It was an easy decision for Ina and Jerry to plant roots firmly at camp. They eagerly arrived with their two young children, Jonathan and Yaffa, and immediately felt deeply connected to the values, leadership and kehillah (community) of Ramah Nyack. Ina was on staff for 18 summers, first as Rosh Nitzanim (Division Head of campers entering 2nd grade), and then as Rosh Chinuch (Head of Education). Ina and Jerry cherish their memories of living at camp and watching their children embrace its magic. After many successful summers as chanichim (campers), Jonathan and Yaffa both worked at camp as young adults, and later returned to work at camp with their own children in tow. The roots that Ina and Jerry planted flourished into a legacy of commitment to Jewish education, Ahavat Yisrael (love of Israel) and countless lessons lived and learned at Ramah Nyack.
Ina and Jerry both grew up in Brooklyn, New York. They met as young adults at a prominent conservative synagogue in Flatbush. Both raised with strong Jewish values, it was important to them to raise their children in environments that would help foster deep connections to Jewish values and traditions. Ramah Nyack would prove to be the summer home that would provide their family with a solid foundation on which to establish strong Jewish identities and develop lifelong friendships.
Ina recalled the first Hanhallah (leadership) meeting she attended as "just like being home." She believes the charismatic leadership of Rabbi Thaler, z"l, set the tone for the entire camp kehillah (community). The atmosphere was open, accepting, nurturing and joyful. The tzevet (staff) took their work very seriously, and they lived the principles which they taught. Ina, a pioneer in the field of Early Childhood Jewish Education who held several leadership roles throughout her tenure at Hebrew College in Boston, including as Dean of Students, shared that her experiences in camp enhanced her work professionally.
Jerry, who retired from a long and prosperous career in corporate retail, had his first taste of Ramah as a camper at Camp Ramah in the Poconos in the 1950s. Jerry described his experience at Ramah Nyack as having witnessed "unconscious positive learning," as the chanichim (campers) didn't realize just how much they were internalizing each day. Jerry attributes this success to the fact that Ramah Nyack's senior leadership embraced the concept of "experiential education" long before it was en vogue.
Ina and Jerry lived in the "Motel" with several other families. They really appreciated the communal living, as it helped foster very special friendships—many of which they maintain to this day. Their young children, Jonathan and Yaffa, thrived in this unique environment. Ina and Jerry loved watching their children learn, have fun and explore during both the camp day and during evening programming (an added perk for the children of residential staff!). The experience of living at Ramah Nyack gave Jonathan and Yaffa the freedom to grow, and gain independence at young ages.
Yaffa recalls the transformation of the migrash under the leadership of former Director Amy Skopp Cooper. From a dusty field to the Yisrael Katana (Little Israel) we know and love today, the migrash is home to Israeli music, dancing, Jewish pride and endless ruach (spirit). Her memories of Zimriyah are beautiful and musical, and transport her back to the time, place, and to the people who were with her during those foundational moments. She considers her Ramah Nyack experiences to provide a source of joy for a lifetime.
After many years as staff kids, Jonathan and Yaffa were eager to transition to become staff themselves. They both worked at camp as young adults and enjoyed being madrichim (counselors). The opportunity to enjoy the outdoors unencumbered as a staff kid may have inspired Jonathan's passion and career in conservation. Jonathan is a conservation biologist who has worked for the MA division of Fisheries and Wildlife for many years.
Soon after Jonathan and Yaffa each met their life partners, got married and had children, they returned to camp with their families to begin their next chapters at Ramah Nyack. Jonathan's wife Randi, a Geriatrician in the Boston area and a Medical Director for Mass Health, is also a Ramahnik. Jonathan and Randi met at 14 years old when they were campers at Ramah Nyack's sister camp, Camp Ramah in the Berkshires. They lived at Ramah Nyack for one summer with their children, Talia and Shachar, during which Jonathan took on the role of working in Etz (woodworking). Shachar later joined the tzevet as a young adult, marking the moment when a third generation of the Regosin family became a staff member at Ramah Nyack.
Yaffa, a Realtor in Northern New Jersey, has a background in Special Education. Her training served her well as she followed in her mother's footsteps at camp, taking on the roles of Rosh Nitzanim, and subsequently as Rosh Chinuch. A trained Chazan (Cantor) and currently the Head of Executive Recruiting at Bridgewater, Yaffa's husband Noam was known as a "favorite camp davener," as he often led Shabbat services and a late Friday night tisch for tzevet, filled with music and Torah.
Yaffa and Noam loved living at camp together with their very young children, Geffen, Amichai, Carmel and Hadar, and watching them grow in countless ways. Noam was hooked after their very first summer as it all "made complete sense." Hundreds of teens would converge on Nyack to socialize, and work as madrichim in a "Torah rich" environment. Noam described Ramah Nyack as an "alternate reality" where children are free to explore and learn at their leisure, and the residential adult staff have opportunities to enjoy all that camp has to offer without the obligations that typically exist during the school year. Enjoying the outdoors, swimming, meals and spiritual Shabbatot together is a gift, and an experience that cannot be replicated outside of camp.
Yaffa's children loved being staff kids, too. Geffen was particularly appreciative of the opportunity to learn about Judaism in such an open and fun environment, and she chose to celebrate becoming a bat mitzvah at camp. Yaffa's children also joined the ranks of serving as Ramah tzevet. Geffen and Hadar worked at Camp Ramah in the Berkshires, and Carmel worked at Ramah Nyack, under the leadership of Director, Rabbi Ami Hersh. Three generations strong!
The Regosin family remains deeply committed to giving back to the institutions that helped to shape their family's Jewish journey. In 2022, Ina was overwhelmed to learn that the family established a Scholarship Fund at Camp in her honor, which would help provide financial support to camp families. To Jerry, Yaffa, Jonathan and Uncle Jay, it was the most fitting and meaningful way to celebrate Ina's milestone birthday, and to acknowledge the profound influence that Ramah Nyack has had on each of their lives.
With Ramah Nyack forever in their minds and in their hearts, the Regosins also continue to be involved in their respective home communities. Ina and Jerry are members of Shaarei Tefillah in Newton, Massachusetts. Also in Newton, Jonathan and Randi are members at Minyan Maor, and Yaffa and Noam are members of Kehilat Kesher, Community Synagogue of Englewood and Tenafly in New Jersey.
Ina and Jerry prioritized their summers at Ramah Nyack. No matter where life took them in the off-season – at times relocating outside of the NY area for professional commitments - they kept coming back to camp, and ultimately made Ramah Nyack their summer home for 18 years. The Regosin family attributes their continuity and commitment to Ramah Nyack to the numerous opportunities for Nyack Ramahniks to deepen their love of Judaism, the freedom to live Jewishly, and importantly, to the camp's strong leadership. Ina and Jerry believe "good leaders respect the past, while finding ways to add their own vision to what existed before them; a principle that has been embraced by Ramah Nyack's leadership through the decades."
The Regosin family is humbled to be honored by the Ramah Nyack community, and feel privileged to share this moment with the Neutra family and have an opportunity to honor the memory of Captain Omer Neutra, z"l.
Captain Omer Neutra, z"l
A fun, kind, generous and loving soul, Captain Omer Neutra, z"l, was a member of Ramah Nyack's swim staff during kayitz (summer) 2018 and 2019. He was beloved and made a lasting impact on chanichim (campers) and his fellow tzevet (staff). Out of a deep love for Israel, Omer moved to Israel for mechina (gap year) after he graduated from high school. Subsequently, he chose to enlist in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and serve as a Lone Soldier. He was a Captain, serving as a tank commander and stationed near the Gaza border during the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. Omer's parents, Orna and Ronen, and his brother Daniel, fought tirelessly for his return, sharing his story and advocating for his freedom with courage and determination. Our Ramah Nyack kehillah (community) continually prayed for Omer's safety and return home. On December 2, 2024, the IDF confirmed that Omer had been killed in battle on October 7, and that his body had been taken into Gaza. On October 14, 2025, after 758 days, Omer's body was released by Hamas for burial in Israel. Omer was a Gibur Yisrael, a hero of Israel, and his story of courage will forever be a part of the Ramah Nyack kehillah.
Captain Omer Neutra, z"l, was born on October 14, 2001 in Queens, New York. He grew up in Plainview, Long Island with his parents, Orna and Ronen, and younger brother, Daniel. Ronen has shared that Omer had "an American heart and an Israeli soul." With Israeli parents, and grandparents who were Holocaust survivors, Israel was always central to Omer's life. So it came as no surprise when after graduating from high school, he decided to defer his admission to SUNY Binghamton to complete a gap year in Israel.
But before that chapter began, Omer spent two magical summers at Ramah Nyack, where his presence is still felt.
Omer was the consummate camp person. He had great energy, wasn't hesitant to join in group activities, and he really liked to have fun and dance on the migrash. He especially loved to play basketball with his friends after the chanichim (campers) would depart for the day.
Omer took his role as a swim instructor seriously, and taught many campers to be more confident swimmers. Omer was a strapping young man whose size could understandably be intimidating to some young campers, so he took it upon himself to "make himself smaller." As soon as he would enter the breicha (pool), he would get on his knees so that he would be at eye level with his campers. This decision speaks to his desire to make meaningful connections. The chanichim respected and adored him.
His first summer on staff, Omer lived in the Gould dormitory, and his second summer he lived in Tzion. He was well-liked by all, and had a tight group of chaverim (friends), which included American staff and members of the mishlachat (Israeli delegation). Omer's friendships were authentic and lasted well beyond the summer months.
Omer had a brilliant smile and he immediately made everyone around him feel comfortable. This wasn't by chance. He was intentional about his interactions with his peers. It was important to Omer that everyone should feel included. He was a natural leader, filled with purpose, courage and integrity. Friends have described Omer as someone who led with quiet strength, and always put others before himself. These extraordinary qualities would give Omer the mental and emotional chizuk (strength) to lead during the most difficult and devastating of circumstances.
Out of a deep love for Israel and a strong sense of responsibility, Omer enlisted as a lone soldier in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Armored Corps after completing his gap year in Israel. He became a tank platoon commander serving in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade, stationed along the Gaza border. On October 7, 2023, Omer's platoon came under attack by Hamas terrorists. Orna, Ronen, and Daniel fought tirelessly for Omer's return, sharing his story far and wide to advocate for his freedom. Our Ramah Nyack kehillah prayed for Omer's safety and for his return home. On December 2, 2024, the IDF confirmed that Omer had been killed in battle on October 7 and that his body had been taken into Gaza. On October 14, 2025, after 758 days, the body of Omer Neutra was released by Hamas for burial.
During his eulogy for Omer, Ronen described Omer's heroism in his last minutes alive, which they'd recently learned. Omer's tank had malfunctioned while battling the invading terrorists, leaving it vulnerable to Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) fire. The tank's driver, Sgt. Shaked Dahan was killed and the tank immediately began to fill with smoke. Ronen explained that as the crew began suffocating, Omer instructed them to "breathe through the vents," and that this guidance allowed them to continue fighting.
Omer was a leader, and he had an innate ability to inspire others to lead. Omer was a Gibur Yisrael, a hero of Israel. He approached everything in life earnestly and wholeheartedly, and he lived the values taught at Ramah Nyack. Omer has made a lasting impression on our kehillah, and he will remain in our hearts forever. May Omer's memory always be for a blessing.
"Leadership is about making everyone else better." - Captain Omer Neutra, z"l
EVENT CHAIRS
Susie Charendoff and Hayden Roth
DINNER COMMITTEE (In formation)
Mindy Edelman, Ruti and Gabi Glasner, David Glickman, Aidan Golub, Marni Heller, Jodi Karsch-Cohen, Jeff Kress and Adena Lebeau, Samantha Kur, Charles Lerner, Rabbi Joel Levenson, Shaina Roth, Nancy and Rabbi Craig Scheff, Harriet Spevack, David Strinkovsky, Debby Tamir, Lindsay Uffer, Raz Yona
PROFESSIONAL TEAM
Rabbi Ami Hersh, Director
Adina Rothman, Director of Operations
Amy Rosuck, Director of Finance
Randi Kattan, Director of Communications
Michael Edelstein, Caretaker
Jessica Baden, Program Coordinator
Keren Kimchy, Business Coordinator
Dory Payne, Facilities Manager
