Annual Report 2018

‫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

and Instagram, and watch us on Vimeo.

‘Like’ us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter

www.ramahdaycamp.org

www.ramahpoconos.org

215-885-8556

Philadelphia, PA 19103

2100 Arch Street