Announcing Ramah Ba’Bayit

Shalom!

We are writing to share our plans for online camp programming options and other ways that we can support our Ramah families this summer.  Please read on, for details and the link to register.  Todah rabbah for your survey responses; they helped us to develop these plans.

My Ramah Madrich We have created a platform for families to use in order to connect to Ramah counselors looking to be hired for childcare work this summer, either in-person or remotely.  This web-page will be open to parents starting on Monday, June 8th.  Earlier this week, we informed our Ramah counselors they could begin uploading their information.  If you are interested, please contact Emma Neusner and she will send you the link to access this web-page, where you will be able to see counselors’ contact information and their answers to a short questionnaire.

Based on availability, transportation, and experience, you will be able select counselor candidates with whom you would like to schedule an interview. You can then independently hire whichever available candidate(s) you chose. Any job offers and salary arrangements will be negotiated directly between you and the counselor. Camp Ramah New England is not responsible for hiring decisions, ensuring payments, overseeing the counselors’ work, or other logistics. We are solely the platform for helping to make these connections.

Online edah programming – Beginning on Monday, June 22, we will run two online programs per week for each edah (camper division).  We will follow this schedule for three weeks, from Monday June 22 through Friday, July 10th.  (After we see how these programs are going, we will be in touch by July 3rd with our plans.  We do not anticipate offering significant online programming after the end of July.)

These programs will be run by members of our year-round team and Ramah counselors, and are intended to provide fun opportunities for our campers to interact with their peers, and to experience some great Ramah programming.

These programs are free of charge and will take place on a regular schedule, Monday through Thursday.  The full schedule is below.  (All times are EDT.)

  •       Entering K and 1st graders – Shorashim/Anafim – Mondays and Wednesdays 10:30-11 am
  •       Entering 2nd & 3rd graders – Kochavim/Garinim – Mondays and Wednesdays 9-9:30 am
  •       Entering 4th & 5th graders – Ilanot/Nitzanim – Mondays and Wednesdays 9:45-10:15 am
  •       Entering 6th graders – Solelim – Mondays and Wednesdays 11:15 am-noon
  •       Entering 7th graders – Shoafim – Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:30-11:15 am
  •       Entering 8th graders – Magshimim – Mondays and Wednesdays 11:15 am-noon
  •       Entering 9th graders – Bogrim – Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:15 am-noon
  •       Amitzim – Bonnie Schwartz will announce the days/times shortly.
  •       Voc-Ed Maavar – Bonnie Schwartz will announce the days/times shortly.
  •       Voc-Ed – Mondays and Wednesdays 2-2:45 pm

We are planning a different approach for Machon and Nivonim campers – we are sending separate emails to those families to describe our plans.

Registration is required, please click here to access our short sign-up form.  Registration indicates your intention for your child to participate in all six of these programs, two per week.  (It’s of course OK if you have to miss one along the way for any reason.)  We will need to reach a minimum number of participants for us to run these programs.  Once registered, you will receive updates with information for each week, zoom links, and more!

Other events – We also plan on offering a variety of other events, including:

  •       Rabbi Gelb and Josh’s regular Facebook Live “Goats in Golf Carts Getting Shabbat Brownies show” on Fridays at 11 am.
  •       Pre-Shabbat programs and Kabbalat Shabbat on Friday afternoons – we’re hoping this will include the Miriam’s Dance, presentations from older chanichim (campers) and, later in the summer, Nivonim 2020 singing Oof Gozal.
  •       Morning t’fillot (shacharit) for entering K-2nd graders on Tuesday mornings from 9-9:30 am.
  •       Morning t’fillot (shacharit) for entering 3rd grade-and up on Thursday mornings from 9-9:30 am.
  •       Shira B’Shishi — musical t’fillot on Friday mornings for campers of all ages.
  •       Chug ivrit — daily 30 minute Hebrew fun & games.  More information coming soon.
  •       Special events, such as evening campfires/talent shows, and perhaps an online Yom Sport.
  •       For Shoafimers only (entering 7th graders): The “It’s a Good Life” Chug with Josh Edelglass — click here for info on how to join!
  •       And other fun silliness throughout the kayitz.

National Ramah Online chugim (electives) – National Ramah is coordinating a number of additional elective programs in different areas, to be offered to campers across the Ramah camps.  We will share information regarding these offerings as soon as it is available.

We look forward to the time when we can be together, in person, at our camps in Palmer and Germantown.  Please click here to register for our online programming.

 

Todah Rabbah,

Rabbi Ed Gelb, CEO

Josh Edelglass, Assistant Director, Camp Ramah New England

Rabbi Jill Levy, Director, Ramah DC Day Camp

Pamela Kekst, Senior Program Staff, Camp Ramah New England

 

Photo credit: Jay Nachenberg