Camp Ramah in California

Entrance to Camp Ramah in California, located on 385 Fairview Rd. in Ojai, California.

Camp Ramah in California is a Jewish summer camp located in Ojai, California.[1][2][3] The camp is affiliated with the Conservative Movement and observes the laws of Judaism, Shabbat, and the laws of Kashrut.[4][5][6]

History

The camp was founded in 1956 by Rabbi Jacob Pressman.[7][8] In 2007, the camp installed the largest private non-profit solar power generator system in the state of California, a 270 kW system.[9] Population-wise, it is the largest of the Ramah summer camps, and it caters to the communities of the west coasts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, as well as the non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska.[10][11] It has also hosted campers from the United Kingdom. It is one of the only Ramah camps that operates a winter camp and holds winter weekends owing to the favorable winter climate. The summer season is split up into two four-week sessions attended by over 1,350 campers.[12] Prayers are held in a synagogue in the round.[13][14]

Administration

The current executive director is Rabbi Joe Menashe.[15] He follows Rabbi Daniel Greyber, Brian Greene and Rabbi Edward Feinstein.

Chaim Potok, author of The Chosen, The Promise, and My Name is Asher Lev, was director of the camp in 1957-59 before embarking on his career as a writer.[16][17][18] Brian Greene and Rabbi Daniel Greyber have been executive directors of the camp.[19][20]

Following Chaim Potok, the camp was led by Tzvili Yardeni, Dr. Walter Ackerman, Rabbi Zvi Dershowitz, Rabbi Ronald Levine, Rabbi Stuart Kelman and then Asher Meltzer.

Rabbi Zvi Dershowitz directed the winter camp program and was the administrative director during the summer program from 1963 until 1973 (during which Dr. Walter Ackerman was the director of the summer camping program). Rabbi Dershowitz helped to start the winter weekends and helped to create what is now the current campus on 385 Fairview Road.[21][22]

Divisions

The campers are split up into age groups, called Edot (Plural) or "Edah" (Singular):

  • Gesher ("bridge") is a special 2-week program for younger campers entering 3rd to 5th grade who want to be acclimated to camp-life in shorter sessions.
  • Nitzanim ("sprouts"), entering 4th and 5th grade
  • Giborei Yisrael ("heroes of Israel"), entering 6th grade
  • Adat Shalom ("the tribe of peace"), entering 7th grade
  • Sollelim ("trail blazers"), entering 8th grade
  • Tzophim ("scouts"), entering 9th grade
  • Kochavim ("stars") entering 10th grade
  • Machon ("foundation") entering 11th grade
  • Amitzim ("the strong ones") is an edah for special needs children of camp-age.
  • Abirim ("knights") entering 5th grade when Nitzanim is too large to be one edah

Machon is the oldest age group for campers. The following summer, former campers (or "Ramahniks") are eligible for a six-week tour of Israel called the Ramah Seminar. Mador is a program for first-time counselors and Madrega is a program for first-time specialists, those entering 12th grade.

For special-needs adults, there is a program known as "Ezra" ("help"), for them to be on staff in preparation for careers.

The "Tzevet" ("staff") is divided into "Madrichim" (counselors) and "Moomchim ("specialists"), while each Edah is led by a "Rosh Edah" ("head of the age group").[23]

Special programs

The camp holds a family Memorial Day weekend, as well as a week-long program in August for families with children with special needs.[24][25][26]

In addition, Camp Ramah is rented out by Rotary clubs in order to host RYLA, a student leadership camp. The event lasts about four days and invites students from all over California.

Notable staff and alumni

See also

References

  1. ^ "Campus Notes". The Jerusalem Post. February 2, 2001. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  2. ^ "Campus Notes". The Jerusalem Post. February 2, 2001. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  3. ^ "Ojai Property Reported Sold". Los Angeles Times. May 29, 1955. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  4. ^ "Young people key to Conservative growth, says JTS head". Cleveland Jewish News. April 3, 2008. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  5. ^ "Why am I on a plane heading 'home' from Israel to Los Angeles?". Midstream. September 1, 2006. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  6. ^ Contemporary American Judaism: transformation and renewal. Columbia University Press. 2009. ISBN 9780231137287. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  7. ^ The Ramah experience: community and commitment. Jewish Theological Seminary of America. 1989. ISBN 9780873340519. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  8. ^ Larry B. Stammer, A Witness to Hate and Hope, The Los Angeles Times, October 23, 1999
  9. ^ Architectural Forensics. McGraw-Hill Professional. 2007. ISBN 9780071596121. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  10. ^ "Shorts: Family life". Jweekly. June 20, 2008. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  11. ^ Daniel, Rabbi (April 3, 2008). "Green endowments mean big returns for nonprofit | Green Living". Jewish Journal. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  12. ^ Silverman, Rabbi Hillel E. (2009). The Time of My Life: Sixty Fulfilling Years as a Congregational Rabbi. Jersey City, NJ: Ktav. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60280-119-6.
  13. ^ Jewish Stories from Heaven and Earth: Inspiring Tales to Nourish the Heart and Soul. Jewish Lights Publishing. 2008. p. 99. ISBN 9781580233637. Retrieved September 19, 2010. camp ramah ojai.
  14. ^ Tradition renewed: a history of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Volume 1. Jewish Theological Seminary of America. 1997. ISBN 9780873340755. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  15. ^ "Year Round Staff". Camp Ramah in California. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2011.
  16. ^ "Deaths – Potok, Rabbi Chaim". The New York Times. July 25, 2002. Archived from the original on December 6, 2014. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  17. ^ "Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly. Chaim Potok". PBS. July 26, 2002. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  18. ^ "Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly .. Chaim Potok". PBS. July 26, 2002. Archived from the original on November 8, 2010. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  19. ^ "Off to Camp? This Summer, Send Cash, Pencils". Forward. February 2, 2001. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  20. ^ Eshman, Rob (August 10, 2006). "Who Is A Jew? | Opinion". Jewish Journal. Archived from the original on October 14, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  21. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on February 6, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ "Class Notes: Camp Ramah celebrates Golden Anniversary | Education | Jewish Journal". Archived from the original on October 18, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2014.
  23. ^ Daniel, Rabbi (July 5, 2007). "Campfire stories from Israel at Ramah: I felt a missile go just over my head'". Jewish Journal. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  24. ^ The Jewish Family Fun Book: Holiday Projects, Everyday Activities, and Travel Ideas with Jewish Themes. Jewish Lights Publishing. 2008. p. 227. ISBN 9781580233330. Retrieved September 19, 2010. camp ramah ojai.
  25. ^ V'Khol Banayikh: Jewish Education for All – A Jewish Special Needs Resource Guide. Torah Aura Productions. February 15, 2010. ISBN 978-1-934527-20-7. Archived from the original on March 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  26. ^ Blas, H. I. (October 2007). "Article". Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America. 16 (4): 875–886. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2007.05.008. PMID 17823062. Archived from the original on June 14, 2018. Retrieved September 19, 2010.
  27. ^ Ben Platt Has Been Prepping for Broadway His Entire Life, November 23, 2016, archived from the original on September 6, 2017, retrieved September 6, 2017
  28. ^ "Tony Award-winner Ben Platt's journey from Camp Ramah to Broadway". Archived from the original on March 29, 2018. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
  29. ^ "Say Anything – Biography". Muzikum.eu. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2017.

34°27′42.80″N 119°15′58.04″W / 34.4618889°N 119.2661222°W / 34.4618889; -119.2661222