I've been able to celebrate our movement's growth this week while visiting the Ramah Day Camp Greater DC, Camp Ramah in Northern California (Ramah Galim), and Ramah Day Camp LA, our brand-new day camp (and our sixth day camp in North America). These three programs, in addition to our new overnight camp in Israel, now account for over 1,100 children entering the Ramah pipeline—and that is great news.
Read MoreIt is at Ramah this summer where our young adult staff members will find Jewish community, form meaningful and authentic friendships, create safe space for dialogue and listening, and mark Jewish time together. I ask our tzevet (staff) to think about their summer aspirations, and encourage them to be exceptional staff, relationship builders, Jewish role models, learners, and teachers. I tell them, “When you aspire, you inspire.”
Read MoreThis spring, the National Ramah Commission hosted two groups of rashei edot (division heads) for our annual Louis & Shoshanah Winer Institute for Rosh Edah Training—one from May 21–22 in Jerusalem and another from June 3–5 at Camp Ramah New England in Palmer, MA.
Read MoreA group of 14 young adults, 12 of whom were Ramah alumni, recently spent a week in Poland on Ha’dor Yizkor: A Reshet Ramah Poland Journey. During our week together, we honored the vibrancy of Jewish life that once existed in the country, bore witness to the unfathomable atrocities of the Shoah, grappled with complex questions about Poland’s modern Jewish community, and celebrated our Jewish identities proudly and joyfully through prayer, song, and dance.
Read MoreWe are very proud to announce that the 2024 Ramah camping season has officially opened for campers.The singing, dancing, playing, praying, and learning have all begun for more than 11,000 campers and staff who will participate in a Ramah program this summer.
Read MoreThis has truly been a remarkable week of endings and beginnings. I spent the past six days in Israel bidding farewell to our Ramah Israel Seminar participants, experiencing the beauty of our Ramah Jerusalem Day Camp, and welcoming staff and 56 campers to the inaugural season of our newest overnight camp, Machaneh Ramah Yisrael.
Read MoreAs I write this, my heart is both aching and pulling me east; this has been one of the hardest weeks in the 75-year history of the State of Israel. At the same time, it has also produced passionate dialogue about Israel among participants on Ramah Seminar and at many of our camps.
Read MoreWhile my journeys this past week have not numbered 42 (B’nei Yisrael’s encampments during their 40-year span in the desert), my four encampments have allowed me to appreciate and celebrate what differentiates each of our camps.
Read MoreCelebrating our leaders, camp traditions, and the centrality of Israel and Hebrew have all been part of my remarkable week.
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