On Sunday nights throughout the Winter, Camp Ramah alumni representing Ramah camps across North America, come to Chelsea Piers to play in NYC’s most competitive basketball league, the Ramah Basketball Association (RBA). RBA was established by Camp Ramah in the Berkshires and has grown to include Ramahniks from all over. Each season, 64 players are divvied up to 8 teams. The league has an 11- game regular season with each team making the playoffs, in hopes of being championed winners of the league and going home with bragging rights.

RBA, beyond being an opportunity for competitive outlet and to relive nostalgic memories as campers, provides an opportunity for old camp friends to get together and new camp friends to be made. Since its inception almost 20 years ago, RBA has served as a community gathering for Ramah alumni who live in NYC.

This season, RBA began a new tradition of holding an alumni game. Each team signed a former RBA All-Star to a 1 game contract. For current RBA players, the game was an opportunity to play with some founding members and former. For the old-timers, the game allowed them to kick the dust off their old basketball shoes and re-live their RBA glory. RBA is looking forward to continuing the alumni game tradition next season.

The championship game will be held on April 10th at 6PM at Chelsea Piers. The festivities will include a 3-point contest, knock-out tournament, and pizza. Each year an award is also given to a past RBA player for their contribution to the organization in honor of Eric Steinthal Z’L, who was an RBA commissioner for four seasons. Families and Ramah alumni are encouraged to partake in the festivities.  

Please click here to read more about the Ramah Basketball Association, featured in eJewish Philanthropy.