Description: Camp Ramah in Canada is the Canadian branch of an international chain of Jewish summer camps. Its campsite is located in Utterson, Ont., and its head office is in North York, Ont. The Camp was formed in 1960, and its website states that it has since “transformed the lives of more than 10,000 young people.”
The camp lists one of its values as: “Ahavat Yisrael [loving fellow Jews] – We are immersed in Conservative Jewish life and encourage a deep commitment to Israel and the Hebrew language.” The camp’s website’s page about “Jewish Life at Camp” has “A Love of Israel” as a subheading, and states: “Our camp hosts a large mishlachat (Israeli staff delegation). Campers engage with Israeli culture through dynamic programs led by these shlichim (Israeli staff). Campers learn about Israeli history, people, politics, and culture, with Israeli music enriching the camp experience. Hebrew language is infused into our daily life at camp. Many campers also participate in Ramah Seminar, a six-week trip to Israel before returning as counselors.”
IDF mentions since Oct. 7, 2023: The camp’s website states that it “operates under the educational guidance of the National Ramah Commission.” The website for the National Ramah Commission has an entire section dedicated to explaining how it “stands with Israel,” particularly since Oct. 7, 2023. It states: “Since December 2023, we have run dozens of solidarity missions to Israel. Participants have volunteered in the fields, planted gardens, painted homes, worked with displaced families, and barbecued for soldiers. We have visited Hostages Square and met with families. We have mourned with other families. We have been active listeners as a traumatized nation tells its story. We have been fully present. We hope you will consider joining your fellow Ramahniks on one of the upcoming solidarity and service missions being led by Ramah Israel. This is our opportunity to be counted and to let our family in Israel know that we stand alongside them. As Israel faces perhaps her greatest challenge in 75 years, we are proud of our community’s response and Ramah’s deep and enduring commitment to Am Yisrael.”
The website also lists a “prayer for the IDF,” which states: “May the one who blessed our ancestors, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, and Leah bless the soldiers of the armed forces and security forces of the army of Israel who on the ground, in the air and at sea protect the Land. May God grant that they defeat the enemies who rise up against us. May God protect our soldiers from all harm and danger, from all injury and illness, and may God afford blessing and success to all their missions. Regarding them, may the words of the Torah prove true: For Adonai Your God, who goes before You, shall join you to battle your foes and aid you to be victorious. And let us say, Amen.”
Camp Ramah’s Instagram page, meanwhile, has published several posts mentioning the Israeli military since Oct. 7, 2023.
In October 2023, the camp posted an Israeli flag with the caption: “Many of our past and current mishlachat [Israelis who work at summer camps abroad] and members of the Ramah Canada community are being called up to serve, bringing another level of terror and uncertainty to an unfathomable situation.”
In May 2024, the camp dedicated a post to fallen Israeli soldiers, writing: “We honor these true heroes — the fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, friends. May their memories be a blessing. As always, we are thinking of our Camp Ramah in Canada family in Israel, and our many Ramahniks who have served or continue to serve in the IDF.”
And in October 2024, the camp posted an image of people forming a Star of David, with a caption stating that its members continue to pray for “the protection of our soldiers.”
Associated Israeli military members: Coby Fein; Josh Goldberg; Michael Saskin; Rebecca Weiss.
Connections to other organizations included in GTA to IDF:
- Camp Moshava Ennismore: Both part of the Foundation For Jewish Camp network.
Associated charity: The Jewish Theological Society Of Canada is the charity associated with Camp Ramah in Canada. It has had charitable status since 1991, and has brought in at least $26,624,866 in charitable revenue since 2020. This has included at least $11,183,491 in receipted donations, for which donors enjoy tax breaks.
