For over a decade, Ramah in the Rockies has nurtured Jewish youth through outdoor adventure, leadership, and immersive experiences. As a fundholder with The Foundation, they are ensuring future generations connect with nature, community, and Jewish values.
Tell us a little about Ramah in the Rockies and the role it plays in the Jewish community.
Ramah in the Rockies was established in 2010 as the first outdoor adventure focused camp in the national Ramah movement. While our primary camper family base is here in Colorado, we also serve communities across the country from L.A to New York City. We provide immersive experiences for Jewish youth and young adults that ground them in Jewish values and tradition while allowing them to experience the natural beauty of the Rockies.
What led you to open a fund at The Foundation, and how does it support your long-term goals?
As a nonprofit in the Jewish community, Ramah has a fiduciary responsibility to our donors to provide careful stewardship of donor funds. This means carefully aligning our operating budget in accordance with our mission, and building our endowment fund to ensure Ramah can continue to operate in perpetuity. The Foundation has been a close community partner with Rockies for years and they have provided their expert financial resources and fund management to help us meet our long term endowment goals.
Jewish tradition emphasizes tzedakah and community. How do these values influence your work?
Everything we do at Rockies is guided by our four core values – kavod (respect), simchah (joy), kehilah (community), and tzmicha ishit (personal growth). Through outdoor adventure and traditional base camp activities, our campers take these values to heart and use them to guide their daily lives whether at camp or back at home.
What’s the best way for fundholders and community members to support or engage with Ramah in the Rockies?
Community members who wish to support or engage with Ramah in the Rockies can visit our website, ramahoutdoors.org, to learn more about our mission and how to get involved. Or they can reach out directly to our Finance Director, Gabi Wasserman, at gabi@ramahoutdoors.org.