Shmuel (Stephen) Bowman is a Canada Ramahnik who made aliyah in 1993. He wrote about his experience and Ramah’s influence on his decision to make aliyah.

“Camp Ramah planted the seed and cultivated the ground for my passion for Israel to take root and grow. The songs (I am forever grateful to Craig!*), the beautiful tefillot (especially Kabbalat Shabbat), studying with Rabbi Israel Silverman and other great educators, the ties to Israel and Jews in the former USSR, meeting Israeli staff–these moments and experiences, memories and feelings always stayed with me.

When I moved to Israel, it felt like Ramah had prepared me for this new life. Whenever I meet Ramahniks living in Israel, the bond is there–regardless of which camp we went to, or the years we spent as campers or staff.

I find this connection to be remarkable, as if we all have this special language that we speak. There are waves of emotions that sweep over us every time we meet a fellow Ramahnik–as if the plain meeting of another Ramahnik unbottles beautiful thoughts that exist quietly below the surface–and there is the understanding that we have taken our Ramah past to our Israeli present.”

*Craig Taubman, musician and composer.