יפלס לנו דרך
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
IN THE TRADITION OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US, AND WITH OVERFLOWING JOY, CAMP WILL BLAZE A PATH FOR US THROUGH THE THICKET OF LIFE. HIMNON RAMAH
במסרת אבות וברוב ענגים – יפלס לנו דרך בסבך החיים המנון רמה
Dear Friends, As camp people, we think a lot about the past. We recall with great affection the way things ‘used to be’ at camp. Some of us recall schlepping the benches down to the Eitz T’fillah, the tree that once towered at the top of Migrash Banim, the ‘old’ Beit Am Katan, or the new Beit Am Katan (which is the ‘old’ Omanut). Yes, so much of camp is about keeping the traditions of those generations of Ramahniks who came before us, those who built this holy community. However, as the words of Moshe Greenberg’s “Himnon Ramah” explain, camp is also meant to be a trailblazer—a place of innovation and growth in our Jewish landscape. With that in mind, throughout the 2017-2018 Fiscal Year, Camp Ramah in the Poconos found itself thinking ahead and dreaming big as we embarked on creating and completing our second strategic plan of the last seven years. Our board of directors and our outstanding professional leadership, led by Rabbi Joel Seltzer, are committed to always looking forward to ensure a safe, secure, and solvent future for our beloved camp. Our new strategic plan, outlined in this annual report, first focuses on a reinvestment in our most important resources—our foundation of people, a dedication to continued professional development and professional support in order to achieve our lofty goals. Secondly, we know that we must immediately invest in our upcoming Comprehensive Capital Campaign, a campaign that will seek to not only change the physical plant of our camp in some significant and exciting ways, but to increase our endowment, allowing us to better position ourselves for the future. Finally, when it comes to impact—in addition to our commitment to increasing the quality and quantity of the programming and the facilities at the overnight and day camps—we are also boldly blazing a new path, one that will lead to better engagement with our constituents through ‘year-round, life-long engagement.’ Camper social reunions, staff development and enrichment, alumni events for all ages, and retreats such as our successful Sukkot at Ramah, are all part of our strategic vision. None of these dreams would be possible were it not for your support. You, the donors. You, the alumni. You, the camper parents and grandparents. You, the community stakeholders. We thank you for your continued support of our holy mission—one that now looks to bring the ‘joyful Judaism’ of Camp Ramah in the Poconos to our year-round community. L’Shalom,
Michael Wachs President, Board of Directors
Rabbi Joel Seltzer Executive Director
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
1
CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FISCAL YEAR 2018 WAS ANOTHER YEAR OF EXPANSION, RENOVATION, AND REINVESTMENT IN OUR CAMP FACILITIES; OVERALL $411,449 WAS SPENT ON CAPITALIZED EQUIPMENT, AND BUILDING AND IMPROVEMENTS. Highlights include modern modular furniture for our year-round offices, a new well house, a new generator, and equipment for the kitchen, and “Marp” Health Center renovations at our overnight camp facility; and at Ramah Day Camp, two new industrial fans were purchased and installed to increase ventilation in the indoor gym. Lastly, and with the help of a grant from the Jewish Federation Real Estate group, we were able to complete a project from our master plan and convert the programmatic Building #47 (Beit Shoafim) into two new camper bunks to help with our expanding enrollment.
STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE SECOND TIME IN SEVEN YEARS OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS INITIATED A STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TO HELP US SHAPE OUR THREE-YEAR PLAN FOR OUR THRIVING ORGANIZATION. We thank the hundreds of people who sent us suggestions or who joined us at one of our ‘Dream Big’ events last fall in Baltimore and Philadelphia. We also owe a huge debt of gratitude to our mentor from JCamp180, Julia Riseman, for her wisdom and guidance. The foundation of our plan focuses on the most important resource we have as an organization: our people. Therefore we are dedicating time, attention, and funds to support the professional development of our year-round team, as well as the leadership development of our board of directors.
2
CAMP RAMAH
IMPACT
GROW
GROW
Ramah Poconos The centerpiece of our plan is our upcoming Comprehensive Capital Campaign. We are moving forward with a bold new vision for the physical plant at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, including a new Mercaz that will be dedicated to the staff experience, and a new programming and performing arts building. This Comprehensive Capital Campaign will also seek game-changing gifts to our endowment, which will ensure our ability to continue to thrive within a shifting landscape.
All Summer, All Year, & Life-long
GROW Ramah Day Camp
COMPREHENSIVE CAMPAIGN
to support strategic goals, maximize impact, and ensure our future
Lastly the plan identifies THREE AREAS for maximum impact: GROW RAMAH POCONOS through program innovation, capital improvements, retreats, and green initiatives.
Ramah Leaders
FOUNDATION OF PEOPLE
FINANCIAL INVESTMENT NOW FOR OUR FUTURE
COMMITMENT TO OUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
GROW RAMAH DAY CAMP through a site-assessment, increasing camper and staff retention, and enhancing our programmatic offerings. GROW RAMAH LEADERS—All Summer, All Year, and Life-long; this represents our profound dedication to ‘expanding the brand’ of Ramah beyond the summertime and beyond the camper years, by investing in leadership development and programming for our staff, alumni, and stakeholders. We want to be an organization that is always Dreaming Big, and we can always use your help! Does anything in our Strategic Plan pique your interest? Please be in touch with us!
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
3
DAY CAMP IN SUMMER 2018, RAMAH DAY CAMP WAS ABLE TO BRING IN NEW AND CREATIVE PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING A BRAND NEW FARM-TO-TABLE TRACK, AN EXPANSION OF OUR T’FILLAH (PRAYER) OFFERINGS, AND THE GROWTH OF SHA’AR PHILADELPHIA: A HEBREW IMMERSION PROGRAM.
HEBREW IMMERSION Ramah Day Camp’s Sha’ar Philadelphia: A Hebrew Immersion Program grew in its second year by over 100%, expanding to both rising first and second graders. All participants from 2017 returned to the program in 2018, with 35 participants overall, compared to 14 in 2017. Gili Bitan, Rosh Sha’ar, worked all year—not only with recruitment, but also running four in-person programs and four online “Laila Tov im Gili” video calls. With the support of a foundation, she attended two trainings in Israel and worked closely with Mishlachat (Israeli Staff). Six Mishlachat members were hired specifically for Sha’arin 2018.
4
CAMP RAMAH
2018 SUMMER HIGHLIGHT
T’FILLAH
Changes were made to t’fillah (prayer) in 2018 to provide new opportunities to explore connecting to God. A particular highlight was a new initiative called “Rivii Rotations” on Wednesdays, in which five different types of prayer experiences were offered: in the garden, yoga, omanut (visual arts), poetry, and drumming. Each week, the edot (divisions) rotated through these, which were each facilitated by different staff members.
2018 SUMMER HIGHLIGHT
FARM-TO-TABLE PROGRAM A new Farm-to-Table Track option was offered to older chanichim (campers), combining the popular teva (nature) and bishul (cooking) programs. Participants had the chance to spend time in the 8,000 square foot garden—harvesting, learning about different herbs, leaves, fruits and vegetables, and then spending time in bishul (cooking) participating in an activity related to that learning. Examples include pickling, making infused oils, and trying veggies in a variety of ways, including sautéed, roasted, braised, or dehydrated, to name a few!
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
5
IN THE POCONOS
YOM CIRCUS A new special day for the entire camp, Yom Circus brought performers from the National Circus Project to do a day of circus training with all of the chanichim (campers), ranging in age from Taste of Ramah through Gesher. They began their day with a camp-wide performance featuring campers and staff. Then each edah (division) had individual time with the National Circus Project, having the opportunity to hone in on circus skills, such as juggling with scarves, bowling pins, and rings, plate spinning, feather balancing, and stilt walking for the older chanichim (campers).
6
CAMP RAMAH
CAMPERS IN ALL OF OUR PROGRAMS RECEIVED OVER $310,843 IN SCHOLARSHIP ALLOCATION FOR SUMMER 2018 AS A RESULT OF THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT OF THE 2017 ANNUAL CHAI CAMPAIGN. AT THE OVERNIGHT CAMP ALONE, 24% OF THE TOTAL 569 CAMPERS WERE ABLE TO ENJOY THE RAMAH EXPERIENCE BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
FRESH FRUIT & SIGNATURE SALADS As a direct result of feedback from families, Camp Ramah in the Poconos was proud to offer a fresh fruit stand on the porch of the Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) available throughout the day featuring snackable fruits and vegetables, such as apples, baby carrots, plums, and grapes. In addition to the salad bar available at every meal, the kitchen staff also worked to create innovative and delicious salads throughout the week, with ingredients not typically found in the salad bar. A camp favorite included edamame and tofu! Offered for the first time in 2018, the Ramah Music Academy was the latest addition to the specialty track offerings. Led by Josh Warshawsky, a rabbinical student at Ziegler School of Rabbinical Studies, Ramah Music Academy participants were split into two groups, in which each group wrote their own original song. These songs, blending both Hebrew and English, were based off a prayer or line of text they studied with Josh. The chanichim (campers) finished the week by recording these original songs, contributing both vocal and instrumental performances.
RAMAH MUSIC ACADEMY
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
7
PROGRAMS YEDIDIM HAD ANOTHER FABULOUS SUMMER, WITH 16 TOTAL PARTICIPANTS. PART OF THE TIKVAH RESIDENTIAL PROGRAM FOR CAMPERS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, THIS YEAR’S NINE BOYS AND SEVEN GIRLS RANGED IN AGE FROM 12 TO 21. YEDIDIM CHANICHIM (CAMPERS) VARY IN THEIR NEEDS; SEVERAL WERE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM, WHILE SOME HAD DOWN SYNDROME, CEREBRAL PALSY, AND OTHER COGNITIVE DELAYS. The Yedidim chanichim (campers) enjoyed classic camp activities, such as sport, visual and performing arts, nature, and swimming. Some highlights of the Yedidim experience included Yom Yedidim Ninja Warrior, participating in Les Mis with Shoafim, and the bowling trip!
8
CAMP RAMAH
ASHER’S BAR MITZVAH A long time Tikvah camper at Ramah Day Camp, Asher Landrecht became a Bar Mitzvah in front of his family and the entire camp on Friday afternoon, August 3rd. Diagnosed with autism at 21 months and with limited verbal skills, Asher led the b’rachot (blessings) with the help of a special communicative device that read the Hebrew words aloud. Seven years into his Tikvah experience, it was a true honor to celebrate Asher’s special Shabbat with him and his family, surrounded by his Ramah Day Camp community.
TIKVAH FAMILY CAMP Tikvah Family Camp provides Jewish children with developmental disabilities and/or social learning disorders and their families the opportunity to experience the magic of Ramah together. Ten families enjoyed this five-day experience in 2018, for which changes were made in order to allow for more programmatic time by group, including siblings and parents. A highlight of the program was the Drive-In Movie Theater held on the side of the Moadon. Campers created cars out of recyclable materials, and all families watched The Greatest Showman together, while enjoying a bonfire complete with s’mores and popcorn.
YEDIBEAN LIFE SKILLS 2018 saw the expansion of the vocational program at Camp Ramah in the Poconos—YediBEAN, an iced coffee and smoothie shop run by a group of our Yedidim chanichim (campers). Participants in the YediBEAN program were exposed to classes to complement the coffee shop, h e l p i n g t h e m p ro g re s s i n their work-readiness skills.
ANNUAL REPORT 2018
9
ENROLLMENT
SAYS A YEDIDIM PARENT:
DAY CAMP ENROLLMENT FULL CAMPER EQUIVALENT*
2017
“I get a little weepy just thinking about this first experience—it was so important on so many levels. First, the obvious—a chance to go to camp like any other kid. The next important thing was seeing her succeed, 3 hours away from home, all new people, totally different routine, gave us some hope for the future. We could not have given her this opportunity on our own... Thank you so much for your generosity and interest in a project like Yedidim!”
191
2018
204.5
2017
261
2018
258
TOTAL SERVED
OVERNIGHT CAMP ENROLLMENT FULL CAMPER EQUIVALENT*
2017
389.5
2018
379
2017
585
TOTAL SERVED
2018
569
ORGANIZATIONAL REVENUE $6.1 M
2017 2018
$5.6 M
ORGANIZATIONAL EXPENSES 2017 2018
10 CAMP RAMAH
$5.1 M $5.3 M
FINANCIALS
October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018
2017
2018
REVENUE $6,154.134
REVENUE $5,616,055
TUITION & FEES
TUITION & FEES
FAMILY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
$4,347,800 $78,600
$4,353,509
FAMILY CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT
$154,600
DONATIONS $1,467,085
DONATIONS $907,544
OTHER $260,649
OTHER $200,402
EXPENSES $5,157,162
EXPENSES $5,349,107
PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS
PROGRAMS AND OPERATIONS
$4,770,645
SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN: Camp Ramah in the Poconos Ramah Day Camp Tikvah Family Camp
$4,913,235
SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN: $223,356 $96,192 $2,225
Camp Ramah in the Poconos
$184,478
Ramah Day Camp
$124,565
Tikvah Family Camp
$1,800
FUNDRAISING $64,744
FUNDRAISING $125,029
REVENUE
EXPENSES
Net Assets were increased by $266,948, representing a 4.1% increase, of which 88.6% came from fundraising efforts. These fundraising efforts are the results of $208,016 released for restricted capital improvements as well as $310,843 of scholarships distributed to Poconos, Day Camp, and Tikvah participants.
$310,843 was allocated in aid to Ramah Day Camp, Camp Ramah in the Poconos, and Tikvah Family Camp constituents in 2018. In addition, $25,000 was allocated to Ramah Day Camp for Sha’ar Philadelphia: A Hebrew Immersion Program, an additional $25,000 went to support special programming at Camp Ramah in the Poconos, and $411,449 was spent on capital equipment, building renovations, and new construction projects.
SAYS THEIR CHILD: “I just wanted to let you know how much it meant to me to go to Camp Ramah in the Poconos last summer! My favorite thing was all the new friends I met. I was even invited to a Bar Mitzvah in the fall like my sister. I also loved all the counselors. I really liked the dancing and the different kinds of music… Thank you for making it possible to have a camp experience. Yedidim is the best!”
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 11
MORESHET RAMAH LEGACY SOCIETY LEAVING A LEGACY IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ONE’S LIFEWORK. A LEGACY GIFT WILL LIVE ON LONG INTO THE FUTURE, HELPING RAMAH TO GROW AND FLOURISH WHILE FOSTERING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF CAMPERS. Members of the Moreshet Ramah Legacy Society ensure the future of Camp Ramah in the Poconos, Ramah Day Camp, and our Tikvah programs by making a commitment in their estate plan to contribute to Camp Ramah’s permanent endowment.
Anonymous (21)
Beth Gansky
Nona L. Abrams
Alice Matsas Garten
Deborah Albert
Leanne Bess Garten
Florence Albert
Morris Garten
Susan Ansin
Rela Mintz Geffen z”l
Jonathan Levin
Susan Ansul
Bruce Goldberg
Sharon Levin
Ina Asher
Emily Goldberg
Leslie Molder
Michelle Sugarman
Steven A. Asher z”l
Michael Goldberg
Rebekah Monson
Ali Sussman
Amanda Balakirsky
Sandra Goldberg
Uri Monson
Lee Sussman
Samantha Balakirsky
Akiva Goldstein
David Oppenheimer
Lauren Tanzer
Talia Balakirsky
David Goldstein
Mindy Oppenheimer
Matthew Tanzer
Andrew Barnett
Pearl Graub Goldstein
Mary Relles
Diane Wachs
Vivian Barnett
Seth Goldstein
Nathan Relles
Michael C. Wachs
Julie Berger
Harold Grinspoon
Jonathan Rothschild
Jody Wernick
William J. Chertok z”l
David I. Haas
Lori Rothschild
Rabbi Steven Wernick
Matt Closter
Donna Haas
Deena Scoblionko
Joan Wohl
Arielle Davis
Phyllis Haas
Mark Scoblionko
Milton Wohl z”l
Rachel L. Devor
Terri Hartman
Sion Segal
Rabbi Todd Zeff
Cheryl G. Dorsch z”l
Judith Hess
Eliana Seltzer
Alan Zucker
Rabbi Daniel Dorsch
Roger Hess
Rabbi Joel Seltzer
Jay A. Dorsch
Melissa Kleiman
Laura Smith
Rabbi Joshua Dorsch
Jason Kreisman
Beth Ann Spector
Matthew Dorsch
Sara Kreisman
Rabbi Jay Stein
Carol G. Einhorn
Benjamin Landsburg
Missy Stein
Jules Einhorn
Joshua Landsburg
Karen Stesis
Deborah-Jo Essrog
Michael Landsburg
Louis Stesis
Glen Feinberg
Robin Sue Landsburg
Max Sugarman
12 CAMP RAMAH
William Landsburg Zachary Landsburg
ENDOWMENTS THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR DONORS WHO HAVE FUNDED ENDOWMENTS SUPPORTING CAMP RAMAH IN THE POCONOS, RAMAH DAY CAMP, AND OUR TIKVAH PROGRAMS IN PERPETUITY. Adam Port Memorial Scholarship Fund Arthur Poley Memorial Fund for Outdoor Living Bob Brown Memorial Scholarship Fund Canady Music Fund Carol & Isaac Auerbach Scholarship Fund Cheryl Magen Jewish Education Fund Congregation Brith Israel Scholarship Fund Congregation Emanuel-El Scholarship Fund Congregation Tikvoh Chodoshoh Scholarship Fund Debbie Levin Lusana/Leslie Levin Weiss Scholarship Fund Edith & Albert Karp Scholarship Fund Ervin B. Miller Scholarship Fund Florence Rodgers Scholarship Fund Gerson Epstein Sports Fund
Abram & Elizabeth Piwosky Scholar-in-Residence Fund Rabbi Albert & Sarah Lewis Scholarship Fund Rabbi David A. Goldstein Scholarship Fund Rabbi Yaakov & Devorah Rosenberg Scholarship Fund Rabbi Arthur Morris Ruberg Scholarship Fund Rose & Sydney Steiner Scholarship Fund Seymour & Sue Fox Resource Center Fund Seymour H. Simon Scholarship Fund Suburban Jewish Community Center—Bnai Aaron Staff Programming Fund Sonya & Ernest Simon Scholarship Fund Stern Maintenance Fund Steven D. Josselson Tikvah Staff Training Fund Ursula & Arnold Kahn Scholarship Fund
Hanna S. Cohn Memorial Scholarship Fund Iota Alpha Phi Sorority Scholarship Fund Ivy Elinoff Marwil Scholarship Fund Julius & Ray Charlestein Scholarship Fund Leah Soffa Memorial Scholarship Fund Levin-Schloss Memorial Scholarship Fund Lillian Rosenthal Rubinoff Scholarship Fund Lucille Munion Rubin Scholarship Fund Max & Esther Weiner Scholarship Fund Milton & Joan Wohl Scholarship Fund Minnie Preminger Scholarship Fund Mollie Goldstein Scholarship Fund
For information related to establishing or contributing to endowed funds, or joining the Moreshet Ramah Legacy Society, please contact our Development Department at development@ramahpoconos.org or 215-885-8556.
Morris & Miriam Ockman Scholarship Fund Morton & Malvina Charlestein Scholarship Fund Morton J. Dannenhirsch-Beshunsky Scholarship Fund Morton & Elise Rose Scholarship Fund Natalie & Ted Miller Memorial Fund
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 13
This picture goes from Shoafim 1997 to Nashville 2018… Camp Ramah in the Poconos friends are the BEST friends! We all met as early as 1991 when we were 9 years old. Twenty-seven years later, at age 36, we still talk EVERY day over text message… laughing and crying together through the years… dancing at each others’ weddings, celebrating at each others’ babies’ naming ceremonies, holding each other up through funerals… and our bond will remain forever unbroken.” PAMELA BASKIES KRAMER, GESHER 1998
14 CAMP RAMAH
DONORS
October 1, 2017 – September 30, 2018 *2017 Annual Chai Campaign Chai Society Members
$200,000+
$1,800-$4,999
Mary and Nathan Relles*
Nona Abrams*
$50,000+ In Memory of Ernest and Meta Oppenheimer
Joanne and Jonathan Adar* Beth Etra and Jonathan Adler * Suzanne and James Aisenberg* Flossie Albert* Tami and David Astorino*
$20,000+
Rachel Gross and H.P. Baker* Vivian and Andrew Barnett
Heather and Mark Kramer* Amy and David Kritz* Sarah Kay Lacks and Matthew Lacks* Emily and Michael Landsburg* Robin Sue and Bill Landsburg* Alisa L. Levit* Eva and Lawrence Levitt* Julie and Michael Lippmann* Neil Lubarsky*
Susan and Arnold Baskies*
Rabbi Nehama Benmosche and Terry Lubin*
Nanci and Jim Bramson*
Rabbi Alan and Edy Lucas*
Lynne and Leonard Barrack*
Rabbi Adam Feldman and Sara Bucholtz*
The Lewis Lyons Foundation*
Ella and Arthur Feldman*
Judy and Jerry Caplan*
Ivy and Daniel Marwil
Harold Grinspoon Foundation
Susan and Robert DeLong
Roe and Don Miller*
Janet & Alvin Schwartz Foundation for Special Education
Debra and Harris Devor*
Eve Coulson and Nelson Obus*
Deborah-Jo Essrog and Jay Dorsch*
Debbie and Richard Perlman*
$10,000+
Judy Groner and Ronald Eisenberg*
Anonymous Heather Bogdanoff Baker and Felix Baker*
Anonymous Rabbi Gary and Laya Charlestein* Terri Hartman and Bruce Goldberg* Pearl Graub Goldstein and David Goldstein*
Elements Production, LLC Jo Ann Chalal and Bruce Engleman* Anne and Steven Fassler* Julie and Daniel Fein* Debbie Albert and Glen Feinberg* Deborah Winokur and Hanan Fishman*
$5,000-$9,999 Nancy Rothbard and Brian Bushee* Dana and Mark Fallick* Donna and Richard Forman* Marlene and Jonathon Graub* Jewish Federation Real Estate Group Ivy and David Mermelstein* Phyllis and Stephen Port Dina and Daniel Relles* Tina and Michael Rettig* Ali and Lee Sussman*
Alice and Morris Garten* Michal Wachs and Daniel Gold* Micaela and Rick Gold* Amy J. Goldberg* Laura Sklar and Daniel Goldstein* Heidi and Jeffrey Gordon* Donna and David Haas* Elana Rivel and Greg Halperin* Judith and Roger Hess* Elise Gispan and Brad Johnson* Rabbi Michael and Fran Katz* Rebecca and Ben Kirshner* Leah Rosen and Peter Konwerski* Rachel and Charles Korman* Cyndi and David Kosloff*
Monica Palenzuela and Martin Pollak* Amy and Ben Relles* Diane and Reuben Romirowsky* Jill and Brian Rosen* Susan and Eric Schwartzman* Rabbi Joel and Eliana Seltzer* Susie and Ken Shear* Rabbi Joshua and Ilana Skoff Kathy and Richard Soloff* Jennifer and Evan Stein Adena and Andrew Sternthal* Charla and Mark Sussman* Lauren and Matt Tanzer* Diane and Michael C. Wachs* Jen and Marty Wachs* Rabbi Philip and Amy Warmflash* Judith and Allen Weinstock* Joan Wohl* Rabbi Eric and Dava Yanoff* Robin and Greg Zappin* Rabbi Micah Peltz and Rachel Zivic* Caroline and Robert Zuritsky*
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 15
$500-$1,799 Ursina Teitelbaum and Benjamin Abella Rachael and Joshua Abrams Susanna Lachs Adler and Dean Adler Risa and Michael Baskies Sheila and Myron Bassman Sara and Bruce Berger Kathryn and Martin Birn Norma and David Blecker Rabbi Aaron Gaber and Sharon Bromberg Joan and Harvey Bucholtz Kyle Casey (Gravity Productions) Julie Berger and Matt Closter Heather and Howard Cohen Congregation Anshei Chesed Sara and Todd Dollar Carol and Jules Einhorn Debbie and Norman Einhorn Ellen and Michael Feingold Dena Feldman Harriet and Philip Freidenreich Judith and Leonard Galler Judy and David Gilberg Lauren and Jeff Gladstone
Rabbi Aaron and Helene Krupnick
Deborah Baker
Debra and Stanton z�l Lacks
Erika Bauml
Sharon and Jonathan Levin
Randee and Harry Baumohl
Carole-Ann and Brahm Levine
Phyllis and Marc Beresin
Meryl Sussman and Bruce Lipton
Danya and Marc Berman
Lauren and Jeremy Menkowitz
Rabbi Ellen and Steven Bernhardt
Deborah and Irwin Mortman
Penny and Sheldon Bernick
Rabbi Ari Lucas and Talya Oberfield
Marvin Black
Ilene and Michael Prokup
Cindy Blum
Alexandra and Joshua Romirowsky
Samantha Blum
Gail and Robert Rosenthal
Karen Jacobs and Jack Blumenfeld
Brandi and Jed Rubin
Samantha and Brett Braterman
Laura and Ethan Schiff
Linda and Gerald Brenner
Sally R. Bergwerk and Larry Schloss
Rabbi Arie Hasit and Sara Tova Brody
Sharon and Stephen Seiden
Erik Bronstein
Phillip Silverman
Eric Braverman and Neil Brown
Sonya and Ernest Simon
Harriet Friedman and Charles Bruce
The Skier Foundation
Debra Stein and Issac Brumer
Juli and Glenn Sloves
Lisa Rovner and Richard Burak
Florence Solomon
Ellen Podolnick and Steven Bushinsky
Marjorie Stanek
Sondra and Craig Canter
Jeffrey Susskind
Carolyn and Barry Caplan
Sarah and Jeff Vogel
Sharri Horowitz and Michael Carrier
Juliet I. Spitzer and Philip Wachs
Sheila and Edward Chacker
Susan Wexner
Leslie and Isaac Chalal
Shira Goodman and Alan Woronoff
Harriet and Mark Chertok
$100-$499 Ammar Abbasi Rachel and Avi Abel Seyna and Larry Abel Caren Barnet and Steve Abramson Fran Adar Judith Adesnik Joan and Ira Adler Erica and Joshua Alexander Cary and Linda Aminoff The Glenmede Trust Company Cindi and Yakir Hasit Meredith and Jonathan Hoffman Ruth and Mark Joffe Marsha and Darin Katz Margo and Marnin Kligfeld
16 CAMP RAMAH
Marcia and Larry Arem Allison and Jamie Arking Ina Asher Charna Axelrod Kathleen and Daniel Bailey
Mindy and Jesse Civan Carol and Sidney Cohen Dianne and Norman Cohen Fred and Dhana Cohen Jan and Fred Cohen Jennifer and Eric Cohen Amy and Micah Cohen Sarah Waxman and Jacob Cohen Nicole and Jonathan Cohen Rona Rosen and Mark Cohen Rachel and Seth Cohen Robyn and Adam Cohen Ronnie and Barry Cohen Sherri and Daniel Cohen Marla Covin-Cooper and Ross Cooper Renee and Jerome Covin Sarina and Stuart Davis
Judy Brown and Trevor Davis
Katy Kristiansson and Neil Goldman
Phyllis Lachs
Jacob and Jillian Dembowitz
Rachel and Jonathan Goldman
Dana and Jeremy Lacks
Vivian Mamelak and Alain Demers
Edward Goldmeier
Jamie and Eric Langer
Nancy Cohen Deutsch
Rabbi Nason and Carole Goldstein
Faye Laveson
Rabbi Sheldon and Gail Dorph
Jane and Sanford Golin
Jennifer and Michael Laytin
Arielle and Gerald Dorros
Sara and Mike Gordon
Keren and Aryeh Lebeau
Sarah and Isaac Dovere
Sarah and Richard Gratz
Dena and Avi Lebovic
Rabbi Ryan and Hazzan Joanna Dulkin
Eileen and Richard Graub
Miriam Lefkowitz
Rachel and Josh Dunaief
Toby and Ted Greenberg
Debra and Jonathan Lerner
Sari and Jonathan Eisenberg
Jeffrey Grimley
Sandy and Edward Levin
Sharon Musher and Daniel Eisenstadt
Esther Gross
Abby and David Levinson
Judith and Joel Eisner
Sheryl and Seth Gross
Natanya and Jason Levitz
Francine and Howard Elgart
Sheila and Jay Grossman
Nancy and Neil Lewis
Stephanie Elgart
Sandy and Jack Gruenberg
Barbara Lissy
Jennifer and Lee Emdur
Marci and Robert Hackel
Alexa Galler and Steven Mallet
Rachel Epstein
Betty and Robert Halperin
June D. Bell and Neil Mendelson
Vicki and Gary Erlbaum
Jonathan Hess
Andrea Lieber and Ted Merwin
Toby E. Essrog
Abby and Eric Hocky
Barbara and Stephen London
Lori and Matthew Fein
Erica and Raymond Holman
Sarah and Jonathan Magen
Lisa Friedman and Ron Feingold
Adam Horn
Judy and Zachary Margolies
Eric Fineman
Dana Jacobs-Kosmin
Andrea and Louis Marmon
Marcy and David Fish
Gail and Alan Josselson
Elisa and Lawrence McAfoos
Lena and Oleg Fishman
Staci and Richard Julie
Dana and Joshua Meltzer
Michele and Kenneth Forman
Bonnie and Louis Kahn
Mindy Shapiro and Alan Mendelsohn
Ivy and Eric Frajerman
Natalie and Raphael Kail
Rachel and Eric Merin
Amy Rappaport and Allan Freedman
Lauren and Kenneth Kanfer
Deena and Daniel Messinger
Rebecca Krasner and Rabbi Abe Friedman
Gregg Kanter
Nancy and Stuart Messinger
Sara Kaplan
Deborah Miller
Ellen and Sidney Friedman
Talia and David Kaplan
Rachel and Stephen Miller
Michal and Uri Friedman
Leah Katz
Barbara and Nelson Mishkin
Renee and Brian Friedman
Howard Kaufman
Rebekah and Uri Monson
Sheila and Alan Friedman
Ira and Carol Kay
Margot Schloss and Patrick Muncie
Judith Silverman Hodara and Roberto Hodara Friedmann
Rhena and Steven Kelsen
Lauren Wolf and Max Ojserkis
Vivian Kenvin
Susan Oldenburg
Aliza Romirowsky and Sam Kerbel
Mindy and David Oppenheimer
Doree Sitkoff and Greg Kidorf
Jamie and Harold Orel
Phyllis Kline
Linda Perilstein
Adina and Ari Konikoff
Amelia and Cory Perlstein
Carol Kreindel
Marta and James Peters
Elisheva Krupnick
Beth Plavner
Aleza Kulp
Beatrice Podorefsky
Julie Zuckerman and Joshua Kulp
Hannah and Jonathan Rabinowitz
Lonni and Josh Gajer Rabbi Chaim and Kelly Galfand Deborah and Avi Galler William and Marcia Garfinkle Casey and Kenneth Gold Peggy and Louis Gold Sandra and Michael Goldberg Cantors Shoshi Levin Goldberg and Ethan Goldberg
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 17
Randi and Gregory Rappaport
Susan and Sam Schwartz
Gail and Marty Weiss
Adinah and Heschel Raskas
Stacy and Matthew Seltzer
Marcy and Wayne Weitz
Leah Ravitz
Deborah Shapiro
Rabbi Adam and Shira Wohlberg
Stefanie and Neil Ravitz
Maya Tsarfati and Ron Shapiro
Rabbi Jeffrey and Judith Wohlberg
Cynthia J. Raymond
Neal Shifman
Julie-Anne and Jeremy Wohlberg
Jessica and David Shklar
Jessica Remstein and Evan Wolff
Gilah and Brian Sietz
Melanie and Michael Wolfson
Rachel Hollander and Ari Sirner
Judy Chertok and Adam Wolpaw
Ramona Sitko
Rabbi Lisa Malik and Abraham Wyner
Anita and Stuart Skolnick
Marsha and Leonard Yorinks
Laura Smith
Meg Jacobs and Julian Zelizer
Ellen Seidman and David Smokler
Nora Zelizer
Sarah Chopnick and Adam Sofair-Fisch
Suzanne and Adam Zimbler
James Spinola
Daniella Gold and Jonathan Zimmerman
Ariella Kahn-Lang and David Spitzer
Helaine Dubner and Steven Zlotnick
Deborah and Michael Srulevich
Joellyn Zollman
Evelyn and Jerome Stein
Alan Zucker
Susan and Ben Stein
Debra and Mark Zweben
Susan and Richard Stone Amy and Jason Storch Polly and Rick Strauss Michelle Sugarman Rhonda and Steve Sugarman Shayna and Sam Sukoneck Sima E. Sussman Susan and Sean Reiter
Hinda and Daniel Tanzer
Melissa Renny
Jessica and Zeke Tayler
Jamie and Jesse Richman
April Taylor
Roz and Frank Romanoski
Rabbi Howard and Naomi Tilman
Karen Pinsky and Samuel Romirowsky
Elanah and Stewart Uretsky
Aaron Rosen
Janine and M. Howard Vigderman
Evelyn Kenvin and Arthur Rosenbloom
Cantor Eliot and Karen Vogel
Steve Rosenthal
Tracy Waasdorp
Lori and Jon Rothschild
Elsa Wachs
Marci and Aaron Ruderman
Lisa and Michael Wachs
Jennifer and Ron Safier
Rachel Wachs
Bonnie and Ian Schachter
Adina and Phil Wagman
Marla and Larry Schimmel
Jodi and Daniel Wahlberg
Lisa and James Schlesinger
Carrie and Larry Walinsky
Leah and David Schutzman
Katherine Harter and Kevin Waloff
Rabbi Michael and Erica Schwab
Sarah and Stuart Warsetsky
Rabbi Moshe and Aviva Schwartz
Jo-Ann and Howard Waxman
Robyn Bennett and Marc Schwartz
Marc Weinstein
18 CAMP RAMAH
THANK YOU FOR INVESTING IN CAMP RAMAH IN THE POCONOS, RAMAH DAY CAMP, AND OUR TIKVAH PROGRAMS. YOUR SUPPORT ENABLES US TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION OF CREATING LIFELONG JEWISH CONNECTIONS, ONE HAPPY CAMPER AT A TIME.
ANNUAL REPORT 2018 19
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
YEAR-ROUND STAFF
Michael C. Wachs President
Rachael Abrams Director of Camper Care and Staff Development
Debbie Albert Executive Vice President Jon Adler Treasurer David Goldstein Vice President Judith Hess Vice President Nathan Relles Vice President Lee Sussman Immediate Past President Jonathan Adar Nanci Bramson Bruce Engleman Mark Fallick Arthur Feldman Beth Gansky Alice Matsas Garten Rick Gold Josh Goldstein Terri Hartman Matthew Lacks Debbie Perlman Jill Rosen Nancy Rothbard Richard Soloff Matt Tanzer
Lindsay Capecci Director, Tikvah Family Camp Benjy Goldberg Assistant Director of Operations and Director of Retreats Eileen Graub Assistant Director, Ramah Day Camp Michele Hasit Communications Director Orlee Krass Director, Tikvah Programs Debbie Lacks Registrar Bruce I. Lipton Director of Finance & Operations Alexis Lubianetsky Development Assistant Elana Rivel Director, Ramah Day Camp Leah Schatz Program Director Marla Schimmel Bookkeeper Rabbi Joel Seltzer Executive Director Deb Srulevich Office Manager Michelle Sugarman Associate Director
Marty Wachs Michal Wachs David I. Haas Legal Counsel
PAST PRESIDENTS Abe Birenbaum z”l
Charles H. Laveson z”l
David Niesenbaum z”l
Michael Lippmann
Rudolph Fried z”l
Kenneth Shear
Isadore Marder z”l
Jules Einhorn
S. David Rosenzweig z”l
Susan Birenbaum Stone
Ervin B. Miller z”l
David I. Haas
Alvin Gershen z”l
William Landsburg
Edward B. Josephs
David Goldstein
Morton Wachs z”l
Lee Sussman
20 CAMP RAMAH
WE EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO FORMER MEMBERS OF OUR STAFF AND BOARD WHO CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO RAMAH’S SUCCESS IN 2017 AND 2018.
SHE WILL YET BE A WONDER AMONG THE MYRIAD THOUSANDS. עוד תהיה למופת לאלפי רבבה
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www.ramahdaycamp.org
www.ramahpoconos.org
215-885-8556
Philadelphia, PA 19103
2100 Arch Street