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

The Blessings of White Shirts—And New Beginnings

The blessings of white shirts not yet muddied, stained, or wrinkled; fresh haircuts; and lost-and-found bins that are not overflowing. Another summer begins. Many of our camps have welcomed their first campers, who are experiencing the joy of coming home. We feel profound gratitude as we watch our communities open their gates each summer. Our early stops have included Ramah Darom, Ramah Wisconsin, and the Chicagoland Day Camp, as well as staff week at Ramah Canada.

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterJune 23, 2026Chicago Day Camp, Darom, Canada, Wisconsin

Ramah as a Source of Strength and Comfort

"We usually think of the incredible power of Ramah communities as being demonstrated through the joy of children’s summer camp experiences. At times we are reminded that the power of our Ramah kehillot is also demonstrated by the tremendous comfort and critical support provided to families who have suffered a loss". - Reflections from Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Senior Advisor, National Ramah Commission

Blog/ReflectionsNRC WebmasterAugust 21, 2024Wisconsin, New England

“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

Reflections from JTS Visitors to Ramah Camps, Summer 2023

“May Ramah continue to evolve in ways that embrace its core values while pushing the boundaries of its programming to meet the needs of today’s Jews and tomorrow’s.” - JTS Chancellor Shuly Rubin Schwartz

Blog/ReflectionsNancy ScheffAugust 23, 2023JTS, Wisconsin, Berkshires, Nyack, Rockies, Darom

The Simon Family: At Ramah from the Very Beginning

Of the hundreds of thousands of Jewish children who have attended Camp Ramah in the last 75 years, Rabbi Matthew Simon has the distinct honor of having been camper number one.

HistoryNancy ScheffMarch 8, 2022National Ramah, Wisconsin

Jacob Rebnord: Law and Order

Asking for clarification or repetition of instructions is a skill Jacob learned in Atzmayim, the Tikvah vocational program at Ramah Wisconsin. He participated in the program in summer 2011, and during the subsequent three summers he was part of the camp’s staff, working in the camp office. “I learned a lot at Ramah — things like working in a team environment, having one another’s back, and stepping up to help when things get hectic and work overtime,” Jacob said.

Tikvah/Special NeedsBecca Stern-ShockOctober 19, 2020Tikvah, Voc-Ed, Wisconsin

Reflections on Visits to Ramah Camps, Summer 2018

“Camp Ramah is truly a wonderful part of the Conservative Movement. We should all be proud of the dedicated professionals and staff who bring Ramah to life each summer. ” - Cantor Nancy Abramson, Director, H.L. Miller Cantorial School and Director, Women’s League Seminary Synagogue, JTS

Nancy ScheffOctober 17, 2018JTS, Wisconsin, Berkshires, Nyack, Rockies

This Jewish Camp Is Teaching Teens With Special Needs How To Be Independent

Atzmayim, the Hebrew word for “independent,” is an extension of Tikvah, Ramah’s program for campers on the autism spectrum or who have other social or learning challenges. All Atzmayim participants are high school graduates between ages 18 and 23, and they all work three hours a day, five days a week, in the town of Eagle River, about 15 minutes from Camp Ramah in Wisconsin.

Ramah in the News, Tikvah/Special NeedsNancy ScheffAugust 4, 2017Tikvah, Wisconsin, Voc-Ed