A group of thirty participants at the January 2018 Bert B. Weinstein Institute, Ramah’s winter leadership conference, wrapped up their time in California with a brand-new Ramah experience - at Disneyland!

This incredible four-hour Ramah Disneyland leadership training, entitled "Cultivating a Leader’s Impact,” was a highlight for the group, whose members represented our cohorts of “vatikim” (college sophomores), Ramah College Network Fellows, Ramah Service Corps Fellows, and rashei edah (division heads).

The Disney Youth Education department designed this leadership institute specifically for Ramah’s college and post-college participants, focusing on crafting a personal brand and articulating core values, as well as cultivating self-esteem and professional integrity.

During the course of the day, Disney cast members explained the core values, or customer service “keys,” of the Disney organization: safety, courtesy, show, and efficiency. Through several Disney experiences, including a live performance and a tour of the backstage Disney offices, our participants learned about the ways that Disneyland provides experiential education and entertainment within a framework of hachnasat orchim (hospitality) and musar (ethical practice).

The following are excerpts of participant reflections from the Ramah Disneyland experience:

Just as Disney’s Main Street and its rides maintain a feeling of nostalgia, each generation of chanichim at Machaneh Ramah becomes familiar with the same songs and rituals that they know and love, just as their parents did when they were chanichim. Disney staff members (or “cast members”, as they’re referred to) feel a sense of ownership of the parks, always picking up pieces of trash and helping guests whenever possible. Instilled in the tzevet and chanichim alike is a sense of ownership and respect for the camp, and all that comes with it. Staff members are taught to look out for campers in need, and the entire camp participates in nikui hamachaneh (cleaning the camp) weekly.

- Elissa Hoffman, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

"Everyone has one shared goal despite how many different jobs the cast members have," said a Disneyland cast member (employee). Is that not the same at Ramah? How many different people in how many different jobs around camp are there all working towards the same goal: giving the chanichim the best kayitz possible. The question then becomes, "how do we achieve that goal?"

No one is left to fend for themselves. There are always people around to guide and help so that no one feels lost.
Cast members are empowered to run the show as they see fit. The madrichim are empowered to run peulot the way they see fit based on what the interests of their chanichim.
Vision. Explain the why instead of the what and people will follow. Instead of always just telling the chanichim what the rules are and what to do, explain why it is the way it is. If they understand why there are certain rules or why they have to go to certain peulot, they will be much more willing to go.
"You are a masterpiece the way you are. You lead the way," - Mickey Mouse in Mickey and the Magical Map. This is not only a quote from Mickey, but a philosophy of Disneyland and how they treat each and every guest who enters the park. "How can we help you" is a question that all cast members at Disneyland and all tzevet at Ramah should be asking.

- Yali Lowenberg, Camp Ramah in the Poconos
Ramah Service Corps Fellow, Baltimore, MD

Just as Disney cannot do what they do without the work of their cast members, so too we would not be able to make everything happen without the work of our incredible team of madrichim. At both Disneyland and camp, there is greater meaning behind the title. For Disney, not simply calling their staff “employees” but rather, “cast members” is intentional and leads to a sense of camaraderie - every person plays an integral role in the end result. Giving our staff the title of madrichim, guides or counselors, places a more intentional focus on guidance and mentorship as we become role models for our campers. By giving each madrich/a an opportunity harness their passions and be that leader in their own regard, we are empowering a strong community of Jewish educators.

- Alli Moses, Camp Ramah in Northern California (Ramah Galim)
Ramah College Network Fellow, Muhlenberg College

As a younger camper, I didn’t put much thought into everything my counselors did to plan activities. I certainly enjoyed them, but I never really thought about what went on behind the scenes. The same can be said of my experiences at Disneyland. When I visited when I was younger, I definitely enjoyed everything. However, I didn’t really notice how all of the cast members worked together to create an environment that definitely contributed to my enjoyment. As I visited Disneyland now, and as I grew up at camp, I grew a greater appreciation for what kind of work goes into creating these experiences. As I walked around the park, I thought about how my fellow staff members and I could bring the enthusiasm the cast members have back to camp.

- Jonathan Saewitz, Camp Ramah in the Poconos

From that very first hello to the goodbye at the end of the day the Disney cast members were focused on making sure we had the best day we could. That contagious level of happiness they possessed spread to each one of us, and we learned what it meant to truly embrace the Disney spirit. The entire day we observed the cast members, we saw every little detail these workers do in order to make Disney what it is. Cast members are always on, they always have a good attitude and work to ensure all of their guests have a magical day. Everything and everyone work as one to put on the “show” each day.

I want each and every camper who comes through the gates every morning to feel that same infectious energy I felt in Disney. Camp is truly me second home, it means the world to me and many other staff members, and I hope to transmit this sense of comfort and happiness to the campers. Each morning the campers should be waking up with a smile, looking forward to another day in their “the happiest place on earth,” so the following year when we say “כמה טוב שבאת הביתה” they really feel like they came back home.

- Tamar Weinger, Ramah Day Camp in Nyack

We as a tzevet do our best to be the best people we can be, regardless of who we are in front of. I was amazed by how warm and welcoming the Disney staff were when we visited. But the fact that we would only know them for a few hours limited the extent of our connection. My job as tzevet is to make my chalutzim feel welcome, but more importantly, my job is to understand who my chalutzim are over time. I get to to appreciate the details of who my chalutzim are, and I get to see spectacular friendships emerge among my chalutzim. The beauty of Ramah is that we as a tzevet have the time to make meaningful connections with our chalutzim, and we get to facilitate these same connections among our chalutzim.

- Julia Turnbow, Ramah in the Rockies

Ramah at Disneyland