Ramah and JNF Sponsor Alternative Winter Break
Service Trip to Israel, January 2-9, 2012

The Ramah-JNF alternative winter break in Israel exceeded all of my expectations. At the end of each day I felt like I had truly contributed something to the land and people of Israel. I learned a lot about some of the incredible JNF projects in the south, while working with my Ramah peers to actively beautify and make “greener” our homeland. At the same time, these projects helped me to recharge and gear up for camp this summer, and forced me to re-envision my role as a Jewish educator at camp. A particular highlight was the Shabbat we spent together. Hearing songs and traditions from our diverse Ramah experiences provided some flair that hopefully will be brought back to many of each other’s Ramah camps this summer.

- Josh Warshawsky, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin

The National Ramah Commission partnered with the Jewish National Fund for our fourth annual Alternative Winter Break service trip to Israel. A group of 35 returning staff members from Ramah camps participated in this inspiring week of social action and community service projects.

Projects that framed each day included packaging food in Jaffa; assisting farmers working in Kerem Behar HaNegev; preparing agricultural land for economically disadvantaged Ethiopian Jews in Beershev; and spending time with children at an protected indoor playground in Sderot. Participants brought true dedication and Ramah spirit to each of these projects. At the conclusion of each day they discussed how to translate their unique experiences into camp programs for the coming summer.

Ramah is thrilled to have once again partnered with the Jewish National Fund, true visionaries in the building of Eretz Yisrael. Kol HaKavod to all who participated in this wonderful program.

At the end of each day I felt like I had truly contributed something to the land and people of Israel.

- Josh Warshawsky,
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin