This 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.
Read MoreToday I had the opportunity to visit Ramah Day Camp Greater DC, a program of Ramah New England. Now in its ninth year, our Greater DC day camp is a joyful hub of activity for campers ages 5 to 10. I’ll write more about the importance of day camps next week, but wanted to share what was incredibly special about today’s visit. My oldest grandson now attends the DC camp and has joined the growing ranks of third-generation Ramahniks.
Read MoreDuring the next nine weeks, Amy Skopp Cooper, National Ramah Director, plans to visit each of our 10 overnight and 6 day camps and to spend time with our 281 Ramah Israel Seminar participants. Read more about the many reasons she’s so excited to do this.
Read MoreOne of the highlights of the busy pre-summer preparation season is the training of mishlachat members at Kibbutz Shefayim. This year’s Shefayim, with its focus on sacrifice, celebration, and sharing personal narratives, lays the foundation for a summer of dialogue and connection that we hope will strengthen bonds among the Jewish people.
I had the privilege of spending the past week with our Tichon Ramah Yerushalayim high school students during their journey to Poland. I don't use the word privilege lightly—joining this group of 38 passionate, thoughtful, and articulate teens, along with our gifted educators, was an extraordinary experience.
Read MoreWith each visit I was reminded just how good it is to be in camp, even if only for brief moments of time. When I think about the meaningful interactions that I had during these short trips, I am energized by the deep learning, special friendships and lifelong connections to Judaism that I witnessed.
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