I World Back In Time Camp Ramah reunion revives memories for Detroit alumni. Gabriella Burman Special to the Jewish News celebration that rekindled friendships and resulted in some serious nostalgia for the Ontario lakeside setting of their youth. "When we were all singing together at the Havdalah service marking the end of Shabbat, I could have closed my eyes and just as easily have been standing outside, with the stars of Muskoka shin- ing above my head:' said Sheri Wagner Toronto D ozens of Detroit alumni of Camp Ramah in Canada gathered with more than 400 of their peers in Toronto Nov. 12-13 for a 50th reunion Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit Save The Date And Nominate! Sunday, May 15, 2011 EfailT EIGHTY The Tikkun Olam Award WHAT: Eight Over Eighty — The Tikkun Olam Award Eight Over Eighty is an annual event at Jewish Senior Life of Metropolitan Detroit that honors eight senior adults, eighty years or older, who have dedicated their time, talents and lives to our community. WHY: To recognize eight senior adults for their lifetime achievements WHEN: Sunday, May 15, 2011, BRUNCH 11:00 WHERE: Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Southfield, Michigan Do you know a deserwhig older whet who... • Is at least 80 years old? • Has been a long-standing volunteer in the community? • Is active or volunteering today? • Is dedicated to maintaining strong Jewish values? • Is an inspiring leader or mentor in the community? How to Nominate: Write or email JSL describing the worthiness of the nominee. Please include (as applicable): • Name and age of nominee • Duration of volunteer • Involvement in Jewish organizations and causes • Leadership positions held • Current accomplishments • Letters and newspaper articles supporting nominee's accomplishments • Explain how the nominee's long- standing activities exemplify a commitment to the Jewish value of Tikkum Olam (Repairing The World). Nominations are due by January 24, 2011. Honorees will be inducted in the Mail or email nominations to: Senior Adult Jewish Hall of Fame at a community brunch held During Older American's Month in May. Proceeds go to: The JSL Quality of Life Fund, which enriches the lives of our residents. A 28 November 25 • 2010 Eight Over Eighty Jewish Senior Life of Metro Detroit 6710 W. Maple West Bloomfield, MI 48322 Or nominate on line at: www.jslmi.org Email: jscott@jshni.org Jamie Scott, Resource Coordinator (248) 592-1144 Greenbaum, a West Bloomfield native who was a camper, counselor and rosh edah (unit head) from 1984-1994 at the camp in Muskoka, Ontario. Newly married, Greenbaum added that she will insist on sending any future children she has to Camp Ramah. "It was the greatest gift my parents gave me:' she said. "I want to pass it on:' The reunion was initially conceived as a dinner honoring founders of the camp; through Facebook, it snow- balled into a weekend event at Beth Tzedec Congregation, culminating in a Havdalah dessert reception featuring a sing-along led by singer/songwriter Craig Taubman, a Ramah alum. By and large, attendees left their spouses and children behind, creating a real sense of having returned to the Ramah fold. Ramah Canada, one of eight overnight camping programs affiliated with the Conservative movement, was founded by members of Toronto's Jewish com- munity in 1960. Annually, it serves approximately 450 campers from across Canada, Michigan, upstate New York, Ohio and Pittsburgh. While the camp includes typical waterfront, sports and arts activities — and is known for its tough canoe trips in Algonquin National Park — there is also an emphasis on Zionism, Hebrew language and Jewish studies, with daily tefilot (prayers) and classes. Ramah campers tend to carry their experiences with them throughout their lives. According to Ariella Keysar, a researcher at Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., graduates of the Ramah system are three times more likely than their peers to exclusively date Jews, to spend time in Israel and to attend synagogue services. In many cases, having gone to Ramah has directly influenced decision making about where to live, how to live and who to marry. Mark Leuchter, director of Jewish studies at Temple University in Philadelphia, chose to pursue his doc- torate at University of Toronto "because of the friends I had made at camp:' he said. Although Leuchter grew up in an observant home in Southfield and attended Hillel Day School, he says Ramah cultivated his academic interest in looking critically at early Judaism. "There was an awareness and respect for tradition without it being paint-by- Former Detroiters Mark Leuchter of Philadelphia and Ariella Goldfein of New York City Sheri Wagner Greenbaum of West Bloomfield and Amy Wagner Biloon of South Orange, N.J. numbers Judaism," he recalled. "We were able to ask questions." For example, Tisha VAN; a fast day that falls during the summer, and which, at Ramah, includes a campwide candle- light reading of Eicha, or the Book of Lamentations, was presented "symboli- cally, not only literally as a date histori- cally in which all these terrible tragedies befell the Jewish people. This had a pro- found impact on me:' he said. All told, "Ramah is an intense experi- ence," said Lowell Friedman, an attorney in Royal Oak and former Ramah coun- selor. "You're with people 24 hours a day, for two months straight; and you form some pretty close bonds." So strong, he said, reflecting on the reunion, that "when you come back and see people 20 years later, you don't miss a beat. It's like you never left:' ❑