I have just returned from a wonderfully inspiring Ramah experience in Orlando, Florida.  For the Weinstein Institute, our annual National Ramah-sponsored training program for counselors from each of the Ramah camps, we brought together 60 counselors representing all seven overnight camps and the Nyack Day Camp.  These counselors, some of the best young people in the Ramah movement, were treated to a free trip to a resort hotel in sunny Orlando for four intensive days of learning, training, program sharing, and some relaxation. 

Each group of counselors met by camp, with their director(s), for a number of sessions throughout the Institute.  During these meeting times directors began summer planning, used their groups as think tanks for important camp issues, and continued the training on the themes discussed in general sessions.  Some directors also used this time for individual conversations with each staff member.

Ramah staff members meeting
 with camp director poolside

National Ramah Director
 Rabbi Mitch Cohen leads a session
 of Weinstein participants

If anyone doubts the commitment of our young staff members to Ramah, to Israel, or to Judaism, one needs only to attend a Weinstein Institute to gain great inspiration. 

• It was inspiring to be at tefilot each day with 60 counselors and the directors, a large majority of whom were singing loudly, davening with kavannah, and participating actively.

• It was inspiring to see both a thirst for new programmatic and counseling ideas among these counselors, as well as a willingness to share excellent ideas from throughout the movement.

• It was inspiring to see such high levels of Ramah commitment from university students from throughout North America, representing so many different communities and different camps, all united under the banner of Ramah.

All the counselors filled out evaluation forms at the end of the Weinstein Institute. In the words of one of the counselors, “I had an awesome time meeting people from other Ramah camps, learning lots of new ideas for peulot at camp, and especially being able to spend great time with my camp director.  I only wish camp was sooner!”

 I look forward to many more similar opportunities in the coming years.

Weinstein 2004 Photo Gallery

Berkshires

California

Canada

Darom

New England

Nyack

Poconos

Wisconsin

Click here to see Rabbi Cohen's complete report on the January 2004 Weinstein Training Institute.

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