Ramah’s Pediatric Oncology Shabbaton — where you breathe a little deeper: A Weekend Reflection

In April, we hosted our third Pediatric Oncology Weekend for families with children who have experienced cancer. It was a beautiful and moving weekend.

After Shabbat we had a medura (bonfire) where two of our teen participants performed the following rap about their experience:

Yeah
Check it—

Camp Ramah, yeah we stepped on the scene
Whole weekend glowing, you know what I mean
Fresh air, good vibes, nothing forced, nothing fake
Just a camp full of moments you don’t wanna break

Camp Ramah —say the name, feel the sound
Like something kinda special every time it comes around

—

Nature walk, yeah we slowed it all down
No phones, just trees all around
Herbal tea warming hands in the cold
Chocolate rocks—yeah, fancy but bold

We were learning how to pause, not rush past
How to make a small moment actually last

Camp Ramah —where you breathe a little deeper
Where the quiet hits harder and the meaning hits steeper

—

Then we flipped it—kitchen chaos, energy high
Candy sushi stacked like we’re pros, no lie
Rolling up snacks like we studied abroad
Honestly? Lowkey impressed with the job

Meanwhile adults just… vanished away
“Alone time”—yeah okay, sure, slay
We don’t know what happened, we’re not gonna ask
But we had our own party—that’s all that matters, task passed

Camp Ramah —two worlds at once
Calm in the day, at night we turn up

—

Rabbi Jill—yeah she leading with heart
Every kind word feels like a work of art
The kind of person who just sets the tone
Makes the whole place feel like home

Riki—punctual, locked, always on track
If time slips away, she pulling it back

Rabbi Gelb—yeah, roosters and thought
Teaching us things we didn’t know we sought
Like how to slow down thinking, make it more real
Not just what you think—but how you feel

Ramah Sasson—yeah the learning hits different
Not just facts, but perspective shiftin’

—

Ilana—social work queen, holding it tight
Making sure everybody’s actually alright

Emma—child whisperer, calm and smooth
Got that quiet power, effortless groove

Layla and Avi—shmira on guard
Keeping us safe without making it hard

Joseph—new face but already elite
Pop culture locked, references on beat

Daniel—pushed us to make it count
Every moment maxed, no small amount

Jenna—teaching us nature’s code
How to read the world instead of just scroll

Sami—Toronto talk, food rec king
If you’re ever hungry, she’s the first you ping

—

And everyone else—we’re not leaving you out
This whole weekend? That’s what you’re about
Every detail, every laugh, every plan
That’s what turns a trip into something that stands

Camp Ramah —yeah it’s more than a place
It’s the people, the rhythm, the shared kind of space

—

So when it ends and we all disperse
Back to real life, back to the usual verse
Just know this weekend wasn’t random or small

It’s something you carry—that’s the point of it all

Camp Ramah —say it one more time
Not just a name—it’s a whole weekend rhyme

Yeah
Camp Ramah.