Camp Ramah in the Berkshires

Camp Ramah in the Berkshires in Wingdale, New York, is one of nine overnight summer camps and three day camps affiliated with the Conservative Movement of Judaism and the National Ramah Commission.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] It is accredited by the American Camp Association.[12] The camp sits on 299-acre (1.21 km2) site in Dutchess County, New York, about 30 miles (48 km) southwest of the Massachusetts border and the Berkshire Mountains, on Lake Ellis.[4][13]

Camp Ramah in the Berkshires
Founded1964 (1964)[1][2]
FounderRabbi Jerome (Jerry) Abrams[1][2]
13-1997276
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization[3]
PurposeTo provide camping, education, and boarding for campers under a religious structure.[3]
Location
Director
Aytan Goodman
Board President
Richard Friedman
Business Director
Yoni Saposh
AffiliationsNational Ramah Commission,[3]
Jewish Theological Seminary of America,[3]
Conservative Movement Judaism
Revenue (2013)
$5,719,049[3]
Expenses (2013)$5,176,329[3]
Staff (2012)
394[3]
Websitewww.ramahberkshires.org

Religious orientation

Camp Ramah is a religiously oriented camp that observes the laws of Shabbat and Kashrut. Hebrew is widely used in all facets of camp life, from the names for buildings, physical infrastructure, and services, to camp activities and programs.[14] Campers attend daily religious prayer services.[15] On Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, the campers execute the traditional Torah service. Also the campers attend classes or programs which the camp has set up to structure their Jewish background.[16]

Counselors and alumni describe their summers at Ramah as one of the most formative experiences of their childhoods and a primary influence on their Jewish identity.[17]

Administration

From 2003 until 2017, the camp director was Rabbi Paul Resnick.[3][18][19][20] Currently, the director is Rabbi Ethan Linden. Rabbi Jerome (Jerry) Abrams was the founder of the camp in 1964.[1][2] He is now Director Emeritus. Rabbi David Mogilner, Rabbi Sheldon (Shelley) Dorph,[21][22] David August, and Rabbi Burton Cohen[23][24] were directors in late 1960 and 1970s.

Special programs

The camp annually holds a Labor Day weekend for alumni of the camp that are 22 years old and over.[25][26]

Divisions

Campers are divided by age groups, called Edot in Hebrew:

  • Cochavim ("Stars"), entering 4th grade
  • Nitzanim ("Flower Buds"), entering 5th grade
  • Shorashim ("Roots"), entering 6th grade
  • Tzeirim ("Youths"), entering 7th grade
  • Solelim ("Pavers"), entering 8th grade
  • Bogrim ("Graduates"), entering 9th grade
  • Machon ("Institute") entering 10th grade
  • Gesher ("Bridge"), entering 11th grade

See also

References
  1. "Vision, Leadership, and Change: The Case of Ramah Summer Camps" (PDF). Journal of Jewish Education. July 3, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  2. "Abrams, Jerome (b. 1926), Papers". The Jewish Theological Seminary. Archived from the original on 2010-05-28. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  3. "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Tax" (PDF). Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. Guidestar. September 30, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  4. "Camp Ramah Berkshires". Ramahberkshires.org. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  5. "Camps spruce up content". Jewish News of Greater Phoenix. August 27, 1999. Archived from the original on 2011-06-10. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  6. "US Jewish teens rally for Israel". The Jerusalem Post. July 4, 2001. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  7. "Camps take precautions against swine flu virus". New Jersey Jewish News. July 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  8. Hon. Jerrold Nadler of New York (March 9, 2004). In Honor of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. United States of America Congressional Record. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  9. Sylvia C. Ettenberg, Geraldine Rosenfield (1989). The Ramah experience: community and commitment. Jewish Theological Seminary of America. ISBN 0-87334-051-5. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  10. Hasia R. Diner (2002). Lower East Side Memories: A Jewish Place in America. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-09545-0. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  11. Pamela Susan Nadell (1988). Conservative Judaism in America: a biographical dictionary and sourcebook. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 0-313-24205-4. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  12. Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps. American Camping Association. 2003. ISBN 0-87603-179-3. Retrieved September 14, 2010. camp ramah in the berkshires.
  13. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. "ENB Region 3 Completed Applications 06/16/2004". Dec.ny.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  14. "The High Cost Of Jewish Living". The Jerusalem Post. September 15, 1993. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  15. "As Kids Head to Camp, Parents Ask If They're Having Enough Fun". The Forward. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  16. "Conservative Jews". The Jerusalem Post. March 4, 1992. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  17. Ramah Camps: A bright spot for Conservative movement
  18. Guide to ACA-Accredited Camps. American Camping Association. 2003. ISBN 9780876031797. Retrieved September 17, 2010. camp ramah berkshires paul resnick.
  19. "Camps take precautions against swine flu virus". New Jersey Jewish News. July 2, 2009. Archived from the original on January 15, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  20. "Camps taking swine flu precautions". The Jewish Standard. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  21. Rabbinical Assembly of America, Jewish Theological Seminary of America (1970). Conservative Judaism. Rabbinical Assembly. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  22. "Ramah's Policy In Black And White: In first written statement, Conservative camps affirm halachic guidelines for applicants". The Jewish Week. February 4, 2000. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  23. Palmer, Joanne (Fall 2007). "Ramah at 60". The United Synagogue for Conservative Judaism. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  24. "Vision, Leadership, and Change: The Case of Ramah Summer Camps" (PDF). Journal of Jewish Education. July 3, 2010. Retrieved September 17, 2010.
  25. "During Singles Weekend Season, The Pros Insist 'Magic Can Happen'". The Jewish Exponent. May 17, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  26. "Camping Out With 'Ramah Mamas'", The Jewish Week, November 19, 2004, accessed September 17, 2010
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