"Yontif" Then and Now: Welcome Home, Dear Shlichim
By Amy Skopp Cooper, CEO, National Ramah Commission
Since 1947, Ramah’s commitment to the land, people, and language of Israel has become unshakeable. We now host second- and third-generation shlichim, evidence of the beautiful extended family we’ve built together.
June 1967: The Northwoods of Wisconsin
Reflecting on the summer of 1967, "It was a tremendous yontif," said Rabbi Burt Cohen, former director of Ramah Wisconsin and the National Ramah Commission. The shlichim arrived late…late for staff week and late at night. These young men and women, some who had been in the IDF two weeks earlier, had landed in Chicago and arrived in Conover ten hours later—close to midnight. The camp was still and pitch black. Before going to sleep, shlichim headed to the chadar ochel. And then, as they entered the building, the lights went on: the entire camp had waited up for them! Exuberant staff and campers welcoming heroes to their home. It was yontif.
Summer 2025
This summer, half of our shlichim arrived to camp on time. As Operation Rising Lion unfolded, 300 shlichim remained in Israel. Yet, thanks to our extraordinary relationship with the Jewish Agency, they have now come home: home to Ramah.
כמה טוב שבאתם הביתה
Kama tov she'batem ha’bayta: Welcome home, dear shlichim. You are our heroes. You bring us yontif!