by Amy Skopp Cooper, National Ramah Director

I fell in love with Ramah when I was 16 years old, a rising senior at the Solomon Schechter High School of Essex and Union, NJ, and a USY international board member. That was 42 years ago.

I wish I could pinpoint how I knew, so early into that first summer at Camp Ramah in New England, that I wanted to be a Ramah director—the joyful Jewish spirit, the kindness and empathy displayed by fellow staff members, the exuberant clamor of hundreds of children singing, dancing, praying and playing, and the educational vision and determination of then director Debby Hirshman must have all played roles. As I have shared with countless young adults, when I told Debby shortly into that summer that I wanted to be a Ramah director, she took me seriously and responded that we should spend time talking about my goals. Debby’s response in many ways laid the groundwork for my professional goals at Ramah: take young people seriously, respond to their questions, listen to their ideas, harness their passion, and support them in any way possible as they begin their own Jewish voyages. During the past 42 years, at Ramah New England, at Ramah Poconos, as director of Ramah Nyack for 20 years, and as the associate director of the National Ramah Commission, I have gotten to know thousands of young people and hope I have achieved these goals.

My work at Ramah has been a source of constant inspiration and enduring joy. I approach this next chapter with passion, determination and humility, fully aware that there will be rewards and challenges that lie ahead. I look forward to being on this journey with you—the Ramah mishpacha that spans 75 years. For so many of you, Ramah has not just been your summer camp; it is the source of multi-generational friendships, the place which inspired you to develop into Jewish leaders, become passionate Zionists, create meaningful Jewish communities, and mark the many seasons of Jewish life together.

Ramah is home.

Ramah Is Home