“Ramah Darom has woven itself into the story of our family and our Jewish community in ways I never could have imagined. My children, nieces, and nephews grew up at Camp Ramah Darom and returned as summer and year-round program staff. My husband spent many summers as a camp doctor, and over the years we’ve attended retreats like LimmudFest and my personal favorite, Jewish Women’s Getaway.
We’ve called 30525 our happy place for so many years. This summer, my niece married a fellow Daromnik, and they said “I do” in the place that has meant so much to both of them. To see two people who grew up as part of the Darom community begin their married life there was an incredible full-circle moment for our entire family.”
Below is a “sermonette” I delivered to my synagogue, Congregation B’nai Israel, this summer about my family’s happy place.
30525. For my family, these five numbers represent our happy place, our second home.
This ZIP code belongs to Ramah Darom, literally translated as “Ramah of the South,” a beautiful 185-acre campus nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Rabun County, Georgia, where Jewish living comes to life.
For years, my family has made memories, built friendships, and found a sense of belonging in this special place. And while many people know Ramah Darom as a Jewish overnight summer camp, I want to share why it is so much more than that.
You may have heard it called “Spa Ramah,” thanks to accommodations that are not your typical summer camp experience. But the real magic of Ramah Darom has little to do with the accommodations and everything to do with the people and the community.
A Vision That Became a Reality
About 40 years before Ramah Darom opened, a few visionary Southern Jews approached the Ramah Commission with the idea of establishing a camp in the South. They were told there simply weren’t enough Jews in the region.
Fast forward to 1996, when Ramah Darom opened its doors. The first summer camp session welcomed 450 campers in June 1997. Today, enrollment has nearly doubled, and many of the earliest campers have returned as staff members and leaders.
But the founders always envisioned something bigger than a summer camp. They dreamed of a year-round destination where people of all ages could experience Jewish life, learning, and community.
And that is exactly what Ramah Darom has become.
A Place Where Everyone Belongs
One of the programs closest to my heart is Camp Yofi, a nationally acclaimed family camp for families with a child on the autism spectrum, which began in 2005.
Each child with autism is paired with a chaver, or friend, a dedicated one-on-one staff member who provides support throughout the program. Families enjoy activities together, while parents and siblings also have opportunities for their own experiences.
A sprawling camp in the forest might not seem like the easiest setting for children on the spectrum, but the staff makes it work beautifully. During family programs, staff members who aren’t directly involved help create a safe space where families can relax and enjoy themselves.
I had the honor of serving on the Camp Yofi staff for one summer, and one moment has stayed with me.
During a campfire sing-along, a first-time Camp Yofi mom needed to use the restroom. Her son was happily engaged with his chaver, and she told me how carefree she felt knowing she could simply walk away for a few minutes and trust that her child was safe.
Something so ordinary meant so much.
That is the kind of community Ramah Darom creates.
Camp Yofi has been led by Susan Tecktiel, daughter of Irma, z”l, and Jack Mayer. And for those who know Jack, he is living his best life in Las Vegas near Susan’s family, where he relocated after Irma’s passing. He would love to hear from old friends!
There are many other connections between Ramah Darom and our CBI community. Rebecca Weintraub has served on staff for the Tikvah program, supporting campers with disabilities. In 2009, when swine flu affected overnight camps across the country, David LeVine was one of the physicians on the front lines at Ramah Darom. Susan Marger LeVine has also served on the Ramah Darom Board of Directors.
These connections are just a few examples of how far the Ramah Darom family reaches.
So Much More Than Summer Camp
As the camp grew, so did the campus. Today, Ramah Darom features hotel-style accommodations, an alpine climbing tower, art spaces, a lake, swimming pool, a spectacular 100-foot waterfall, a new Program Center, and so much more.
When summer camp ends, Ramah Darom becomes a year-round retreat center, welcoming families, adults, teens, and groups from across the country.
There truly is something for everyone!
The Passover Retreat, first held in 2002, brings generations of families together for meaningful holiday celebrations and delicious kosher-for-Passover meals. Winter Break Family Camp has also become a beloved tradition for families like the Weintraubs. Last year, Judy and Mark Teitelbaum, with their children and grandchildren, experienced Winter Break Family Camp for the first time.
For food lovers, B’teavon offers a delicious weekend of cooking and learning alongside well-known kosher chefs. Susan and Steve LeVine and Lauren and Mason Salit have enjoyed this retreat.
Book It to Shabbat welcomes families with young children, while Alumni Mishpacha Weekend brings former campers back to reconnect with friends and share the magic of camp with their own children. Teen retreats offer Jewish high school students opportunities to connect, and Sukkot by the Lake brings families and friends together for a beautiful holiday experience in the mountains.
One of my personal favorites is Jewish Women’s Getaway (JWG)!
For those of us coming from Florida, the timing couldn’t be better. Fall foliage, cool mornings and evenings (sometimes downright COLD!), and beautiful mountain days make this a wonderful escape.
The Sunday-through-Wednesday retreat features specialized tracks such as cooking, writing, yoga, mixed-media art, mahjong, and music. There are learning sessions, book clubs, and plenty of opportunities to try the giant swing, climb the tower, or simply sit in a rocking chair and schmooze with friends.
It’s a chance to learn something new, reconnect with friends, make new ones, and enjoy a few days just for yourself.
The campus also hosts synagogue Shabbatons, educational conferences, corporate gatherings, weddings, and B’nai Mitzvah celebrations. Some of the most special weddings are between two people who first met at camp. I had the joy of experiencing this firsthand through my niece, Liana, who spoke at our Torah Fund Brunch and chose Ramah Darom for her wedding.
Limmud Southeast has also called Ramah Darom home for many years, bringing together Jews of different backgrounds and levels of observance to learn, pray, sing, and share experiences.
Is Ramah Darom for Me?
You may be wondering, “I’m not very religious. Would I enjoy being there?”
My answer is absolutely!
Ramah Darom’s campus is surrounded by an eruv, and its kosher kitchen is certified by the Atlanta Kashruth Commission. But that doesn’t mean every program requires you to attend services three times a day.
For some, a spiritual morning might mean walking to the waterfall rather than opening a siddur. Other retreats offer services, but participation is often a personal choice.
And if you ever need to say Kaddish while you’re there, you will find a community ready to support you.
That’s what makes this place so special. There are so many ways to connect with Judaism and with one another.
A Community That Cares
The spirit of Ramah Darom extends well beyond the Jewish community.
Local church groups and volunteers from nearby Clayton came to help serve meals and clean up. Fortunately, the campus was spared any damage.
Later that year, Ramah Darom opened its dining hall once again, inviting the local volunteers who had helped during the fires to enjoy a meal served by members of the Ramah Darom community.
To me, that story says so much about what Ramah Darom stands for. It’s not just about what happens within the gates of camp. It’s about caring for others and being part of something bigger than ourselves.
For my family, 30525 will always be our happy place.
It’s where we’ve made memories, built friendships, connected with our Jewish heritage, and found a second home in the mountains.
Whether you’re looking for a family getaway, a weekend of learning, an opportunity to reconnect with friends, or simply a place to experience Jewish community in a beautiful setting, I encourage you to discover Ramah Darom for yourself.
You won’t be disappointed!
What’s Your Darom Story? 💙
We’d love to hear how Ramah Darom has been part of your life! Share your story.