Ruach Across a Continent: Reflections on My Summer Visits to Ramah

This summer, I had the profound privilege of visiting all nine of our overnight Ramah camps, and Ramah Day Camp in Nyack—an experience that carried me from the lakes of Canada, Wisconsin, Poconos, Berkshires, and Palmer to the peaks of the Rockies, from the heart of the South to the shores of California, and back home again to the Ojai Valley, where I worked for eighteen years. It was a summer of movement, but also, in a deeper sense, a summer of stillness: the chance to slow down and simply witness the Ramah ruach (spirit) as it lives and breathes in each of its distinct communities.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 18, 2026Nyack, Canada, Wisconsin, JTS, California, Rockies, Berkshires, New England, Galim, Darom, Poconos

Building the Next Generation of Jewish Leaders

This summer, I spent time at two Ramah camps: Ramah Day Camp in Nyack, New York and Camp Ramah in the Poconos. A major highlight of these visits is catching up with our JTS cantorial and rabbinical students, and it was wonderful to see so many of them in action in a variety of roles at camp. Each of these future clergy brings their unique talents and energy to their jobs on tzevet/staff, and they serve as wonderful role models to fellow staff members and campers alike.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 7, 2026Ramah Nyack, Poconos, JTS

Under the Same Summer Sky

Despite the soaring temperatures—and certainly due to them—our camps marked the pre-July 4th Shabbat with plenty of water activities, extra swims, and ice cream. It is a delight to see directors, who carry so much on their shoulders, jumping into the agam (lake) and staffing ice cream trucks and water stations. Kol Ha’kavod to our remarkable tzevet (staff) members, who kept campers safe and happy while navigating this prolonged heatwave. My recent journeys have taken me to the DC and Philly day camps, Ramah Poconos, and Ramah in the Rockies.

Distinguishing Between the Kodesh and the Chol, The Sacred and the Regular

Something is happening all around us. A reawakening to the power of adding the holiness of Judaism into our lives; not at the periphery, but at the center; and the young people I talked to are leading the way.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 4, 2025Poconos

Wows Across Ramah

We are settling in: all of our North American camps are now open, 560 shlichim have arrived, and 92 teens have begun their journey on Ramah Israel Seminar. There is a sense of optimism: the joyful Jewish energy of children, teens, and young adults is palpable. This season, we will not take any of this for granted.

“How Goodly Are Your Tents”: Reflections on Returning to Camp Ramah in the Poconos

"My JTS colleagues and I were struck by one similarity of our Ramah visits this past summer—our teenage campers and our college-age staff are all yearning for pathways to deepen their knowledge base and their connection to Judaism." - Reflections from Rabbi Joel Seltzer, Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, The Jewish Theological Seminary

Blog/ReflectionsNancy ScheffSeptember 24, 2024JTS, Poconos

“Historic Summer”: A 2024 Journey Across Ramah

Reflections on a “historic summer” throughout the Ramah Camping Movement from Dr. Daniel Olson, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Research, National Ramah Commission.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 20, 2024Wisconsin, New England, Darom, Poconos, Chicago Day Camp, seminar, Galim, California, Berkshires

What Makes Ramah....Ramah

"Although I wish I could spend more time at each camp, I am grateful that each stop affords me the opportunity to talk with campers and staff, express gratitude to my colleagues, and get a glimpse of the Jewish joyfulness that makes Ramah….Ramah." - Reflections from Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO, National Ramah Commission

An Open Letter to My Camp Director: “The Things We Have Gained”

“This summer has provided us with countless shehecheyanu moments. Joel, thank you for helping us get to this point, for allowing 58 new campers to join the Ramah community, and for making camp happen this summer and always. I’m looking forward to a time when we can be together again, in person, at machaneinu Ramah.”

Blog/ReflectionsBecca Stern-ShockAugust 27, 2020Poconos, Philadelphia Day Camp, Summer 2020