Since the 2018 Woolsey Fire, Shalom Institute has operated Camp JCA Shalom, Camp Gesher, and retreats at off-site locations, maintaining community connections but facing lease renewals and rising costs. Purchasing this property gives us a permanent home, shifting resources from short-term rentals to a long-term, stable asset. It provides a secure, inspiring space to deepen Jewish life, expand programs, and create meaningful experiences for future generations.

Our Ashes to Blossoms rebuild continues to make great progress, as the Alan D. Leve Malibu Campus remains central to Shalom Institute’s long-term plans. We remain committed to raising funds to fully restore our Malibu home.

Rebuilding here in California is complex and highly regulated. Since the 2018 Woolsey Fire, we’ve secured many permits, but the process takes a long time.

Meanwhile, the Shalom Institute Calabasas Campus allows us to run overnight and year-round programs in a stable, inspiring setting as we continue rebuilding. After years of resilience—including operating at Gold Creek Center—we look forward to being based again on a campus we own.

Located just a short drive from Malibu, the Calabasas campus keeps important experiences like the ropes course, amphitheater, and hiking trails accessible. These two campuses strengthen our ability to serve the community today and build toward a brighter and impact-filled future.

For Summer 2026, Camp JCA Shalom will operate at Gold Creek Center while our Calabasas site prepares to open. We’re thrilled to bring our programs to the Shalom Institute Calabasas Campus this fall and to host Camp JCA Shalom there in Summer 2027. In the meantime, we’ll continue with day and overnight trips to our Malibu Campus this summer. Camp Gesher will continue to run at Camp Cedar Falls in Angelus Oaks.

We are looking forward to welcoming the Shalom Institute community to our new property! Stay tuned for exciting updates on tour dates and details.