Year-Round Training Programs

Kerem Young Professionals Cohort | TikvahNet Vocational Training and Socialization
Youth Mental Health First Aid | Rabbi Alexander M. Shapiro Fellowship | Songleader Boot Camp

National Ramah provides leadership development for young professionals working full time for Ramah. This includes international and domestic educational trips and conferences, mentorship from senior Ramah leaders, and opportunities to collaborate and connect with professionals in similar roles and life stages across the movement.

TikvahNet is the National Ramah Tikvah Network’s virtual programming hub. In addition to year-round programs offered by Reshet Ramah and individual camps, TikvahNet provides innovative vocational and socialization programs for current participants and alumni of Ramah Tikvah programs aged eighteen or older. To date, over one hundred current or former campers with disabilities from across the US and Canada have participated in TikvahNet.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) is designed to teach Ramah staff how to help an adolescent experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge, or is in crisis. The course teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety, depression, substance use, psychosis, disruptive behavior disorders, and eating disorders (adapted from the YMHFA website). Ramah YMHFA training has been offered both virtually and in-person.

The Shapiro Fellowship invests in the future leaders of the Conservative Movement by supporting JTS graduate students who work at Camp Ramah. Over 500 future Jewish leaders will have spent at least one summer at a Ramah camp as a Shapiro Fellow, teaching children, crafting innovative curricula, and inspiring love for Israel and the Jewish people. Fellows participate in training sessions prior to each summer as well as seminars after the summer to reflect on their experiences.

The annual SLBC conference provides Jewish music and leadership training for Jewish worship leaders, educators, and songleaders. Each year, our camps select Ramah staff members to attend SLBC, which is led by nationally renowned Jewish leaders, educators and music artists, including Ramah alumnus Rick Recht, and is an initiative of the St. Louis JCC.