As Ramah celebrates sixty years, I am celebrating my twentieth working summer at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. I feel a debt of gratitude to Ramah because my association with Ramah led me from a negative past to a positive present, living a committed Conservative Jewish lifestyle. My association with Ramah led me to Israel where I lived for ten years and created a never-ending connection to the land and the people. My association with Ramah led me to my wife, and our appreciation of this fact is marked by a plaque hanging in the gazebo zugot (couples gazebo). We now have two children as campers.

 I am currently serving as the director of finance and operations at Camp Ramah in the Poconos. My wife, Meryl Sussman, coordinates the hadrachah program and provides ongoing training to the staff. I am fortunate to be able to apply my professional skills, as well as my life experiences, toward the betterment of a place I love and a place that has had an important influence on my life. Ramah definitely had a positive impact on me and on my family, and this impact keeps us coming back.

 Bruce Lipton is the Director of Finance and Operations for Camp Ramah in the Poconos.