possible this summer!

Meet our 2025 TELE Facilitators and Intensive Instructors!
Emily Barnard
July 15, 2025

Coming Home: A Warm Hello from Barry Fulton, LAJF's New Executive Director

Emily Barnard
July 15, 2025
Coming Home: A Warm Hello from Barry Fulton, LAJF's New Executive Director

Meet Barry Fulton, LAJF’s new Executive Director! As a CRS alum, former Camp Director, and longtime board member, Barry’s journey with CRS comes full circle in this exciting new role. Barry shares more about what this role means to him in his welcome letter—click to read it!

Emily Barnard
July 14, 2025

Our 95th Anniversary Gala Honorees: Bill Dubey and Helene Mattera

Emily Barnard
July 14, 2025

Please join us on Saturday, October 25, 2025 for our 95th Anniversary Gala, where we will be honoring Bill Dubey and Helene Mattera for their decades of vision, care, and leadership. Read more here and register today!

Emily Barnard
July 9, 2025

Meet Jackson, Assistant Camp Director

Emily Barnard
July 9, 2025
Meet Jackson, Assistant Camp Director

Get to know our Summer 2025 Team! Meet Jackson, one of our Program Coordinators at LAJF and a Co-Assistant Camp Director.

Emily Barnard
July 9, 2025

Where Our Campers Come From—And Who We Miss This Year

Emily Barnard
July 9, 2025
Where Our Campers Come From—And Who We Miss This Year

Each summer at Camp Rising Sun is a reminder of what’s possible when young people from around the world come together to grow, lead, and connect. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome an incredible and diverse group of campers, but we’re also reckoning with who isn’t here and why.

Click to read this open letter to the CRS community from LAJF Director of Programs, Elyem Chej.

Emily Barnard
July 3, 2025

Meet Chayel, Assistant Camp Director

Emily Barnard
July 3, 2025
Meet Chayel, Assistant Camp Director

Get to know our Summer 2025 Team! Meet Chayel, our Program Coordinator at LAJF and one of this summer’s Assistant Camp Directors.

Emily Barnard
June 27, 2025

Camp Rising Sun Israel 2025 Seminar Program

Emily Barnard
June 27, 2025
Camp Rising Sun Israel 2025 Seminar Program

The CRS Israel Selection Committee hosted a three-day seminar in Jerusalem for incoming 2025 campers. It was a transformative experience, equipping the selected campers with the tools, perspectives, and community to represent Israel thoughtfully at CRS. Click to read about it.

Emily Barnard
June 23, 2025

Meet Nick, Camp Co-Director

Emily Barnard
June 23, 2025
Meet Nick, Camp Co-Director

Get to know our Summer 2025 Team! Meet Nick, who is one of our Camp Directors this year.

Emily Barnard
June 12, 2025

Meet Hrafnhildur, a.k.a Raven, Camp Co-Director

Emily Barnard
June 12, 2025
Meet Hrafnhildur, a.k.a Raven, Camp Co-Director

Get to know our Summer 2025 Team! Meet Hrafnhildur, also known as Raven, who is one of our Camp Directors this year.

Newer Posts
Older Posts
Featured
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
Oct 8, 2025
11th Annual NYAA Picnic in Central Park
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Liz Lee
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Richard Gibbs
Oct 7, 2025
Oct 7, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
Sep 30, 2025
95 Years of Impact: Jeff Orlowski-Yang
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
Meet our 2025 TELE Facilitators and Intensive Instructors!
Aug 27, 2025
Meet our 2025 TELE Facilitators and Intensive Instructors!
Aug 27, 2025
Aug 27, 2025
CRS Alumni Directory

LOUIS AUGUST JONAS FOUNDATION
6 RISING SUN LANE
RHINEBECK, NY, 12572, UNITED STATES
+1 (212) 686-1930
CONTACT@LAJF.ORG

The Louis August Jonas Foundation (LAJF) and Camp Rising Sun (CRS) have a long-held commitment to the principles of diversity, stemming from our mission. In that spirit, LAJF and CRS do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, creed, color, sexual orientation, nation of origin, gender, sex, or gender identity. 

Back to Top
Louis August Jonas Foundation, 6 Rising Sun Lane, Rhinebeck, NY, 12572, United States(212) 686-1930contact@lajf.org