NRC Statement on Israel Education

June 6, 2018/ 23 Sivan 5778

We, the leadership of Ramah, are proud that Zionism is a central part of our core mission, as we nurture within our campers and staff members a deep and enduring love for Israel.

Unfortunately, some recent articles in the Jewish press have mischaracterized our educational mission, leading some to believe that our 70-year history of strong pro-Israel ideology has changed. It has not. 

We are delighted that so many of our alumni have chosen to live in Israel, and that many others are actively engaged in strengthening Diaspora-Israel relations. 

Every Ramah camp hires dozens of Israeli shlichim as counselors, teachers, and program specialists, ensuring that our campers and staff members develop friendships with young Israeli adults. Hebrew is a central element of daily life at Camp Ramah, and our campers and staff members spend significant time in Israel, including participation in Ramah movement-wide programs.

Our older teens and staff members represent a range of opinions on many contemporary issues, and a wide variety of positions supporting Israel can be voiced and discussed. We do not, however, permit the sharing of anti-Israel educational messages at camp. 

We look forward to welcoming over 11,500 young people to our camps and Israel programs this summer. As we have done for more than seven decades, Ramah will continue to create educational communities based on meaningful and lasting connections to Judaism and Israel.  

Rabbi Mitchell Cohen, Director
Amy Skopp Cooper, Associate Director
Dr. Jeffrey Kopin, President
National Ramah Commission, Inc. of The Jewish Theological Seminary