FROM THE DESK OF MIRYAM SEID

Shalom, Machaneh Ramah!

When I joined Camp Ramah in the Poconos three years ago as the Director of Institutional Advancement, it felt like the fulfillment of a lifelong dream, allowing me to joyously bring my talents, passions, and leadership to an organization that means so much to me.

Many of you might not know that my Ramah story began over 30 years ago in the hills of Ojai at Camp Ramah in California. I spent eight transformative summers exploring my Jewish identity, developing lifelong friendships, learning leadership skills, and creating deep Jewish connections. There is no doubt that my summers at Camp Ramah were the single most impactful Jewish experience of my life. From early childhood, this organization has guided me, and the lessons I’ve learned became even more meaningful as an adult, partner, parent, community member, and professional. Ramah is truly my home in every sense of the word.

In a few short days, we will begin the celebration of Tu BiShvat – the New Year of the Trees. Though the temperature outside still requires us to bundle up, and Punxsutawney Phil may have predicted another 6 weeks of winter, this holiday symbolizes the onset of spring. As Ramahniks, we are especially aware (and excited!) that spring also symbolizes that camp is very much on the horizon. Our team is hard at work preparing for an incredible Kayitz at Ramah Poconos and Ramah Day Camp.

As your incoming Executive Director, I plan to spend the next few months introducing myself, getting to know each of you more, and sharing my vision for this organization. Just like the trees we plant on Tu BiShvat, Camp Ramah is grounded in deeply established roots- Jewish values, Joyful Judaism, and Ahavat Yisrael, love of Israel. Above all else, our goal is to care for and support these roots to ensure that our beloved "fruits” continue to flourish for many seasons to come.

So yes, it is still winter in the Poconos, but it’s the New Year of Trees, and it’s the Year of Summer 2023, and I can’t wait to see you all back at Camp Ramah in the Poconos in just 21 Shabbatot!

Shabbat Shalom,

Miryam Seid

Incoming Executive Director

Newsletter Highlights

What's New at Poconos?
Important Form Updates
Shabbat Visitation Policy
What's New at RDC?
Upcoming Events
Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)
Scholarship Application
Chai Campaign 2022 Recap
Tikvah Family Camp
Enrollment & Waitlist Updates

What's New at Camp Ramah in the Poconos?

Members of our team spent this past week in Israel interviewing and hiring over 30 young Israelis to join us this summer as part of our Mishlachat (Israeli delegation)! The excitement that the Shlichim showed for the work they will do in programmatic areas ranging from the agam (lake), to sport, omanut, and more, as well as towards the task of infusing Israeli culture into our camp experience, was incredible. We are proud to be able to bring this robust cohort to camp each year, and can't wait for you to meet another amazing group!

FORM UPDATES

Last week, you received an email from our medical team regarding the health forms and documentation that are required for each camper this summer. Please reference that email here and check your CampinTouch account to start these forms. The Camper Intake form is also found there and the Bunk Request form will be active in your account on February 28th. Please review our updated Bunking Policy here >>

For reference, we have created a document listing all forms that are required, their release date, and their due date. Read it here >>

SHABBAT VISITATION POLICY

An additional policy change that we want to highlight is regarding Parent Shabbat Visitation. We encourage you to please read our updated policy, found here >>

Please continue to check our monthly newsletter, as well as your email, for additional policy updates and changes regarding our Summer 2023 planning.

What's New at Ramah Day Camp?

Our first Parlor Meeting in West Philly was a hit! Our wonderful hosts, Julie Berger and Matt Closter, welcomed 6 families to their home for pizza, a Q&A session with Rachel & Sofy, and an omanut (art) project with Elliott (counselor) and Phil (Director of Operations). It was incredible to have the summer ruach (spirit) and community that we love so much spread into West Philly, and we’re looking forward to more!

We are excited to welcome Ash to our Year Round Team, expanding on their role as Assistant Program Director. Ash (they/them/theirs) is a spirited play arts educator born and raised just outside Philadelphia, where they earned a B.A. in Theater from Temple University. This will be Ash's 12th summer at Ramah Day Camp, where they have had many roles, including in omanut (art), drama, rikkud (dance), and as part of the RDC programming team. Ash spent this year running creative, engaging programming as School's Out Camp Coordinator for Makom Community. Ash has taught at BTBJ Religious School, Germantown Jewish Center, with The Bible Players, with Moishe House, and as Jewish Learning Venture’s PJ Our Way Associate, bringing arts education to a variety of Jewish spaces. They can't wait to bring the ruach to another gorgeous kayitz (summer) at Machaneh Ramah Yomi!

Mark your calendar for plenty of fun at our upcoming events, listed here >>

2023 Staff Members: Check out our upcoming staff training events here >>

Jewish Disabilities Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)

February is Jewish Disability Awareness, Acceptance, and Inclusion Month (JDAIM)! To celebrate, we will be sharing interviews, projects, and more from our Tikvah campers and staff each #TikvahThursday on Facebook.

Chaim Zellis has been attending Ramah Day Camp for 14 years, and this summer he will be transitioning to the Tochnit Avodah (vocational education) program at Camp Ramah in the Poconos! Below is a reflection from Chaim about his Ramah experience. Be sure to head to our Facebook and Instagram to follow along as we share #TikvahThursday highlights!

Since I was three years old I have been going to day camps. I am going to turn 18 years old in a little over a month, so you can see summer camp has been an important part of my life.

When my family moved to Ambler, PA I applied to be a Counselor in Training at Ramah Day Camp. I am so happy that I was accepted into the program because I had a terrific summer as a CIT. I had fun, I was given real responsibilities and I loved helping the young campers learn how to play sports. The best part of being at Ramah Day Camp was that despite my Down’s Syndrome, everyone accepted and included me. I had such a great summer that I wanted to return as an Assistant Counselor the next summer. I went through the application process and was very excited to get the job as Assistant Sports Counselor last summer at RDC.

The reason I wanted to return to Ramah Day Camp for a second summer was because I really wanted to be an assistant counselor. I also wanted to spend time with the counselors and the campers. Of course, I wanted the chance to have a job and get paid for working. The most important reason for me to want to return to Ramah Day Camp was because I knew that I would have a fun summer.

When my parents asked me what I wanted to do this coming summer, I told them that I wanted to be a staff member at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. I had decided that I was ready to go to overnight camp and show that I can be independent and be responsible for myself and others. I knew that Camp Ramah would give me the chance to be independent and let me take on responsibilities. The Ramah overnight program Tochnit Avodah seems to be perfect for me to grow and take my first step toward getting ready to go away to college. Most of all, I am looking forward to making new friends with other staff members. I am so excited and I cannot wait for camp to start!!!

Our scholarship application for Summer 2023 is live!

Access the application in your CampMinder account, under the Forms and Documents section. We will begin awarding gifts later this month.

For first time overnight campers, One Happy Camper offers grants of up to $1,000. Apply here >>

Questions? Contact Debbie Lacks at debbiel@ramahpoconos.org.

Chai Campaign 2022

We are so grateful to all who helped make our 2022 Chai Campaign such a success! Funds from the Chai Campaign support scholarships, programming, operations, and capital improvements at our camps for Summer 2023.