A Time for Healing, A Time for Learning, A Time for Ramah Community
The Bert B. Weinstein Leadership Institute always comes at a time when our college-aged staff members yearn for their Ramah community. But this year, that yearning was even deeper than usual, after the events of October 7th and their impact on college campuses. Weinstein became more than just a mid-year opportunity to be in Ramah community and to learn new skills as madrichim, vocational participants, and rashei edot. It was a weekend filled with Jewish joy, pride, and community. It was also a healing weekend. The following quotes from participants demonstrate this powerful impact:
Year round Ramah professionals led sessions and modeled leadership strategies that helped Weinstein participants feel more confident in their roles at camp. Each of our elective blocks and full group sessions focused on fundamental skills for Ramah tzevet such as Jewish education, community care, and programming. Participants also spent time with their tracks, preparing to become a second year counselor, third year counselor, Tikvah counselor, vocational staff member, or a Rosh Edah this coming Kayitz. See full program guide here.
In recognition of the war in Gaza, we offered a number of sessions to help participants learn more information and work through their emotional reactions. We were fortunate to be joined by Dr. Jonathan Golden, Director of Wellspring at the Shalom Hartman Institute, who provided frameworks for processing recent events and moderating conversations between diverse community members who may not always agree. Amy Skopp Cooper, National Ramah Director, and two participants currently on gap year programs spoke about their experiences of being in Israel on and after October 7th. We set a table for the hostages still held in Gaza. The table remained set for the duration of Shabbat. Weinstein attendees shared what it was like to take part in these conversations:
This year, both Tikvah counselors and vocational participants attended Weinstein. They learned from each other about what disability support looks like in the different Ramah camps, helped lead us in tefillot throughout the weekend, and joined as active participants in all sessions. Many thanks to Orlee Krass, Maya Albin, and Deret Musselman for leading these tracks.
Fourteen madrichim vatikim (veteran counselors) and rashei edot stayed for an extra day of service and learning about the intersection of Jewish learning and environmentalism, which included a “Tefillot Afloat” boogie boarding experience, trail preservation work, and tidepooling at the beach during one of the lowest tides of the year. A huge Todah Rabbah to Ramah Galim educator Marci Greenberg for leading our learning on this extra day.