As we prepare to celebrate Passover—and welcome over 500 guests to our largest Passover Retreat ever—I’m drawn to the connection between this holiday’s resonant themes of freedom, peoplehood, and miracles, and our Ramah Darom North Star.
In Shemot (Exodus) 13:8, we are commanded to tell the story:
“And you shall tell your child on that day as follows: Because of this, HaShem did for me, when He took me out of Egypt.”
This verse speaks to the deep-rooted Jewish tradition of recounting the story of our people’s liberation. But the message isn’t just about telling a story—it’s about ensuring that the story is experienced, lived, and passed down in a way that connects the past with the present, shaping who we are and who we will become.
In my first few months as an official member of the Ramah Darom family, I’ve seen firsthand how we are bringing this commandment to life—helping those who join us experience the continuity of Jewish values in real, meaningful, and relevant ways. From a ruach-filled Shabbat with 110 teens at our Delet Darom Teen Retreat, to engaging small Southeast Jewish communities at Southern Schmooze, to nourishing 150 bellies and minds at our Jewish culinary retreat, B’teavon, to building community with 60 young families at our Book It To Shabbat weekend—we are creating modern Jewish life. These aren’t just programs; they are transformative experiences where individuals explore Jewish identity, build lasting connections, and deepen their sense of belonging to this ever-evolving story.
Just as the Passover Seder invites us to step into the story of our ancestors’ journey to freedom, we have the opportunity and obligation to be more than bystanders in the ever-developing narrative of the Jewish people. At Ramah Darom, we strive to do just that—each and every day—by nurturing a lifelong love of Jewish values, tradition, and community.
Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful and meaningful Passover, filled with reflection, connection, and stories lived and shared. My family and I are looking forward to celebrating our first Passover together at Ramah Darom, and soon experiencing the magic of Camp. We are thrilled to be part of this incredible community.