"Ramah is perhaps the best incubator for passionate, modern traditional Judaism. We need more and more of our young people attending existing camps and we need to seek ways to build new ones."

- JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen

July 18, 2014 / 20 Tammuz 5774

   

(L-R) Ramah Wisconsin Board President Arnie Harris, JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen, Camp Director Jacob Cytryn, National Ramah Director Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, CEO Rabbi David Soloff, and Board President Elect Jon Sherman

I was privileged to travel with JTS Chancellor Arnold Eisen to Ramah Wisconsin this past Shabbat, where he served as scholar in residence, speaking with many groups of staff as well as Nivonim, the oldest campers. In a packed staff lounge ("the Kopin") Friday night, Chancellor Eisen made a powerful case for why he is a proud Conservative Jew, and why the teachings and theology of Conservative Judaism are authentic and dynamic for so many modern Jews (whether or not they actively affiliate). He gave some very specific advice regarding improving our communities in synagogues, on campus, and in our camps and schools. As he often states, "Ramah is perhaps the best incubator for passionate, modern traditional Judaism. We need more and more of our young people attending existing camps and we need to seek ways to build new ones."

by Rabbi Daniel Nevins, Pearl Resnick Dean of The Rabbinical School and Dean of the Division of Religious Leadership

One of my favorite tasks as a JTS dean is the chance to visit several Ramah camps each summer. I travel to see our JTS students who work at camp, to recruit for our programs, to teach Torah, and in general to "shep nachas" from the magical world created by the campers and staff each summer. This year I was privileged to visit Etgar B'Ramah (Ramah Outdoor Adventure) in Colorado for my second time, Ramah California for my first time, and Ramah Canada, where my own kids have been campers and staff, for perhaps the twentieth time (only a slight exaggeration). Later this summer I also plan to visit Ramah Nyack, where my middle child is working as a counselor.

Rabbi Daniel Nevins in Colorado

My observations? For all of the dramatic differences in topography, program, and personnel--and they are dramatic--the Ramah "brand" is remarkably constant. In each camp I found a passion for excellence, a love of Jewish life, a deep connection to Israel, and a commitment to help every member of the community grow as a person and as a Jew. Unfortunately, my visit overlapped with the abduction and murder of Israeli teens Naftali Fraenkel, Gil-Ad Shaar, and Eyal Yifrah, may their memories be for a blessing, and the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas. I spoke at length with Israeli staff members and campers, helping them share their grief and anxiety, even as we continued to build a sense of resilience for the Jewish people in this challenging time. 

One thing that struck me in the camps is the sense of experimentation in Jewish prayer. As always, prayer at camp is a "tale of two minyans," with conditions making for both the best and the worst of prayer life. The best is obvious--what can beat the sound of hundreds of voices singing Kabbalat Shabbat before a vista of mountains (in Colorado) or a tree-lined lake (in Canada)? But camp is also a challenging place for prayer. Campers are often tired, and tefillot can become more of a routine than an experience of deep spirituality. This is true everywhere that people pray, but the heavy concentration of young teens can make for a challenging environment. What I observed is a great spirit of innovation in the camps, as staff and visiting clergy sought to infuse prayer with joyous music, thoughtful meditations, and a deep sense of purpose. How lucky are our campers to be in an atmosphere that values both keva and kavanah, the established forms of Jewish worship and the need to infuse our words with new meaning and music.

One extra treat for my travels was the company of my oldest daughter, Talya, who returned too late from her gap year to return for a second year of staff. She is a patriotic Ramah Canada person, but this summer she got to see two new camps. Through her eyes I saw once again how fortunate we are to enjoy the treasure of our Ramah camps, in all of their variety. I thank the remarkable staff for their creative and unceasing work, and the thousands of families that send their children to the spiritual highland that is Mahane Ramah. 

by Marc Gary, Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer

Havdalah at Ramah Darom