Since we said our last l’hitraot (see you soon) on the migrash, we have been thinking quite a bit about joy. We are fortunate to experience great joy at camp–with all of our senses–which is truly a gift. We believe our joy is a result of our connections, our shared values, and most importantly, because we are part of the Ramah Nyack kehillah kedosha (sacred community). While it would be impossible to list every joyful moment from kayitz (summer) 2025, we would like to take this opportunity to share just a few.

• The first days of shavua hachana (staff training) when our tzevet (staff) members ran to each other – often in tears, hugging and jumping for joy – reuniting after what felt like a very long 10 months apart. The “oohs” and “aahs” were pretty terrific as our tzevet settled into their newly renovated dormitories, thanks to the generosity of our kehillah and the progress of the Livnot Atid Capital Campaign.
  
• Joyfully welcoming our 93 shlichim (Israeli staff members) to camp after an unanticipated delay was unforgettable. Our American tzevet lined our backroad while waving Israeli flags, singing and dancing to Israeli music, ultimately resulting in two impromptu after-hours dance parties on the migrash. This video captures much of the joy we experienced during this extraordinary time (feel free to watch it on repeat… we do!).
  
• Quieter milestone moments but equally as joyful include when chanichim (campers) feel great pride in their accomplishments. For example, when Shorashim camper (entering 1st) Misha passed the deep water test, Tzeirim camper (entering 4th) Ella conquered her fear of heights by completing the high ropes course at migdal, and when Kochavim camper (entering K) Nadav learned how to make pita bread from scratch at bishul bachutz (outdoor cooking). Learning new skills as individuals and cheering on our friends and bunkmates in community adds to the joy and magic of camp everyday.
  
• Our community gathered for several spectacular events this kayitz – from Zimriyah, to our Annual Dinner & Fundraiser, and Leil Horim for families of current tzevet – where each sacred space was filled with palpable joy. During these particular events, we paused to acknowledge the beauty of generations of Ramahniks coming together, underscoring the power that lives in the legacy of camp.
  
• Our joy is punctuated by music. Not just any music, but songs that reflect a particular moment of joy. From the rhythm of daily life at machane Ramah, to stand-out happenings that invite us to pause and reflect–music helps us internalize these moments of joy which form the mosaic that is the Ramah Nyack experience.

Our last reflection reminds us that in Judaism we believe we must often hold joy and pain simultaneously. And that together, as a kehillah kedosha, we will be there for one another both in times of simcha and in times of darkness. A few weeks ago, we shared the news that former Ramah Nyack staff alumnus Captain Omer Neutra, z”l, had finally been returned home for burial in Israel. During each of the 759 days which preceded this moment, our community continued to pray for Omer, and for his family. Omer’s parents, Orna and Ronen, and his brother, Daniel, fought with every fiber of their being for his release, Omer was a Gibur Yisrael, a hero of Israel. We will share details over the coming months about a project that camp will take on to honor his memory. May his memory always be for a blessing. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.

Todah Rabah to our Kehillah Kedosha
We have the privilege of experiencing joy because you believe in camp and support our work. The gratitude we feel for our Ramah Nyack mishpacha (family) knows no bounds. We invite you to please enjoy the 2025 Ramah Nyack Impact Report and relive many of our magical and joyful moments from this past year.

With your help, we have already accomplished so much.
Launched broadly in 2024, Livnot Atid is well underway, as we have made tremendous progress both in terms of fundraising and construction. Prior to the start of kayitz (summer) 2025, we completed the first 2 phases of Livnot Atid. This included upgrades to the Ramot Ramah Dormitory HVAC system, and HVAC installations and full renovations of the Motel Dormitory, Gould Dormitories, Beit Knesset Dormitory, and Beit Am Dormitory. All of this work – including ensuring energy efficiencies in all of these spaces – were made possible thanks to the generosity of our kehillah (community). We have raised more than $1.2 million to date, and we are well on our way towards reaching our goal of $2.1 million.

We couldn’t have anticipated the importance that the completed renovations would have on the well-being of our tzevet this past summer.
The devastating news that our shlichim (Israeli staff) would potentially not be able to join us due to the escalation in the Middle East this past June, could have shaken our staff, but they rallied. They rallied because they knew we would take care of them. Camp leadership quickly mobilized to hire 60+ young adults – many of whom were suddenly available as their plans to spend their summer in Israel were abruptly halted.

Despite uncertainties around the status of approximately a quarter of our staff, our tzevet felt supported and were prepared to take on the challenges that we faced.
You know how our kayitz 2025 story ended. We are immensely grateful that our 93 shlichim did join us, and all activities – from the Sha’ar Hebrew Immersion program to migdal (high ropes course) – resumed. We are so very proud of the resilience that all of our tzevet demonstrated.

The new and improved dormitories provided the spaces and comfort our tzevet needed to bond with one another, get the rest and rejuvenation they needed to bring their big energy to the migrash, and serve as dugma’ot (role models) to their chanichim. Our tzevet were truly ecstatic to see their new and improved living quarters as they arrived at camp for shavua hachana (staff training) in June. But Livnot Atid is about more than aesthetics. Thanks to this initiative, we were better equipped to meet multiple aspects of our mission during a true crisis and time of need. We became a home and a safe haven for many additional American young adults when they couldn’t travel to Israel, and we provided a smooth landing for our shlichim when they arrived straight from an active warzone. Nothing has ever felt as mission critical to us than these moments.

Final Renovations: Tzion Dormitory and New Dormitory
We are more than halfway to completing all of the proposed construction and facilities upgrades as a part of this initiative. Before the start of kayitz 2026, most of the renovations in the Tzion Dormitory will be completed. Our goal is to complete the New Dormitory renovations prior to kayitz 2027.

Todah Rabah – Thank you for believing in the values of Ramah Nyack, and for supporting our vision to improve the residential living spaces for our beloved tzevet.

Zimriyah Bet: Solelim, Tzeirim, Nevonim, Chalutzim/Bogrim

Zimriyah!

Joy is paramount at Zimriyah! One of our most favorite days of the summer (actually, of the entire year), Zimriyah embodies the best of Ramah Nyack. Our senses come alive as we listen to our chanichim (campers) and tzevet (staff) sing in Hebrew, and we watch them dance on the risers with so much love in their hearts. This is Ramah Nyack magic. Zimriyah isn’t just about the kids–it feels like one of the best reunions of the year for grown-ups! We always marvel at the droves of parents, grandparents and friends who eagerly arrive at camp to enjoy the two performances, and they (you!) are also an important part of our magic. Generations of voices sing “Shiru Shiru” as our performers enter the big tent – and the joy of this moment fills us up. This year our kehillah (community) sang about community, connection, friendship, and hope. As always, Zimriyah would not be possible without everyone who helped make the event a success, including our exceptional Operations team, all of our rashei edah (division heads), our year-round team, and of course our incredible madrichim (counselors) who serve as dugma’ot (role models) to our chanichim everyday. We are counting down until Zimriyah 2026 on July 8. We hope you will join us!

Adventure Abounds at Camp

From exploring the creek bed in teva (nature) to ziplining through the treetops at migdal (high ropes course), our chanichim (campers) reach new heights at Ramah Nyack. Chanichim of all ages have opportunities for adventure everyday, always pushing themselves–with encouragement from their madrichim (counselors) to soar to new heights and take on new challenges. We often speak of the growth that happens at camp, and our nature-centered and adventure-filled activities provide great opportunities for confidence-building. Age-appropriate experiences are always exciting and promise new ways to have fun at camp. The zipline and rock wall challenge our older chanichim (starting as rising 2nd graders), while our younger campers enjoy testing their balance and team building activities at our low ropes course. When chanichim finish hiking along the shvil (trail), learn how to safely make a fire in bishul bachutz (outdoor cooking), or pitch a tent in our Ramah Outdoors specialty camp, chanichim feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment! When our chanichim push themselves – and encourage, and root for one another – we share in their pride and feel their joy!

New Mural Alert!

Last summer we commissioned artist Hannah Pearlman to paint a mural at the entrance of camp. The stunning mural features a poignant lyric from the song “Amen,” which we dance to every Friday during Shishi al HaMigrash. Our chanichim and guests are greeted by this mural everyday and it sparks feelings of joy. We loved Hannah’s work so much that we invited her to return to camp this summer to paint another mural. Our intention for this next piece was to demonstrate our unequivocal love of Israel. We worked with Hannah to select a beautiful palette that evokes peace and tranquility. Hannah painted the mural in sections over the course of a week, and our amazing facilities staff completed the assembly and installation. The 50 foot long mural lives at the center of camp, adjacent to the migrash, and proudly features the phrase
“עם ישראל חי” (am yisrael chai), which means “the Jewish People live.”

Treasured Experiences for Our Tzevet (Staff)

Thanks to the generosity of several Ramah Nyack families who sponsored this engagement, we hosted a very special program for our tzevet this summer. Omer Shem Tov joined us for an intimate evening, during which he shared his harrowing story. Omer was abducted by Hamas from the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, and was held captive for 505 days. The same age as many of our shlichim (Israeli staff) and American young adult staff, hearing his experience firsthand was incredibly moving. Omer spoke of the many “miracles” he witnessed while in captivity. We were struck by his fierce optimism and gratitude to his family, friends, and the broader Jewish community for continuing to advocate for his release, and for the release of all of the hostages. Before the program began, we arranged for a private meeting between Omer and our tzevet member Ori Megidish, who is also a former hostage. Ori was abducted from the Nahal Oz Base by Hamas and held in captivity for 23 days before being rescued by the IDF. We believe this meeting between Omer and Ori was meaningful for the both of them.

We experience joy at camp with all of our senses, and music – central to everything we do – enhances that joy. The backdrop of camp offers a unique rhythm for the joy we feel everyday, as well as for special moments of transition, blessings, and new beginnings.

• We hear music beating from the migrash from the moment we arrive at camp each morning. We feel music in our neshamot (souls), and dance together with the kind of carefree excitement that can only happen at camp during the summer. 
• We make music all day long with our voices, with instruments, and at Park Mada’s Gan Muzika (outdoor music garden). We love to watch our tzevet (staff) a capella group, Ramahcapella, sing together. 
• We see music through the enjoyment of others, how they take it in and express themselves. There’s nothing in the world quite like Zimriyah, when generations of Ramahniks come together to share an evening of nostalgia, music, joy and hope.

“Migrash music” has become its own genre. Before each summer, we create a new playlist featuring favorites from years past along with new hits sprinkled in–all guaranteed to get our kehillah (community) moving! But the summer playlist isn’t just about dancing. It serves as an important tool–as an ice-breaker and community-builder. Even before our chanichim (campers) arrive, our tzevet spend time together during shavua hachana (staff training), listening to the summer playlist, learning the songs and corresponding choreography, while bonding and getting to know one another. By the time our chanichim step onto the migrash on the first day of camp, our tzevet have mastered the migrash magic and are ready to impart it to their campers. 

Music is also an important part of our daily routine. From davening (praying) together in the morning during teffilot, to reciting birkat ha’mazon (grace after meals) in the chadar ohel (cafeteria) after lunch, melodies guide us and bring warmth to each day. That warmth transcends the daily rituals to the special events. The tradition of Festivale has become a beloved day at camp and the perfect way to honor all of the dancing and love that our kehillah experienced on the migrash. Towards the end of the summer, each edah (division) learns a dance to a favorite migrash song and performs the dance for the entire camp on the last day. From Nevatim (pre-K) through Chalutzim/Bogrim (rising 6-8th graders) our chanichim and madrichim (counselors) are proud to demonstrate what they’ve learned, and they dance with immense joy!

The musical traditions at Ramah Nyack help deepen our connections to our Jewish identity, to Israel, to our shlichim (Israeli staff), and to each other. Perhaps it is a particular lyric, melody, beat or instrumentation that has the power to evoke the right feelings at just the right time? Maybe it’s everything all at once that takes a song from good to great and holds meaning? The songs that have become part of the Ramah Nyack musical canon are infused with the same magic we experience at Zimriyah or while dancing on the migrash.

We are delighted to present The Soundtrack of Ramah Nyack: a collection of anecdotes and songs that define specific moments of joy, transition, blessings and new beginnings. These songs have become our songs and serve as important conduits for connections throughout the generations. Enjoy!

1. Shavua Hachana (Staff training): As staff arrive in camp for training, music is already playing from the migrash to greet them and let them know kamah tov shebatem habayita (how good it is that they have returned home!). During the week of training, we begin and end each day with migrash dancing. Returning staff members jump right in, helping to lead, and new staff quickly integrate into the fun migrash dance parties.
2. Welcoming shlichim (Israeli staff): This year we greeted them as the heroes they all are with the anthem of Israel this year: “Od Yoter Tov” (Even Better).
3. First day of camp: Migrash dancing sets the tone of camp, and especially makes an impact on the first day. We dance, dance, and dance some more until all chanichim (campers) arrive. The entire kehillah (community) joins together for tefillot on the migrash before moving onto activities, and return to the migrash later in the day for the much anticipated announcement of the milat hakayitz (word of the summer). This year, it was a chalom (dream)!
4. Yom Huledet Sameach! (Happy Birthday!) Birthdays are celebrated at camp with a special visit from Mar Huledet–our birthday superhero–who joyfully “flies” across the migrash in his cape, while the birthday music plays and celebrants are announced to all!
5. Zimriyah: The opening song for generations of Ramah Nyack campers and staff – “Shiru, Shiru” (Sing, Sing), is a classic. Music permeates the evening performances, we hear the songs around camp all summer, and we know that people are humming them in the shower for years to come!
6. Shabbat: We end each week with the singing of HaTikvah led by one of our shlichim, followed by the final dance of the week to the infamous song “Amen.” This sweet tradition leads us into Shabbat and the close of the week.
7. The Maccabiah song opens the festivities and plays throughout the day. At machane Ramah, everyone is a winner.
8. Yom Geshem (Rainy day): We play this fun Israeli classic reminding us that the sun will soon come out again – and maybe it is only some liquid sunshine, anyway. We can dance the rain away!
9. Festivale: Did you know that our tzevet think about the migrash all year long? Staff members search far and wide during the off-season to find the songs they believe will become the newest “migrash hits.” Once the songs are carefully selected for each edah (division), choreography is developed with movements that are just right for each age group. After a year of preparation and several rehearsals with our chanichim, the migrash transforms into a magical festivale of joyful dance! Toward the end of the summer, we share our instructional dance videos and playlists with camp families, and they are distributed around the world. In fact, Ramah Nyack’s migrash dances have become the primary source of choreographed dances at most Jewish camps across North America.
10. Making aliyah! (Moving to Israel): We love celebrating with camper families and tzevet who have decided to make aliyah to Israel. Just about every summer, we have the privilege of experiencing this joy firsthand. To acknowledge these beautiful moments, we play the song “V’shavu Banim” (Your children shall return home), on the migrash, and call up the individuals making aliyah. Members of the mishlachat join them, dancing and proudly waving Israeli flags, to “welcome them home.” 
11. Camper tefillah: Tefillah at camp is truly its own kind of magic. Each morning, camp fills with the voices of our chanichim, often feeling like a spirited pep rally. You might hear Kochavim (entering Kindergarten) joyfully singing “Mah Rabu” (How beautiful is this earth!), with coordinated hand motions, or see Nevonim (entering 5th grade) reading from the Torah with growing confidence. As you walk around camp, you witness the beautiful progression of our chanichim through the ages as their skills deepen and their connection to tefillah flourishes.

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, our kehillah (community) gathered at Orangetown Jewish Center (OJC) to celebrate an extraordinary group of people who are dedicated to Ramah Nyack’s continued success. Gideon Levin, Benay Josselson, and Simone & Rabbi Jesse Nagelberg have been part of the Ramah Nyack mishpacha (family) for a combined 50+ years, and it was a privilege to honor their profound commitment to camp. It was a beautiful evening of celebration, complete with heartfelt tributes, a gorgeous performance by our own a capella group Ramahcapella, and a very full room of friends and Ramahniks. The support of those in attendance and all who participated in the virtual Tribute Journal are a testament to the impact that Gideon, Benay, Simone and Jesse have made on camp, and on our kehillah through the years. We are grateful to event co-chairs Abra Goldemberg, Jenna Roth, and Bryan and Lori Rutcofsky for sharing beautiful remarks that evening, and for helping to make the event a great success.

We remain fiscally strong thanks to excellent camper enrollment, contributions and grant support, and prudent financial management. 

Inflation and rising costs are realities of our current times, and we know camp, and camp families, are feeling the impact. Scholarship needs continue to grow, and our Advisory Committee is dedicated to meeting these needs through budget allocation and development initiatives that will bolster our Ramah Nyack Scholarship Fund. With gratitude to more than 400 individual donors and numerous foundations, individual contribution and grant support continues to help make camp as affordable as possible – even with the rising costs all around us – enabling more children to experience the magic of Ramah Nyack. 

Taking exceptional care of our beautiful grounds and 100+ year old facility continues to be a priority. Thanks to the generosity of our kehillah (community) and several significant foundation grants, key facility improvements took center stage this year. Beginning with the Livnot Atid Capital Campaign, we completed the first two phases of the renovations prior to the start of the summer. Other major improvements included the installation of a new covered pavilion adjacent to ceramica (ceramics) and leveling of various pathways to make them more accessible. We are grateful to our amazing facilities and operations teams who work in partnership all year long to make sure no details are missed when taking care of each of our buildings, pathways, lawns, specialty areas, the aquatic complex, basketball and tennis courts, and more.

Continued support from our kehillah is critical to ensuring we are able to continue to enhance our program, provide financial assistance to families in need, and make necessary facility improvement.. Please consider supporting our work and the Ramah Nyack Scholarship Fund, by making a tax-deductible donation to camp before year-end. Todah Rabah – Thank You!

As 2025 comes to a close, please consider Ramah Nyack among your charitable year-end giving. We are grateful to the many donors whose ongoing and meaningful support sustains our summer home. Giving back to Ramah Nyack is an investment in the future of our people and the next generation of Jewish leaders. We are proud that our community continues to feel a strong connection to Ramah Nyack, and are inspired to give back so others are able to have a meaningful camp experience.

There are many ways to give to camp. For example, thanks to the generosity of several camp families, we were able to host a very special peulat erev (evening program) for our tzevet this summer with former hostage Omer Shem Tov, who shared his unbelievable story with us. In addition to enhancing our programming, families may choose to honor their loved ones and their connection to camp by beautifying our grounds. Earlier this year, a longtime camp grandparent donated a beautiful red maple tree in memory of her beloved husband. This tree, which we planted and has taken root in our migrash, will provide shade for future generations of Ramahniks and is a symbol of legacy, devotion to camp, and our shared values.

We welcome the opportunity to discuss the myriad of giving opportunities with you and what works best for you and your family. For assistance with planning a gift that will benefit Ramah Nyack now, or in the future, please contact Rabbi Ami Hersh. We appreciate your consideration and wish you a happy, healthy, and safe year ahead. Todah Rabah! Thank you!