Weinstein 2026: Finding Blessing in a Rainy Weekend
There is a piece of advice often shared during shavua hachana (staff week): “The best camp programs are written in pencil.” It’s a reminder that while we plan every detail with intentionality, our real strength as leaders is found in how we react when the plan meets reality.
At this year’s National Ramah Bert B. Weinstein Leadership Institute, held January 2–5, 2026, the reality at Camp Ramah in California was wet, stormy, and muddy. As the rain fell steadily over the hills of Ojai, our cohort of over 65 staff members representing 12 different Ramah camps didn't miss a beat. We traded the givah (hill) for indoor spaces, proving that some of the deepest connections happen when you're huddled together out of the rain. The soaked shoes and muddy paths were a small price to pay for the energy and learning that filled the weekend.
The Heart of Ramah: Shabbat
Celebrating Shabbat was the centerpiece of Weinstein. Even with the rain pattering on the roof, the energy of our singing and the depth of our conversations created a space of belonging.
“Spending Shabbat with the Ramah community was like getting a warm hug.”
“Shabbat with Ramah at Weinstein was restorative in a deeply spiritual way. It was a wonderful blend of familiar tunes and rituals from my own camp and a unique opportunity to learn new tunes and rituals from other camps; like coming home and exploring all at once.”
Reimagining Israel Education with Dr. Beth Cousens
We were privileged to be joined by Dr. Beth Cousens, a leading researcher in Jewish education. Dr. Cousens led us through a rigorous process of understanding the complexities of the current moment to help us plan for Israel education that is vibrant, nuanced, and accessible.
“We want Israel education to be accessible to all, allowing everyone to experience the joys of a community filled with Israeli culture, food, and love.”
“Getting specific prompts like questions and commitments encouraged me to explore my thoughts about Israel education further than I previously had.”
A Journey Through Los Angeles: From Advocacy to Social Action
The final day of Weinstein brought us to Los Angeles, giving us a chance to take our values out of the camp setting and into the heart of the city. We explored three pillars of Jewish leadership and service:
Advocacy with a Familiar Face
We spent time at the Museum of Tolerance with Jonah Platt, a talented actor, musician, and proud alum of Camp Ramah in California. Jonah was interviewed by NRC CEO Amy Skopp Cooper, before he took thoughtful questions from Weinstein participants. He spoke about his journey to being a leading voice in Jewish advocacy, sharing how his camp roots gave him the foundation to speak up with pride in the public sphere.
“It was very refreshing to hear from Jonah Platt and know that there is someone who is trying to combat Jew hate through dialogue and understanding rather than blind advocacy.”
Healing at Beit T'Shuvah
We visited Beit T'Shuvah, a unique residential treatment center and congregation that integrates therapy with Jewish spirituality. Their work is a profound example of t’shuvah (return/healing) in action.
“Visiting Beit T’Shuvah was truly impactful and opened my eyes to the incredible services our fellow Jews provide for others who are struggling, even if they aren’t Jewish. They emphasized that even during a time when there is so much antisemitism, the Jewish people show up for others.”
“Beit T’Shuvah’s mission was inspiring. Hearing Rabbi in Residence Igael Gurin-Malous share his story of the impact he made as a staff member for Ramah Seminar was a powerful reminder of how important each conversation we have with our campers can be.”
Meal Prep Volunteering at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA)
We donned aprons, hairnets, and gloves at Our Big Kitchen Los Angeles (OBKLA), a community-run industrial kitchen where volunteers prepare thousands of high-quality, nourishing meals for families and individuals in need, embodying tikkun olam in every dish prepared.
“Volunteering at OBKLA was extremely meaningful for me because it demonstrated how easy and impactful volunteering can be. Many of the tasks we performed were things our campers could do, and there are many ways to ‘gameify’ them to keep campers engaged. It inspired me to pitch a community service day in the spirit of Tikkun Olam.”
Empowered for Kayitz 2026
The clouds finally broke on the last day of Weinstein, and we left with more than just drying shoes. We took away a renewed sense of mission and the skills to lead our staff and campers through whatever the summer brings.
“Weinstein gave me the opportunity to reflect on the past summer and think deeply about specific ways to improve for next summer. It allowed me to set goals for the summer on what I want to achieve, how I want to be seen by my campers, and how I want to be seen by my co-staff.”
“I felt that this year at Weinstein I spent a lot of time reflecting on Camp Ramah’s values, which has brought me closer personally to Ramah’s mission and has made me feel more empowered to do work that is aligned with those values this summer.”
Weinstein 2026 reminded us that the Ramah spirit shines brightly even when the path gets muddy. We are heading home with a clearer vision and a deeper commitment to our chanichim (campers). We’re ready to lead, rain or shine, for Kayitz 2026.