A Journey of Ruach, Community, and Partnership

Randy Michaels, Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer, JTS

This summer, I had the profound privilege of visiting several Ramah camps across the country—an experience that has left me both humbled and inspired. After 17 unforgettable summers at Camp Ramah in California (“Ojai”) as a year-round professional, this was an opportunity to explore other Ramah communities during the active summer season. It was also the first time in 40 years that I returned for a summer visit to the place where my own Ramah journey began: Camp Ramah in Wisconsin.

That return to Wisconsin was deeply personal. Walking through the familiar yet transformed grounds stirred a rush of memories from my formative years. What struck me most, however, wasn’t nostalgia, but the vibrant continuity of the Ramah ruach (spirit)—an evolving yet enduring expression of the values that have defined Ramah for generations. That spirit was alive in the voices of the chanichim (campers), in the energy of the tzevet (staff), and in the tireless work of the year-round professionals and lay leaders who breathe life into each camp’s unique rhythm.

Across every Ramah camp I visited, I encountered a palpable sense of joy and purpose. Whether it was during spirited tefillah, intense inter-edah matches on the basketball courts, a boat ride around majestic lakes, or thoughtful discussions on Jewish identity, each moment reflected the dynamic and joyful Jewish living that Ramah cultivates so beautifully. The ruach that fills these camps is not just emotional—it is transformational. It forms Jewish identities, nurtures future leaders, and builds communities rooted in tradition, connection, and love for Israel.

I am deeply grateful to the colleagues, friends, and communities who welcomed me so warmly. Their hospitality, openness, and commitment to sharing the magic of their camps was a gift I will not forget. This journey was not only a personal reconnection, but also a professional affirmation of the central role Ramah plays in the landscape of Jewish education and community-building.

Visiting so many of the Ramah camps in my new role as vice chancellor and chief operating officer of JTS,  I was better able to fully appreciate the magnitude of Ramah’s impact in North America and thus the tremendous wisdom, foresight and vision that led JTS to launch the first camp 78 years ago and to continue to invest in its success through the decades. We at JTS look forward to continuing to strengthen this fruitful relationship with Ramah in the decades to come, fostering deeper, lasting collaborations that will continue to enrich our institutions and American Jewry for years to come. I return to my work with a renewed sense of purpose, a heart full of gratitude, and a profound belief in the power of a JTS-Ramah partnership in shaping the Jewish future.