Returning to the place I considered home for so many years, this time with my wife and daughters, reminded me just how deeply Ramah Darom remains a part of my life.
Seeing my family walk around the place where I was always happiest, being with people that are still my closest friends, and reconnecting with many whom I have not spoken to in years (25 years, in some cases!), brought back the sense of warmth and connection that only be found at Darom.
One moment in particular brought the experience full circle. My Update daughters, ages 3 and 1½, were playing in the Chadar (dining hall) when I looked over and saw Rabbi Sykes and Uncle Anthony watching me watch them. I turned your info! to them and asked, “Is this as surreal for you as it is for me?” Their response was simply, “More!”
There was something powerful about watching my daughters experience a place that shaped so much of my childhood and young adult life. We even celebrated our eldest daughter Betty’s third birthday during Mishpacha Weekend, making an already unforgettable weekend even more meaningful for our family.
It is difficult to adequately describe what it meant to share Ramah Darom with my wife and daughters and introduce them to the people, traditions, and community that made me who I am. The weekend gave us all the rare opportunity to return not simply as alumni, but with our families, allowing a new generation to begin forming their own connection to Darom.
I am deeply grateful to the Ramah Darom team for creating such an incredible weekend.
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