We warmly welcome Howard Blas back to the Camp Ramah community, as Interim Director of the Tikvah Program. Howard is well-known and admired by Tikvah families and staff of the past 16 years.

Last summer's Tikvah staff have been working closely with Howard on the details and parameters of the program. Add to this Howard's extensive background in the field and previous Tikvah experience, and he is well prepared for his new responsibilities.

Howard lives in New York City with his wife and children. He received a Masters of Social Work from Columbia University and Masters of Education from Bank Street College. Howard has worked in a child psychiatry clinic -- both inpatient and outpatient -- and as family therapist for this unit.

Howard's Tikvah connection began in 1984 as an Amitzim counselor. He was Rosh Edah in 1986 and 1987. Howard was called upon twice by Tikvah founder Herb Greenberg to serve as Tikvah Director in Herb's absence.

Howard is assuming year-round responsibilities for the Tikvah Program. He will be conducting informal interviews with new families, by telephone, and in-person interviews as needed.

We are thrilled to continue the tradition of excellent directors for the Tikvah Program.

There are currently four Tikvah programs, each serving the needs of children with developmental disabilities. They are in the Ramah Camps in Canada, California, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. Information can be accessed by calling the National Ramah Office at 212-678-8881 or emailing ramah@jtsa.edu.