The 2018 National Ramah Winter Leadership Training Conference

The 2018 National Ramah Winter Leadership Training Conference, held January 4-7, was a tremendous success. This year’s gathering took place at Camp Ramah in Ojai, California. The four-day conference featured several tracks, including an expanded Bert B. Weinstein Institute for Counselor Training for college freshmen, as well as training for counselors of campers with disabilities (Tikvah), veteran staff (“vatikim”), division heads (rashei edah), and year-round Ramah Service Corps Fellows and Ramah College Network Fellows. The 110 attendees at this year’s conference also included camp directors, assistant directors, and representatives from the Kerem cohort, year-round professionals and programming staff from our camp offices. Twelve Ramah camps were represented, including all nine overnight camps, and participants from the Nyack, Philadelphia, and Washington, DC, day camps. 

The Bert B. Weinstein Institute is Ramah’s signature counselor training and leadership program for incoming senior counselors. Participants worked with Ramah leadership and senior staff to hone critical skills, enhance programming, and share best practices from across the Ramah movement. The Bert B. Weinstein Institute constituted the largest contingent of the gathering, with nearly 60 participants representing staff talent from Ramah camps across North America. 

The Weinstein participants were thrilled to work with National Associate Director Amy Skopp Cooper and a number of experienced rashei edah who helped guide their program track. “The Weinstein training conference was a refreshing escape back to the camp world, a time to reflect on the previous kayitz (summer) in order to set goals and plan ahead for the upcoming kayitz,” said Michelle Herzberg, Ramah Poconos madricha.

The Leadership Institute for College Sophomores is Ramah’s newest program designed for “vatikim,” experienced senior counselors. Geared toward college sophomores (returning for their third summer as a counselor), this track focused on more advanced topics of culture-building, staff dynamics, mentorship, and other leadership development skills. “As I am approaching my third summer on staff, it was great to be in a track at Weinstein that was specific to people like me,” said Maya Koven, Ramah Canada madricha. “I learned a lot not only from the sessions, but also from talking to people from other camps, and sharing ideas with them. It was great to sit down with people from my own camp and talk about ways that we can improve camp for the campers and staff.” This track for veteran counselors was developed by Michelle Sugarman, Associate Director of Ramah Poconos, and Adina Allen, Assistant Director of Ramah Wisconsin. 

The Tikvah (disabilities and inclusion) track was led by Maya Albin and Yali Lowenberg, veteran Tikvah staff members from Ramah Canada and Ramah Poconos, respectively, with curriculum development and support by Orlee Krass, Tikvah Director of Ramah Poconos and lead trainer for the National Ramah Tikvah Network. Participants for the Tikvah track came from several Ramah camps, and focused on strategies and educational methods relating to building daily routines, nurturing independent living skills, collaboration with families, and strengthening inclusion efforts.

For the first time, our winter conference featured training for two tracks of year-round Ramah Fellowship cohorts. Ramah College Network (RCN) Fellows work part-time to develop Ramah community events on multiple university campuses, under the guidance and coordination of Reshet Ramah. “Weinstein gave me the opportunity to meet and connect with so many students and fellow Ramahniks that I wouldn't have otherwise met,” said Sam Roth, Ramah College Network Fellow at University of Pennsylvania. “Getting a small taste of Ramah in the middle of the year is invaluable--it renewed my passion and love of Ramah and all that it stands for.” At the conference, RCN Fellows learned about networking tools, leadership competencies, and applications for community engagement on campus.

Ramah Service Corps (RSC) Fellows work part-time in Jewish educational institutions throughout North America to bring Ramah spirit and energy through experiential programs. RSC Fellows also work with staff in regional Ramah camp offices to assist with local recruitment efforts. Ramah Service Corps Fellows split their time at the conference between participating in leadership sessions led by Ramah Galim Assistant Director Alana Tilman, and coordinating elements of the conference, including tefillah (prayer and programming), rikud (dance), and the Tikvah training.

The conference was marked by exceptional teaching and learning opportunities. On Friday, conference participants from all program tracks specialized in areas of interest through a Yom Iyun (a day of intensive study). Electives for Yom Iyun included a programming intensive, a leadership and management track, and an inclusion track, focusing on raising the profile of disabilities inclusion and LGBTQ inclusion at Ramah camps. Orlee Krass developed this track with Keshet trainer Rabbi Yechiel Hoffman of Temple Beth Am in Los Angeles.

Many of our participants said that their highlight was Thursday night’s session with Rabbi Ed Feinstein, Senior Rabbi of Valley Beth Shalom and former Executive Director of Ramah California. Rabbi Feinstein charged the young leaders with the task of inventing a new Judaism for the next generation of campers, calling Camp Ramah the laboratory for the creation of vibrant Jewish life. The session closed with an interview with Rabbi Feinstein about his background, leadership lessons, and career advice, facilitated by Jared Skoff. As National Ramah Program Director, Jared oversaw the logistics and curriculum development of the entire conference.

Without question, the emotional peak of the weekend was the Hachnasat Sifrei Torah, Ramah California’s celebratory return of Torahs back to camp. The Torahs had been removed due to the devastating Thomas Fire, which threatened the camp. Miraculously, because of the heroic efforts of over 150 firefighters, the camp was saved. It was now safe for the Torahs to return. “My highlight was the Hachzarat Torah ceremony on Sunday morning, said Nyack counselor Hannah Greenwald. “I felt privileged to be a part of such a meaningful moment, and to share so much joy with the Ramah California community.”

Over 200 members of the Ramah community, including our participants, joined together to march, dance, and sing with the Torahs. After inspiring speeches from Ramah California’s professional and lay leadership, a group of Weinstein Institute participants from multiple different camps, some of whom had only met days before, performed a beautiful Ramah a cappella song for the whole group.

Ronen Pink, Ramah Wisconsin madrich, shared a reflection on his experience. “To me Weinstein wasn't just about learning how to be a better camp counselor, it was about showing you that there are a hundred other people that care just as much about Judaism, it was about empowering every person there to have deep and personal conversations about how to effect change," Ronen said. We are thrilled with the success of 2018 National Ramah Winter Leadership Training Conference, and we look forward to our next Ramah leadership training.