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March 5, 2010 * 19 Adar 5770
            Visit us on the Web at: www.ramah.org
             News from Camp Ramah in California
Highlights
Ramah Open House
Campership Incentives
Camp Ohr Lanu
March Candle Lighting Times
Enroll for Summer '10!
Business News
Rabbi Dan's Reflections
Have You Heard?
The Ramah Office Moved!
 
The Camp Ramah Los Angeles Business Office has moved to a new location.  You can now come visit or drop off forms to our new office located at:

17525 Ventura Blvd.
Sute 201 (2nd floor)
Encino, CA 91316

Mail with our old address will still arrive - it just might take a bit of extra time.

Our main phone and fax numbers will remain the same.  We appreciate your patience as we get used to our new phone system.

We look forward to visitors stopping by to say hello!
Check Out Our Next & LAST Open House: March 21
house If you weren't able to make it to our Open House in February- you are still in luck!  Join us on Sunday, March 21st at 1pm to relive the experience. Take an awesome tour, meet wonderful summer staff members, enjoy some delicious treats and hear all about Ramah's summer programs.

If you know someone who is interested in hearing more about Ramah, have been thinking about signing your children up, have always wanted to see what Ramah looks like or want to see where your children could spend their summer - our Open House is just what you've been waiting for!

Please let us know if you can join us by email at:
[email protected], with your name, the number of people in your party and the ages of your children.  Once we get your reservation we will send you final information and driving directions.
Ramah's Many Campership Incentives
 
Camp Ramah in California is working hard to make its summer programs as affordable as possible, with special incentives available to first time campers and scholarship available for those in need.  Please consider the following opportunities:

* Incentive Discounts for First Time 4-Week'ers in Los Angeles: Camp Ramah has partnered with generous donors and partner with Jewish organizations to make available discounts for kids new to the Ramah 4-week program. Please contact your local Conservative rabbi or educator to inquire about the Lowy Campership Incentive of $1,000 off the cost of tuition for campers who are the first in their family to come to Ramah for 4-weeks.  Los Angeles residents can also visit onehappycamper
for more information about the LA Campership Incentive Grant, reducing the cost of tuition by $1,500 for campers who have not yet been to a Jewish summer camp.

*Incentive Discounts for First Time 4-Week'ers Outside Los Angeles- Families living west of Colorado with entering 6 - 8th grade campers who are not enrolled in a Jewish Day School are eligible for a JWest financial incentive of $1,500 from the Foundation for Jewish Camp, and should also visit onehappycamper for more information.  In addition, Camp Ramah offers incentives through Conservative shuls and schools to kids news to the 4-week program in San Diego in the amount of $1,250 OR outside of San Diego to campers who are the first in their family to attend the 4-week program through the Lowy Campership Incentive in the amount of $1,000.  Contact your local Conservative rabbi or educator for more info.

Questions? Visit our Financial Resource Guide or contact Karmi Monsher - Outreach Coordinator (310) 476-8571 ext. 225.
Bring your Whole Family to Ramah


Family Camp plans are already underway!  Share the joy of learning, singing, sports, Shabbat celebration and art activities during four very special days in May.  Memorial Day Weekend Family Camp is a spirited and exciting way to go to camp with the whole family. The program is filled with a mix of adult learning, kid's programs (for ages 2 and up) and family time.
 
Join us Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th-31st 2010 for Family Camp at Camp Ramah in Ojai! 
For more information please contact Johannah Sohn, Family Camp Coordinator: [email protected] or visit the Family Camp website, here.

We Are Proud of Our Alumni!
 

Camp Ramah in California staff alumnus, Gregg Kravitz, is running for state representative in
Pennsylvania's 182nd district.  To learn about his exciting campaign visit his website here.


If you know of any Ramah alumni making our community proud - send us an email about them at [email protected].

Shabbat Candle Lighting Times for March

Fri March 5: 5:35pm

Fri March 12: 5:41pm

Fri March 19: 6:46pm

Fri March 26 6:51pm

ShabbatCandles
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Register Now for Summer 2010

AVOID WAITLISTS!


ERSmilingBoys

Calling all campers - new and returning - to a fabulous summer at Camp Ramah in California full of swimming, sports, singing/dancing, Shabbat celebration and outdoor adventure!  With over 1,000 applications submitted we are on our way to creating a strong community ... but don't delay as waitlists have begun for 1st session entering 9 - 10th grade girls and 10th grade boys.  Additionally, the following sessions are almost completely full:

2nd session (4-week) 4, 5 & 7th grade girls

Gesher C (2-weeks) entering 3-4th grade girls

Gesher D (2-weeks) entering 4-5th grade boys


Great discounts for new campers are available for the 2010 summer.  First time campers may be eligible for one of a number of campership incentives between $1,000 to $1,500 off the cost of camp fees, potentially even lowering the cost of enrollment by $2,500.  Information on campership incentives and the Ramah scholarship process are available at www.ramah.org or by contacting Karmi Monsher, Outreach Coordinator.          


Application packets are available for our Gesher (2-week sessions for younger children) and 4-week programs from our forms page, here.

Session options include:

1st Session (4-10th grade): June 22 - July 19th2010 application cover letter

2nd Session (4-10th grade): July 22 - August 18th

Gesher A (3-4th grade): June 22 - July 5th

Gesher B (4-5th grade): July 6 - July 19th

Gesher C (3-4th grade): July 22 - August 4th

Gesher D (4-5th grade): August 5 - 18th
Bring the Whole Family to Ramah for a Memorable Passover!

dancingPesach is just around the corner! Spend Pesach in beautiful Ojai, CA. Passover at Camp Ramah is an amazing experience; not only do you get the incredible atmosphere, but you leave all of the holiday preparations to us. The food is delicious, the community is warm and the location cannot be beat.  Bring your family and join us for food, fun, learning and relaxation at Passover Camp. 


Enroll today - only one cabin left!  Sign up online by visiting the Passover website here.


For more information please contact Johannah Sohn, Passover Coordinator: (310) 476-8571 or [email protected].

A Note From Our Business Office

finances

Financial Aid Deadline has Passed

If you are still planning to apply and have missed this deadline, please email Randy Michaels, [email protected] ASAP. Applications received after the March 2, 2010 deadline will be held for review at a future date if monies are available.  We will do everything we can to accommodate both currently and newly enrolled campers but must receive your financial aid applications quickly. We expect to have award letters in the mail by the 2nd week of May. 

Please remember, if you receive outside funding that is greater than the Ramah Award and above your tuition balance, your Ramah Award will be reduced and distributed for other scholarships.  Please be in touch with your synagogues, Federations, BJE or other community agencies that support camp families to make sure you are on their lists and eligible for these funds.  As soon as you know the amounts of these outside funds please notify the Ramah office.

Late Fee Notice


*On April 1, 2010 a late fee of $50.00 will be charged for any unpaid balance and to accounts without a payment plan.

*On May 1, 2010 an additional $25.00 late fee will be applied to unpaid balance and to accounts without a payment plan.

To prevent late fees, please refer to the information above.


Summer Forms Reminder: We've Gone Green!

By now you should have received your enrollment confirmation letter by mail or email outlining this year's process for completing all Summer 2010 camp forms and documents.  All forms are now available online and can be accessed through your "My Ramah Account".  If you have any trouble accessing your account or certain forms please be in touch with our office for assistance.  Please note that all forms with required fields must be completed in order for them to be
loginbuttonsubmitted.  If a certain question does not apply, please type in "N/A" (do not just skip over it.  In addition, the Parent Handbook is a a resource only document and does not need to be returned to our office.

Transportation information for both buses and flights are now available online.  Please be sure to indicated the correct transportation option as soon as possible.  Please not, if you are flying to LAX or Burbank you will need to supply us with a copy of your flight itinerary in order for us to verify your arrival and departure information.

Please remember - if you need any assistance we are here to help!

For other business related matters, feel free to be in touch with Randy Michaels, Business Director, at [email protected] or (310) 476-8571 ext. 226, or Wendy Morris, Assistant Business Director and bookkeeper, at [email protected] or (310) 476-8571 ext. 227.

Camp Ramah Scholarship:
Your Gift Will Help More Kids Come to Camp!
 
You will soon be receiving an important piece of mail from movieCamp Ramah in California. It includes a quote from an actual thank you letter we received from a camper who was able to attend camp because of a scholarship award:

"THANK YOU so much for the scholarship which enabled me to attend CAMP RAMAH. This has been the best summer of my life. I feel that I have connected to my faith even more than past years. I had an amazing summer and have memories that will last my whole life."

Each year, Camp Ramah in California receives notes like these, thanks to the generosity of people like you. Donations in any amount to the 2010 Annual Giving Scholarship Campaign will ensure that we are able to raise enough funds to provide scholarships to camp for all children in need, to disburse these funds in a fair and equitable manner, and to provide quality programming for each and every camper this coming summer.
 
Last year, we were able to award $351,000 to the 214 families who would otherwise been unable to afford their children the marvelous Jewish learning and cultural experience that is the hallmark of a Camp Ramah summer. This year, our goal is to raise even more - $400,000 to meet what we already know is be a greatly increased need, thanks to the continuing difficult economic climate.
 
Your gift this year will have tremendous impact for many children, not just for this summer, but for a lifetime. To make your gift now - and make a difference in a child's life forever - please click here.

Join Camp Ramah in California on Facebook & Twitter!

twitterBecome a fan of Ramah on Facebook and get our tweets through Twitter!  Get updates on all of Ramah's happenings including: special camper contests, enrollment deadlines, Ramah events, Ramah's year round programs, what schools and synagogues we will be visiting, special summer announcements and so much more!

facebookWith over 900 fans, join our Facebook community today!  To become a fan of ours on our Facebook page, search for Camp Ramah in California in the Facebook search box and add as one of your pages.

To follow Ramah on Twitter simply visit our twitter page at:  http://twitter.com/CampRamahCA.

We look forward to keeping in touch with our Ramah community through both Facebook and Twitter!
Camp Ohr Lanu:
Camp for Families who have Special Needs Kids

EROhrLanuMomDon't miss out on the wonderful opportunity to bring your whole family to camp!  Join us for the third annual Camp Ohr Lani, a camp for families who have children with Special Needs.


We will come together to play, learn and laugh all under the Ojai sun.  Ohr Lanu is from August 20 - 25 so sign up soon!


Registration information can be found on our website here or email Elana Naftalin Kelman, Tikvah Director, at [email protected] with any questions.

Ruach Nashim: Woman's Spirit Retreat

Join us for another fabulous year of Ruach Nashim (Woman's Spirit).  Spend a relaxing and transformative Shabbat at Camp Ramah in Ojai.  Dance, sing, learn, converse, make new friends and so much more at this special retreat May 7 - 9 (Mother's Day Weekend!)womanfriends

Bring your mother, sister, daughter or friends with you to experience this fabulous opportunity together.

To register, please visit our website here or call our office at (310) 476-8571.
Rushing In Too Soon
Parshat Parah, March 2010
Rabbi Daniel Greyber

Dr. Wendy Mogel once related a study that was done by Harvard about kids who drop out of Harvard.  It's a good question: why do kids who are successful enough in high school to get into Harvard not make it through till the end there?  The study found that kids who dropped out could be segmented into  two distinct groups labeled: "tea cups" and the "crispies."  "Crispies" are those students who have worked so hard in high school to get into Harvard that, when they arrive, they are so burnt out they are "burnt to a crisp."  They don't have the energy to go to class, to read more, because, they took too advanced a curriculum in high school and their arrival to Harvard represented not a beginning, but an end, to a long arduous process.

"Tea cups" are those kids who have had everything done for them in high school - laundry, schedules, social activities - all so they can study and achieve so that they can get into Harvard.  But when they arrive to Harvard, they are so fragile (like "teacups"), they are unable to take on the responsibility for caring for themselves that going to college requires.  Mogel argues modern children become "teacups" when they are not allowed to make mistakes for themselves, and, from those mistakes, to learn and grow.  Teacups succeed in the short run, but they fail in the long run, because they were not allowed to fail.  Too often we think we are helping when we rush in to save our children, or a friend, or ourselves, when really, we are only making matters worse.

ERSmilingGirlsThis week's parsha, Ki Tissa, contains the story of the sin of the golden calf - the quintessential sin of the Jewish people.  It begins, "The people saw that Moshe was delayed in coming down the mountain."  I find it interesting that the moment when things begin to unravel is when the people are impatient.  They need Moses.  Nachmanides (1194-1270) says that when they demand a god, what they are demanding is less an actual deity and more a physical manifestation of God's presence; they need to be able to see a leader and they cannot wait one moment longer than the 40 days Moshe promised he would be on the mountain before they must take matters into their own hands.  They rush in, and in rushing in, they sin.

Aaron too rushes in.  Jewish tradition understands Aaron as "rodef shalom" - peace maker - constantly seeking reconciliation and harmony.  The Conservative movement's Etz Hayim commentary points out that, "Aaron's inclination to accept, rather than challenge, popular will led to misfortune."  Rather than standing in conflict with the people's basest urges, Aaron appeases them.  He rushes in, or rushes away, from a confrontation that needed to be waged.

There is a theme in this story of scene about the dangers of "rushing in."  Rabbi Mordechai Yosef Lainer (1800-1854) reminds us how the word for calf (egel) shares etymology with a word we say frequently in the kaddish but rarely think about:  "b'agala" u'vizman kariv v'emru amen."  We pray God's name will be praised b'agala - "quickly."  "Egel" and "agala." "Calf" and "quickly."  The connection hints that the root of the sin of the calf is that we forced things too quickly.  Holding back is an important, and difficult, skill in life, and parenting.

Dr. Avivah Zornberg wrote, "the child must separate from the parent; the parent must allow the child to discover his or her own reality.  Where there was one, there must be two.  But this separation, though necessary, is a complex and often tormented experience...In the act of creation, there is perhaps inevitable sadness, as the work works itself loose from the vision."  Holding back is not easy; it involves sadness on the part of parents as we watch our children birth themselves into adulthood.  Keats once asked, "Do
you not see how necessary a world of pains and troubles is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?"  We might answer Keats, "yes, we know it is better not to intervene, but it's hard to watch because we love them so much."  Yet because we love our children, we must practice patience with their struggles.  We must tolerate a momentary failure in school rather than rushing in "to save them." Doing their homework, arguing with their teachers, demanding schools use more generous grading system - these things do not help kids learn.

This Shabbat, may God bless us with the wisdom of patience and the strength to hold back.  The Jewish people made a mistake long ago of rushing in too soon.  May we learn from their mistake and, in doing so, help our children grow into souls they are meant to become.
   
Shabbat Shalom,

Daniel & Zach sig

Rabbi Daniel Greyber and Zach Lasker
Executive Director and Camp Director
Camp Ramah in California


Phone us: 888-Camp-Ramah
Write us: 17525 Ventura Blvd.
               Suite 201
               Encino, CA 91316