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Along with baseball and drama, swimming and art, we emphasize Jewish living. We encourage the value of Jewish learning by making regular study a part of our camp day. Children learn to pray at Ramah by participating in daily and Shabbat t’filot, by learning skills of Torah reading and davening and by experiencing the aesthetic and spiritual levels of prayer. Campers and staff are actively involved in creating a Shabbat atmosphere each week. Shabbat at Ramah is a beautiful, almost "magical" experience. We hope that campers will bring home at the end of the season this appreciation and desire to observe Shabbat. We also strive to create an environment based on Jewish ethics, demonstrating kindness, generosity and friendliness. Our staff is concerned with the self esteem of all campers, and our highest goal is to see every member of our community as a "mensch."
Much of our informal educational program at Ramah is a result of the total atmosphere created in camp. Our staff members, whether they are bunk counsellors or teachers, working in sports or at the waterfront, all strive to be accessible positive Jewish role models for the campers. Ramah staff members are committed to Judaism in their private Shabbat, Kashrut, Tefillah, and Talmud Torah are all normalized aspects of Ramah life. Going to the Camp Rabbi to resolve a disagreement is a natural means of recourse. Reciting a bracha when seeing a rainbow or before eating becomes a way of life. Hebrew is an integral element of Camp Ramah. Hebrew loses its threatening status by being broken down to common phrases and expressions. First-time campers quickly develop a small but usable vocabulary. Kids are urged to play ball, clean their bunks, and pass the ketchup in Hebrew. A basic vocabulary list is enclosed. One need not memorize the list, but it can be used as a guide. A highlight of Ramah's success over the past 48 years is the social network established at camp. Close friendships are formed at Ramah, and the social group is one in which it is not only acceptable, but in fact, commendable and desirable, to be committed and actively Jewish. Ramahniks have taken this message with them during the year, shared it with their families, and incorporated these values into their adult lives
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Camp Ramah is a Jewish educational institution in the setting of a summer camp. We are committed to the creation of a Hebrew environment and a community based on traditional observances and Jewish values. Both staff and campers over the four or eight weeks investigate the meaning of such observances and lifestyles.
lives and serve as "dugmaot" (models) in their dealings with campers. The atmosphere of camp in some ways resembles a Jewish neighbourhood where individuality is encouraged but everyone shares basic Jewish commitments and lifestyle.
