Five Decades of Ramah Directors Singing Himnon Ramah

This past Sunday, February 23, I attended a wonderful Ramah Poconos fundraising dinner, including a silent auction and the honoring of Geoff Menkowitz, current director of Ramah Darom and Avi Orlow of the Foundation for Jewish Camp; Dr. Mark and Ruth Joffe, Ramah Poconos lay leaders and medical director; and Rabbi Arthur “Archie” Ruberg, director of Ramah Poconos from 1976-1980. Over 300 people were in attendance. I have the honor of attending these events at all of our camps from time to time, and I am always moved by the expressions of deep commitment to Ramah and the impact of Ramah on the lives of so many people. This evening, however, was perhaps one of the most memorable, as Archie Ruberg’s speech was truly incredible.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterFebruary 27, 2014Mitch Cohen, Poconos

Opening The Doors

Earlier this month I had the incredible opportunity to participate in the first Jewish Leadership Institute on Disability and Inclusion. The Institute brought together Jewish leaders from across North America who are working to make the Jewish community more inclusive of all its members, regardless of individual differences. As a young professional beginning what I hope to be a long and fulfilling career working with people with disabilities in the Jewish community, I cherished the opportunity to connect with other professionals who share my passion.

Tikvah/Special Needs, Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterJanuary 23, 2014Tikvah, Ruderman Foundation, New England

Inspiration at Joint Ramah-URJ Fellowship Training

As I returned back to the University of Pittsburgh’s frigid campus just a few weeks ago, I couldn’t stop wishing I had never left the warmth of California and the incredible community I had shared my Shabbat with at Camp Ramah in California. As a Ramah Service Corps Fellow, I spend my time working at Congregation Beth Shalom in Pittsburgh promoting Camp Ramah in Canada and helping to bring the success of informal Jewish education experienced over the summer at Camp Ramah back to the community.

Blog/Reflections, Staff Leadership TrainingNRC WebmasterJanuary 22, 2014Nyack, URJ, National Ramah

What Synagogues Can Learn From Jewish Camp

Pray outside, make friends, teach Hebrew and have fun. Simple, isn’t it?
read more: http://www.haaretz.com/jewish/rabbis-round-table/.premium-1.555948?v=CC704CED43DD6EBC7D192375B060C9E3

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterNovember 3, 2013Poconos

Reflections on Al Pi Darko: National Ramah Symposium on Special Needs Programs

We have all heard these sentiments expressed before: “Camp was my child’s best Jewish experience,” “Camp changed our lives,” “”I love Camp Ramah!” What was special about hearing these words last week was that they came from Ramah camper alumni with disabilities and parents of campers with disabilities. These families never dreamed that they could have a Jewish camp experience.

Blog/Reflections, Tikvah/Special NeedsNRC WebmasterOctober 22, 2013Tikvah, Voc-Ed

Why Our Camps Are Named Ramah

On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we read the moving haftarah from Jeremiah 31:14, with the following words: “Kol b’Ramah nishma—A voice is heard in Ramah.” Could this be the origin of the name “Camp Ramah,” founded in Conover, Wisconsin, in 1947? I have yet to find a document that discusses the reasons why our founders chose this name; many speculate that this haftarah provides the answer. While we might reject this reference given its context—Rachel weeping for her exiled children, refusing to be comforted—the following verses add consolation and hope: “There is hope for the future, said the Lord, and your children shall return to their borders—v’shavu vanim ligvulam.”

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterOctober 21, 2013National Ramah, Mitch Cohen

reTURNING To Ramah

Fifteen years ago was my last summer at Camp Ramah (as a camper at least). I have returned to camp since my days as a camper; including six summers as staff along with visits to show my wife a little slice of the Judaism that resonates with me the most. This year I returned to Conover, Wisconsin as a rabbi for the very first time. Camp Ramah, referring to the camp in Wisconsin (although I am sure the other camps as well), is a place where Judaism and Jewish education are at their finest.

Ramah in the News, Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 16, 2013Wisconsin

The "Post-Kedushah" Test

As I travel among all the Ramah camps and have the privilege of joining many different edot for tefillah, I experience a variety of levels in the quality of the davening. Some of our leaders are better prepared and better trained, and some of our young adults are struggling to learn these new leadership skills.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterJuly 19, 2013Mitch Cohen, Summer 2013

From Palmer to Eilat: An Inspiring Ramah Spring

The summer camping season at Ramah has not even begun, and yet I have already been privileged to participate in a series of Ramah programs over the last few weeks that have left me truly inspired.