By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO– In parashat Pinchas we continue reading about the Israelites’ adventures as they camped through the Sinai desert….which, of course, reminds me of my trip to visit Tifereth Israel’s kids at Camp Ramah last week!
It has been a couple of years since Judy and I visited camp, which is located in picturesque Ojai, California. I was pleased to see that Ramah’s new Executive Director (this is actually his second year), Rabbi Joe Menashe, has ably built on the foundation laid by his predecessors. The camp looks better than ever. Many exciting new areas have been developed as well as innovative activities for the campers.
Judy and I visited the amazing professional ropes course, tennis courts, baseball fields, and gaga courts. We saw a cooking class led by a Los Angeles chef, Hebrew and Judaica classes being taught, Israeli dance, and heard new songs. We enjoyed a noisy, but tasty, pizza lunch with the campers, and Judy spent a couple of hours in her former haunt, Omanut, the Art Room.
We visited with three Tifereth Israel campers, Maya Klareich, Ilan Matkovski and Ford Morris. Unfortunately, Sergio Sanchez was on an overnight, and we were not able to connect with Maxim Matkovski or Alina Sanchez. We did make sure to leave the “goody bags” we brought with their friends, including some contraband candy. We also saw Micah Klareich, who is on staff this summer.
Ramah is still a very special place. Although the facility is much nicer than the one I was a counselor at over forty years ago, it is still an island in space and time where Jewish youth can experience and live a fully Jewish life.
Many years ago, when Rabbi Ed Feinstein was the Camp Director and I drove the bus, he was fond of telling everyone that at Ramah, even the bus driver studies Torah! On this trip I was excited to see that “Rabbi Joe” was personally going around camp distributing the afternoon snack and making sure that everyone knew the correct B’racha (blessing) to say.
Judy and I will be going up in two weeks to visit Tifereth’s second session campers. I hope to send out a short update so that you can see how much fun they are having, as well.
Although we encourage our students to attend Camp Ramah, I am happy when they attend any Jewish day or overnight camp. I know, for example, that several of our students attend San Diego’s overnight camp, Camp Mountain Chai, and also have a meaningful Jewish experience. Later this summer we are going to hold a “Jewish Camp Shabbat” to honor all those who shared this very special summer experience. I will let you know when we decide on a date.
Lastly, I want to once again thank and acknowledge all of our friends and members who contributed to Tifereth Israel Synagogue’s Camp Ramah Scholarship Fund. This summer you made a lot of dreams come true:
The Gabriella Harstein Auspitz Endowment Fund*, Jean & Franklin Gaylis, Jerry & Gayle Klusky, Philip & Carol Lazarus, Michael & Linda Levin, Morris & Zita Liebermensch, Ilene Miller-Shackleford, Robert Novick, Michael & Marlene Recht, Gary & Jean Shekhter, Tifereth Israel Synagogue Sisterhood, Marvin & Judi Zaguli, and donations made to the Rabbi’s Discretionary Fund in honor of the marriage of Adina Rosenthal and Jeremy Gerstle.
*A Tifereth Israel Synagogue Endowment Fund held at the Jewish Community Foundation.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted via leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com