Camp Rahmah Tikvah

Our Tikvah participants joined the whole camp for a trip to Six Flags. Every year, I wonder if this is the best use of our time. It is a fun day, but it is very taxing. We assess the campers and their needs (Which rides? How much supervision? Water park?) and we assign two or three staff members to each group. For me, the main reason to go is to be part of a camp-wide trip. All campers and staff walk the park proudly displaying their Camp Ramah shirts and high-fiving fellow campers as they cross paths in the park. I am sure campers would notice that Tikvah was missing if we opted out of the trip.

How do I know how integral Tikvah is to camp? The trip took place the day after the Amitzim Play. NEVER is the camp so quiet, focused, attentive and respectful as when the Tikvah campers act, sing and dance up on stage. Each camper has a part, well-suited to his or her needs or abilities. The lines are projected on the wall so audience members can follow along (in case they can’t hear the words). One staff member, in camp for the first time and at the play with her young children, had tears in her eyes as she came up to me afterwards to tell me this was the best moment of camp so far. Some audience members chanted names of campers; others clapped. All will return to the world more sensitive to people with special needs.

Our various buddy/peer mentoring programs also help assure that campers will have comfort around and appreciation for people with all abilities and disabilities. Every day, our Bogrim Buddies join our Tikvah group at job sites and the Machon Buddies join our Amitzimers in sports. And the Nivonim MiNis (Madrichim B Nivonim counselors that are Nivonimers) are working with us in many capacities as they develop their leadership skills. Nearly every day, a bunk of campers joins us for tefillot. They sit with our campers and co-lead with our campers. This, too, will go a long way towards feeling comfortable with people of all abilities.

To conclude: When people ask about Tikvah’s role in camp, I often say having Tikvah at Camp Ramah in New England is as natural as having
swimming or Shabbat at camp. Shabbat Shalom!

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TIkvah Staff past and present from Ramah New England, Darom and Wisconsin joined New York area Tikvah parents last Saturday night at REELabilities, a unique abilities/disabilities film festival. The festival, which now takes place in several US cities, was started in 2007. The NY festival is the largest in the country dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different disabilities.

For the staff members from the various Ramah special needs programs, this marks another wonderful opportunity to get together in the offseason, share ideas and discuss important issues. The Hebrew language film, MABUL (“flood” or “storm”).

featured an Israeli young man with autism who returns home on short notice from his “institution.” The film shows the painful struggles of the family and community. We are most appreciative to Rabbi Mitch Cohen and the National Ramah Commission (and to our various funders) for making it possible for Tikvah staff and families to view the film free of charge. We enjoyed seeing a number of friends of Tikvah at the event, and we loved the 16 Handles ice cream we shared during our post film discussion!

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Greetings from Camp Ramah in California. In a short while, amitzim counselor, Estie Martin, inclusion counselor, David Cohen, former Tikvah long-time staff member, Shira Arcus, and I will join our colleagues from Ramah special needs programs from across North America to share our various spirited Tikvah prayer services. We have already discussed our inclusion programs, peulot erev, staff week training, Shabbos Is Calling and more! And we presented an hour long peulat erev on “The Role of Special Needs In Ramah Camping. We are lucky enough to participate in four intense days of meetings and sharing as part of Reshet, a National Ramah Commission initiative to bring together staff members from the various Ramah special needs programs which include Tikvah, Breira and Ramah family camps. Four of our special needs program directors are also here. We are pleased to join Ramah rashei edah, Daber Fellows, camp directors, and participants in Ramah Service Corps and the Weinstein Institute for meetings and fun. We look to sharing more from our Ramah Ojai experience–perhaps after our visit to the beach today!

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Thank you to so many of our mishlochot friends who came from all over Israel to visit with our Tikvah Ramah Israel Program participants during our recent Israel trip. Thank you for hosting us in your homes in Beit Shemesh and Modiin. Thanks for taking us swimming and making us a beautiful picnic lunch in Caesarea. Thanks for traveling from Rishon Lezion and other places to the Palmach Museum in Tel Aviv for a visit during our short lunch break. Thanks for hanging out with us at the Robinson’s Arch, the Kotel, the Jewish Quarter and on the midrachov in Jerusalem.

Yes, it is wonderful seeing the important sites of Israel. But it is the people of Israel who make Israel truly come alive! You come to camp as shlichim and bring Israel to us; you return to Israel with a new understanding and appreciation of people with disabilities–and so many abilities. Please continue your work as shichimi on behalf of attitude change toward people with special needs. Keep up the great work! We are so appreciative to all of you.

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