While we were aware of each other in 1948, we began going together in 1949 when I was 15 and Judy was 13. We were both members of the LTF (Leaders Training Fellowship) and saw each other at meetings during the ensuing year.

Rabbi Burton Cohen and Roberta Cheskis Cohen z”l belong to the couples who married in the first decade of Ramah Wisconsin. Burt attended camp in 1947, the very first summer, as a camper, and Bobbie began her Ramah Wisconsin career a few years later as a participant in the Chug Limud (Study Group). They were married on September 5, 1954.  Over the years, Burt went on to serve on staff as Madrich Tzair, Madrich, Rosh Aidah, Camp Director, and National Ramah Director.  Bobbie served as Madricha Tzeira, Madricha, teacher to the service staff, and chanutiah manager. Their consecutive record of years at Conover was fairly unblemished until they moved to New York City in 1975.  Of all the seasons, they spent only one, 1954, in another Ramah camp, Camp Ramah in Connecticut. Bobbie gave birth to three Ramahnik offspring: Yehuda (father of Wisconsin Ramahnik Joe), Ilana, and Ayala Cohen Podhoretz (mother to Wisconsin Ramahniks Shayna, Shiri, and Isaac).

Leah Abrams, drama counselor, arranged for the two of us to play in a Tisha B'av night performance as Jeremiah and Bat Yisrael.

I was from Minneapolis. Jody was from Chicago. We both had a strong Jewish background, and the environment at Ramah clearly nurtured our love for Judaic studies, culture and heritage.