Camp Programs

In 1968, two long Island special education teachers proposed a program, later known at The Tikvah Program, which would include children and young adults in a “typical,” Jewish, overnight summer camp. Despite a great deal of initial opposition from the camping world and the Ramah Camping Movement, one director, Donny Adelman z’l agreed to include Tikvah, noting that it truly reflected the values of Ramah. The Tikvah Program started at Camp Ramah in Glen Spey, New York in 1970 and soon moved to Camp Ramah in New England, where it will soon celebrate its 50th Anniversary. Each of the 10 Ramah overnight camps, day camps and Israel Programs include and support participants with a range of disabilities. I have worked for 25 years in Tikvah Programs in such capacities as counselor, division, head, Tikvah Director at both Camp Ramah in New England and Camp Ramah in Northern California, and as the director of the National Ramah Tikvah Network.

The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah in New England is one of the first summer programs for Jewish children with special needs. Nearly 40 years old, the Tikvah Program continues to grow and evolve as it strives to serve campers with a wide range of special needs. The Tikvah Program consists of three tracks: Amitzim, Tochnit Avodah, and Inclusion. The Amitzim program offers 13-18 year olds the full range of Ramah camper activities. Tochnit Avodah offers vocational training, socialization and group living experience to graduates of Amitzim. Finally, our innovative inclusion program offers younger campers support in typical bunks.

Is your child thinking about camp? Reach out to Howard.

Thanks to the pioneering efforts of Ramah, there are now many camping programs across movements and across the US and Canada which support campers with a range of disabilities. Howard has worked with the Foundation for Jewish Camp to co-author an inclusion guide.

Additional Resources: JewishCamp.org’s Disability Resource Guide

Enlace Judío – LIMUD: “Abilities. disabilities and inclusion in the Jewish Community”.

Learn more about disabilities inclusion programs offered within Ramah Camps.

Tikvah Recruitment video

Tikvah Vocational Education Program at Camp Ramah in New England

The Tikvah Program at Camp Ramah: 50 Years of Inclusive Camping and Still Evolving

Tikvah Tefillot: Baruch SheaMarch

Tikvah Tefillot: Thank You God

Camp Ramah Tikvah Articles

On The Road To Visit Ramah Camps!

June 24, 2022 by Howard Blas

Ramah Tikvah Programs: A Standard for Jewish Inclusive Camping

July 9, 2021 by Howard Blas

Exploring Camps In Israel For People With Disabilities

January 11, 2021 by Howard Blas

It’s Summertime, and the Living is Easy — and Inclusive

February 3, 2020 by Howard Blas

Howard's 2023 Ramah Visits

Noam Zinger’s road to working in the Tikvah Program at Ramah Day Camp Philly

September 6, 2023 by Howard Blas

Berkshires New Tikvah Aug 2023

August 11, 2023 by Howard Blas

Job Training and Work Experience in Atzmayim

July 31, 2023 by Howard Blas

The Seamless Inclusion of Campers with Support Needs

July 21, 2023 by Howard Blas

Voc Ed Building and Program Expansion

July 17, 2023 by Howard Blas

Max was introduced to Jewish Special Needs programming through the Camp Ramah Tikvah program. He was mentored by legendary Jewish inclusion king, Howard Blas, who helped Max discover his next adventure—a live-in position supporting an adult with disabilities.

Max Beede

as mentioned in Mission: Possible / February 26, 2020 Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan Newsletter

I have great admiration for Howard Blas who is the trailblazer in this field. Howard has spearheaded special needs camping for the National Ramah Camping Movement (a branch of the Jewish Theological Seminary – Conservative Movement) for decades. He has enabled this camping movement to set the bar in terms of excellence, caring and community development in terms of camping that is inclusive and directive for the special needs of young adults, even creating programming that enables campers and their families to have needs met (social,vocational, health etc) year round and when thinking young adulthood.
Although the Ramah Camps are limited in terms of the specific demographic they serve, it is a testament to that movement and to Howard that such deep, fine thinking has been done and continues to shape the lives of individuals, their families and communities. The well-developed and ever-responsive model is exemplary and worth learning about, even to then use it to evaluate other programs. The fact that it is also nonprofit and has enormous community support due to how life changing it is (including for ‘typical’ campers who get to know the other campers through daily shared experiences) is just spot-on!
You can speak directly with Howard about how he envisions camp for ASD participants and others with unique profiles, and also check out his blogs and articles. It will get you thinking about what to look for and how effective, fun and caring programming can be rolled out in a well considered, professional, warm manner.

Rebecca Mannis, Ph.D.

Learning Specialist in Neuroscience & Education