Can young adults with disabilities truly appreciate the Israel experience? Having returned from leading a Tikvah Ramah Israel trip for twelve adults ages 18 to 40 with autism, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy and a range of intellectual disabilities, the answer is unequivocally YES! And there should be more opportunities for Israel trips–for all populations, following a range of models from inclusive, to family trips and more.
Read MoreThis post is part of our series dedicated to Jewish Disability Awareness Month.
Read MoreAs part of our month-long series dedicated to Jewish Disability Awareness Month, Sally shares how a Jewish Day Camp diligently worked to make sure her daughter with special needs could attend and thrive.
Read MoreOur site will be growing and evolving over the next few months. We welcome your comments and suggestions at reshet@campramah.org. Thanks for being part of Reshet Ramah!
Read MoreJudaism has been a part of my life since I was born. My mother snuck Shabbatcandles into the hospital in preparation for my birth and I was born on Shabbos afternoon surrounded by my family and future friends, all welcoming Shabbat and my existence. As a child, I was raised primarily by my Jewish, African-American mother, Denise. I am honored to say that she converted to this amazing religion and that I am 100% Jewish.
Read MoreWhen the first Jewish summer camps were founded over a century ago, they offered youngsters respite from urban blight and disease, opportunities for friendship and independence and a taste of Jewish culture.
Read MoreFor Rabbi Joe Menashe, an effective camp experience doesn’t stop at summer’s end. The Executive Director of Camp Ramah in California, the national camp’s Western location; working to ensure the health of the established camp and cultivating camp programs to develop the next Jewish leaders is all in a day’s work.
Read MoreAs February is Jewish Disabilities Awareness month, we are highlighting a largely unseen, yet highly valued program of Camp Ramah in the Berkshires: Breira B’Ramah. B’reira B’Ramah is a fully integrated inclusion program, for campers with the often invisible challenges of learning, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. Breira B’Ramah campers are largely indistinguishable from their peers; they participate in all camp activities with minimal modifications. What enables these campers to be successful at camp is a group of caring, talented counselors who serve as their shadows, mentors and coaches.
Read MoreLast month, the Tikvah program for campers with disabilities at Camp Ramah in New England took a group of 12 young adults, graduates of the camper program, to Israel for a ten-day trip. This trip was not the first of its kind. In fact, every two years Ramah New England offers a Tikvah Israel trip, with many participants returning to Israel again and again for a chance to visit the Jewish homeland with their close friends from Ramah.
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