News

Announcing the 2008 Roshei Aidah, Roshei Machlakah and Roshei Anaf!

These division and department heads are already working hard to plan an outstanding 2008 Ramah experience!

Division Heads/ Roshei Aidah
Rosh Garinim & Halutzim - Mollie Flink
Rosh Solelim - Sarit Horwitz
Rosh Shoafim - Adam Broms
Rosh Bogrim - Alex Freedman
Rosh Machon - Ben Hofkin
Rosh Tikvah - Emilie Botbol
Rosh Atzmayim - Lior Baruch (Session A) and Iris Feinberg (Session B)
Rosh Nivonim - Ben Davis

Department Heads/Roshei Machlakah:
Performing Arts - Jonathan Ross (JAR)
Studio Arts - Leehe Matalon
Water Sports - Michael Kushnick
Land Sports - Josh Gleicher
Ropes/Challenge Courses - Philip Sherman    Overnight Trips - Netanel Burstein and Yaela Garr  

Activity Heads/Roshei Anaf:
Woodworking - Hilla Ariel
Art - Julie Edelman
Music - Maury Epstein
Drama - Jonathan Bubis
Radio - Miron Hirsch
Nature - Shmuel Bergman  
Creative Director, Studio Arts:  Paul Palnik
Sports Staff Trainer:  Shimrit Gigi
Waterfront Staff Trainer:  Guy Eisenberg

What's new for summer 2008? A lot!!

Basketball coach Shimrit Gigi and tennis coach Yaniv Farb return to our sports program, and will be joined by fellow Israelis Gal Atia (basketball) and Avia Zohar who will teach Krav Maga, Israeli self-defense! With the new night time lighting, we look forward to evening games on the softball, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts. Rosh Sport Josh Gleicher and the entire sports staff are excited about the resurfaced and enlarged courts, new backboards and hoops.

We'll celebrate Israel's 60th birthday with a special Zimriyah music festival and a camper art exhibit led by Sima Sayag of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem!  The Northwoods Ramah Theater troupe, three professional actors and a director, returns to camp for a two week stay.  This summer there will be more opportunities for campers to participate in the development, production and performance aspects of the NRT presentation!

Thanks to a grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camping as part of its Camper-Centric Initiative, Ramah campers will see some exciting additions to the program for the 2008 season!

1. A high ropes course! A whole series of awesome elements will expand on our popular low ropes challenge course located across Buckatabon Road.  You can also look forward to opportunities for more outdoor education with nature hikes and star gazing led by Rosh Teva Shmuel Bergman.  You might even see the Northern Lights!
2. A tunnel to get to the ropes course! Yes, a tunnel under the road will be constructed to facilitate crossing from camp to the new and improved outdoor education sites.
3. Night lighting for tennis, basketball and volleyball courts! This summer campers will enjoy both day and night softball, basketball, volleyball and tennis games.
4. New Bet Am flooring! A special indoor sports surface will be great for basketball, floor hockey and other indoor sports.
5. Cabin improvements! Upgrades in cabins will include increased storage and/or upgraded bathrooms.

Green Summer!

Camp Ramah recognizes the importance of bal tashchit, the development of a Jewish environmental principle. This summer we are increasing our efforts to make camp environmentally friendly:   -We'll use reusable cups in the chadar instead of paper cups (saving 190,000 paper cups this summer!)   -We'll serve cereal in family size boxes instead of single serve bowls   -We're replacing regular lightbulbs with CFL bulbs   -We're using online forms to save paper   We are very excited to get campers involved in helping make Ramah a "greener" community!

Conover Construction Update

The new building will provide housing for the Atzmayim as well as for other staff members. It will include a staff lounge, small kitchen, and a lower level room for programming.

The Ramah College Network - Helping high school students with their college decisions

The National Ramah Commission has compiled a database of over 100 Ramahniks at over 50 colleges who would be happy to speak to high school students about their college experiences. To receive contact information, please email Shana Zionts, Special Projects Coordinator. Please provide student name, Ramah affiliation, and schools of interest.

Based on a survey of college-age Ramah staff members, the National Ramah Commission has compiled information about many universities. Information will be updated and new schools will be added on a continuing basis. Click here to view.

If you are a college student who has attended a Ramah camp as a camper or staff member, and you have not yet completed the survey, please click here.