Reshet Ramah Year-Round Engagement
Executive Summary | Leadership Development | Reshet Ramah Year-Round Engagement
Support for Camps | Acknowledgements
Ramah College Network (RCN) Coordinators
33 RCN coordinators across 23 campuses planned over 120 programs for Ramah alumni and friends of Ramah (total engagement: 1,170). The activities included: Shabbat dinners, holiday programs, social action events, picnics, t-shirt days, coffee chats, hikes, Israel events, and social gatherings. RCN coordinators play an indispensable role in facilitating a vibrant Jewish presence on campus. By nurturing Jewish leadership within the college context, Ramah is actively cultivating a pipeline of future leaders who will contribute to Ramah’s community-building efforts beyond their college years.
Young Adult City Programming (Reshet Ba’Ir)
Reshet Ramah coordinators from Boston, DC, New York, and Philadelphia organized and executed a range of engaging events for young Ramah alumni in their respective communities. These events included social, educational, and religious activities such as Shabbat dinners, holiday programs, and volunteer initiatives.
Virtual Programs and Networking
Reshet Ramah offered 25 networking programs geared toward incoming and current college students and Jewish professionals. Topics included: a virtual college fair, workshops on resumes and networking, Jewish professionals and world of entertainment panels, a session on leveraging camp skills, training, and various networking events. The series was an opportunity for attendees to build their professional networks and develop new skills and strategies for success in their careers.
Ramah Beyond: Retreats and Immersive Experiences
Under the direction of Rabbi Jordan Bendat Appell, who joined the NRC staff in January 2023, we introduced Ramah Beyond, immersive retreats and experiences for Ramah alumni and friends of Ramah. During this inaugural season, we piloted four programs:
Kirva: A community-based retreat in partnership with Beth Tzedec Congregation-Toronto, and Shoresh (a local Jewish environmental organization). 25 participants
Vayinafash: A rejuvenating and mindfulness retreat for Jewish professionals co-sponsored by the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and the Covenant Foundation. 24 participants
Mayim v'Shamayim: A sea kayaking experience at the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin): 12 participants
Masa Midbar: Camping and hiking in Kodachrome Basin State Park (southern Utah): 10 participants
Backcountry Bayit
Backcountry Bayit, a home dedicated to engaging young Jews from Colorado's Summit County community, engaged 528 people through active outreach, hosting weekly Shabbat meals, and organizing a diverse range of Jewish programming. The Bayit offers a space where not only individuals from Denver/Boulder, but also visitors from across the country who come for a ski weekend can join a vibrant community and experience the essence of leading a Jewish life.
