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{{Short description|Jewish summer camp in Pennsylvania, U.S.}}
] ]
'''Camp Ramah in the Poconos''' is a ] affiliated with the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2226085.html?refid=gnews_1108 |title=For teens, Israel's the place |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=January 21, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Opened in 1950, it is located in the ] in ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/11957/ |title=Teen 'Meet Market' Offers the Chance to 'Sell' Judaism |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=January 25, 2007 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}} {{Dead link|date = July 2015}}</ref> (but is addressed in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ramahpoconos.org/contact/|title=Contact Ramah Poconos|author=<!--staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2014|website=Camp Ramah in the Poconos|publisher=Camp Ramah in the Poconos|accessdate=8 December 2014}}</ref> since High Lake does not have its own ] or ]). '''Camp Ramah in the Poconos''' is a ] affiliated with the ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2226085.html?refid=gnews_1108 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125035603/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2226085.html?refid=gnews_1108 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |title=For teens, Israel's the place |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=January 21, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> Opened in 1950, it is located in the ] in ]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/11957/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120601041927/http://www.jewishexponent.com/article/11957/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 1, 2012 |title=Teen 'Meet Market' Offers the Chance to 'Sell' Judaism |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=January 25, 2007 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}} </ref> (but is addressed in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ramahpoconos.org/contact/|title=Contact Ramah Poconos|author=<!--staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2014|website=Camp Ramah in the Poconos|publisher=Camp Ramah in the Poconos|accessdate=8 December 2014}}</ref> since High Lake does not have its own ] or ]).


As with other Ramah camps, Camp Ramah in the Poconos is focused on ]. Its program has an educational focus and includes ], the Jewish lifecycle, and ritual.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2249369.html?refid=gnews_1108 |title=As nature exults, daveners find Judaism in all outdoors |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=June 24, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> The camp seeks to maintain a connection with the State of ] and uses ] as the language of official instruction, communication, and education.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yo8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cmEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3060,5032493&dq=camp-ramah-in-the-poconos&hl=en |title= 5 Canadians Receive Ramah Fellowships|publisher= The Canadian Jewish Chronicle|date=February 20, 1959 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> The official ] of Camp Ramah in the Poconos is ], authored by former director Cheryl Magen.<ref name=Ktav>{{cite web|title=Siddur Lev Yisrael|url=http://www.ktav.com/product_info.php?products_id=1339|website=Ktav|publisher=Ktav|accessdate=8 August 2014}}</ref> As with other Ramah camps, Camp Ramah in the Poconos is focused on ]. Its program has an educational focus and includes ], the Jewish lifecycle, and ritual.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2249369.html?refid=gnews_1108 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125053544/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2249369.html?refid=gnews_1108 |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 25, 2013 |title=As nature exults, daveners find Judaism in all outdoors |publisher=The Jewish Exponent |date=June 24, 1994 |accessdate=September 14, 2010}}</ref> The camp seeks to maintain a connection with the State of ] and uses ] as the language of official instruction, communication, and education.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Yo8cAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cmEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3060,5032493&dq=camp-ramah-in-the-poconos&hl=en |title= 5 Canadians Receive Ramah Fellowships|publisher= The Canadian Jewish Chronicle|date=February 20, 1959 |accessdate=September 15, 2010}}</ref> The official ] of Camp Ramah in the Poconos is ], authored by former director Cheryl Magen.<ref name=Ktav>{{cite web|title=Siddur Lev Yisrael|url=http://www.ktav.com/product_info.php?products_id=1339|website=Ktav|publisher=Ktav|accessdate=8 August 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809133135/http://www.ktav.com/product_info.php?products_id=1339|archivedate=9 August 2014}}</ref>


==History== ==History==
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|- |-
| Gesher ||גֶשֵׁר|| Bridge || Entering 11th grade || Formerly Havurah | Gesher ||גֶשֵׁר|| Bridge || Entering 11th grade || Formerly Havurah
|-
|Yedidim
|ידידים
|Friends
|Ages 12 to 17
|First summer in 2016
|} |}


Each Edah is led by a Rosh Edah (Unit Head) who supervises the counselors in each individual bunk. Each Edah is led by a Rosh Edah (Unit Head) who supervises the counselors in each individual bunk.


After the two 4-week sessions conclude, the camp runs the Tikvah Family Camp. A camp experience for the entire family for families with Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders. The program offers parents, and their siblings the unique opportunity to together experience the magic of Jewish summer camp. The overnight program incorporates Jewish learning, recreation, spiritual reflection, and plain-old-fun in the beautiful natural environment of Camp Ramah in the Poconos.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tikvah Family Camp|work=http://www.ramahpoconos.org/frame.html}}</ref> After the two 4-week sessions conclude, the camp runs the Tikvah Family Camp for families with Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tikvah Family Camp|work=ramahpoconos.org/frame.html}}</ref>


==Staff== ==Staff==
] ]
The staff of Ramah Poconos is composed largely of former Ramah campers. Many campers to return as counselors and specialists for several summers while they are in college. After college, they can continue to come back as the head of the age groups or in other positions. Camp Ramah encourages new recruits and give staff members who recruit others a bonus payment. Staff are trained on a perpetual basis throughout the summer beginning with the week before the campers come. This "staff week" is named after and funded by an endowment in honor of Director Emeritus, Cheryl Magen. It is spent drilling safety procedures, camp rules, activity planning, and many other important things into the staff members. Throughout the summer, counselors and other staff members have ''Hadracha'', (transliteration of הדרכה the ] word for guidance) sessions that continue to train the staff in all necessary areas. Senior counselors are expected to mentor the junior counselors, so their Hadracha sessions spend a lot of focus on how to teach the younger counselors. {{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The staff of Ramah Poconos is composed largely of former Ramah campers. Staff are trained on a perpetual basis throughout the summer beginning with the week before the campers come. This "staff week" is named after and funded by an endowment in honor of Director Emeritus, Cheryl Magen. It is spent drilling safety procedures, camp rules, activity planning, and many other important things into the staff members. Throughout the summer, counselors and other staff members have ''Hadracha'', (transliteration of הדרכה the ] word for guidance) sessions that continue to train the staff in all necessary areas. Senior counselors are expected to mentor the junior counselors, so their Hadracha sessions spend a lot of focus on how to teach the younger counselors. {{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


===''Mishlakhat''=== ===''Mishlakhat''===
In addition to the regular staff, Ramah Poconos, together with the ], brings 40–50 Israeli staff members to camp each summer. These Israelis are a full part of the camp and participate in all areas of the camp. By contributing to the immersive environment of the camp, Israeli staff members enhance the quality of Jewish education at Ramah Poconos.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} In addition to the regular staff, Ramah Poconos, together with the ], brings 40–50 Israeli staff members to camp each summer.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


==Activities== ==Activities==
The campers are permitted to choose two regular activities, like arts and crafts, Radio Ramah (WCRP), teva (nature), mitbachon (baking and cooking), creative dramatics, and many others. Some sports available for campers include basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, hockey, softball, volleyball, archery, and flag football.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The campers are permitted to choose two regular activities, like arts and crafts, Radio Ramah (WCRP), teva (nature), mitbachon (baking and cooking), creative dramatics, and many others. Some sports available for campers include basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, hockey, softball, volleyball, archery, and flag football.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


Additionally, Ramah Poconos offers many opportunities for campers to express their creativity within the context of Judaism. The camp drama program puts on several plays each summer, all of which are performed entirely in Hebrew. The arts and crafts building has plenty of opportunities for ], ], ], and other forms of artistic expression. The music program gives singing lessons to the campers about 2–3 times a week and often offers additional musical activities, such as bands and a cappella groups.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} The camp drama program puts on several plays each summer, all of which are performed in Hebrew. The arts and crafts building has opportunities for ], ], ], and other forms of artistic expression. The music program gives singing lessons to the campers about 2–3 times a week and often offers additional musical activities, such as bands and a cappella groups.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


] ]


===Waterfront and Sports=== ===Waterfront and sports===
All waterfront staff are certified lifeguards, and many have a history of competitive swimming or boating. All waterfront staff are certified lifeguards, and many have a history of competitive swimming or boating.


Ramah Poconos boasts excellent sports facilities, including a newly reconstructed baseball field and three basketball courts. Programs include the two-day color war, and the campers between Notzetzim (entering 5th grade), and Machon, (campers entering 9th grade) are divided into four colors and participate in dozens of Olympic and made-up mini-games during the second session only (mid-July to mid-August).{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}} Ramah Poconos has a baseball field and three basketball courts.{{Citation needed|date=July 2009}}


==Tikvah Family Camp== ==Tikvah Family Camp==
The '''Tikvah Family Camp''' is a five-day overnight program that provides Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders, their parents, and their siblings the opportunity to experience together a Jewish summer camp. The '''Tikvah Family Camp''' is a five-day overnight program for Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders, their parents, and their siblings.


==See also== ==See also==
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==External links== ==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.ramahpoconos.org}} *{{official website|http://www.ramahpoconos.org}}
*{{twitter|RamahPoconos}}
* *
* *
* *
* *


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Latest revision as of 02:11, 22 August 2024

Jewish summer camp in Pennsylvania, U.S.
Ramah in the Poconos, pool and lake

Camp Ramah in the Poconos is a summer camp affiliated with the National Ramah Commission. Opened in 1950, it is located in the Pocono Mountains in High Lake, Pennsylvania (but is addressed in Lakewood, Pennsylvania, since High Lake does not have its own post office or ZIP code).

As with other Ramah camps, Camp Ramah in the Poconos is focused on Jewish education. Its program has an educational focus and includes Zionism, the Jewish lifecycle, and ritual. The camp seeks to maintain a connection with the State of Israel and uses Hebrew as the language of official instruction, communication, and education. The official prayer book of Camp Ramah in the Poconos is Siddur Lev Yisrael, authored by former director Cheryl Magen.

History

In the 1950s, Hebrew was the official spoken language at Ramah. At an alumni reunion in 2009, former campers, in their seventies, recalled phrases they had learned at Ramah like “Let’s go swimming,” or “Please pass the salt.”

Divisions (edot)

Campers are split up into divisions by grade and age. These divisions are called Edot, the plural of the word Edah (עדה) which means group in Hebrew. The Edot which are at Ramah Poconos are:

English Hebrew Translation Age Range Other information
Notzetzim נוֹצְצִים Sparkles Entering 4th & 5th grade Formerly Nitzanim – ניצנים – buds
Tzi'irim צְעִירִים Young Ones Entering 6th grade
Chalutzim חַלוּצִים Pioneers Entering 7th grade
Bogrim בּוֹגְרִים Mature ones Entering 8th grade
Machon מַכוֹן Institution Entering 9th grade
Shoafim שׁוֹאָפִים Those who strive Entering 10th grade Formerly K'votzat Yonatan – קבצת ינתן – Yonatan's group
Gesher גֶשֵׁר Bridge Entering 11th grade Formerly Havurah
Yedidim ידידים Friends Ages 12 to 17 First summer in 2016

Each Edah is led by a Rosh Edah (Unit Head) who supervises the counselors in each individual bunk.

After the two 4-week sessions conclude, the camp runs the Tikvah Family Camp for families with Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders.

Staff

Staff dancing outside the dining hall

The staff of Ramah Poconos is composed largely of former Ramah campers. Staff are trained on a perpetual basis throughout the summer beginning with the week before the campers come. This "staff week" is named after and funded by an endowment in honor of Director Emeritus, Cheryl Magen. It is spent drilling safety procedures, camp rules, activity planning, and many other important things into the staff members. Throughout the summer, counselors and other staff members have Hadracha, (transliteration of הדרכה the Hebrew word for guidance) sessions that continue to train the staff in all necessary areas. Senior counselors are expected to mentor the junior counselors, so their Hadracha sessions spend a lot of focus on how to teach the younger counselors.

Mishlakhat

In addition to the regular staff, Ramah Poconos, together with the Jewish Agency for Israel, brings 40–50 Israeli staff members to camp each summer.

Activities

The campers are permitted to choose two regular activities, like arts and crafts, Radio Ramah (WCRP), teva (nature), mitbachon (baking and cooking), creative dramatics, and many others. Some sports available for campers include basketball, baseball, tennis, soccer, hockey, softball, volleyball, archery, and flag football.

The camp drama program puts on several plays each summer, all of which are performed in Hebrew. The arts and crafts building has opportunities for painting, drawing, ceramics, and other forms of artistic expression. The music program gives singing lessons to the campers about 2–3 times a week and often offers additional musical activities, such as bands and a cappella groups.

Campers in the WCRP studio

Waterfront and sports

All waterfront staff are certified lifeguards, and many have a history of competitive swimming or boating.

Ramah Poconos has a baseball field and three basketball courts.

Tikvah Family Camp

The Tikvah Family Camp is a five-day overnight program for Jewish children with developmental disorders and/or social learning disorders, their parents, and their siblings.

See also

References

  1. "For teens, Israel's the place". The Jewish Exponent. January 21, 1994. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  2. "Teen 'Meet Market' Offers the Chance to 'Sell' Judaism". The Jewish Exponent. January 25, 2007. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  3. "Contact Ramah Poconos". Camp Ramah in the Poconos. Camp Ramah in the Poconos. 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  4. "As nature exults, daveners find Judaism in all outdoors". The Jewish Exponent. June 24, 1994. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
  5. "5 Canadians Receive Ramah Fellowships". The Canadian Jewish Chronicle. February 20, 1959. Retrieved September 15, 2010.
  6. "Siddur Lev Yisrael". Ktav. Ktav. Archived from the original on 9 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  7. Bunk 19, Forever: Reuniting After 58 Years
  8. "Tikvah Family Camp". ramahpoconos.org/frame.html. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)

External links

Ramah Camps
Conservative Judaism
Core articles
Organizations
Related topics
Summer camps in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Camps
Boy Scout camps

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