Ramah Service Corps Welcomes Third Cohort of Interns

National Ramah Commission, Inc. of The Jewish Theological Seminary www.campramah.org  February 26, 2013 Shevat 5773 Dear Friends of Ramah,   The Ramah Service Corps (RSC), the innovative young adult leadership program of the National Ramah Commission (NRC) designed to bring the magic of Ramah to communities across North America year-round, is now entering its third exciting year. Here are some highlights: 25 Ramah Service Corps interns serving in 25 different Jewish communities   Synagogue youth and family programs offer Ramah-style programming and the magic of camp Ramah Service Corps recognized by Slingshot as one of North America's 50 most innovative Jewish programs Read about the interns' experiences and listen to them speak about the Ramah Service Corps Click on image to watch video We are delighted to introduce the third cohort of Ramah Service Corps interns, 25 strong, who are serving for the 2012-2013 year.       Ramah Service Corps interns, young adults working as teachers and youth leaders in educational settings across the US and Canada, are selected with input from the leadership of Ramah's overnight camps. Interns implement at least three Ramah-style programs during the year; reach out to prospective camper families, encouraging them to explore Ramah and other Jewish camps; and maintain relationships with current Ramah families. Each Ramah Service Corps intern works closely with both the NRC and a mentor from the regional Ramah camp office.    The interns are thrilled to bring the magic and spirit of Ramah into their work during the year. Here are some of their responses to the question: "Why are you excited to serve as an RSC intern?"    I am excited to serve as an RSC intern because I want to give back to an organization that has given me so much. I'm excited to welcome more families into the larger Ramah family. (Gavi Cohen, Poconos RSC Intern; home camp: Poconos)      I am so excited to help spread the spirit of Ramah throughout the year. Every Jewish child should have the opportunity to experience all that Ramah has to offer. (Michael Fingerman, Canada RSC Intern; home camp: Nyack)   I love spreading the joys of Ramah to people who don't have those experiences yet. I am excited to plan programs for kids who are eager to learn about camp and, through the programming, share with them the Jewish experiences that totally shape who I am today. (Elisheva Layman, New England RSC Intern; home camp: New England)   The songs and lessons I teach in religious school are those that I learned at Camp Ramah, and I love to share that music and ruach and help bring my students that same Ramah experience. (Josh Warshawsky, Berkshires/Nyack RSC Intern; home camp: Wisconsin)   The success of the Ramah Service Corps program was recently recognized in Slingshot '12-'13, a resource guide for Jewish innovation, which named the National Ramah Commission one of the nation's 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits for its work in connection with the Ramah Service Corps. Click here to read more. This initiative of the National Ramah Commission is made possible by a generous grant from the Foundation for Jewish Camp. We look forward to bringing you more news about the work of the Ramah Service Corps in future newsletters. Shalom, Amy Skopp Cooper, National Associate Director Click here for biographical profiles of many of our Ramah Service Corps interns.   National Ramah Commission, Inc. Named by Slingshot as One of North America's Most Innovative Jewish Nonprofits (November 2012)   Ramah Service Corps: Growth and Inspiration (June 2012)   www.campramah.org  Ramah is the camping arm of Conservative Judaism. Together, our programs provide Ramah experiences for over 9,000 children, teens and young adults annually. The National Ramah Commission of the Jewish Theological Seminary provides oversight and educational planning on behalf of the network of Ramah camps throughout North America and Israel.