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Camp Ramah in California is a Jewish summer camp located in Ojai, California. Population-wise, it is the largest of the Ramah summer camps, and it caters to the communities of the west coasts of the United States, Canada, Mexico, as well as the non-contiguous states of Hawaii and Alaska. It has also hosted campers from the United Kingdom. It is also one of the only Ramah camps which also has a Winter Camp and winter weekends, owing to its favorable winter climate. The summer season is split up into two four-week sessions where a total of over 1,350 campers attend.

The camp is affiliated with the Conservative Movement and observes the laws of Judaism, Shabbat, and the laws of Kashrut.

History

Chaim Potok, author of The Chosen, The Promise, and My Name is Asher Lev, was director of the camp before embarking on his career as a writer. Brian Greene and Rabbi Daniel Greyber have been executive directors of the camp.

Divisions

The campers are split up into a number of age groups, called Edot. They are as follows:

• Gesher ("bridge") is a special 1 to 2-week program for younger campers entering 3rd to 5th grade who want to be acclimated to camp-life in shorter sessions.
• Nitzanim ("sprouts"), entering 4th and 5th grade
• Giborei Yisrael ("heroes of Israel"), entering 6th grade
• Adat Shalom ("the tribe of peace"), entering 7th grade
• Sollelim ("pioneers"), entering 8th grade
• Tzofim ("scouts"), entering 9th grade
• Machon ("foundation") entering 10th grade
• Amitzim ("the strong ones") is an edah for special needs children of camp-age.

The now defunct edah, Abirim ("knights"), used to parallel Nitzanim with children entering 4th and 5th grade.

Machon marks the last summer a person may return to Ramah as a camper. The next summer, a majority of the former campers (or "Ramahniks") embark on a six-week historical trip through Israel called "Seminar," prior to the beginning of their 11th grade years. Other former Ramahniks embark on similar trips with youth organizations such as USY ("United Synagogue Youth"). Then, former campers (and non-campers alike) have the opportunity to apply to the "Mador" program as first-time counselors or Madrega program for first-time specialists in the summer before the 12th grade.

In addition to the thousands of total campers that attend the camp in any given summer, there are also hundreds of staff members that serve various functions. Generally, the "Tzevet" ("staff") is divided into "Madrichim" (counselors) and "Moomchim ("specialists") while each Edah is led by a "Rosh Edah" ("head of the age group").

See also

• Conservative Judaism
• American Jewish University

External links

• Camp Ramah in California official website
• National Ramah Commission website
• "Research Findings on the Impact of Camp Ramah," 2004
• American Jewish University

References

1. "Campus Notes - Jerusalem Post". Google.com. February 2, 2001. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
2. Silverman, Rabbi Hillel E. (2009). The Time of My Life: Sixty Fulfilling Years as a Congregational Rabbi. Jersey City, NJ: Ktav. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-60280-119-6. {{cite book}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
3. "> Archives > News > Local > Young people key to Conservative growth, says JTS head". Cleveland Jewish News. April 3, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
4. ""Why am I on a plane heading 'home' from Israel to Los Angeles?". | Goliath Business News". Goliath.ecnext.com. September 1, 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
5. "Deaths POTOK, RABBI CHAIM". NYTimes.com. July 25, 2002. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
6. "Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly . WEB EXCLUSIVE . Chaim Potok . July 26, 2002 | PBS". Google.com. July 26, 2002. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
7. "Off to Camp? This Summer, Send Cash, Pencils - Forward". Highbeam.com. February 2, 2001. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
8. Eshman, Rob (August 10, 2006). "Who Is A Jew? | Opinion". Jewish Journal. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
9. Getzug, Steve (November 23, 2000). "Happy Campers | Community Briefs | Jewish Journal". Google.com. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
10. "Shorts: Family life | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California". Google.com. June 20, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
11. "Camp Arazim closes after 30 years in N. California | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California". Google.com. June 23, 2000. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
12. "Ramah offers yeshiva under the sun for college kids | j. the Jewish news weekly of Northern California". Google.com. June 25, 1999. Retrieved September 14, 2010.
13. Daniel, Rabbi (July 5, 2007). "Campfire stories from Israel at Ramah: I felt a missile go just over my head' | Jewish Journal". Google.com. Retrieved September 14, 2010.

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