Setting the Record Straight About Camp Ramah….
I have seen news articles and received inquiries from a number of
congregants about a meeting between Rabbi Mitch Cohen, the national director of
Ramah and 15 alumni of Ramah affiliated with a small fringe organization
IfNotNow, a group whose agenda is extremely critical of Israel.
After learning about the meeting I wrote to Rabbi Cohen the
following:
“I am very concerned, as are a number
of my members about the articles I have read about the ability of a small group
of 15 individuals who belong to a radical organization with an anti-Zionist
agenda to subvert the decades long mission of Ramah. It is hard to tell
from the articles what will actually happen, and if things will change… (but) one
of the hallmarks of the conservative movement is that since its inception it
has been a pro-Zionist movement, and its educational programs reflect this
approach. I hope this is not about to change because of the coordinated
efforts of a very small group of people in a fringe group. One thing I do
agree with of the members of “IfNotNow” is that we do need to teach our
children about the occupation. We need to teach them so that they are
prepared to refute smearing of Israel; so that they are armed with facts and
will not succumb to anti-Israel propaganda.”
Less than
ten minutes later I heard back from Rabbi Cohen. He wrote, “Our camps have no connection to IfNotNow and will not support any
anti-Zionist education. While our older teens and staff members represent a
wide range of opinions, some more liberal than others, we do not allow
anti-Zionist educational messages. One of Ramah's highest goals is instilling
in our campers and staff a deep and enduring love for Israel, and that will not
change.” The articles do not accurately
portray the situation.
In a public statement issued to clarify the position of the Ramah
movement, Rabbi Cohen unequivocally asserted that Ramah camps have not and will
not engage in any way with IfNotNow. The
statement made it clear that they will not allow their (or any) anti-Israel,
anti-Zionist education at Ramah.
Contrary to some reports, they are not partnering with them or with any
organization that is not unequivocally pro-Israel. He affirmed that Zionism is and always will
be one of the core principles of Ramah.
I am satisfied with Rabbi Cohen’s public and private assurances that
Ramah is not changing course. I know
him, and know that he is a gifted educator who loves Israel and who sees his
mission as Director of Ramah Camps to instill that same love in the students
who attend Ramah camps.
Should there be any doubt as to the extent of the repudiation and
affirmations, one need only look at how terribly disappointed IfNotNow is by
the total rejection of their effort to infiltrate Camp Ramah.
Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt
Congregation B’nai Tzedek,
Potomac, MD
June 13, 2018
