Grab a Ramah Darom map and take an audio tour of campus at ramahdarom.org/take-a-tour
FRIDAY, MARCH 26
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
11:00am-5:00pm Check In and Intake Welcome Center
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment 11:00am-5:00pm Concierge Desk and games
Boating Open Agam (Lake)
Check the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for: 12:30-5:00pm Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Outside of Omanut 2:00-4:00pm Art: Embossed Jerusalem with Judy Robkin* (Art Building)
Stroll Ramah Darom (Easy) Meet at Levine 3:00-4:00pm Enjoy a tour of our campus. Center Portico
Mirpesset T'fillah 4:00-4:45pm Gentle Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
5:00-5:15pm Symbolic Burning of the Chametz Medura (Lakeside Fire Pit)
Family Program: A Story Concert with Maxine Handelman Families are invited to enjoy Shabbat, Pesach and getting-to-know- Beit Am 5:30-6:15pm you stories as we prepare to welcome the holiday! Recommended for (Covered Basketball Court) children up to the age of 8.
Beit Am 6:15-7:15pm Welcome! Mincha, Kabbalat Shabbat and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Levine Center Portico/ 6:30-7:30pm Candle Lighting Available Center Dining Hall
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
12 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom FRIDAY, MARCH 26
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:30-9:00pm Shabbat Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
The Rabbi, The Witch and The Prevaricator: The Life of Shimon ben Shetach with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss Shimon ben Shetach is well-known for hunting witches. But who was this man? Together we will look at various texts in an attempt to understand 9:15-10:15pm what motivated him, how he transformed Judaism towards its modern Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) form and why he had to stand aside at the execution of his own son. Learn more about the witches hunted by Shimon ben Shetach in Maxine Handelman's session "The Witches of Ashkelon." The conversation continues next Shabbat!
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): Competitive Celebrity Beit Am and Cocktails 9:30-11:00pm (Covered Basketball Court) Relax and get to know other guests through a distanced game of celebrity. Prizes will be awarded!
SATURDAY, MARCH 27
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
9:00-9:30am Daily Dose of Talmud with Rabbi Aaron Alexander* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk 9:30am-12:00pm Beit Am Traditional Egalitarian Shabbat Service (Covered Basketball Court)
10:00-10:45am Minyan Shelanu—Musical Family Services with Ori Salzberg* Margam (Lakeside Pavilion)
Storahtelling with Naomi Less Engage in an interactive Torah experience through live, interpretive theatrical translation, chanting and music. Perfect for tweens, teens and 11:00am-12:00pm Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) adults! Please note children are welcome, but the program is designed for a more mature audience. Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
13 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 SATURDAY, MARCH 27
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
1:30-6:00pm Check the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Health Concerns and Halakhah with Rabbi Aaron Alexander This almost needs no introduction, but some essential sources that drive decision making when ritual and health concerns are in conflict haven't Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) been employed in the public debate. We’ll explore them together, while also paying attention to how Law unfolds over time.
Shabbat Song Circle with Eliana Light Mirpesset T'fillah Come together to sing and lift one another up with joyous Shabbat (Mountainside Pavilion) 1:45-3:00pm melodies.
The Power of Mikvah: Waterfall Hike and Learning with Eliana Leader What is it about water that makes it such a powerful connector between Meet at Levine Center spirituality and physicality? In this session we will explore water's Portico symbolism in Judaism and reflect on its beauty through a light hike to the Ramah Darom waterfall.
What Does It Mean to Love God? with Rabbi Shai Held Many of us are familiar with the mitzvah of loving God, which forms an integral part of the Shema. But how does one fulfill this daunting commandment? What does love of God actually look like? In this Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) session, we'll explore a few approaches from the Jewish tradition: 1. The 3:15-4:30pm relationship between loving God and observing mitzvot; 2. The idea that we express love for God in learning Torah; and 3. The idea that we love God by making God beloved in the world.
Meet at Levine Center Art from the Natural World with Mckenzie Wren* Portico
Mirpesset T'fillah 3:30-4:30pm Vinyasa Flow with Navit Robkin* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
Who Knows Four?: Inclusion and Exclusion in the Passover Seder with Rabbi William Plevan Why is the number four so important in the Passover Seder? In this session, we will study the passage of the four children from the Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) Haggadah and similar Rabbinic texts. Are these texts inclusive or 4:45-6:00pm exclusive? What can we learn from these texts about the tension between maintaining standards of behavior (moral or religious) and achieving inclusive community?
Meditation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
14 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom SATURDAY, MARCH 27
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Pre-Seder Food Pickup 5:00-5:30pm Grab a light meal so you aren’t hungry during the Seder! Levine Center Portico Available for all Households.
Passover Song Session with Cantor Linda Shivers Beit Am 6:15-7:00pm Come for a refresher of Pesach songs old and new to bring to your (Covered Basketball Court) Seder tonight! All ages welcome.
7:00-8:15pm Rest and Seder Prep
Beit Am 7:15-8:00pm Mincha and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Classic Communal Seder
Semi-Private Seder in Dining Areas 8:15-11:00pm Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Seder-To-Go Kit and Shulchan Aruch in Dining Areas *Shulchan Aruch for all Seder options must be served by 10:45pm.
Levine Center Portico/ 8:30-9:00pm Candle Lighting Available Center Dining Hall
SUNDAY, MARCH 28
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
9:00-9:30am Daily Dose of Talmud with Rabbi Aaron Alexander* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk 9:30am-12:00pm Beit Am Traditional Egalitarian Yom Tov Service (Covered Basketball Court)
10:00-10:50am Minyan Shelanu—Musical Family Services with Ori Salzberg* Treehouse Benches
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
15 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 SUNDAY, MARCH 28
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Mindful Musical Morning with Eliana Light Through prayer and music, we will lift our spirits. Through movement, 11:00am-12:00pm we will ground our bodies. Through intention, we will seek new wisdom. Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) Through silence, we will listen to ourselves and each other. Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
1:30-6:00pm Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Sarai, Hagar and the Mystery of Divine Blessing: Reading Genesis 16 with Rabbi Shai Held In this session we'll explore one of the most moving—and disturbing— chapters in the Bible: The story of Hagar's mistreatment at the hands of Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) Abram and Sarai. We'll ask how interpreters both traditional and modern have understood Sarai's sin; we'll probe Hagar's unique relationship with God; and we'll inquire after why God would send a slave back to her 1:45-3:00pm master, which seems to violate the laws God lays down in Deuteronomy.
Mincha: Music, Mindfulness and Movement—an Embodied Way to Mirpesset T'fillah Pray with Naomi Less (Mountainside Pavilion) Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
Meet at Levine Center Kilby Mill Stroll (Easy) with Yoni Kaplan* Portico
Jewish Ethics and Vaccine Distribution with Navit Robkin Part 1 of a series on ethics in the age of COVID-19. What does Jewish tradition tell us about prioritization of vaccine distribution in the modern Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) world? Using traditional Jewish sources, we will explore if Jewish text can inform our thinking about "who goes first”.
3:15-4:30pm Voices and Visions: If Not Now, When? with Eliana Leader Join a conversation on how Judaism influences our sense of moral Ohel Aleph (Tent A) action by exploring three pieces of art inspired by the quotes of great Jewish leaders and thinkers.
Mirpesset T'fillah Low Impact Fitness with Rachel Herman* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule for 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup Locations
16 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom SUNDAY, MARCH 28
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Rethinking (Entirely!) the “10 Commandments” with Aaron Alexander The progression to the Second Set of 10 Commandments may not be as we’ve come to understand. Is it possible there are three sets, one of Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) 4:45-6:00pm which more essential to the others? We’ll dive deep, textually, into the Exodus narrative to better understand what our covenant with God demands from us in any moment.
Lawn Games on the Kikar Kikar (Activity Field)
Pre-Seder Food Pickup 5:00-5:30pm Grab a light meal so you aren’t hungry during the Seder! Levine Center Portico Available for all Households.
6:00-7:30pm Rest and Seder Prep
Beit Am 6:20-7:00pm Mincha and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Levine Center Portico/ 7:20-9:00pm Candle Lighting Available Center Dining Hall
Classic Communal Seder Semi-Private Seder in Dining Areas 7:30-11:00pm *Please let us know if you plan to begin your Seder at 8:35pm. Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall) Seder-To-Go Kit and Shulchan Aruch in Dining Areas *Shulchan Aruch for all Seder options must be served by 10:45pm.
8:20-8:35pm Late Maariv Pizza Patio
MONDAY, MARCH 29
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
9:00-9:30am Daily Dose of Talmud with Rabbi Aaron Alexander* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk 9:30am-12:00pm Beit Am Traditional Egalitarian Yom Tov Service (Covered Basketball Court)
17 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 MONDAY, MARCH 29
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Family Prayer Hike with Amy Price Join a morning prayer service experience as we explore nature. Meet at Levine Center 10:00-10:50am What better way to praise Hashem's creation than surrounded by the Portico trees! This is an all levels hike but please wear sturdy shoes.
Chant Minyan with Reuben Haller and Mckenzie Wren 11:00am-12:00pm A morning chant service, joining our voices together in contemplative Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) prayer. Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
1:30-6:00pm Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule 1:30-1:45pm Camp Dropoff for Locations
The Binding of Ishmael and the Exodus of an Egyptian Slave: Reading Genesis 21 with Rabbi Shai Held In this session, we'll probe the continued conflict between Sarai and her Egyptian slave Hagar. Reading modern feminist scholars, we'll try Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) to understand why God encourages Abraham to listen to Sarah and send Hagar and Ishmael on a precarious journey through the wilderness. We'll 1:45-3:00pm explore the many links between Ishmael's predicament in Genesis 21 and Isaac's in Genesis 22, and ask what all this means for Jewish theology.
Adult Improv with Maddy Bloch Play theatre games, laugh with your friends and get silly during this Mirpesset T'fillah improv workshop. No previous experience required, just your sense (Mountainside Pavilion) of humor!
Meet at Levine Center 3:00-4:00pm Hike to the Ramah Darom Waterfall (Easy)* Portico
Ethical Case Studies with Navit Robkin Part 2 of a series on ethics in the age of COVID-19. We will explore modern ethical challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Is It OK Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) to enroll in a COVID-19 vaccine trial if you may drop out? Do wealthy countries have an obligation to share vaccines with poorer countries? This class will use case studies to guide a group discussion.
3:15-4:30pm The Torah Mirror: Interactive Torah Study and Reflection with Naomi Less When we study Torah, it miraculously reflects our personal and communal Ohel Aleph (Tent A) lives. Join Naomi for this heart-opening exploration into this week’s parsha.
Mirpesset T'fillah Restorative and Reflective Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
18 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom MONDAY, MARCH 29
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
See Kids Schedule 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
Afikomen—the Word, and the Many Things It Tells Us with Joe Lewis This session invites you to join a quest for the origin and meaning of the Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) word afikomen. Is it Greek? Is it Aramaic? Is it nuts? Is it half a matza? Is it hidden? Let's find out!
Mirpesset T'fillah Meditation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* 4:45-5:45pm (Mountainside Pavilion)
Family Program: Escape the Room Passover Edition with Rabbi Penina Alexander Beit Am Solve a series of riddles and puzzles to complete this fun game with a (Covered Basketball Court) Passover twist.
Beit Am 6:00-6:15pm Mincha (Covered Basketball Court)
6:00-7:30pm Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Bedtime PJ Library Stories with Eliana Leader Porch of Chadar Ochel 7:45-8:30pm Familes with young children are invited to a late night storytime. (Dining Hall) Pajama attire encouraged!
Repentance: How It Works and When It Can't with Rabbi Aaron Alexander There’s been a lot of public debate circling around the necessity for Beit Am 7:45-8:45pm teshuvah from public figures who have caused harm. But is that possible? (Covered Basketball Court) Together we’ll explore some core rabbinic sources on the opportunities the framework provides, as well as the obstacles embedded in the system for authentically moving forward.
Beit Am 8:45-9:00pm Maariv and Community Havdallah (Covered Basketball Court)
Movie in the Margam: A Tale of Love and Darkness This 2015 poetic drama starring Natalie Portman is based on the memoirs 9:15-11:00pm Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) of author Amos Oz and shares his family’s tale of suffering and survival in the early years of independent Israel. PG-13 with English subtitles.
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): Campfire Jam Session and S’mores with Naomi Less, Eliana Light, Glenn Grossman and Ori Salzberg Beit Am 9:30-11:00pm This remarkable group of musicians will lead singing alongside the (Covered Basketball Court) campfire to warm our souls and raise our spirits. Please bring your open heart, your voice and your love of community. No experience necessary!
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
19 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 TUESDAY, MARCH 30
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Beit Am 7:45-8:45am Traditional Egalitarian Shacharit (Covered Basketball Court)
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
9:00-9:30am Daily Dose of Talmud with Rabbi Aaron Alexander* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Boating Open Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Archery* Archery Range 9:30am-12:00pm Alpine Tower/ Climbing* Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Gardening* Gardening Beds
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
See Kids Schedule for 9:30-9:45am Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Every Common Bush Afire With God with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss Through an exploration of Biblical texts, Rabbinic commentary, and a modern poet, we will follow the stories of Abraham and Moses and Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) uncover how their journeys to leadership began when they chose to stop and appreciate the unexpected.
Upgrade Your Zoom Presence with Ori Salzberg 9:30-10:30am We’ll discuss and practice how to improve your web meeting visual presentation by learning about: framing and composition, audio best Ohel Aleph (Tent A) practices, hidden zoom settings, device strengths and weaknesses, lighting, gear to get or work with what you have.
Mirpesset T'fillah Yin Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
Art: Paper Bead Necklace with McKenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 9:45-11:15am (Art Building) Art: Watercolor Landscape with Judy Robkin*
20 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom TUESDAY, MARCH 30
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Between What’s Right, What’s True and What's Good with Rabbi Aaron Alexander How do truth, justice, and compassion interact one with the other in Margam critical decision making? What happens when they conflict? By looking at (Lakeside Pavilion) 10:30-11:30am some courageous decisions, we’ll strive to understand how the attentive heart can discern and display a holistic process.
Creative Chocolate Matzah Design with Yoni Kaplan* Levine Center Portico
See Kids Schedule 11:45am-12:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
12:00-2:00pm Mandatory COVID-19 Testing by Household/Pod Levine Center
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
1:00-1:30pm Midday Middot with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Boating Open Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Archery* Archery Range 1:30-6:00pm Alpine Tower/ Climbing* Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Art: Felt Bouquet with Mckenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 1:45-3:45pm Art: Embossed Jerusalem with Judy Robkin* (Art Building)
Art: Hebrew Calligraphy with Reuben Haller*
"Free" Torah with Russel Neiss What can the atheist computer scientist Richard Stallman teach us about how Torah learning can thrive in the world today? Join us as we explore 1:45-2:45pm Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) the interplay between Hacker Culture, the Free Software Movement and the teachings of great Jewish thinkers like Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and Rebbe Nachman.
21 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 TUESDAY, MARCH 30
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Miriam and the Female Heroes of Pesach: A Story Writing Workshop with Maxine Handelman During Pesach, we learn all about Moses and Pharaoh, but what do you Mirpesset T'fillah 1:45-2:45pm know about Miriam, Yocheved, Shifra, Puah, Bat Paroh or the Israelite (Mountainside Pavilion) women that were instrumental in gaining freedom from Egypt? Come learn about these women and why and HOW they are part of your celebration of Passover.
PANEL: So What's Next for Jewish Life Post-Pandemic? with Panelists Rabbi Aaron Alexander, Rabbi Penina Alexander, Rabbi Shai Held and Maharat Rori Picker Neiss and moderated by Sarah Shapiro-Plevan Beit Am Over the past year many Jewish institutions have pivoted their approach (Covered Basketball Court) to facilitating meaningful Jewish experiences out of necessity. This panel 3:00-4:30pm will explore what happens when the pandemic is finally behind us. What will Jewish communal life look like? Will Zoom services stay? Just how much will remain virtual? How do we bring people back together?
Meet at Levine Center Trail Blazer Hike with Yoni Kaplan and Amy Price* Portico
Art: Eye Popping Initials with Judy Robkin* Outside of Omanut 4:15-5:45pm (Art Building) Art: Hebrew Letter Paper Cut Art with Reuben Haller*
See Kids Schedule for 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup Locations
The Fast That God Desires: Love, Justice, and the Meaning of Genuine Worship with Rabbi Shai Held In the Yom Kippur haftarah, Isaiah confronts us: What if our worship is Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) no more than a sham? Isaiah offers a stunning vision of what genuine worship would look like— and by extension, of what a good community and society would look like. In this session, we'll encounter that vision.
Historical Ethical Wills—Tzava’ot Part 1 with Jacob Handelman Jewish parents passed down wisdom to their children by crafting end-of- 4:45-5:45pm life letters called tzava’ot or “ethical wills.” Originally found in the Tanach when Yaakov, Moshe and David gave advice. In the middle ages ethical Ohel Aleph (Tent A) wills were written for entire families in case of a disastrous trip. Join the conversation about these ethical wills, and what they teach us about drafting our own.
Family Program: Build Your Own Garden with Amy Price In this workshop we will be starting seeds in milk jugs that you can Gardening Beds take home to plant in your own garden. It's an easy way to learn how to start seeds!
***From 5:00-6:00pm all time slots for archery, climbing, pool and glassblowing 5:00-6:00pm are reserved for families with children in youth programming.
6:00-7:30pm Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
22 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom TUESDAY, MARCH 30
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Mirpesset T'fillah 7:45-8:10pm Mincha and Maariv (Mountainside Pavilion)
Songs for Soulful Slumber with Naomi Less Naomi began her investigation into spiritual bedtime rituals when her eldest nephew was a toddler—crafting a ritual to help him fall asleep with less anxiety and stress. She realized in working with kids and teens as well as adults, that the entry to sleep can be intentional. The Jewish tradition has an incredible toolbox to help us fall into a sweet, peaceful sleep. Beit Am 7:45-8:45pm What if we were able to help our students, our children, our SELVES relax, (Covered Basketball Court) process the day and journey into the land of souls from an intentional, grounded/lifted place? We will musically explore these ancient tools and templates, tailoring our own DIY night time rituals. This session includes ancient prayers, meditation, crafting blessings, music and sharing. All ages welcome!
Donate a Kidney to a Stranger: Save a Loved One’s Life Tomorrow by Saving a Stranger’s Life Today with Shai Robkin It’s a medical mystery why people have two kidneys when they can live healthy, active lives with just one. In December 2016, Shai Robkin Mirpesset T'fillah 8:15-9:15pm donated a kidney to someone he did not know. Shai will discuss what led (Mountainside Pavilion) him to become an “altruistic” kidney donor, including Jewish ethical and halachic considerations. Learn how the National Kidney Registry matches donors and recipients and how your kidney donation this year can serve as kidney transplant “insurance” for members of your family.
Movie in the Margam: Maktub After surviving an attack, this 2018 comedy follows two low-level 8:15-10:00pm mobsters in Jerusalem change their ways and set about making Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) strangers’ Kotel (Western Wall) prayers come true. TV-MA with English subtitles.
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): Team Trivia Fun! Beit Am 9:30-11:00pm Test your knowledge as you compete to prove your brain is filled with (Covered Basketball Court) random facts and win some great prizes!
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Beit Am 7:45-8:45am Traditional Egalitarian Shacharit (Covered Basketball Court)
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
Chant Minyan with Reuben Haller and Mckenzie Wren Mirpesset T’fillah 9:00-9:45am A morning chant service, joining our voices together in contemplative (Mountainside Pavilion) prayer. Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
23 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Boating Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
9:30am-12:00pm Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
See Kids Schedule for 9:30-9:45am Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Wishing Others Well: Why It's So Important—and Why It's Often So Hard with Rabbi Shai Held We'll explore Ramban's interpretation of "love your neighbor as 9:30-10:30am yourself," which he takes as an obligation to wish for others to Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) have everything we do. We'll discuss what leads Ramban to this interpretation, but we'll focus on asking why this ideal is so important and often so difficult.
The Forgotten Folk Art of Shavuoslekh with Russel Neiss In even the poorest Jewish communities, paper, pencil, and penknife or scissors were often available, and could be harnessed to craft a 9:30-10:30am Ohel Aleph (Tent A) papercut that was a deeply felt, personal expression of faith. In this session we'll explore 'Shavuoslekh,' simple flower inspired symmetrical papercuts created for Shavuot, and make our own.
Art: Eye Popping Initials with Judy Robkin* Outside of Omanut 10:15-11:45am (Art Building) Art: Vision Collage with Reuben Haller*
When We Went Back to Egypt with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss The central narrative of the Torah is the Exodus, and yet the chronological narrative of the Tanakh ends in II Kings with the Israelites Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) return. Through study of this lesser-known tale, we will attempt to uncover what our return to Egypt can teach us about our escape from it.
10:45-11:45am Contemplating Our Own Ethical Wills—Tzava’ot Part 2 with Jacob Handelman Jewish parents passed down wisdom to their children by crafting end- of-life letters called tzava’ot or “ethical wills.” In session 2 we will clarify Ohel Aleph (Tent A) values, discuss events that shaped our lives, lessons we wish to share, favorite objects and ways to tell our story or pass a memory along. No need to have attended session 1.
24 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Mirpesset T'fillah 10:45-11:45am Bootcamp with Rachel Herman* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule 11:45am-12:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
1:00-1:30pm Midday Middot with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Boating Agam (Lake) 1:30-6:00pm Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall 1:30-6:00pm
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Art: Keepsake Book with Pockets with McKenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 1:45-3:45pm Art: African Inspired Fabric Necklace with Judy Robkin* (Art Building)
Art: Woodburning Experimentation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin*
Lobbying 101 with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss American Jews are among the most civically engaged populations in Margam America today. This session will go over tips and tricks for lobbying (Lakeside Pavilion) elected officials—including phone calls, letter writing and in-person 1:45-2:45pm meetings with local and federal elected officials.
Rikud (Dance) with Eliana Light Mirpesset T'fillah Enjoy old and new distanced Israeli folk and camp-style line dances. (Mountainside Pavilion)
Translation Party with Russel Neiss Every translation reflects the bias and worldview of its translator. In this Margam 3:00-4:30pm session, we’ll explore multiple human translations (as well as computer (Lakeside Pavilion) generated ones) of popular haggadah passages to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances in the original text.
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
25 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Suicide in Jewish Law with Rabbi Yogi Robkin Growing up as children, many of us learned that one who committed suicide could not be buried in a Jewish cemetery. Ever wonder if that is actually true, and if so why, and under which circumstances? If the Mirpesset T'fillah Torah commands only those in their right mind, how do we understand (Mountainside Pavilion) 3:00-4:30pm the prohibition of suicide that largely applies to people under extreme emotional and psychological duress? In this class we will examine the classical halachik sources on suicide and delve into this subject that is unfortunately all too common.
Tumbling Waters Hike with Yoni Kaplan* Meet at Levine Center Portico
Art: Felt Bouquet with McKenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 4:15-5:45pm Art: Watercolor Landscape with Judy Robkin* (Art Building)
Art: Hebrew Letter Paper Cut Art with Reuben Haller*
Heuristics: The Hidden Forces Driving Human Behavior with Shai Robkin The session explores some of the groundbreaking work done by behavioral economists and social psychologists, including Israelis, Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) Daniel Kahneman, Amos Tversky and Dan Ariely. Together, we’ll examine a number of the most important cognitive biases and rule-of-thumb thinking that dominate our decisions and behaviors.
The Hunt for Moses 4:45-5:45pm Have fun making your way around campus by Household or Pod as you Meet at Levine Center Portico search for Moses in this awesome scavenger hunt! You must bring your mobile device to participate.
Mirpesset T'fillah Yin Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule for Camp Pickup Locations
***From 5:00-6:00pm all time slots for archery, climbing, pool and glassblowing 5:00-6:00pm are reserved for families with children in youth programming.
6:00-7:30pm Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Beit Am 7:45-8:10pm Mincha and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Ramah Musica with Eliana Light 7:45-8:45pm Gather around the fire and enjoy listening to and singing along with Medura (Lakeside Fire Pit) Ramah classics.
Ramah Darom Campfire Stories: 25 Years of History Beit Am 8:15-9:15pm with Wally Levitt, CEO of Ramah Darom (Covered Basketball Court)
26 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Movie in the Margam: Zero Motivation A smash hit in Israel and winner of the Best Narrative Feature Award at the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival, Zero Motivation is a unique, sometimes 8:15-10:00pm Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) dark and often hilarious portrait of everyday life for a unit of young female soldiers in a remote Israel desert outpost. TV-MA with English subtitles.
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): A Taste of TRYmester with Naomi Less and Glenn Grossman Sponsored by Uprooted: A Jewish Response to Fertility Journeys Naomi and Glenn composed all of the music for TRYmester: Jewish Fertility Journeys Out Loud - amplifying the hidden stories and experiences of those across the Jewish community struggling with Beit Am 9:30-11:00pm fertility journeys. Through poetry, theater, song and dance, TRYmester (Covered Basketball Court) opens up the Jewish community and beyond to learning how we can better support those who are most vulnerable. We are so lucky to offer a taste of the three-act show followed by a discussion with Naomi and Glenn about the production and what inspired it. For more information, visit: www.weareuprooted.org
THURSDAY, APRIL 1
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
Boating Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Archery* Archery Range 9:30am-12:00pm Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Gardening* Gardening Beds
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
27 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 THURSDAY, APRIL 1
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
See Kids Schedule for 9:30-9:45am Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
When Politics Makes Strange Bedfellows with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss Together we will look at cases where the American Jewish community has worked together with groups that they vehemently oppose Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) elsewhere, such as the Black Lives Matter Movement and the fight for racial equity (while disagreeing about Israel) and the Catholic Church 9:30-10:30am and the fight for immigration/refugee rights (but in opposition on abortion rights/LGBTQ equity).
Mindful Bullet Journaling with Wendy Heller Bullet Journaling is an approach to mindfulness which also supports increased productivity. This class will review common approaches to Ohel Aleph (Tent A) bullet journaling, including common hand letter techniques and daily, weekly and monthly layouts.
Art: Paper Bead Necklace with McKenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 9:45-11:45am Art: African Inspired Fabric Necklace with Judy Robkin* (Art Building) Art: Middah Drawing with Reuben Haller*
Twitter Bots—21st Century Golems? with Russel Neiss They're to blame for sowing discord in the 2016 election season, but there are many creative bots that consume, remix and contribute to Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) the broader culture. Contextualized by classic sources on golems, this session explores the ideas and impact of these bots with a focus on Jewish themes and content. 10:45-11:45am Do You Exist and If Not Then Who’s Reading This? with Rabbi Ayal Robkin Ohel Aleph (Tent A) How understanding how your brain experiences the self provides insight into the Jewish textual tradition of how to change.
Mirpesset T'fillah Yoga Sculpt with Rachel Herman* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule for 11:45am-12:00pm Camp Pickup Locations
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
1:00-1:30pm Midday Middot with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Boating Agam (Lake) 1:30-6:00pm Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
28 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom THURSDAY, APRIL 1
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall 1:30-6:00pm Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Drumming* Amphitheater Stage
Outside of Omanut Glassblowing* (Art Building)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Redlining: How Keeping People Out Defines Who is In with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss To be Jewish today does not require belief, affiliation, ritual, or even to identify as Jewish. Yet, to be a community requires boundaries. Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) This session will explore a look at some modern boundaries for our community and how who we choose to keep out defines who we are 1:45-2:45pm today.
Drafting Your Ethical Will - Tzava’ot Part 3 with Jacob Handelman Jewish parents passed down wisdom to their children by crafting end- of-life letters called tzava’ot or “ethical wills.” In session 3 we will put pen Ohel Aleph (Tent A) to paper. What wisdom guides my life? Are there sayings or favorite maxims I live by? No requirement to have attended sessions 1 or 2.
Art: Hebrew Calligraphy with Reuben Haller*
Art: An Exploration of Melancholy through Art and Text Outside of Omanut 1:45-3:45pm with Judy Robkin and Rabbi Ayal Robkin (Art Building) Feelings of melancholy and sadness are natural human emotions; one’s that Jewish texts explore with deep insight. We will use those texts to inspire creativity in the studio.
The Lord Is My Shepherd: Breathing New Life Into an Old Text with Rabbi Shai Held Psalm 23 is one of the most well-known and well-loved chapters in the Hebrew Bible. Its words are so familiar to many of us that we simply stop hearing what it's saying. In this session, we'll encounter Mirpesset T’fillah 3:00-4:30pm a familiar text with new eyes—we'll read the text closely, ask after its (Mountainside Pavilion) vision of theology and spirituality, see how national experiences are made personal, and think about the role of metaphor in thinking about God. Our goal will be a new and deeper understanding of a (possibly too) familiar text.
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
29 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 THURSDAY, APRIL 1
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Jewish Women Rock Live with Naomi Less and Eliana Light Take part in a live radio show taping! Naomi's bi-weekly show featured on Jewish Rock Radio typically highlights some of the most influential Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) 3:00-4:30pm female artists in Jewish music. Join Naomi and Eliana to listen to, analyze and discuss music.
Trail Blazer Hike with Yoni Kaplan and Amy Price* Meet at Levine Center Portico
Art from the Natural World with McKenzie Wren* Outside of Omanut 4:15-5:45pm (Art Building) Art: Woodburning Experimentation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin*
Ranked Choice Voting: A Fix for America’s Broken Democracy with Shai Robkin Instead of voting for just one candidate, Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) allows voters the option to rank candidates in order of preference on their ballots. It's being adopted across the country and the state of Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) Maine used it in all of its elections this past November. RCV motivates candidates to speak to the widest audience and cultivate broader support. This leads to an increase in the overall civility of campaigns. RCV may be the medicine needed to overcome the plague of hyper- partisanship afflicting the country. 4:45-5:45pm HaShem: Wrestling With g?d's Names with Eliana Light The Holy One, The Source, The Force, The Great Dude in the Sky—what we call G!D has tremendous power. What are these names, and what Ohel Aleph (Tent A) happens if we encounter one in Torah or liturgy that we don’t agree with? Together, we’ll explore g?d names, text that wrestle with this question, and discuss what g?d means, and could mean, to each of us.
Mirpesset T'fillah Gentle Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
5:00-6:00pm ***From 5:00-6:00pm all time slots for archery, climbing, pool and glassblowing are reserved for families with children in youth programming.
6:00-7:30pm Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Fire Building 101 with Yoni Kaplan 7:30-8:15pm Campfires are essential to the camp experience. Learn all about Medura (Lakeside Fire Pit) building campfires, then chill by the fire and relax!
Beit Am 7:45-8:10pm Mincha and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Movie in the Margam: The Prince of Egypt 8:15-10:00pm Enjoy the 1998 DreamWorks Animation classic as Moses' journey is told Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) on the big screen for all generations. Rated PG.
30 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom THURSDAY, APRIL 1
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): 25th Year Celebration including Naomi Less and Eliana Light in Concert Beit Am 8:30-10:00pm Join us as we toast the past 25 magical years, recognize the present (Covered Basketball Court) and celebrate the future with drinks, desserts, music and art.
FRIDAY, APRIL 2
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
Boating Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for: 9:30am-12:00pm Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
Gardening* Gardening Beds
See Kids Schedule for 9:30-9:45am Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Ezra Heller's Bar Mitzvah Beit Am 9:30-10:30am Come together for Shacharit as we celebrate the Bar Mitzvah (Covered Basketball Court) of Ezra Heller and welcome him into Jewish adulthood.
Art: Patchwork Prose with Judy Robkin* Outside of Omanut 10:15-11:45am (Art Building) Art: Woodburning Experimentation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin*
A History of "The Future of Jewish Education" with Russel Neiss The past 100 years have seen enormous growth in the use of 10:45-11:45am educational technology. This session examines educational video Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) games, VHS tapes, filmstrips, and other technologies from the 20th century that were supposed to transform Jewish and secular education and explores what we can learn from them today.
31 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 FRIDAY, APRIL 2
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Hear Me Roar—Jewish Women’s Stories: A Workshop with Maxine Handelman The legacy of the Jewish people is our stories, and stories of women. Ohel Aleph (Tent A) This legacy is full of triumph and cunning and tears and joy. If you’re 10:45-11:45am looking for a little inspiration, look no further than these tales of women from the rich body of Jewish folklore and text.
Mirpesset T'fillah Low Impact Fitness with Rachel Herman* (Mountainside Pavilion)
See Kids Schedule 11:45am-12:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
1:00-1:30pm Midday Middot with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
Boating Agam (Lake)
Enjoy DIY projects or check out activity boxes, sports equipment Concierge Desk and games
Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for: 1:30-6:00pm Archery* Archery Range
Climbing* Alpine Tower/Climbing Wall
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule 1:30-1:45pm Camp Dropoff for Locations
Israel's Just-Completed Election—What Happens Now? with Shai Robkin Just last week, Israelis once again went to the polls. We'll take a close look at the election results and weigh the possibilities of how a new governing coalition is likely to be formed. Will this election bring Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) the end of Bibi's reign? How is the direction of the country likely to be affected and how will the election results affect the relationship with the 1:45-2:45pm Biden administration? Is another election just around the corner? We'll explore these and other Israeli political questions.
Creative Chocolate Matzah Design with Yoni Kaplan* Levine Center Portico
Mirpesset T'fillah Bootcamp with Rachel Herman* (Mountainside Pavilion)
Outside of Omanut 1:45-3:45pm Art: Patchwork Prose with Judy Robkin* (Art Building)
32 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom FRIDAY, APRIL 2
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Jews and BDS (Boycotts, Deckel and Salami) with Russel Neiss Before the rise of BDS movement, boycotts were seen by a broad base of the Jewish community as a potent and effective political Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) weapon in the 20th century. This session explores primary sources and contemporary news accounts of the earliest of these occurrences, the 1902 Kosher Meat Boycott Riots. 3:00-4:30pm 25th Year Walking Tour of Ramah Darom with Anthony Franklin, Tony Massengill and Shane Palmer Get a behind-the-scenes tour and learn more about the history of our Meet at Levine Center Portico physical space with true Ramah Darom Avot (Forefathers). Anthony, Tony and Shane have worked for Darom since before we even opened our doors. They know and have seen it all!
The Angel's Table with Naomi Less There is a mystical belief that every Jewish home is accompanied by two angels on Shabbat—one good and one bad to see if the home is Beit Am prepared for Shabbat. Together we will warm up for Shabbat with table (Covered Basketball Court) 4:45-5:30pm rituals, interactive intentions and blessings to ensure our angels are satisfied. All ages welcome!
Mirpesset T'fillah Meditation with Rabbi Ayal Robkin* (Mountainside Pavilion)
5:30-6:15pm Rest and Prep for Shabbat
Beit Am 6:15-7:15pm Mincha, Niggunim with Eliana Light and Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
6:30-7:30pm Candle Lighting Available Levine Center Portico
7:30-9:00pm Shabbat Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
By Your Light Do We See Light: Exploring Psalm 36 with Rabbi Shai Held 9:15-10:15pm When we don a tallit, we traditionally recite several verses about being Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) held by God's love taken from this magnificent psalm. But this text is rarely if ever studied and probed. Let's change that.
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): Improv with a Rav Enjoy some good humor and fun as Eliana Leader leads a group of Beit Am 9:30-11:00pm our wonderful rabbis at Pesach in hilarious improvisational games (Covered Basketball Court) with a Jewish twist. Get in on the fun with lots of chances for audience participation!
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
33 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 SATURDAY, APRIL 3
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
9:30am-12:00pm Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
Beit Am 9:30am-12:00pm Traditional Egalitarian Shabbat Service (Covered Basketball Court)
10:00-10:50am Minyan Shelanu—Musical Family Services with Ori Salzberg* Margam (Lakeside Pavilion)
Mindful Musical Morning with Eliana Light Through prayer and music, we will lift our spirits. Through movement, 11:00am-12:00pm we will ground our bodies. Through intention, we will seek new Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) wisdom. Through silence, we will listen to ourselves and each other. Acoustic instruments will be used during this service.
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
1:30-6:00pm Check the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Sarai as Egyptian Slave: Reading Genesis 12 with Rabbi Shai Held Long before the Israelites are enslaved by a cruel Pharaoh, Sarai is taken captive in the palace of an earlier Pharoah. The way Abram Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) conducts himself in that story is complicated and controversial. In this session, we'll explore the dynamics between Sarai, Abram and Pharaoh, 1:45-2:45pm and explore the theology that underlies the text.
Adult Improv with Maddy Bloch Play theatre games, laugh with your friends and get silly during this Mirpesset T'fillah improv workshop. No previous experience required, just your sense (Mountainside Pavilion) of humor!
Sugar, Helmets and Vaccines: When Public Health Comes Into Conflict With Civil Liberties with Navit Robkin Through Jewish and secular sources, we will explore historical and 3:00-4:30pm current tensions between civil liberties and public health. From biblical Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) directives to modern Jewish thought, we will attempt to understand how we got to today’s reality, where vaccine preventable diseases are making a resurgence in some Jewish settings.
34 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom SATURDAY, APRIL 3
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Smelling Mt. Sinai: How Experiential Learning is as Jewish as the Torah with Eliana Leader Exceptional Jewish education allows for each individual Jewish journey to be identifiable with and connected to the collective story of the Jewish People. By combining personal identity, subject matter, and Ohel Aleph (Tent A) the right teaching methodologies together, any topic can become 3:00-4:30pm a powerful and "sticky" learning moment. In this session we will look at the story of the giving of the Torah as an example of a Jewish experiential moment in history.
Meet at Levine Tumbling Waters Hike (Moderate) with Yoni Kaplan* Center Portico
Beware the False Prophet: A Talmudic Glimpse at Early Jewish- Christian Polemics with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss The schism between Judaism and Christianity is felt most potently in Jesus. Is he God, Messiah, sorcerer or false prophet? Through a Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) censored Rabbinic passage we will explore the debate between the first Christians and Jews, and examine the internal struggle that comes with standing at the brink of history.
4:45-5:45pm The Witches of Ashkelon with Maxine Handelman In 1976, Marilyn Hirsh wrote The Rabbi and the Twenty-nine Witches, a delightful child-friendly tale based on a Talmudic legend (Maxine still has her childhood copy). The Talmudic sources of the witches of Ashkelon are not nearly as innocent as Hirsch's story would suggest. Mirpesset T'fillah Come study the scandalizing texts of Shimon ben Shetach and the (Mountainside Pavilion) Witches of Ashkelon. I am forever indebted to Rabbi Abe Friedman who introduced me to this bounty. This session continues the conversation from the previous Friday where Maharat Rori Picker Neiss taught about Shimon ben Petach and his role as a witch hunter.
See Kids Schedule 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
Sing-a-long with Eliana Light Enjoy a mini-concert with Eliana and sing your favorite Shabbat and Beit Am 4:45-5:30pm Passover songs, move, dance and have a blast. Great for all ages (Covered Basketball Court) (especially families with young children)!
6:00-7:30pm Early Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
7:30-8:00pm Mincha Levine Center Portico
Family Program: Chopped—Charoset Edition Beit Am Who can make the best charoset even with a surprise ingredient? (Covered Basketball Court) 7:45-8:45pm Find out at this fun cooking experiment. Perfect for all ages!
Mirpesset T'fillah Night Time Restorative and Reflective Yoga with Jenn Krueger* (Mountainside Pavilion)
35 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 SATURDAY, APRIL 3
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
8:00-8:30pm The Last Shiur (Study Session) with Rabbi Josh Heller Ohel Aleph (Tent A)
8:30-9:00pm Maariv, Kiddush and Light Yom Tov Dinner Levine Center Portico
8:35pm Candle Lighting (yarhzeit candles available) Levine Center Portico
Peulat Erev (Night Time Activity): Competitive Bingo Beit Am 9:00-10:00pm This is not your run-of-the-mill bingo game. Expect twists and turns as (Covered Basketball Court) you play this classic game. Prizes will be awarded!
SUNDAY, APRIL 4
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
7:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
8:00-9:30am Breakfast Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
8:30-9:30am Health Clinic Open Levine Center Portico
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk 9:30am-12:00pm Beit Am Traditional Egalitarian Yom Tov Service (Covered Basketball Court)
10:00-10:50am Minyan Shelanu—Musical Family Services with Ori Salzberg* Margam (Lakeside Pavilion)
12:00-1:30pm Lunch Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Check out activity boxes, sports equipment and games Concierge Desk
1:30-6:00pm Check at the Concierge Desk to see what time slots are available for:
Pool* Breicha (Pool)
See Kids Schedule for 1:30-1:45pm Camp Drop Off Locations/Program Options
Wanting God to Be Near Us... and Wishing God Would Leave Us Alone: Exploring Psalm 139 with Rabbi Shai Held Sometimes people feel that God is their very life; and sometimes 1:45-2:45pm people feel that God is too too close, that God’s presence is just Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) “too much.” In this session, we will do a close literary reading of the magnificent Psalm 139, which is, arguably, a study in both ambivalence and ambiguity.
36 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom SUNDAY, APRIL 4
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Blessings of Memory: A Yizkor and Remembrance Service with Naomi Less Pesach invites us to journey to a land of the past - tending to the memories of those we’ve lost and sorely miss around our Pesach tables. Ohel Aleph (Tent A) Join Naomi for a memory circle, with poetry, music and small-circle 1:45-2:45pm sharing. Naomi will recite the memorial prayer (El Maleh) and we will say mourner’s kaddish.
Mirpesset T'fillah Vinyasa Flow with Navit Robkin (Mountainside Pavilion)
PANEL: Jews and Technology with Panelists Rabbi Joshua Heller, Naomi Less, Eliana Light, Russel Neiss and Ori Salzberg and moderated by Wendy Heller Over the past year the Jewish community has had to embrace Beit Am technology in order to flourish. This panel will touch on the many ways (Covered Basketball Court) professionals have interacted with technology during the pandemic to assist others in achieving meaningful Jewish experiences from their 3:00-4:30pm couch.
Introverts and Extroverts in Pandemic Times with Rachel Herman Are you an introvert, extrovert or amivert? Together we will discuss Mirpesset T'fillah these labels and examine how they have affected our Pandemic (Mountainside Pavilion) experiences.
Kilby Mill Hike (Moderate) with Yoni Kaplan* Meet at Levine Center Portico
See Kids Schedule 4:45-5:00pm Camp Pickup for Locations
A Story Concert for Families with Maxine Handelman Jewish Angels and Demons: The Golem and Other Fantastic Creatures. Jewish folklore is filled with angels, demons, golems and other Beit Am 4:45-5:30pm fantastical creatures. Storyteller Max Handelman shares the best of (Covered Basketball Court) these tales - try not to be scared! Recommended for children 2nd grade and up.
Esther and Jonah: Life in a Post-Exile World with Maharat Rori Picker Neiss The books of Esther and Jonah are poignant in their differences and Margam (Lakeside Pavilion) striking in their similarities. We will explore these texts in-depth in an attempt to understand why each story is told on its respective holiday and what we are meant to learn about life in our modern society. 4:45-5:45pm Some Good News with John Krasinski Ramah Darom led by Eliana Leader It's a shame we could not bring the actor and filmmaker to host his hit Mirpesset T'fillah quarantine web series, but we can still celebrate the good in the world (Mountainside Pavilion) and in our lives! Let's close out our time together sharing what has gone well for us this year and what we are taking back home from this Passover experience.
*See Session Descriptions on pages 40-41. Grey Denotes Preregistration Required!
37 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781 SUNDAY, APRIL 4
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
Beit Am 6:00-6:15pm Mincha (Covered Basketball Court)
6:00-7:30pm Dinner Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
Sacred Singing Circle with Eliana Light When we join our voices together, holiness happens. Through singing Beit Am 7:45-8:30pm niggunim old and new, we will attempt to build presence and open (Covered Basketball Court) ourselves to love. No singing experience necessary.
Beit Am 8:30-8:45pm Maariv (Covered Basketball Court)
Community Havdallah and Farewell Music Jam Beit Am 8:45-9:15pm Say farewell to the holiday and enjoy a hamisch sing-a-long session. (Covered Basketball Court) Bring your instruments!
Reservation Stations Open Beit Am 9:30-10:30pm Reserve your spot for Passover 5782! (Covered Basketball Court)
MONDAY, APRIL 5
TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION
6:00-7:00am Continental Breakfast To-Go Available Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
6:50-9:00am Daily Health Screening Levine Center Portico
7:00-10:00am Breakfast (with chametz!) Chadar Ochel (Dining Hall)
10:00am L'hitraot!
38 Passover 2021 Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom Gan and Kids Camp A wonderful Gan and Kids Camp has been planned for our 0–4-year-olds and kindergarten-3rd grade campers filled with awesome counselors and meaningful and exciting activities.
Gan and Kids Camp Days Gan and Kids Camp Hours
Saturday, March 27-Monday, March 29 1:30-5:00pm
Tuesday, March 30-Friday, April 2 9:30am-12:00pm and 1:30-5:00pm
Saturday, April 3-Sunday, April 4 1:30-5:00pm
Groups Drop Off Locations and Times Pickup Locations and Times
Gan: Ages 0-4 Gan Building Gan Building
Kids Camp: Grade K-3 Beit Am (Covered Basketball Court)* Beit Am (Covered Basketball Court) 9:30-9:45am and 1:30-1:45pm 11:45am-12:00pm and 4:45-5:45pm
*Kids Camp drop off for the morning of Friday, April 2nd is at the Levine Center Portico.
Youth Programming for Grades 4-12 Our older campers have full days of incredible programs and activities to choose from! A detailed schedule outlines programmatic options for a 4-7 grade cohort and 8-12 grade cohort. Participants can independently review the schedule and decide which activities they want to attend. (We recommend them all!) While these two groups will have dedicated counselors that join them for all scheduled programs and evening activities, campers in these age groups will self-direct their time, arriving and departing sessions at their leisure.
Important Things to Know • Please note that masks are required for all participants ages three and up when participating in Gan, Kids Camp or Youth Programming. Facilitators and counselors will always be masked during program hours and must follow all general COVID-19 Prevention Protocols during “off” hours. • All activities have been designed with physical distancing and sanitization in mind. • Gan, Kids Camp and the Youth Program schedules will NOT include pool time, boating, climbing or archery. These activities can be done by Household or Pod during designated timeslots that require advance signup. Parents can pick their child(ren) up or drop them off at any time from programming to go to any of the activities listed above.
Youth Programming Booklet Please see the Youth Programming Booklet for a detailed schedule with locations for all age groups. Extra copies of the Youth Programming Booklet are available at the Concierge Desk.
39 פסח Kaplan Mitchell Retreat Center at Ramah Darom 5781