KAYITZ 2024 IS HERE!

Ramah's 75th summer is here, and with brooms waving in the air and rikkud (dance) all around, we welcomed over 560 campers to opening day at Ramah Day Camp and Ramah Poconos. The magical experience they are having is thanks to the incredible tzevet (staff) who make camp possible and the rich tradition of community, inclusion, creativity, and joyful Judaism that has been passed down from generation to generation.

A Brand New Mercaz!

• Soft-serve ice cream
• Fresh orange juice
• A new staff gym (with towel service)
• Air-conditioning!
• Board games
• Oatmeal bar

Other exciting updates:

• The weekly Ramahton newspaper, written by our chanichim (campers). Check out last week's edition!
• A camp-wide Yom Pesach, complete with crossing the Red Sea, haggadah writing, ma nishtanah reciting, and so much more!
• Silent Disco for the whole camp.
• Yedibean had transitioned to Yedibake, a baked-good store prepared and run by Tochnit Avodah (vocational education) participants
• A fully virtual 2023 Annual Report -- check it out to see all that has happened over the last year!

Chanichim are still...

• Learning how to swim and sail from Nava and Nate Chasan at the agam (lake)
• Singing Himnon Ramah, Tov Li B'Machaneh Ramah, and Hozrim Ha'Baytah after the machazot -- which this summer include:
• Halutzim - You're a Good Man Charlie Brown
• Bogrim - Encanto
• Machon - Footloose
• Shoafim - Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat
• Eating Rocky Mountain toast at bishul b'hutz (outdoor cooking)
• Wondering who tonight's hashkavah (bedtime storyteller) will be
• Dancing through rainstorms
• Bringing incredible ruach (spirit) to z'mirot and tisch (singing) every Shabbat
• Making friendships that last a lifetime

And...still saying "This is the best kayitz ever," summer after summer.

On Thursday on July 4, our madatzim (junior counselors) and Mem.I.Ts (counselors in training) were with their chanichim, when Camp Lavi (just next door) was planning to set off fireworks to celebrate! All Ramah chanichim who wished to watch the show assembled in strategic spots throughout camp. Groups of chanichim gathered near the agam (lake), while others made their way to the Beit Knesset to watch the sky and wait. As tzevet members approached, a cacophony of indistinguishable voices filled the night air. When the tzevet first heard it, they assumed it was the general commotion and excitement that fills the “in between” times of the day. But as they got closer, they realized it was a whole group of Notzitzim chanichim led by their counselors and Gesher Mem.I.Ts in the spirited singing of Shacharit t’fillot (morning prayers) to pass the time! Every camper chanted joyfully as their counselors stood in front of the group leading the way. It was heartwarming to see our Mem.I.Ts thoughtfully engaging the youngest chanichim in such sweet song. Just as the group finished the final note of the "Or Chadash" prayer—which literally means "a new light"—bright fireworks began lighting up the night sky!

When: July 21st 10:00 AM until 3:30 PM EST

What: Spend the day seeing camp through your child's eyes. Explore camp, meet our tzevet, taste Yedibake, participate in omanut (art), and go boating on the agam.

Who: Current camper families, alumni, and friends of Ramah

Details:

• Registration is required.
• Bring a cold dairy/parve, hechshered, and nut-free lunch or purchase a delicious lunch through our registration form. Lunch is free for all first and full-session campers.
• All guests and cars must be registered. For security reasons, no walk-ins will be permitted.
• Please leave all pets at home.
• Registered guests will receive an email with logistics, schedule, and driving instructions during the week of July 14th. Our neighbor, Camp Lavi, also has a visiting day on 7/21—your cooperation in following the outlined protocols is appreciated.
• If you have a full-summer camper and cannot attend Visiting Day, please email your child's yoetz/et by 7/14/24. Yoezt/et information can be found here.

Register now to be part of Young Alumni Weekend! This isn’t just a reunion or a camp visit – it’s a chance for you to return to camp with your loved ones and experience the magic of camp! 

What: Alumni Weekend at Ramah Poconos

When: Friday afternoon, August 16th - Sunday morning, August 18th 

Who: Alumni 21+ and partners

Cost:

• Bunk housing with your friends - $180 per person
• Private housing - $280 per person

Join your friends for a Shabbat weekend filled with ruach, games, and kehilla (community). 

Save the Date:

• November 7th: National Wear Your Ramah T-Shirt Day
• November 8th: Shabbat Across Ramah
• December 3rd: Giving Tuesday
• April 6th, 2025: Ramah Poconos 75th Anniversary Gala

BBYO Chapter Advisor:

Do you want to change the lives of young Jewish teens? Give back to your community? Expand your network? BBYO is looking for enthusiastic, talented role models to serve as volunteer chapter advisors.

As the largest pluralistic Jewish youth movement for teens in grades 8–12, BBYO reaches 70,000 participants in 700+ chapters around the globe, empowering them to connect with their Jewish identity and each other.

Chapter advisors ensure the grassroots success of BBYO, working on the ground with teens to run high-quality chapter programs, tackle ambitious projects, and develop valuable leadership skills. As an advisor, you’ll mentor and coach teens to grow as individuals and community leaders, build meaningful relationships, bring out the best in others, and have a blast.

We hope to welcome you into our network of more than 700 advisors worldwide! For more information, please visit our website for an advisor role description and to apply. If you have questions, please email advisors@bbyo.org.