Dear Camp Ramah in Canada Community, 

Earlier this week, Camp Director Rabbi Jordan Bendat-Appell gave us notice that he will be leaving Camp Ramah in December to pursue other professional opportunities. We join with the entire community to express our heartfelt thank you to Jordan. Although we are excited for his next chapter professionally, Jordan’s contributions to Camp Ramah in Canada and Jewish Camping will be greatly missed. 

We want to acknowledge the important role that Jordan played as Camp Director. During Jordan’s tenure, our camp community came together to weather the unprecedented storm of the pandemic and emerge with a revitalized sense of vision, purpose, and stability. Jordan has overseen significant improvements to the camp’s facilities, and expanded our programs, with Masa BaTeva (our outdoor adventure) and with a new US camping experience at Ramah Eastern Great Lakes. It has been an absolute pleasure working so closely with Jordan during these past four years. He has been a great partner to the Board as we successfully navigated through the past summers. 

In the coming months Jordan will be working closely with the Ramah professional team and the board to ensure a smooth transition. Even as we close our beautiful summer home on Skeleton Lake for this season, enrollment is open and we are well into the planning stages for Summer 2023. 

We appreciate the sacred trust that the community invests in our camp, and with the help of our committed summer staff, year-round professional team, Board of Directors, and National Ramah Commission, we are confidently moving forward. 

Should you have any questions regarding camp, do not hesitate to reach out to our Associate Director Aviva Millstone, who is busy working with our professional staff to prepare for the coming summer, or any of our board members. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we wish you a healthy, happy, and sweet New Year as we look ahead to great things to come. 

Shanah Tovah, 

Josh Charlat, Ramah Canada Chair 

Ari Levin, Chair-Elect Ramah Canada 

Dear Camp Ramah in Canada Community, 

I recently informed our Board of Directors of my intention to step down as Camp Director. I will continue to work closely with the Board of Directors and our year-round professional team to ensure a smooth transition in the months ahead. 

Working as the Director of Camp Ramah in Canada has been a truly profound and wonderful experience. During the past four years, camp has faced significant challenges — most notably the pandemic and its aftermath. Despite this environment, and through our community’s support, the camp has also enjoyed significant successes and emerged as a stronger and more vibrant organization. I am proud to have served as part of the incredibly dedicated team of professionals that carried the camp through this period of time. 

Even as I step away from this role, I remain steadfast in my belief in the importance of Camp Ramah in giving our young people tools to grow and thrive as responsible and dedicated members of the Jewish community. 

While I am ready to pursue new professional opportunities as a rabbi and educator, I am deeply grateful to have been part of the fabric of this community of campers, staff, alumni, lay leaders, friends, and supporters. 

As we approach Rosh Hashanah, we set our intentions for the year ahead while also reflecting on the year that is coming to a close. May this be a time of learning, renewal and growth. May we all be written and sealed for a healthy, meaningful and joyous year ahead. 

Shanah tovah umetukah, 



Jordan