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Spring 2014 s”ga, chct
From Jacob Cytryn, Director The best thing about leading Ramah Wisconsin is the human partnerships. Partnerships with our committed lay leaders and volunteers; the parents of hundreds of campers; rabbis and other leaders of our constituent communities; our year-round and summer senior professionals; over two hundred staff members. The nature of many of these partnerships, I was convinced years ago, is perhaps the most salient aspect of our organizational culture that makes us exceedingly special if not absolutely unique. The exceptional nature of these partnerships are what first attracted me to dream of someday working full-time for the summer camp I loved as a child, and that attraction remains stronger than ever, for those exact reasons. There is one type of partnership that was not on my radar, one that contributes annually to the strength of our programming and the product we offer our campers, their families, and the broader Jewish community. This is the partnership of committed donors with passion and visions of powerful programmatic initiatives. From foundations whose gifts literally shape Jewish culture in America and Israel to endowments and multi-year pledges created by Ramahniks like you, these partnerships help push Yael and me, and our entire staff, to new heights, solidifying and building upon classic strengths of Ramah Wisconsin while also pushing us to innovate and renovate areas in which we could be much stronger. Every year, established endowments by multi-generational Ramah families help define for us some of our scholar-in-residence choices and the theme of the Zimriyah (song festival), among many other topics. Recent commitments have radically transformed the culture of shirah (singing) in camp, a project that continues to bear significant fruit. The trustees who monitor our largest single endowment require that, on a yearly basis, we lay out specific programmatic foci for the coming summer, and cut off that specific endowment’s support after three years. And, in the last decade or so, as Jewish summer camping has erupted onto the communal agenda, major philanthropists and foundations have engaged with us to improve many facets of camp. This year alone, new funding from The Crown Family, The Covenant Foundation and The Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago are pushing us to new heights. Some highlights to look forward to during the 2014 summer, all of which are outgrowths of these processes: • a curricular and programmatic initiative to empower pre-teen and adolescent girls around issues of Jewish ritual • a process to assess and recommend future steps for our performing arts program, with a specific focus on our Northwoods Ramah Theatre Company, the creation of the Nivonim English Play, and the Shabbat programming developed by our Jewish Studies and drama staffs
We look forward to expanded outdoor education, nature and ecology activities this summer
• new approaches to ongoing professional development for our staff, including the hiring of additional new staff trainers and a renewed focus on the diverse backgrounds of our campers • the expansion of our special needs programs’ impact and ability to support our campers and staff, including investing in a new top-level professional • the addition of cutting edge outdoor education programming with a focus on nature and ecology education • bringing additional short-term artists and coaches to camp to bolster our campers’ and staff members’ skillsets in sports, art, and the performing arts These specific projects are all new for the 2014 season, and join a panoply of existing similar annual projects from which we reap enormous benefits every summer. They are made possible by ongoing financial support for our annual scholarship and annual fund campaigns which supplement tuition dollars, by periodic capital campaigns, and by the commitment of individuals, families, and foundations who adamantly believe in the work we do at Ramah Wisconsin, our nearly seventy-year track record of excellence in education, and our ability to impact the lives of our campers and staff every summer. By entrusting us to develop and implement these projects, in addition to providing the funds that allow them to happen in the first place, these partners make a powerful statement about who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. Many of us know the clichéd adage about why kids love camp so much and return year after year: “the friends.” We also know that this answer obscures so much of the power of camp which, though fueled and centered on friendship, is about so much more. In actuality, the power of camp is a larger category in which friends is but one component: partnerships. Thank you for being our partners in the holy work that Ramah in Wisconsin realizes every summer, in whatever way you support us. May these partnerships, and new ones, contribute to a safe, successful, and superlative 2014 season.
Stay in touch with Camp Ramah via our blog and youtube channel at www.ramahwisconsin.com. To receive our weekly e-newsletter, HaMirpeset Shelanu, send an email to arosen@ramahwisconsin.com.
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From Rabbi David Soloff, CEO
served as a Rosh Aidah and then as a staff trainer, and Ronnie had joined the CRW team as the program director. Following Ronnie’s ordination from the Jewish Theological Seminary, they spent a few years as the rabbinic couple in Sioux City, Iowa, and continued to work at CRW during the summer. In 1979, having returned to Israel to put down permanent roots and raise their family, we were able to continue bringing them back to camp. Over the last 35 years, Ronnie and Minda were professional mentors to thousands of staff members, trusted advisors and creative innovators across camp. Ronnie served as program director – an essential position in the days before full-time Assistant Directors – and then, for the last twenty years, as director of staff training. Minda worked throughout the years as an anchor for our staff trainers and developer of camper care curricula. Minda published several articles in the American Camping Association professional journal based on her groundbreaking work at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Ronnie brought his skills from his pioneering work at David Yellin Academic College of Education in online learning to guide CRW into the digital age. Together with Dr. Simcha Leibovich, Ronnie did the initial organizational and technical work to enable CRW and subsequently National Ramah to produce the nationally recognized Ramah Program Bank, an online treasury of successful educational programs implemented across the Ramah camps.
In light of the fact that Rabbi Ronald Garr & Minda Garr and Dr. Gabi Shetrit have completed their summers of service to Camp Ramah, it is my privilege to share a few words of appreciation. First, on behalf of our professional team and lay leadership, I want to acknowledge the enormous contributions Rabbi Ronald Garr and Minda Garr have made to the children and staff of Camp Ramah in Wisconsin (CRW) over four decades of dedicated service. Both Ronnie and Minda were already deeply involved on the staff of CRW prior to my joining the team in 1975. I first became friends with them during rabbinical school, when Emily and I spent the 1970-71 academic year in Jerusalem. Minda had already made aliyah and Ronnie was also spending his rabbinical school year in Jerusalem. When I finally had the opportunity to work professionally with both of them, Minda (nee Wolf), who had grown up at CRW, had already
We are excited to announce that Sam Caplan, former Midwest Deputy Director of AIPAC, has joined our year-round staff team as Chief Development Officer. Sam was a Ramah Wisconsin camper (Nivo 95), counselor and Rosh Aidah. More recently, Sam served for the last four years as a lay volunteer on the Ramah Wisconsin Committee, including the Executive Committee. Sam will work closely with Rabbi David Soloff and Linda Hoffenberg, our Director of Institutional Advancement, to achieve development growth goals to strengthen Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and Ramah Day Camp. Sam can be contacted directly at scaplan@ramahwisconsin.com.
Ronnie functioned as our representative in Israel, working with the Jewish Agency to help us find appropriate Israeli staff for our annual Mishlachat. Together Ronnie and Minda hosted Shabbat dinners for CRW university staff spending their year or semester in Jerusalem. They spent many a late night helping these students navigate the Israeli medical system whenever help was needed by Ramah staff members far from home. In recent years, Ronnie and Minda structured their yearly professional schedules to be able to return to camp. Often this meant bringing exams and term papers from Israel to grade during the summer. When the rest of the staff had their weekly day off, Ronnie and Minda would go to the Eagle River Library and spend the day grading papers for their students at David Yellin and the Hebrew University School of Social Work, respectively. Throughout their work at camp they taught by example. Speaking Hebrew and encouraging others to speak Hebrew, helping the young educators of camp understand the nuances of working with children, sharing their passion about building the State of Israel and raising their beautiful family in Jerusalem, working hard to elevate the vision of camp as an educational setting and being consummate mentschen throughout. This season Ronnie and Minda will return to camp for a Shabbat when we will thank them for their enormous contributions. Ronnie and Minda will teach in and participate in a staff seminar over the weekend tracing the development of staff training over the decades and highlighting current challenges and new approaches in the ever changing camp environment. Ronnie and Minda, on behalf of generations of Ramahniks whom you cared for, nurtured, mentored, and guided, thank you for your dedication and commitment to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, and for devoting your professional lives to enriching generations of campers and staff members. Todah Rabbah!
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Every morning our senior staff looked forward to Gabi’s “rega shel Ivrit” at the end of the senior staff administrative meeting, an opportunity to learn a new Hebrew phrase or word of the day. Every Shabbat afternoon Gabi taught a lesson delivered totally in Hebrew to staff and weekend guests on Biblical commentary. Each season he chose a theme and prepared eight masterpiece lectures. Many years ago, Gabi and Dr. Simcha Leibovich started gathering staff members late on Shabbat afternoon to sing a special repertoire of melodies before Havdalah. That small group has grown into the now iconic Seudah Sh’leesheet song sessions with often over 200 campers and staff spending the last hour of Shabbat in the dining hall singing beautiful harmonies. When we began the camper Beit Midrash and staff Kollel under the direction of Rabbi Josh Cahan and Aryeh Bernstein, the Thursday night mishmar singing prepared campers to participate in the Seudah Sh’leesheet song sessions. Gabi had helped prepare the cultural infrastructure to make this a highlight of Shabbat. Throughout the years, Gabi has been an educators’ educator, a mentor to both our American and Israeli staff members, and a personal role model to campers and staff. We say Todah Rabbah to Gabi and Etti for your many years of service, and look forward to welcoming the family when they come to visit this summer.
Next, I first met Dr. Gabi Shetrit when he was on a sabbatical in 1990 from his academic position in Israel, studying at the University of Minnesota and working at the Minneapolis Talmud Torah. I invited him to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin to supervise our Hebrew language instruction and give feedback as to how we could further strengthen our program. We were fortunate to engage not one educator at this time, but two. Each season Gabi’s wife Etti joined our Hebrew faculty for at least one month to share her expertise in Hebrew language acquisition. In the middle of that initial summer, Gabi asked to meet to discuss his experience and gave his recommendations for improvement. He shared that he was awed by the potential that a Ramah summer has to impact a camper’s Hebrew language skills. At the same time the camp could just as easily “miss the boat” if we did not retool to incorporate the latest developments in second language acquisition. This began a 24-year collaboration between Gabi and Ramah Wisconsin. Gabi rewrote and continually refined our language curriculum. He pioneered developing digital lesson plans that he used to train the language faculty pre-camp. These lesson plans became the starting blocks for each faculty member as they worked in teams to enrich, enhance and expand the curriculum every summer. Gabi helped recruit and interview each of the Hebrew language shlichim. Together with Batsheva Berman, he developed an intensive track utilizing Israeli films and an ulpan track for campers just starting to learn Hebrew. Gabi introduced the role of Hebrew programmer, a position that bridged formal daily Hebrew classes with recreational evening activities in the camper divisions. Gabi was innovative in finding ways to weave Hebrew language seamlessly into the daily routine.
At the JCamp180 Conference in November, our own Arnie Harris received the 2013 Outstanding Board Leadership Award. A program of the Harold Grinspoon Foundation, JCamp180 recognized Arnie’s leadership and ongoing impact on Ramah Wisconsin’s long-term vitality and sustainability. Kol HaKavod!
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From Arnie Harris, President
Did you know that in the last 10 years, we have invested over $10 million dollars to update and renovate Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and the Ramah Day Camp? What does this mean? It covers everything from our new kitchen and dining facility at the overnight camp to the aquatic center at the day camp. It means facilities to support our programs for decades to come. You, a collective you, made it happen. But while 80% of this cost has been paid for by our generous community, there remains $2 million dollars owed to our bank. Enter an incredible man named Harvey Miller and the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation. Like any good businessman, Harvey understands the burden of a small non-profit carrying $2 million in debt. The result is what we now call the Koach Campaign. A campaign where this incredible man and his foundation will match one-for-one all dollars raised, up to one million dollars! We have 2 years to do this… $500,000 in 2014 and $500,000 in 2015, and each dollar raised will be matched!! That means, upon successful completion, we will be debt free!! Even better, we are already 40% there for our first year’s match.
During the past five years we have turned to the larger community of Ramah supporters as we renovated our key facilities at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, including the sports complex, the Bet Am indoor gym and performance spaces, and the construction of the new Hadar Ochel commissary and dining facility. Milestone Campaign pledges for these capital improvements totaled $7.5 million towards the $8.5 million goal when the recession hit in 2008. Our donors have stood by their pledges, with most completing payment over 5-7 years. Like many similar organizations, as a result of the recession, the annual need for scholarship support rose over 400%. To ensure that the Ramah experience is accessible to as many families as possible, we focused our efforts on raising funds for camper scholarships – and we have raised more than $1.5 million for camper scholarships since 2009. However, this significantly impacted our ability to raise the last $1.5 million needed for capital improvements, which included debt service on construction loans.
1. Why does Ramah Wisconsin have debt?
Ramah Day Camp After renting the six-acre Ramah Day Camp property in Wheeling, Illinois for three years, in 2002 the Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Committee purchased the site for $1.5 million. In addition, nearly $1 million was invested in facility upgrades including a new swimming pool, locker rooms, sports courts and arts & crafts center.
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Our goal has always been to provide a summer camping experience that is filled with the best that camping has to offer while ensuring a fun, enriching, and meaningful Jewish experience for our campers that promotes a life-long love of and connection to Jewish life. This includes making sure that our facilities are in exceptional condition and that we offer a full range of specialty experiences for our campers.
A very generous $250,000 challenge grant from the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation helped us raise $250,000 from the Ramah Day Camp community from October 1, 2012 to September 30, 2013. As a result, the cumulative Ramah Day Camp mortgage was reduced from $1.3 million to just under $800,000. The Ramah Day Camp is now the largest feeder in the Chicago area for new campers to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin.
Now it's your turn. Join us in this endeavor. Take a look at the details below and learn how you can be a part of this phenomenal opportunity.
Koach Campaign - Questions & Answers
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2. What is the total amount of debt for Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and Ramah Day Camp?
5. Can payments on my $2,500 pledge be spread over two calendar years?
Currently Camp Ramah in Wisconsin owes $1.3 million for capital expenditures. The combined debt of both camps is $2.09 million as of March, 2014.
The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation has stipulated that $2,500 is the minimum pledge to be matched and gifts of $2,500 must be paid by the end of the pledge year. However, pledges of $5,000 or more can be paid over two years as long as a minimum of $2,500 is paid each calendar year.
3. How will my gift to the Koach Campaign help Ramah Wisconsin? Your gift will help eliminate debt, which will make funds available for more families to participate in our programs, advance program development, and ensure the excellence of our facilities. 4. What does it mean that donors can group together to participate? The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation is encouraging the entire community to get involved to maximize this tremendous opportunity. Gifts of $2,500 and above will be matched 1:1. That minimum may come from an individual or a group, for example: multiple family members can contribute gifts totaling $2,500 or a group of staff members who worked together can make a group gift, even your morning minyan can make a group gift. Groups may also honor an individual or a life cycle event. Efforts are already underway to assemble Koach group gifts from these aidot: • Nivonim 1970 • Nivonim 1988 • Nivonim 1972 • Nivonim 1994 • Nivonim 1976 • Nivonim 1995 • Nivonim 1978 • Nivonim 1997 • Nivonim 1979
6. How will the Koach Campaign impact Ramah Wisconsin’s 2014 and 2015 annual campaign? We need to maintain our annual fundraising efforts for scholarship and operational needs while working diligently to meet the Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation challenge. We are asking the Ramah community to continue supporting the annual campaign and consider a stretch gift to maximize this great opportunity. 7. How will these gifts be recognized? Donors to the Koach Campaign will be recognized on a new donor wall at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Gifts will also be recognized in print and online communications. Group gifts (i.e. Nivonim 1979 or Cincinnati Alumni or In honor of the birth of …) will be listed on the donor wall. In addition, a donor contributing $2,500 or more in a single year - as an individual or as part of one or more groups – will be listed separately on the donor wall. We hope that you will participate in this exciting opportunity and encourage your friends, relatives, and other Ramahniks to get involved as well! For more information, please contact Sam Caplan, Chief Development Officer, at scaplan@ramahwisconsin.com or 312-606-9316 ext. 232.
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Ramah’s Commitment to Year-round Ramah Wisconsin is known for providing extensive support and training for its staff members. During the summer, staff members participate in an intensive week of training before campers arrive and continue the training throughout the summer. Even when the summer ends, staff members have opportunities for further training, learning and enrichment.
In January, Director Jacob Cytryn led the Ramah Wisconsin delegation at the annual Israel Shabbaton, which brought together 140 staff members from all Ramah camps, including new and veteran shlichim, and North Americans studying in Israel.
Twenty students from seventeen US colleges and universities came to Jerusalem in January for the first ever Ta’amu U’R’u (Taste and See) Winter Break Program at the Conservative Yeshiva. 2014 Waterfront Head Leah Segal (fourth from left, standing) represented Ramah Wisconsin on this program co-sponsored by the National Ramah Commission and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism.
Below: In December, Rosh Drama Rebecca Nadis (back row center) helped staff a Ramah-style Argentinean Jewish community summer camp near Buenos Aires. Former Assistant Director Rabbi Josh Cohen (back) led the MAROM Olami staff delegation from Israel.
Staff members Lev Gray and Benjy Forester attended Mechon Hadar’s Winter Learning Seminar in New York. Benjy shared these thoughts on the immersive week of Torah study, “It was a transformative week…the Hadar Learning Seminar was moving, intriguing, challenging, and very unique. I felt fortunate to be in a place like that. Ramah is a large reason that I have such a thirst for Jewish knowledge and experience.” Benjy is shown with Hadar Campus Scholars and Ramah Wisconsin alumni Yael Richardson Kalman, David Zvi Kalman and their son Avriel.
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Staff Training and Learning
A winter Taglit-Birthright Israel trip sponsored by Shorashim for young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome was staffed by our veteran Tikvah staff members Daniel Olson and Jeremy Drazner. Ramah Wisconsin participants included Alan Cremisi, Jillian Bockenek and Ezra Melman. For ten days these young adults toured Jerusalem, rode camels in the Negev and explored Tzfat and the Galilee. The trip enjoyed many lighter moments, but also many deeply personal, moving and emotional experiences. It was an adventure that both staff and participants will not soon forget.
In February, a group of Wisconsin Ramahniks including Director Jacob Cytryn, Josh Warshawsky, Adina Allen, Elana Kennedy, Daniel Warshawsky, Edon Valdman and Brandon Less joined songleaders from around the country in St. Louis for Songleader Boot Camp. The Songleader Boot Camp is a great opportunity for staff members (and campers too!) to develop their Jewish music skills and explore music as a powerful vehicle to create meaningful, interactive connections between individuals. Participants are excited to share great new music and outstanding ruach with our camp community!
Below: The weekend training and Shabbaton at the National Ramah Winter Leadership Conference at Ramah California were marked not only by inspirational and powerful interactions among staff members across the camps in the Ramah movement, but also by the exchange of ideas and experiences across generations of Ramah leaders. Four distinct groups of participants attended. The largest group was comprised of the second-year counselors participating in the Bert B. Weinstein Institute for Counselor Training. These outstanding counselors were joined by staff members from the National Ramah Tikvah Network of programs for campers with disabilities, Ramah Service Corps Fellows, and the newly formed Moreshet Ramah alumni lay leaders in their twenties. Representing Ramah Wisconsin were (front row, from left) Joseph Eskin, Josh Warshawsky, Jeremy Fineberg, Eliana Horwitz (back row, from left) Ben Hofkin, Avi Allen, Samantha Kopin Silverman, Lena Eskin, Noam Kantor, Jay Schmulewitz and Rich Moline, Reshet Ramah Director
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Donor Honor Roll * represents in kind gifts ** represents donation of Bat Mitzvah gifts
We gratefully acknowledge these gifts for the period October 1, 2013 – March 10, 2014 and pledges through December 31, 2014 made to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and Ramah Day Camp. Todah Rabbah for your generous support of scholarships, innovative programming and state-of-the-art facilities serving over 1,000 campers and staff each summer.
Nina and Arnie Harris The Kopin Family Zell Family Foundation
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago Rabbi Amy Eilberg and Dr. Louis Newman Harry and Bessye Rosenberg Charitable Trust Aviva and David Rubin Robin Newberger and Steven Sacks Robert Sager Carol Ann and Michael Schwartz Michelle and Jim Seidenberg Cathy and Dr. Ron Silver Leslie and Bryan Sloane
President’s Circle Gifts of $50,000 and above
Buckatabon Gifts of $1,800 and above
Dr. Rebecca and Daniel Blumenthal The Crown Family Harold Grinspoon Foundation Susan and Marc Sacks Dr. Michael Steuer
Faye and Benji Bearman Karen and Marshall Brill Barb and Andy Fishman Patti and Michael Frazin Heilicher Foundation Alison and Isaac Judd Rochelle and Dr. Steven Katz Ari Klein Bryna and Rabbi Vernon Kurtz Naomi Newman and Jason Litwack Rhonda Cass-Miller and Paul Miller Louise and Jerry Ribnick Dr. Geraldine Keyes and Dr. Michael Safran Francine and Jonathan Sherman Rubin Singer Arnee and Walter Winshall
Chief Executive Officer’s Circle Gifts of $500,000 and above The Harvey L. Miller Family Foundation
Director’s Circle Gifts of $100,000 and above
Rosh Aidah Gifts of $25,000 and above Anonymous (1) The Covenant Foundation Jack & Goldie Wolfe Miller Fund David Kabiller Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP* Cyndi and Jamie Rosenthal
Northwoods Gifts of $10,000 and above Anonymous (1) Estate of David B. Berger Patti and Alan Caplan/Shalom Memorial Park Foundation for Jewish Camp Mindy and Jeffrey Gordon Kathryn and Scott Happ Dr. Rebecca Schorsch and Dr. Scott Moses Barrie and Steve Orloff Leslie and Howard Schultz Lori Stark and Dr. David Shapiro Dr. Margaret and Alan Silberman Emily and Rabbi David Soloff W.J. Minkus Charitable Trust Idyth and Jay Zimbler
Agam Gifts of $5,000 and above Anonymous (2) Anne Opila and Todd Abraham Dr. Wendy and Dr. Howard Bach Dr. Nehama Dresner Beverly and Richard Fink Marcia Cohodes and David Goldsteen David K. Harris Laurie and Andrew Hochberg Jewish Women’s Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago The Dr. Carol and Mr. Jerry Kaufman Foundation, Inc. Sophie Kaufman** Mesirow Financial Kim and Stuart Frankenthal Debra and Arnold Landis Charlotte and Michael Newberger Galia Newberger** Jill and Michael Rose Amy and Mark Rotenberg Sarfatty Associates Ltd.* Erica and Rabbi Michael Schwab Greg Shapps/Shapps Photography, LLC* Silverman Family Foundation The Wexner Foundation
Northern Lights Gifts of $2,500 and above Gabe Chasnoff/ Whiteout Adventure Media* Deborah Shalowitz Cowans and Bruce Cowans Sheila and Larry Gerber Ellen and Robert Gordman Linda and Michael Hoffenberg
Kikar Gifts of $1,000 and above Angela and Larry Adler Dr. Phyllis Gorin and Rabbi Morris Allen Yaffa Cohen-Appelbaum and Mark Appelbaum Elayne Baum Sonia and Ted Bloch Julie Strauss and Joel Brown Debby and Gary Cortes Dr. Ada Beth and Dr. Charles Cutler Tamar and Jacob Cytryn Dr. Carol Rosenberg and Dr. Gordon Derman Talia and Ari Derman Karen and David Ebroon Karen Lobl and David Eisenberg Gail and Jeremy Fingerman Howard Frankenthal Sarina and Robert Gerson Diane and Shai Halivni Terri Krivosha and Rabbi Hayim Herring Judy and Dr. Mark Hoffman Chaviva and Ralph Jacobson Lynnsie and Dr. David Kantor Faye Kroshinsky and Bennett Kaplan Rhonda and Mordechay Katz Madalyn and Robert Less Gigi Cohen and Michael Levin Joseph M. Levine Foundation Richard Levitt Joellen and Robert Lidov Edward Marks Julie Rabinowitz and Gary Marx Liat and Ron Meisler Sylvia Neil Susan Feigenbaum and Dr. Jay Pepose Lisa and Mark Ratner Jaynie Schultz and Ronald Romaner Fred Rothschild Robin and Rabbi Steven Rubenstein Rochelle and Earl Rubinoff Rabbi Zach Silver Katy and Joshua Silvers Skilken Family Foundation Janice and Richard Small Sarah Small Jane and Joshua Sosland Phyllis and Otto Waldmann Tami and Reuben Warshawsky Linda and Al Winick
Friends Gifts of $500 and above Lisa and Micah Arbisser Nancy Bellew Sarah and Sam Caplan F. Bruce Cohen Ellen and Yehuda Cohen Rita Cortes Cortes Family Foundation Debra and Dr. David Dobkin Jennifer and David Elyashar Gerry Engelhart/Porath Print Source* Jessica Ettinger Judith and Marshall Flapan Betsy and Scott Forester Liz and David Geifman Dr. Leslie and Bernard Goldblatt Nami and David Goldenberg Dr. Ranna Rozenfeld and Shane Greenstein Beth and Jordan Grey Jodi Gruber Natalie and Brian Gurin Ruth and Mark Harris Herbert and Jacqueline Lippitz Charitable Foundation Lorie Chaiten and Harold Hirshman Sharon Liebhaber and Rabbi Alan Iser Zachary Kafitz Jeff Kahn Rachel Katz Yoni Katz Judy and Gerald Kaufman Neera and Michael Kaufman Stephanie and Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh Dr. Michael Klein Vivian and Sheldon Kopin Amy Elfenbaum and Scott Kramer Cindy Reich and Rabbi Harold Kravitz Dr. Lena and David Kushnir Leslie Family Foundation Ilana and Adam Margolis Barbara and Donald Newman Jonathan Oberlander Ellen Sue and Dr. Jon Parker Amy and Scot Perlman Lori and Dr. Richard Rabinowitz Marilyn Green and David Rebnord Randee and Robert Romanoff Betty and Dr. Irving Rozenfeld Kimberly and Dr. Ari Rubenfeld Arona and George Sarfatty Dr. Sarah and Andrew Shulkind Elizabeth Silver-Schack and Larry Silver Sheila and Michael Small Ruth Spectre Melissa and Marc Spellman Mae and Mark Spitz Abigail and Shai Tambor Lisa and Steven Tenzer Deborah and Adam Winick
Ramahnik Gifts up to $500 Anonymous (3) Sandra Aaron Julia and Dr. Donald Aaronson Rachel and Dr. Andrew Abeles Leah Abrahams Helen Abramovitz Beatrice Muchman and Lawrence Abrams Deanna and Brett Abrams Elaine and Jerry Adler Elisabeth Albert Leora Allen Avi Allen Gilda Allswang Jean and Larry Appel Sari Applefeld Julia Applefeld Brandi and Dan Argentar
page 9 We are grateful to nearly 50 synagogues, communal funds, local Jewish federations and foundations for their ongoing partnership and scholarship support. View a complete list online at: www.ramahwisconsin.com
Rachel and Yaakov Ariel Stephen Arnovitz Amy and Jeff Aronow Sara Arrow Gerald Axelbaum Barbara Bach Naomi Hoffman and Loren Bach Beth Solomon and Scott Bakal Jennifer and Sam Banayan Roger Barak Devorah Lissek and Dr. Joshua Barash Adam Baruch Andrea and Larry Becker Sheryl and Robert Bellick Yael and Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell Daniel Bender Hilary and Michael Benjamin Karen and Dr. David Benson Mollie Berenbom Janna and Keith Berk Seth Berkman Micha A. Berman Dina Berne Aryeh Bernstein Barbara Bernstein Henry Bernstein Hope and Marvin Bernstein Roberta and Charles Bernstein Jean Best Robyn Weinstein and Edward Bettenhausen Fredda and Rabbi Mark Bisman Sarah Blaney Norma and David L. Blecker Marilyn Blonsky Michael Bloom Theodore S. Bloom Carrie and Richard Bloomfield Tracy and Jonathan Blue Eliot Blum Deanne Blume Randi Blume Melinda Bonk David Bonowitz Deena and Steve Borzak Emilie Botbol Nikki and Tim Boyle Teri and Harvey Brandvein Eileen Leiderman and Ben Brener Joan and William Brodsky Elizabeth Brodsky Tammy and David Brody Samantha Brody Carrie and Adam Broms Ross Broms Marilyn and Tim Broms Nancy and Aaron Brower Zachary Bryant Susan and Colman Buchbinder Dr. Ellen Cannon Paula and Dr. Jeffrey Cantor Joyce and Ted Cardozo Jane and Professor Dennis Carlton Dina and Joey Carr Shayna Cherry Michelle Chizever Judith and Elliott Cohen Rabbi Burton Cohen Conference Of Consulting Actuaries Jamie Cooper Sara and Steve Coven Esther Goldberg-Davis and Rabbi Alexander Davis Leah Deitcher Sheila and Stewart Derechin Dr. Benjamin Derman Yael Derman Roseanne Diamond Susie and Rabbi Paul Drazen Meredith and Jason Dubner Dr. Ilana Dworin Karen and David Ecanow
Myron Einisman Miriam R. Eisenberg Michael Eisenwasser Deborah Swichkow and Ray Ellis Fern and Dr. Michael Ellison Rochelle and Dr. Arthur Elstein Deborah Engel Joseph Eskin Laurie Baskin and Steven Fadem Beth Kohl and Gary Feinerman Jesse and Rabbi Jeremy Fine Robert Fineberg Ellie Fineman Jodi Finer Roberta Fischer Lilli Flink Richard and Karen Fox Hannah Fraint Dr. Avram Fraint Gretchen Frankenthal Donna and Ronnie Fredman Rabbi Zachary Fredman Sara Estrin and Ben Freedland Laura and Rabbi Alex Freedman Jamie and Jordan Friedman Judith and Allon Friedman Susan Kay and Samuel Frumkin Gail and Steve Gales Yaela Garr Linda and Jeremy Gaynor Beth and Gordon Gendler Talya Prombaum and Josh Gepner Diane and Hal Gershowitz Gabriel Gershowitz Marlene and Herb Gerson Dr. Betsy Gidwitz Nitza Gilad Iliana and Scott Gilman Isaac Glassman Josh Gleicher Ari Gleicher Ariel Gliksberg Marion Gold Sarah Gold Aviva Goldblatt Leora Goldblatt Sharon and Dr. Harris Goldenberg Bonnie and Dr. Gary Goldish Jessica Goldman Susan Goldsmith Andrea and Michael Goldstein Daniel Goldwin Karen and Jay Goodgold Sharon and Eric Goodman Edith and Max Goodman Dr. Michael R. Goodman Allison and Jay Gordman Spencer Gordman Elan Green Rani Halpern and Joel Green Ronna Bach and Michael Greenwald Helene Greenwald Karen and Steven Grey Evelyn Gross Anna and Jacob Grossberg Darla and Dr. George Grossberg Rachel Daniels Gruber and Bruce Gruber Susan and Jonathan Gutstein Maxine and Jacob Handelman Shannyn Hart Ben Heisler Leslie Gardner Heller and William Heller Billie and Simon Hellerstein Marcia and Paul Herman Eunice and Bruce Hershman Lena Heyman Jennifer and Tom Hillman Sue and Steve Hoffenberg Noam Hoffenberg Rebecca Hoffman
Lisa and Perry Hoffman Stacey and William Hoffman Holy Family Memorial Medical/Dental Staff Teddy Horowitz Risa Hurwich Debbie and Simon Igielnik Dr. Sherry Israel Lizzie and Micah Kafitz Eve and Steve Kafitz Debbie Kaplan Geraldine Kaplan Gita Karasov Stefanie and Robert Karon Dalia Katz David Katz Debra Glassman and Bob Kaufman Julie Berman and Hal Kaufman Kim Kerbis Adam Kibort Miriam and Leroy Kieffer Dalia and Brian Kirschbaum Suzanne Knoll Brett Kopin Shosh Korrub Arlette and Robert Kramer Julie Krashin Judith Kravat Gabriel Kravitz Sheri Krell Erik Kulleseid Becky Kupchan Judy and Marshall Kupchan Shuli and Noey Kupchan Sara and Richard Kushnir Ronald Lachman Rebecca Landis Phyllis and Jacob Lassner Sally and Morton Leder Sharon Lederer Elena and Jay Lefkowitz Dr. Deena Leonard Bella Lesch Debbie and Ian Lesch Lois and Samuel Levin Nancy Miller-Levin and Edward Levin Sara Levin Monte Levinson Esther Levitan Carol and Paul Levitch Miriam and Martin Levy Meredith and Benjamin Lewis Shera and Michael Libraty Debbie and Gary Lindon Rebecca Linfield Stephanie and Jeremy Liss Jessica and Matthew Litwack Sara Segal Loevy and Steven Loevy Yael Malka-Loren and Daniel Loren Sharon and Henry Lorsch Jessica Lubetsky Arielle Kaufman and Ohad Ludomirsky Ilyse Mackoff Paula and Dr. Albert Madansky Justin Main Manitowoc Jewish Federation Peggy Marc Kaz and Sidney Kaz Jennifer Markowitz Hedva and Dr. Moshe Matalon Leehe Matalon Ruth Maxwell Michele and Seth Meisler Catherine Sinclair Beard and Joshua Meyer Florence and Laurence Meyer Gutki and George Miliband Eli Miller Frank Miller Debby and Rabbi Clifford Miller Patricia Miller Rachel Miller Susan and Robert Millner
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Donor Honor Roll * represents in kind gifts ** represents donation of Bat Mitzvah gifts
Jaclyn Millner Jacob Millner Ilyssa and David Minkus Danna Heilicher Mirviss and Joel Mirviss Sarah and Gabi Mitchell Rosalyn and Steven Mokhtarian Helene Moses Jean Moses Susan and Neil Moses-Zirkes Diane Lowenthal and Bradley Moskowitz Jodi and Gregg Newmark Stacy and Bruce Orloff Ilana Ormond Eveline and Rabbi Herbert Panitch Tamar Rubin and Adam Parker Rachel and Gary Parnes Judy and Dr. Mark Paschen Judith and Stuart Passon Sarah Peaceman Marla Peckler Rachel Zivic and Rabbi Micah Peltz Elisa and Jim Pener Vicki and Gary Phillips Marcie and Brad Pickard Rachel Pickus Brooke and Dr. Matthew Plofsky Emily Podgursky Hannah Berkowicz and Brian Pogrund Debra and Dr. Kenny Polin Julie Politi Joshua Pomeranz Rebecca and Robert Portnoe Dr. Gloria and Dr. Kenneth Price Alex Prombaum Rebekah Pure Harriet and Joey Resnick Talia Ribnick Geoff Rice and Dan Lange Frances and Leonard Rich Kathryn Robertson Aliza Romirowsky Paulie and Rabbi Carnie Rose Ann Lesley and Scott Rosen Nancy and Rabbi James Rosen Sandra and Tom Rosen Frances and Stanley Rosen Rabbi Daniel A. Rosenberg David Rosenberg Jonathan Rosenberg Shirley Rosenberg Karla and Steve Rosenblum Sharon and Jed Rosenfeld Richard Rosenfield Adrienne and Adam Rosenthal Jennifer Pehr and Jonathan A. Ross Ariella Rotenberg Tamara and Joel Rubin Karen and Russ Rubin Cindy Lester Rudman and Jay Rudman Rebecca and Rabbi David Russo Yonaton Saadi Michael Sackett Rabbi Susan Tendler and Ross Sadoff Rachel Salk Judith Levin and Gerald Salzman Kati and Dr. Charles Samet Joy Sandler Clifford Saper Adela and Raymond Sasson Ruth U. Schack Norma Schapiro Jay Schapiro Aliza and Ben Scheier Deborah and Randy Schepis Sandra Schloff Tirza Schmelzer-Covel and Albert Schmelzer Dianne and Harry Schneider Louise and Steven Schoenberger Elana and Seth Schrank Rochelle and Irving Schultz
The year was 1964 which now seems like a lifetime ago. My mother and father packed my trunk, said goodbye and off I went from Indianapolis for my first summer at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. Little did I know that this simple train ride would lead to a 13 summer journey for me as a camper, Ramah Israel Seminarnik, counselor and Waterfront Director. Not only did my parents have the good sense to send me to Ramah but also my sister, Paula and brother, Ben. Now my From left, Mark, Alex, Jacob, Ruth and Evelyn Harris wife, Ruth and I continue the journey by sending our two boys. Both Alex and Jacob “graduated” from Ramah Day Camp and now Alex after being in Wisconsin for seven years will be going on Ramah Israel Seminar with Jacob in Bogrim. Our three generation involvement in Judaism has been greatly influenced by our Ramah experiences and we feel a responsibility to ensure that future generations can also share in this amazing experience called “Ramah.” Therefore we are proud to be a part of the Legacy Society. We have been fortunate to receive; now it is time to give back. — Mark Harris Estherbeth Buchbinder and Jeffrey Schvimer Marci Dickman and Ralph Schwartz Stanley Schwartz Leslie Schwartzman Margo Scott Elena and Eric Scott Renee and David Segal Rabbi Allen Selis Melvin Shapiro Mira Hart and Jacob Shapiro Cindy Sharon Loni Shelef Nadav Shelef Dr. Shelley and Jeremy Sherman Julie and David Sherman Bonnie and Orrin Shifrin Naomi Shisler Jorie and Andrew Sigesmund Alison Silberman Gretchen Silver Samantha Kopin Silverman and Yoni Silverman Rachelle Simon Dr. Claire Sufrin and Michael Simon Shulamith Simon Jackie and Stephen Sinykin Faith Roessel and Matthew Slater Susan Agate and Michael Slutsky Danya Snyder Devora Snyder Barbara Spack Nori and Robert Spiro Gloria and Sanford Spitzer Michelle Steiman Jen Grusby Steiman and Dr. Josh Steiman Melanie and Dan Steindler Sharon and David Stern Shaina and Brad Sugar Dr. Linda and Rabbi Sheldon Switkin Shelly Cohen Phillips and Dr. Ted Tapper Karin Klein and Joel Teibloom Barbara and Harvey Temkin Eli Temkin Cheryl Temkin Roberta and Leonard Tenner Rosetta and Stephen Teplitz Gabrielle Tessler Alyssa Unikel Joan and Dr. Joseph Vander Walde Teresa and Irving Victor Dr. Janna and Bryan Villano Rosalie and Mark Villano
Alicia Vinocur Georgia Wagner Glenn Warshaw Leigh and David Waterman Maxima and Rabbi Burton Wax Frances Wein Audrey Weinberg Ira Weinberg Heidi and Eric Weinberg Lisa and Michael Weiner Dori and Gary Weinstein Joan and Jerome Weinstein Aliza and Stuart Weinstock Eileen and Larry Weiss Shira and Jacob Weissbach Rhoda Wertheimer Ardis Wexler Wexner Class 24 Betty Winer Amy Winiker Hilary Wiseman David Witten Radyne and Dr. Steven Wolf Mosheh Wolf Aaron Wolf Judith Wolf Francis Wolff Ilana Wolfson Corinne and Stanley Wolfson Sara and Rabbi David Wolkenfeld Rachel and Rabbi Herbert Yoskowitz Ina and Joseph Young Amy and David Zaretsky Bonnie and Marvin Zeff Gary Zelamsky Jonathan Zimbler Ruth and Albert Zimbler Heidi Zimmerman David Ziskind Deborah and Moshe Zwang
Every effort has been made to include all contributions and to verify the correct listing of donor names. If your name has been omitted or listed incorrectly, please contact Linda Hoffenberg (info on page 16).
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Legacy Society Members Anonymous (6) William Agress Dr. Phyllis Gorin and Rabbi Morris Allen Abby and Sheldon Badzin Shanna Baumgarten Faye and Benji Bearman Betty Benson(z”l) Miriam and Dan Berger Robert M. Berger Jean Best Marilyn Blonsky Cookie Feldman Bloom Karen and Marshall Brill F. Bruce Cohen Roberta (z”l) and Rabbi Burton Cohen Sarah Bierman and Rabbi Joshua Cohen Ellen and Yehuda Cohen Margaret and Lee Cohn Debbie and Gary Cortes Rita M. Cortes Deborah Shalowitz Cowans and Bruce Cowans Tamar and Jacob Cytryn Evan Dreifuss Dr. Arthur Elstein Jennifer and Stewart Flink
Betsy and Scott Forester Kim and Alan Frankel Kim and Stuart Frankenthal Charlotte Singer Gelfand Marvell Ginsburg (z”l) Leslie and Bernie Goldblatt Nami and David Goldenberg Laurie and Joel Goldsmith Marlene and Sam Gordon Mindy and Jeffrey Gordon Rabbi Yosi Gordon Harold Grinspoon Michal and Uzi HaLevy Evelyn Harris Nina and Arnie Harris Ruth and Mark Harris Linda and Michael Hoffenberg Sara and Jon Hoffenberg Vivian and Ralph Jacobson Camille and Rabbi Rob Kahn Orlee and Jeffrey Kahn Beth and Dr. Jeff Kopin Gabriel Kopin Rabbi Myer Kripke Dr. Lena and David Kushnir Elyse and Dr. Ron Less
Madalyn and Robert Less Renee and George (z”l) Levine Leslie and Michael Litwack Aaron Magid Arthur and Lois Marc (z”l) Adam Margolis Edward and Roslyn (z”l) Marks Julie Rabinowitz and Gary Marx Judy Teibloom Mishkin and Larry Mishkin Dr. Rebecca Schorsch and Dr. Scott Moses Barbara and Donald Newman Sandy Starkman and Larry Pachter Dana Yugend-Pepper and Larry Pepper Benjamin Philipson Roselind and Sheldon Rabinowitz Lisa and Mark Ratner Harriet and Joseph Resnick Mindy and Dan Ribnick Jaynie Schultz and Ron Romaner Ann Lesley and Scott Rosen Shari (z”l) and Dr. Herbert Rosen Jonathan Adam Ross Dena (z”l) and Fred Rothschild Betty and Dr. Irving Rozenfeld Robin and Rabbi Steven Rubenstein
Susan and Marc Sacks Martha and Arthur Salkin Louise and Steven Schoenberger Carol Ann and Michael Schwartz Phyllis and Sidney (z”l) Shalowitz Lori Stark and Dr. David Shapiro Fran and Jonathan Sherman Karen and Hal Sider Dr. Margaret and Alan Silberman Sarah Small Sheila and Michael Small Emily and Rabbi David Soloff Melissa and Marc Spellman Adam Steinberg Miriam and Morton Steinberg Mayer Stiebel Rebecca and Rabbi Loren Sykes Anna Tarkoff Lisa and Steven Tenzer Phyllis Hofman Waldmann Joshua Warshawsky Tami and Reuben Warshawsky Richard D. Weiner David Wolkin
Declaration of Intent In the Jewish tradition of sharing our blessings, I/we take deep satisfaction in declaring my/our intent to help Camp Ramah in Wisconsin provide for the needs of future generations of Jewish children. I/We have made provision, or I/We will make provision to include Camp Ramah as beneficiary in: a bequest in my/our will
a deferred lifetime gift
through a trust fund and/or foundation
through a retirement fund
a life insurance gift
Please add my/our name(s) to the Ramah Wisconsin Legacy Society. Print your name as you would like to be listed in the Ramah Wisconsin Legacy Society I/We do not want to be listed. Name Address City
State
Phone
Signature
Date
Zip
Please fax to 312.606.7136 or mail to: Camp Ramah in Wisconsin, Legacy Society, 65 East Wacker Place # 1200, Chicago IL 60601 Please consult your attorney or tax advisor for professional guidance in this area. For additional information contact Linda Hoffenberg, Director of Institutional Advancement, at 312.606.9316 ext. 225 or LHoffenberg@ramahwisconsin.com
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Ramah as a Resource In November, camper parent Amy Rotenberg led a webinar geared to Nivonim 2012 and 2013 and their parents on translating the Ramah experience to a college application. Amy, founder and president of Rotenberg Associates, Inc., has more than a decade of experience in strategic communications. In addition to her professional work, Amy has co-chaired the Harvard College Chapter of the Harvard University Club of Minnesota, and has led Harvard College’s admissions efforts in Minnesota. Amy spent time in camp last summer speaking to campers and staff members about their experiences. In the webinar, she explained to families that universities are looking for students that show merit and skills, leadership, strong character and the potential to be good community and campus citizens. Amy’s webinar demonstrated to our youngest alumni and their parents that Ramah provides all of the above through experiences of tremendous value. The webinar and slide presentation can be viewed online at www.ramahwisconsin.com. Click on “programs” at the top of the home page, then “resources.”
Winter Trip to Camp
A Sunday in February turned into a whirlwind of snowy fun for two Garinim 2014 campers, Kaiden Tocher and Nathan Kushnir. Kaiden was the grand prize winner of our Golden Ticket Enrollment Raffle, designed to energize fall enrollment. Kaiden’s prize was a winter day trip up to camp with a friend and a parent! The two boys and Kaiden’s father traveled to camp with COO Benji Bearman, Assistant Director Yael Bendat-Appell and senior counselor Dani Marx. Single digit temperatures and 50 inches of snow didn’t dampen their spirits! The boys went on a scavenger hunt that took them from sledding by the director’s house, to walking on Lake Buckatabon to making snow angels on the kikar. Their friends at home followed them on Instagram and Facebook through the day’s activities. It was an adventure they will all remember!
Almost at camp! From left: Yael, Kaiden, Nathan and Dani.
Limited Edition! A series of six beautiful 16 x 20” camp photos taken by professional photographer Greg Shapps (Nivonim 1986) can now be purchased for $180 each. These beautiful camp images are printed on high quality archival paper and make a great gift! Greg is generously donating all proceeds from the sale to the Ramah Wisconsin Scholarship Fund. To order and view the whole series, go to www.ramahwisconsin.com and click “Shop” or call 312-6069316 ext. 221.
Future Ramahnik
Little Eliana Ida Hoffman Bach has quite the Ramah pedigree. Her parents and grandparents are all proud Wisconsin Ramahniks! Eliana’s parents, Naomi Hoffman and Loren Bach, were both in Nivonim 2000. Naomi’s parents, Judy Saffir Hoffman and Mark Hoffman, and Loren’s parents, Wendy Ziman Bach and Howie Bach, were campers in the 1960’s and 1970’s. We can’t wait to welcome Eliana and the rest of Nivonim 2029 to the kikar!
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National Symposium on Ramah Special Needs Programs In October 2013, 120 people from across North America, including 18 representatives of Ramah Wisconsin, attended the National Symposium on Ramah Special Needs Programs convened by The National Ramah Commission at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. The symposium included group conversations among staff, parents, and camper alumni in discussions of best practices and future goals. Ramah Wisconsin camper parents Marcia Cohodes, Andrea Gruber and Rabbi Dov Linzer participated as facilitators and panelists. These lay leaders, alumni and professional staff members are collaborating on a strategic vision for the future of Ramah special needs programs and advancing the sharing of best practices. Left: Rabbi David Soloff, CEO, Ralph Schwartz, Director of Special Needs Programs, and Dr. Margaret Silberman, Tikvah Program Chair at the conference with staff members (from left) Kashmir Kustanowitz, Lily Flink, Daniel Olson and Nava Kantor
Breaking Down Barriers to Inclusion - Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Style By Nate Gotlieb, Former Tikvah Counselor During the 2012 season, cabin 8 and cabin 9 at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin joined together for a morning activity at the ropes course. What was unique about this is that Cabin 8 is a Tikvah (special needs) cabin and has campers ranging in age from 12-15. Cabin 9 is a Bogrim cabin of campers entering 9th grade. The two cabins share a bathroom and porch. Before this trip to the ropes course, the two groups of boys hadn’t had many opportunities to interact due to different schedules and a general hesitation to get to know people who are different.
During the debriefing, the campers spoke of how they were proud that they were able to work together to accomplish the tasks. Many of the campers were honest with how they felt about the boys in the other cabin before this activity and how their feelings had changed because of it. It was evident that the campers had a new understanding and appreciation for each other. In just a short time I felt a strong sense of goodwill and friendship coming from both groups of boys, a connection that has the potential to last for many years to come.
At the ropes course the boys from Cabin 8 were paired with the boys from Cabin 9. Each pair had to introduce themselves to their partners. Each partner had to teach the other something new. In one partnership, a Tikvah camper taught his Bogrim partner how to contort himself into a pretzel by putting his feet over his head. Another Tikvah camper taught his partner a segment of the PokĂŠmon rap that he performed at the all-camp talent show the night before. Another camper taught his Bogrim partner the entire Chicago White Sox roster. Each partnership then introduced the other to the entire group and presented what they had learned. With much of the initial awkwardness out of the way, the cabins split into two groups to partake in several team building activities. One group attempted to line up from tallest to shortest on a thin log while the other attempted to balance on a wooden see-saw. Each group initially struggled to complete the task. However, after several failed attempts, the campers began to work together to accomplish the tasks. The team on the log began discussing different ways that they could line up without falling off. On the see-saw, the group began planning out the most effective way to balance. The results of their teamwork were staggering. After a few minutes of struggle, one group managed to balance on the see-saw for 100 seconds until the counselors finally stopped them. All the groups successfully completed the tasks and felt a unified sense of accomplishment, which was evident when they debriefed the activity.
This article appeared on The Ruderman Family Foundation blog Zeh Lezeh in September 2013.
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Alumni and Community
Sarah Peaceman in 2000 together with Machon friends
From a D’var Torah given by Sarah Peaceman at an alumni Shabbat dinner in Chicago in January: I know many of us grew up in homes where Shabbat was celebrated, we went to Hebrew school or day school, had Jewish friends in elementary school. But no matter our background, Camp Ramah was a place where we discovered a new kind of Jewish community. Camp Ramah was where we chose to be a part of a Jewish community. On a personal note, for me, camp was where I learned how to live with other people, how to eat at a really cramped table without poking other people with my elbows, where I learned how fun Judaism could be. I first found the best version of myself at camp. It’s no coincidence that my closest friends in the world are the ones I became friends with at Camp Ramah. Ironically, but also significantly, we knew each other before camp, but it wasn’t until we were at camp together, sharing a bunk, sharing the kikar, that we became friends. I know a lot of you have equally fond memories of Camp Ramah and the community you found there. That’s why you’re here tonight.
Family Camp at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin
It’s been almost 13 years since I was a camper. It’s been 9 years since I was a counselor. It’s been almost 7 years since I even set foot in Conover, Wisconsin. And I still feel like I’m living in a post-camp world, one in which Camp Ramah has influenced so much of my perspective, my personality, and the way I participate in religion. I’m so glad we could all be here tonight, many from different Ramah camps, but still with similar camp communal experiences. I’m glad we could come together as a community of people living in a postcamp world, a community of people who found the love, respect, and *fun* of Judaism through camp, a community of people who understand what it means to be a part of a vibrant community.
Alumni Reunion – Nivonim 1988
Stay connected! “Like” Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and Ramah Day Camp on Facebook, follow @ramahwisconsin on Instagram and check out the Alumni pages at www.ramahwisconsin.com
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Initiatives • Ramah Sameach – Holiday themed programs for pre-schoolers and their families at Ramah Day Camp in Wheeling, Illinois. • Ramah OpenDoor – Providing programs for new campers whose families have had little or no previous Jewish affiliation. Sponsored by The AVI CHAI Foundation and the Zell Family Foundation • Ramah Day Camp – Day Camp program for children entering K-6th grade. • Taste of Ramah – An overnight visit to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for prospective families with kids in 2-5 grades. • Camp Ramah in Wisconsin – Overnight Camp program for entering 4-11 graders. Kikar Ba’Ir Scholarship Phonathon
• Tikvah and Atzmayim Vocational Programs – For special needs participants ages 11-22. • Ramah Service Corps – A new program of Ramah Shabbatonim in our partner synagogues in the Midwest. • Ramah Israel Seminar – For high-school students entering 12th grade • Ramah College Network - A resource of the National Ramah Commission to help facilitate Ramah connections beyond the camp season through networking and programming. Details at www.campramah.org • Staff Experience at Ramah Day Camp and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin – College students and beyond. • Ta’am Ramah – Two-night visit to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin geared to families with children in 2nd-5th grade. July 6-7, 2014. • Family Camp at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin – Multi-generational experience for families with young children. Grandparents are welcome! August 13-17, 2014. • Summer Family Picnics – at Ramah Day Camp as part of the Parsha & Play program, in Kansas City and in the Twin Cities. • Kikar Ba’Ir – Shabbat experiences and social events for young alumni and families in partnership with Reshet Ramah. More at reshetramah.org • Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip – Registration is now open for the May 12-19, 2015 Trip! All proceeds benefit Ramah Tikvah programs. Details at www.ramahbikeride.org and www.ramahhikingtrip.org • Alumni Reunions – Nivonim 2001 will return to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin this summer for its 13th reunion on June 27-29 and Nivonim 1989 will reunite for its 25th reunion on July 25-27. • Summer visits to Ramah Day Camp in Wheeling, Illinois or Camp Ramah in Wisconsin in Conover – get a taste of the 2014 Ramah experience! Through these programs and activities, Ramah provides children and adults with transformative experiences of vibrant Jewish life driven by the joy of summer camp. How do YOU connect to the 2014 Ramah experience?
Ramah Sameach at Ramah Day Camp
For information on Family Camp, alumni and community initiatives and 2014 reunions, contact Robin Rubenstein at rrubenstein@ramahwisconsin.com or at 312-265-6653.
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From Lori Stark, Director Developed by Rabbi Eric Zaff, Ramah Day Camp’s Koach l’Moach curriculum introduces Jewish ideas to campers through fun activities supported by traditional Jewish texts. Along with new skills in swimming and sports, art and music, our campers gain a basic understanding of God’s creations; the community and the responsibility of the Jewish people; and major Jewish religious and national symbols. Each year, campers explore a different theme. • Kindergarten – the Creation of the World • First Grade – respect for God’s Creations • Second Grade – the Creation of the Jewish People • Third Grade – Community • Fourth Grade – Interpersonal Relationships • Fifth and Sixth Grade – Relationships in the Torah and Religious Symbols This exploration involves many different approaches to learning. For example, a game of Capture the Flag becomes a jumping off point for discussing what a flag means, how its symbol represents a country, and why the Israeli flag is such an important part of Jewish identity. Planting seeds becomes an opportunity to talk about Noah’s actions after the flood and how important it is to take care of God’s world. Completing a blindfolded obstacle course with a sighted friend leads to a conversation about two of the Torah’s commandments: extend your hand to someone in need and do not to put a stumbling block in front of the blind. Our campers have fun as they connect to camp’s vibrant Jewish community and gain a deeper appreciation of our traditions. As we count down the weeks to our 16th season, we look forward to those teachable moments that happen all summer long at Ramah Day Camp!
Ramah Day Camp is a warm and nurturing environment where kids come to make great friends, grow socially, learn Jewish values and most importantly - to have fun! Campers entering kindergarten through sixth grade enjoy sports, swimming, music, cookouts, arts & crafts and so much more! Chicago area campers entering grades 4, 5 and 6 can experience both Ramah Day Camp and Camp Ramah in Wisconsin in one summer at special rates! Kochavim offers entering 4th graders the opportunity to spend twelve action-packed days at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin and the rest of the summer at Ramah Day Camp. Two sessions are available. Garinim (for entering 5th graders) and Halutzim (for entering 6th graders) offer four weeks at Ramah Day Camp and four weeks at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin. For details call (312) 606-0444 or email info@ramahday.com.
Camp Ramah in Wisconsin 65 E. Wacker Place, Suite 1200, Chicago IL 60601 Rabbi David Soloff, Chief Executive Officer Jacob Cytryn, Director, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin Yael Bendat-Appell, Assistant Director Lori Stark, Director, Ramah Day Camp Benji Bearman, Chief Operating Officer Sam Caplan, Chief Development Officer Arnie Harris, President For additional information contact: Linda Hoffenberg, Director of Institutional Advancement, (312) 606-9316 x 225, E-mail: LHoffenberg@ramahwisconsin.com www.ramahwisconsin.com www.ramahday.com