Donor Update

Sharing Stories of Impact

Thank you for your support and partnership!

YOU are continuing the visionary work of Ramah’s founders

Campers splashing in Lake Buckatabon. The entire camp gathered for Shabbat services as the sun sets in the Northwoods. Lots of singing and dancing. And even more laughter. These were the joyous sights and sounds of summer at Camp Ramah in Wisconsin in 1947 and again in 2022 – and all the summers in between. It’s the magic that happens when you mix a phenomenal staff and a magnificent setting with hundreds of kids emboldened to live their best lives. For 75 years and counting, we’ve done exactly that, helping countless campers make connections—to each other, to nature, and to their Jewish identities—that last a lifetime.

As we embrace the joyful present and look to the future, your support is tremendously important as together we continue the visionary work of Ramah’s founders, helping create a transformative community that builds Jewish lives and Jewish leaders.

You are helping create a diverse and welcoming community

With nearly 60 mishlachat staff from Israel at our camps, 12 campers from the NOAM youth movement in Israel, nine staff and campers from our partner Masorti/Conservative community in Berlin, two counselors from Uruguay, and the return of our European kitchen staff, our camp community fosters connection, inclusion, growth, and joy in the beautiful Northwoods and across the globe.

Our goal is to build a warm and welcoming community rooted in Jewish values, and a place where each person feels like a part of the whole. We encourage the confidence, independence, skill development and identity development of our campers and staff, accompanying them on their own personal journeys of exploration.

Some members of our community are supported through our Shiluv program, which provides opportunities for campers with various types of challenges and disabilities to live in cabins with their peers. This summer ten high school graduates participated in the Atzmayim vocational training program, working at job sites and learning independent living skills with the support of our staff and job coaches.

“Ramah is a place where everyone is invited and welcome in ‘the tent’. Our camper care team takes that approach in how we get to know and value each camper and staff member we work with. That’s my favorite part of the job- getting to know the campers and staff one-on-one and creating relationships with them.” – Michele Weiss, LMFT, Yoetzet/Camper Care Team

The Derech Eretz and Mensch Awards recognize campers and staff who raise the profile of kindness, respect and warmth in camp and all-around mensch-like behavior.

“One of the most important things Ramah can teach is kindness…Kindness of counselors to one another, modeling how they treat their campers, and in turn campers treating one another with kindness. Kindness is the fabric of our society, and if we can teach and model it at Ramah, it’s one of the most important things that camp can do.” -Rabbi Dr. Jane Kanarek, Scholar-in-residence

Campers and staff feel like Ramah is their second home – a place where they have fun, learn new skills, gain independence, and build lasting friendships.

Your support enabled children in all financial circumstances be a part of the Camp Ramah in Wisconsin community this summer. Todah rabbah!

You are helping create a joyfully Jewish environment

Our talented staff creatively connect campers to the rhythms of Jewish life and infuse large and small camp moments with Jewish meaning. Friday night is a favorite time of the week for campers and staff alike. As the sun begins to set and the melodies of Shabbat fill the air, campers feel a sense of peace and a deep connection to their friends, to their community and to Jewish tradition.

“We want to thank the camp staff and particularly our son’s counselors because we think what you are doing is very important. You are keeping Jewish traditions alive for our son and making them fun and part of his daily life. We can’t think of anything more valuable and more important. And you should feel proud of your commitment to our people. There is no doubt in our minds that our son will remember details from this summer for the rest of his life.”

This summer, our Israeli staff infused all aspects of the camp experience with Tarbut Yisrael (Israeli culture) – from drama and swimming, biking and ropes course, to radio, the obstacle course, tefillah (prayer) and sports, while serving as counselors, specialists, and educators.

Tarbut Yisrael is woven through the camp day – campers listen to Israeli music on our radio station, learn new Hebrew words when they play sports, bake Israeli recipes in the mitbachon teaching kitchen, and perform in the plays.

“Tarbut Yisrael aims to holistically infuse Hebrew and Israeli culture into the entire camp experience so that our campers learn by association and gain knowledge about Israel, values, and experiences that are positively associated with Israel.” -Shalom Orzach, Tarbut Yisrael Lead Educator

You are helping campers learn new skills, build confidence and gain independence

Campers loved the new trail biking, tubing, and obstacle courses…

… and enjoyed more activity choices than ever before!

You are helping bring talented professionals to camp to enhance the experience

You are supporting our staff – check out the new Coffee Bar and staff gym!

And you are supporting special events like our 75^th anniversary carnival!

On behalf of our camp community, Todah Rabbah!

My kids are now home from camp, my daughter having experienced her first four weeks at Ramah. Despite all odds – you kept them safe and healthy and most importantly – you and your staff knocked it out of the park on giving them a true Ramah experience… They have found their place. A place where they can be as comfortable playing baseball as they are leading tefillot. Thank you.

Ramah Day Camp and Ramah Wisconsin have been exceptional experiences for our daughter. Camp is her happy place. Each summer, she continues to grow both in her independence and her love for Judaism. She has a strong connection to her Ramah community even during the school year when she isn’t surrounded by her camp friends. To quote our camper “Ramah…you can always find a friend there.”

We live in an area that doesn’t have a large Jewish community- Ramah has given us that community and provided my children with rich, rewarding, and fun summers. Our kids love learning Hebrew words and songs, swimming, art, sports, nature, and all the extra special experiences.

Sending our son to Ramah Day Camp this past summer was one of the best decisions we have made! He quickly made new friends, seemed to get over his fear of swimming, and increased his confidence by participating in the talent show. We enjoyed hearing stories about what he did at camp and his excitement to return each day was evident when he would inquire about if it was a theme day or not. It meant so much to us that he continued to connect with his Jewish roots whether through new Hebrew songs and prayers he sang at home or making challah for Shabbat with the dough that was sent home. Thank you, Ramah Day Camp, for an amazing summer and we are so grateful to the Ramah Scholarship Fund for helping us send him to camp!