2025 Louis & Shoshanah Winer Institute for Rosh Edah Training
by Maya Klareich, Program Director, National Ramah Commission
From May 27-29, 19 rashei edot (division heads) from nine Ramah camps gathered at Ramah Nyack for the National Ramah Commission’s annual Louis & Shoshanah Winer Institute for Rosh Edah Training. Participants spent two and a half days learning from one another, sharing their camp’s best practices, and collaborating on ideas in preparation for their roles during kayitz 2025.
Participants began the conference by brainstorming the many “hats” they will “wear” as rashei edot this kayitz—leaders, mentors, Jewish educators, advocates, logistics coordinators, role models, team-builders, and so many more. This framework allowed everyone to begin understanding the variety of topics we would be discussing over the course of our time together.
“Winer was a great opportunity for me to meet other rashei edot from different Ramah camps across North America. We all shared ideas, bonded, and learned throughout the three days, all with the same goal of making this upcoming kayitz the best yet for our chanichim.”
Fourteen year-round professionals from across the Ramah movement joined for parts of Winer to mentor rashei edot and contribute their advice, guidance, and expertise. Many led sessions covering a wide range of topics from elevating tefillot, to managing logistics, to giving and receiving feedback, to leading effective tzevet meetings. Participants also spent ample time thinking about the ways in which they plan to take care of themselves throughout a kayitz dedicated to taking care of others.
Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO of the National Ramah Commission, also led discussions on important topics such as conflict management, shavuah hachanah (staff week), the role of shlichim at our camps, and safe and healthy community-building.
“Winer gave me the skills, tools, and confidence to step into a new role at camp as a rosh edah through engaging sessions, training, and learning, alongside peers from all different backgrounds within the Ramah community.”
Every year, rashei edot leave Winer valuing the relationships they build with other participants during their time together. On the first evening, participants engaged in a night of silly “minute-to-win-it” challenges. They bonded with each other, and also learned about the importance of forming bonds with their tzevet members early on and throughout the summer.
Rashei edot were also paired up with those working with similar age groups at other Ramah camps, and asked to spend a meal together sharing initial thoughts and advice. Although our medura (bonfire) was rained out, first-time rashei edot partook in our tradition of sharing their “Ramah stories” with the group—an opportunity for everyone at Winer to hear a story of what the path each individual traveled to arrive at the role of a rosh edah. And everyone still got s’mores at the end!
Participants and professionals all brought their ruach (spirit), curiosity, and passion for Ramah to our time together! We are confident that our rashei edot are returning to their respective machanot this kayitz prepared with practical skills to help them succeed from their first “bruchim habaim” (welcome) to their last “lehitraot” (see you later). We are so excited to see what is in store for these incredible rashei edot and to hear about the impact Winer has on their experiences!
“Before the Winer Leadership Institute, I didn’t feel prepared to be a rosh edah, but now I am more educated, more supported, and more ready for the kayitz. The knowledge shared with me and the community I met helped me feel confident in my abilities to succeed.”
