Sustaining, Healing, and Strengthening Us: The Power of Our Ramah Communities
Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO, National Ramah Commission, Inc.
Reflections on Kayitz 2024 (as of July 8)
Over the last week and a half, during exceptional visits to Camp Ramah in California (“Ojai”) and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, I had the opportunity to meet with so many individuals and hear their renewed passion and appreciation for their Ramah communities.
NRC Officers and Camp Presidents at Ramah California
I visited Ojai together with members of our National Ramah Commission board, composed of our officers and camp presidents. This group works tirelessly to ensure the strengthening and growth of our camps and Israel programs. Our officers and camp presidents share best practices and rely on each other’s areas of expertise as they tackle big questions and navigate the complexities of running camps. It is a privilege to work with people whose commitment to the greater Ramah community is so deep, sincere, and pure.
Yom Yisrael at Ramah California
While in Ojai, we heard from young adult staff members who were among the 300 summer 2024 tzevet members to participate in one of our two May Ramah Birthright Israel Onward volunteer missions. (Read more here.) One staff member told us that the Ramah trip had “saved her” after a tumultuous semester, providing her with the chizuk (strength), community, and tools needed to engage with shlichim and talk about Israel at camp. At an Oneg Shabbat, another staff member spoke about the pain of losing her father this year, and how her Ramah community has provided her with space to mourn and move forward. On Shabbat afternoon, three shlichim shared their stories of the past nine months and how being at Ramah—surrounded by love—has been so restorative. There were few dry eyes. And the Shabbat community was certainly restorative for all of us visitors: the spirited Kabbalat Shabbat, lively meals, and children fully engaged in camp life was so uplifting.
Kabbalat Shabbat at Ramah Wisconsin
On to the Northwoods of Wisconsin, which is worth the long drive to arrive at this fabulous intentional community! Led by amazing senior Jewish educators and an incredible camper care team, young adults are mentored and supported as they become the next generation of Jewish leaders. It is truly inspirational to see them in action.
It was fulfilling to spend Shabbat with so many visiting rabbis and community leaders invested in this work. During Shabbat kiddush, I asked the participants of our Israel mission how many were concerned about returning to campus this fall. All but one raised their hands. We explored how the Ramah community can support them moving forward, and they asked for more programs, Shabbat meals, opportunities to gather regionally, and another chance to volunteer in Israel. We owe this to all of your young people.
For so many of us—campers, families, staff and alumni—the question of how Ramah can continue to strengthen us and our communities during these unprecedented times is pressing and urgent. Because before we know it, the uplifting sounds of children and young adults davening and dancing will come to an end. Ramah cannot shut its gates until next June. These sacred communities that we have been able to form this summer must somehow endure.