Spotlight on Carl Schrag, Visiting Scholar in Residence

This week, Camp Ramah in Wisconsin had the privilege of hosting Carl Schrag, national educator and journalist, and former editor-in-cheif of the Jerusalem post. Through camper and staff seminars, Carl shares his insight regarding the implications of the 40th anniversary of the Six Day War.

Carl Schrag: I have been coming to Camp Ramah in Wisconsin for several years, to help bring key issues facing Israel to the forefront of campers' and staff members' awareness. This week, I am presenting training seminars and simulations to recount the pivotal Six Day War in Israel's history.

The staff training consisted of several multi-dimensional elements. On Friday night, we had a panel for staff members in which some of the Ramah community members - Rabbi David Soloff, Rabbi Ronnie Garr, Batsheva Berman, and Simcha Cohen - had the opportunity to present their own Six Day War recollections from both the US and Israel. In seminars on Thursday and Saturday, all of the staff participated in a thorough review of the Six Day War and the longer ramifications until present day.

This summer, like those past, several Mishlachat (Israel staff members) had the opportunity to participate in these seminars. This year's Mishlachat comes to camp with so much passion for Israeli culture, but this does not necessarily mean addressing such issues on a daily basis. Camp Ramah is a great place to capitalize on the Israeli-friendly environment and broaden the dialogue between Israelis and American campers and staff.

Although we've been discussing issues relating to the Six Day War all week, the mega event will take place this Wednesday on Yom Meyuchad. Bogrim, Machon, and Nivonim will simulate the events three weeks prior to the Six Day War in May and June 1967. The campers will be divided into different groups that will interact with each other (i.e. media, government, army) and help to bring central issues alive. This simulation creates an amazing backdrop for Israel in an informal camp setting, and it will encourage campers to grapple with issues facing Israel to achieve a multi-dimensional understanding.

Another major reason for this curriculum is for campers to develop a framework in which to situate current events in context of the Six Day War. Many aspects of reality today are shaped by the events of 1967. A thorough understanding of present day requires a delving into Israel's history.