"Hannah may not have worn ruby red slippers or a blue-checkered dress, but like Dorothy, this summer’s camp experience was truly transformative. She was away from home, she overcame obstacles, she met some life-changing people along the way and she learned that somewhere over the rainbow, dreams that you dare to dream really do come true."
- Carla Birnbaum, Ramah Darom parent,
Tikvah Highlights 2019-20
Ramah has been a leader in the disabilities inclusion field since the first Tikvah program was established in 1970. The National Ramah Tikvah Network   now serves hundreds of Jewish children, teens, and young adults with intellectual, developmental, and learning disabilities across the Ramah Camping Movement each year. Through the National Ramah Affordability Initiative, more financial support than ever before is available to make the Ramah experience accessible to families with children with disabilities.
Each February, we recognize Jewish Disability Awareness and Inclusion Month (JDAIM) by sharing highlights from this past summer's Tikvah programs and year-round Tikvah-related activities. 
In recognition of JDAIM, Howard Blas, National Ramah Tikvah Network Director, published It’s Summertime, and the Living is Easy — and Inclusive. In addition, Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC)'s "Humans of Jewish Camp" series featured Elana Naftalin-Kelman, Ramah California Tikvah Director.
For more information about Ramah Tikvah programs:

Celebrating Tikvah at 50
On April 1, 2019, more than 200 friends of Ramah and Tikvah gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate 50 years of Tikvah at Ramah and to kick off the 2019 Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip.

At this celebration, Herb and Barbara Greenberg, who started Ramah's first Tikvah program in 1970 and directed Tikvah at Ramah New England for 29 years before making aliyah to Israe l , received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their visionary leadership. The Greenbergs' pioneering work inspired each Ramah camp—and the Jewish camping world—to include participants with disabilities. 

The celebration continues as Ramah New England Celebrates Tikvah at 50 on July 19, 2020.
Funding and Support for Tikvah Programs
Yashar Initiative Grants from Foundation for Jewish Camp
Five Ramah camps have been awarded grants as part of Foundation for Jewish Camp (FJC)'s $12 million Yashar Initiative. The grants, given to 31 Jewish camps, are aimed at increasing accessibility for campers and staff with disabilities. Learn more in " Creating an Inclusive Jewish Community," by Jeremy Fingerman, FJC's CEO and a proud Ramah alumnus.

  • Ramah California is expanding the facilities and resources for its Ezra vocational education (voc ed) program.
  • Ramah Darom is focusing on physical accessibility across the camp through improving various roadways and pathways. The Greater Atlanta Jewish Abilities Alliance will honor Ramah Darom for these efforts at their 2020 Power of a Program event.
  • Ramah Nyack is building the Shalva Sensory Room for children experiencing anxiety, stress, and difficulties with self-regulation. This tranquil, quiet room will be equipped with special lighting, toys, supplies, and specially trained staff. 
  • Ramah Poconos is establishing a vocational training program, converting a staff housing unit into a building to house job training program participants and voc ed staff.
  • Ramah New England is expanding its voc ed building to add three large sleeping rooms, doubling the capacity for voc ed participants from 12 to 24.

Several Tikvah directors were invited by Foundation for Jewish Camp to present to fellow Yashar recipients at training sessions in New York and Chicago. Read " A Visit to Sesame Place" to learn more.
Grant for Tikvah Vocational Education Expansion
A new grant to National Ramah will help provide employment for young adults with disabilities, both within our camp settings and throughout the year in businesses, Jewish organizations, and other venues. More information will be available later this spring.

Ezra Ba'Ir is a partnership between Ramah California and the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, through which Ramah California Ezra (voc ed) staff members are placed in meaningful paid internships in the Los Angeles area during the academic year. One of our Ezra Ba'Ir interns is featured in this moving video produced by the Federation. Another intern works at DeToledo High School in Los Angeles. Read more about Ezra Ba'Ir.
Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip
With 112 riders, hikers, and volunteers participating, the April 2019 Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip raised approximately $540,000 for Ramah programs for campers with disabilities. Since 2011, these biennial trips have raised over $2 million from more than 10,000 donors. Tikvah directors Howard Blas, Orlee Krass, and Ralph Schwartz have all participated! Join us for our next trip, April 20-27, 2021 in Northern Israel. Register now !
Purim 5K to Support Tikvah (New Jersey)
We are grateful to the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/Congregation B'nai Israel, which sponsors an Annual Purim 5K Run & 1-Mile Walk to support Ramah Tikvah programs. This year's run/walk will take place this Sunday, March 1.
Year-Round Activities
Staff Professional Development Initiatives
The National Ramah Commission coordinates and supports the National Ramah Tikvah Network by providing funding, training staff, sharing best practices, marketing nationally, connecting members of the Tikvah community, and facilitating communication and collaboration among our Tikvah directors. Specialized training for Tikvah staff members takes place annually at the National Ramah Winter Leadership Training Conference.

FJC's Leaders Assembly will include a specialized track for professionals in the inclusion field to enable them to "learn from experts and one another, empowering them to continue bringing important innovations around inclusion to their own camps." Many of our Ramah Tikvah directors will attend, both as presenters and participants.
Keeping Tikvah Participants Connected Year-Round
  • Video Conferences: “Shabbos Is Calling” and “Shavuah Tov” video conferences take place regularly for Darom, New England, and Wisconsin program participants. Participants enjoy seeing each other while chatting about the week’s events, learning about Jewish holidays, and studying Torah.

  • Retreats and Reunions: Tikvah campers, voc ed participants, and staff reconnect in person during the year in communities across North America (e.g., Ramah Wisconsin’s Atzmayim Shabbat Dinner Reunion, December 2019).

  • Israel Trips: Howard Blas and Sam Weiner, Rosh Atzmayim (vocational training program) at Ramah Wisconsin, staffed a Birthright trip for young adults with disabilities, including six Ramah Tikvah alumni/participants from Ramah New England and Ramah Wisconsin. Check out the trip blog and read "An Amazing Israel Adventure," written by Sam.
Tikvah Partners with ReelAbilities Film Festival
Ramah is pleased to support the ReelAbilities Film Festival: New York (March 31-April 6), featuring films and programs emphasizing inclusion, diversity, and accessibility in accessible locations throughout New York. Friends of Tikvah are invited to a special preview of Crip Camp at the JCC Manhattan on Thursday, March 26, at 7 p.m. Discussion with light refreshments to follow. Free for the first 25 people to email howard@campramah.org.
Family Camps and Retreats
Camp Ohr Lanu at Ramah California
August 13-17, 2020

Camp Yofi at Ramah Darom
August 5-9, 2020
Tikvah Family Shabbaton at Ramah New England
May 1-3, 2020

Tikvah Family Camp at Ramah Poconos
August 19-23, 2020
Vocational Education Programs
Ramah's vocational education ("voc ed") programs, also known in our camps by such names as "Atzmayim," "Avodah," and "Ezra," provide meaningful work experiences as camp staff members for young adults with disabilities. In some cases, there are vocational training opportunities in nearby towns.
Overnight Camp Programs and Israel Programs
Day Camp Programs