What impact has Ramah had on my life?

When I was twelve years old, my parents sent me to Ramah Berkshires — that was 1964. I returned every summer, went on Israel Seminar in 1968, and later was a staff member for around ten summers: junior counselor and Hebrew teacher at Ramah Canada, doctor at Ramah Poconos, and then at Berkshires. My son attended Ramah Day Camp in Nyack and Ramah Berkshires, and then he was on the swim staff. My daughter attended Ramah Berkshires and then was on swim staff. Needless to say, Ramah has always played a very central role in our family life. I recently returned from a week’s vacation in Israel with my husband and daughter. Shabbat in Jerusalem is always spiritually uplifting and full of joy. We enjoyed it with many friends, including Ramah friends who have made aliyah. The love of Shabbat and all of the positive energy I experienced in Israel last Shabbat began with my Ramah summers, and Shabbat in Ramah is on par with Shabbat in Jerusalem!

Barbara Paris, M.D., is the director of the Division of Geriatric Services at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.