A Reflection on My Visit to Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Dr. Amy Kalmanofsky, Dean of List College and the Kekst Graduate School
The Jewish Theological Seminary

Given all the difficulties we Jews are facing, imagine the pure joy I felt participating in “the summer of joy” at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires.

I had not been back to Ramah Berkshires since my own children completed their formative and transformative years as campers there. It was great to return and to feel the fresh new energy as well as the fundamental and beloved elements of the Ramah experience that never change. Highlights of my camp visit were teaching and learning Torah as part of Rabbis and Educators Day, singing and sharing words of Torah during the spirited Friday night tisch for camp staff, talking to the Gesher kids about the kind of Jewish life they would like to have at college, and watching what everyone agrees is the “best” night of camp—the Rikkudiah—the all-camp dance party! Above all, I loved watching how the campers treated each other with kindness and respect and how the camp staff lovingly cared for their campers. Joy is necessary, especially now, but love, respect and kindness feel even more essential and precious in our world and vital to our children. 

I am grateful to Ramah Berkshires for the joy it gives, and for the love, respect, and kindness it offers to and models for our children.