Opening Our New Mercaz Omanut!
Dani Carrus & our Program Team share this report from the opening of our new Mercaz Omanut:
The wait is officially over, and the doors are finally open! This week marked a milestone for our camp community as we officially welcomed chanichim (campers) into our brand-new Mercaz Omanut (Arts Center). Stepping inside today, the energy was instantly palpable, filled with vibrant colors, buzzing excitement, and the unmistakable sound of imagination coming to life. This gorgeous refresh brings new life to an old building, proudly preserving aspects of the original frame & floors while introducing fresh paint, air conditioning and heat for comfortable year-round use, and a whole-new internal layout with brand-new art studios and expanded space for all of our omanut (arts) programming! (In the coming days we’ll be opening other exciting new spaces in this revitalized building, including a spacious new mitbach (kitchen) and a beautiful new dance studio!)
Our very first chugim (electives) in this stunning state-of-the-art facility are underway, and campers dove right into an incredible lineup of creative mediums. Hands are getting wonderfully dusty in ceramics, bright colors are bleeding onto fabric in silk painting, and sketchpads are filling up with drawing and painting. Campers are also exploring the fluid washes of watercolor, piecing together intricate patterns in mosaics, and mastering stitches and yarn through crochet and sewing. Every corner of the building hums with the same deep-rooted passion for teaching, patience, and artistic expression that has defined our art program for generations.
This revitalized building is so much more than just a physical space. By bringing our arts to the middle of camp we center the learning that will be done in the space. As we watch our campers design, craft, and collaborate in an environment built specifically for their creativity, we carry forward a beautiful legacy of mentorship and hands-on artistry that makes Ramah feel like home. We cannot wait to share the masterpieces and stories that will come out of this Mercaz Omanut for many years to come.