In Memory of our incredible daughter, sister, wife, niece, cousin, and friend
August 11, 1982 - March 4, 2016
Mandi and I met in the summer of fifth grade, when we were in Sayarim. She was sweet, fun and hilarious and our bond was instantaneous, even sister like. We both loved music and actually shared a birthday that we celebrated together every summer. We were also both from cities that didn’t have a ton of Jewish kids and had similar family dynamics. Needless to say, we formed a fast and lasting friendship. We would visit each other countless times throughout the school year and I’d even go on trips with her family. Our wonderful group of camp friends from all over the South kept in excellent touch, getting together at Young Judaea conventions during the year as well as reunions during winter break and various celebrations. These relationships were so unique and important to all of us. Mandi and I loved our hometown friends, but our camp friends were different in the best way. There’s no way to describe Camp Judaea other than a magical experience bringing unique individuals together who otherwise would have never met and allowed them to grow in so many ways. Through high school and way beyond, Mandi and I had many conversations about the positive impact Camp Judaea had on us, not only in terms of our love of Judaism but the way we lived our lives. She felt her summer experiences shaped her morals, values and love of life.
Mandi was amazing in so many ways...adventurous, kind, original, genuine, beautiful and free-spirited are all words that immediately come to mind, not to mention she had a smile that was absolutely contagious. She brightened so many people’s lives, and I can’t think of a better way to honor her than to give the gift of camp in her name, where someone else can experience the joy of meeting their ‘Mandi’.
Lindsey Gottlieb
