New Amidah/01069 mural
Camp Ramah in New England
July 4, 2014
Shalom!

Ruach (spirit) is such a wonderful part of Camp Ramah.  Wednesday night we had a thunderstorm that kept A-side in the dining room a little longer than usual.  Our Shoafim (entering 7th grade) campers spontaneously led the whole group in song.  This morning, patriotic spirit erupted in our All American song session.  The campers were having so much fun.  Soon, we will gather together (probably in the Bet Am Gadol) for a wonderful Shabbat.  It is seeing the campers' energy and enthusiasm that makes this job so awesome. 

 

RAMAH DAY CAMP OF GREATER WASHINGTON, DC,  

August 18-22:  a week  of great Ramah activities, open to children entering kindergarten through fourth grade.  Presented by Camp Ramah in New England. There are only a few slots left!   CLICK HERE for more information.  

   

PROSPECTIVE FAMILY DAYS, Sunday, July 27 OR Sunday, August 3, 10:30am-2pm:

Come see for yourself where all of the Ramah magic happens!  Check out our beautiful lake, refurbished tennis courts and sports fields, newly designed arts and crafts and woodworking studios, our thrilling ropes and adventure course and so much more.  Learn about our unique Jewish education program.  Tour our spacious bunks and other facilities and meet our staff. Camp Ramah offers two-week sessions for children currently in grades 2-3 and four or eight-week sessions for children in grades 3-10. To learn more or to RSVP, contact Lori Fish Bard
 
ANNOUNCING OUR DATES  FOR KAYITZ 2015, OUR 50TH IN PALMER, MA!  

Full Summer: June 23 - August 16 (for current 3rd - 10th graders and Tikvah campers)

First Session: June 23 - July 19 (for current 3rd - 9th graders)

Second Session:  July 21 - August 16 (for current 3rd - 9th graders)

Mini Alef: June 23 - July 5 (for current 2nd - 3rd graders)

Mini Bet: July 7 - July 19 (for current 2nd - 3rd graders)

Mini Gimmel:  July 21 - August 3 (for current 2nd - 3rd graders)

Mini Daled: August 5 - August 16 (for current 2nd - 3rd graders)

(Based on grades in fall 2014)

 

Coming soon:  The much anticipated reveal of this year's early registration giveaway!

 

LAST CHANCE THIS SUMMER TO HONOR YOUR RAMAHNIK WITH A BRICK IN THE GROVE!
This is a wonderful opportunity to leave your permanent mark on the place that so many have called their home or to honor your favorite Ramahnik.  To purchase commemorative bricks, please
CLICK HERE.  Deadline: July 21st.

  
The new Brick Performance Plaza has beautified our Grove!
 
D'var Torah: Making the Right Choices  
By Rabbi Ed Gelb
An Ilanot camper asked me a great question the other day.  He wondered why Bilaam died in the battle destroying Moab.  He felt it was unfair because Bilaam had ultimately listened to God and blessed B'nai Israel with the famous words of "ma tovu" found in this week's parsha.  First off, that is a pretty impressive Ilanot camper.  Second, it made me think about choices.  Frankly, I had forgotten that Bilaam died in the battle with Moab.  Prior to that, one might have thought that Bilaam had gotten it all.  King Balak had paid him a huge sum of riches to curse Israel and Bilaam still technically had listened to God by only prophesizing what God revealed to him. 

 

At camp, we talk a lot about choices.  When training leaders, I often explain that choices are rarely between something clearly good and clearly bad.  That would almost be too easy.  No, choices are usually between two competing good things or two competing bad things.  A simple example, regarding resources, would be whether to use $5,000 to buy a new street hockey rink or a new water toy for the lake.  Both are great, but we have to choose.  Human choices are harder.  Sometimes we have to ask people to do things that they do not want to do for the good of the group.  Sometimes we have to ask the group to sacrifice for the individual.  

 

How do we make these choices?  First, make sure the options are clear.  Next, gather information and consult with others.  Then, try to see the consequences of both paths.  When you make the decision, try to ensure you are being as objective as possible.  Then communicate the decision clearly.  After the decision is made, be confident in your process while also being open to adjusting your decision if it is clear that you made a mistake or the situation changes.

 

Bilaam made a bad decision:  he decided to accept money for prophecy.  Even though he ended up blessing Israel, he threw in his lot with evil people.  Ultimately, this cost him his life.  At camp, by empowering our campers and staff and exploring the teachings of our faith, we help them learn how to make decisions for themselves in a safe and nurturing environment.     

New Ulpan Program Intensifies Hebrew Learning
Our new Ulpan program is off to a great start! Facilitated by trained instructors Inbal Caplan and Naama Guggenheim of Ulpan-Or, a well-respected program based in Israel, chanichim (campers) in Magshimim, Bogrim, and Machon have the opportunity this summer to opt into intensive Hebrew learning that meets twice daily (double that of their peers).  While the Hebrew language is an essential and valued aspect of the Camp Ramah experience for all chanichim, participants in the Ulpan have the opportunity to elevate their understanding of Hebrew to even greater heights. 

 

A glimpse into Bogrim's Ulpan this week revealed one group watching funny and entertaining videos in Hebrew, pausing to discuss new vocabulary words, and then returning to the video with a renewed understanding of the content.  Another group was busy translating a ghost story that they had written from English into Hebrew.  Each member of this latter group worked independently to write out his or her own portion of the story, which was then put together into one scary, entertaining tale! 

 

Chanichim in the Ulpan program have the opportunity to explore the Hebrew language through many of the techniques that make the Ramah educational experience so meaningful and exciting for all chanichim: they are putting together sentences and pulling verbs from songs and videos, they are playing games, and even teaching and performing for each other.  The Ulpan staff is committed to enabling all members of the Camp Ramah community to enrich their connection to and mastery of the Hebrew language. Kol Hakavod! 

Peulah of the week:  Advanced Basketball
We were thrilled to welcome Basketball Stars of New York for a new advanced basketball option!

Our campers had a fantastic week working on improving their basketball skills.  The peulah consisted of various group drills to improve dribbling, passing and shooting, and of course full-court games.

Coach Maurice Maxwell, who has played both on collegiate and professional levels, previously coached in Palmer as part of our Kishroniyah offerings for B-side campers.  This time, in the new advanced basketball chug, this type of intensive basketball training was offered to campers of all ages over a 2-week period.  Coach Maxwell shared that it is particularly rewarding to come back every year and see how the campers have improved.  He is looking forward to coming back in late July for the next Kishroniyah workshops.

The Advanced Basketball chug has been graciously sponsored by a camp family.  Todah Rabbah!
Etgar: Nivonim

Nivonim embarking on their Etgar Challenge!

כל טוב,

 

Rabbi Ed Gelb, Director

 

 

Board of Directors


Scott Glickman, President
Aaron KassB.J. Rosen
Judith BeckStuart Katz*Ross Sadoff
Nadine Evans*Phyllis LavineRabbi Michael Safra
David Farbman*Belinda Lehman*Terry Schuster
Jon Fraade*Aliza Yellin LernerJen Stern*
Jody GelfandShari LevyBaruch Weiss
Rabbi Elliot GoldbergSander MendelsonDebra Weiss
Bucky JacobsonElizabeth PressmanStuart Zimmer

 

 

 

* Executive Committee
In This Issue
Quick Links


Watch our new
Chadar Ochel video!
Help us Feed the Future at Camp Ramah. Learn more about our plans for a new Chadar Ochel.

Annual Fund:  You can help us to change the lives of Jewish children through giving to our Scholarship, Tikvah, Makom and Annual Funds.  Click here to give.

Legacy Society:  Click here to learn how you can strengthen Camp Ramah by including camp in your estate plan.

Ramah B'nai Mitzvah
Mazal Tov to these campers who are celebrating their
B'nai Mitzvah in July:

Barrie Brodsky
Aliza Reinstein
Alumni
Alumni 
Connections & Events

The online directory is live!
The Reshet Ramah Find-Alumni Online Directory
is here! Use the new online community to reconnect with old friends and reminisce about those good old days at Camp Ramah. Please 
join our online community and share this news with your friends!

Reshet Ramah events - for all young Ramah alumni:
 
CLICK HERE to see events for young Ramah alumni - coming up in New York, Chicago, and more!
 
YOUNG ALUMNI REUNION WEEKEND
August 29-31, 2014 in Palmer
Click here to register 
 
Any questions?  
Contact Mindy Goldstein, Director of Annual Campaign and Alumni Relations












Camp Ramah in New England 
2 Commerce Way, Norwood, MA 02062