Rosalie Shays
Rosh Garinim & Nitzanim
(Rising 3rd-5th Grades)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Shabbat Dinner
My Favorite Camp Dance: Shir Nehama
I’ve Been to Israel: Twice, one trip was with Birthright and one was to visit friends, including some of the Mishlachat who I worked with at camp.
Hi, I’m Rosalie and I’m from Raleigh, North Carolina. I really missed being at Camp the past two summers. So, when I found out that I had a free summer, I knew that Camp was the only place to spend it. This will be my 12th summer at Ramah Darom. I was a camper for six years (Gesher ’10) and this is my sixth year on staff. I just graduated from Vanderbilt University with my Master’s of Education in Learning and Design. After Camp, I’m returning to Nashville to teach in a local elementary school.
“There’s no place like Darom! Camp Ramah Darom is my summer home, but more importantly a place for learning, growth, and meeting incredible people.”
Avery Frank
Rosh Sollelim (Rising 5th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Biscuits or Grilled Cheese
My Favorite Camp Dance: All of them 🙂
I’ve Been to Israel: Three times (including my study abroad that I’m currently on!)
Hello, I’m Avery from Atlanta, Georgia. This will be my 10th summer at Camp Ramah Darom (Gesher ’14) and my 4th summer on staff. I chose to come back this summer because I want to give chanichim (campers) and madrichim (counselors) the same amazing experiences I had, both as a camper and a madricha (counselor). This is an incredible opportunity to give back to the community that helped me become the Jewish leader I am today and to pass that along to the next generation. When I’m not at camp, I’m studying at (The) Ohio State University, spending time with my family/ pup and talking to camp friends! After camp, I plan on finishing my last year at Ohio State. I will be graduating next May!
“Ramah for me is a safe haven where I can be my most pure self and have fun! Ramah Darom provides an environment where I can express my Judaism and goofiness to my heart’s content in a safe, challenging, and (most importantly) fun environment!”
Maia Cattan
Rosh Halutzim (Rising 6th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Mac and Cheese
My Favorite Camp Dance: Po Ze Lo Europa
I’ve Been to Israel: Five Times
Hello, I’m Maia. I’m originally from Westport, Connecticut but I grew up in Miami, Florida. I’ve spent 12 summers at Camp and five on staff. I chose to come back to camp because it is such an important place and it has given me so much. I want to continue doing the same for others! When I’m not at camp, I am a student at the Joint Program between Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary and I’ll be returning in the fall for my Senior year.
“Ramah Darom is my community and the place where I am always free to grow and be myself.”
Ilan Palte
Rosh Kochavim (Rising 7th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Friday Pizza
My Favorite Camp Dance: Carmela
I’ve Been to Israel: Five times, but never with family.
Hi, I’m Ilan from Sandy Springs, Georgia. This will be my 3rd year on tvezet (staff) at Camp Ramah Darom. I chose to come back to Camp in order to continue impacting campers and encouraging them to grow into their Jewish, social, and personal identities. I recently graduated from Washington University in St. Louis and in the fall, I will be attending medical school at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. When I am not at camp, I enjoy reading, playing soccer and studying.
“To me, Ramah Darom is a place where everyone, staff and campers alike, can not just succeed but thrive. It is a place where I can connect with those around me and myself as I encourage my campers to explore their passions. Ramah Darom is a place where all campers can discover what they need to thrive, connect, and have fun.”
Samantha (Sami) Frankel
Rosh Shoafim (Rising 8th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Wednesday lunch; baked potatoes and chili
My Favorite Camp Dance: Hachi Yisraeli
I’ve Been to Israel: Six Times
Hello, I’m Sami from Cary, North Carolina. Camp is my favorite place, and I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be the summer after college as I transition into adult life. I am so excited to be a Rosh Aidah, complete this aspect of the tzevet experience and have the opportunity to work with madrichim (counselors) as well as chanichim (campers). I spent seven years as a camper at Ramah Darom (Gesher ’13). I attended Seminar in 2014, I’ve been on staff for three years at Camp and I was on Seminar staff in 2018. I recently graduated with a degree in Urban Studies and Education from Columbia University. After Camp, I will be teaching English in France for the year, and then I hoping to get my teaching certification and become a full-time teacher.
“Ramah Darom means way too much to me to be condensed into a short response, but in brief, Ramah Darom is the place that introduced me to an independent Jewish identity that has informed my life for the past thirteen years, and I truly can’t imagine my life without Ramah.”
Tamar Tecktiel
Rosh Nachshonim (Rising 9th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Fried Chicken
My Favorite Camp Dance: Carmela
I’ve Been to Israel: Four Times
Hi, I’m Tamar but many people call me T.I’m from Las Vegas, Nevada. Camp is my favorite place in the world and I’m so excited to be back again this summer! This will be my 21st summer at Ramah Darom (Gesher ’13) and my 5th year as a tzevet member. When I’m not at camp I’m in school at Indiana University. In the fall, I’ll be returning to IU for my Senior year.
“Camp for me has always been the place I feel most comfortable and can truly be myself. I met my best friends at Ramah Darom and some of my favorite memories of from my time at Camp. I really grew up here.”
Allison Sherman
Rosh Nivonim (Rising 10th Graders)
My Favorite Camp Meal: Fried Chicken
My Favorite Camp Dance: Lo Normali
I‘ve Been to Israel: Three Times
Hi, I’m Allison from Boynton Beach, Florida. I spent three years as a camper at Ramah Darom (Gesher ’13) and this will be my 5th summer on tvezet (staff). I chose to come back to camp because I wanted to spend my summer at the best place on earth. This past year, I was a student at the University of Florida and I graduated from UF in May. After Camp, I will be going to Israel for the year to staff Nativ!
“Ramah Darom means being able to be the best version of yourself all summer long.”
Adina Beiner
Rosh Gesher (Rising 11th Graders)
Favorite Camp Meal: Grilled cheese and tomato soup
Favorite Camp Dance:Jungle
I’ve Been to Israel: Too many to count! I lived there two years after college
Hello, I’m Adina. My passion in life is Jewish Education and being a Rosh Aidah, in my opinion, is the best job in the world. I was a camper at Ramah Darom for seven years (Gesher ’10), went on Israel Seminar and this will be my 8th year on staff. I loved being Rosh Gesher last summer so much and couldn’t picture myself anywhere else this summer. Camp is a magical place and coming back each summer to be able to create meaningful, Jewish and formative experiences for chanichim is what I love to do. I’m from Atlanta, GA and when I’m not at Camp, I work in education. This year I will be teaching in a day school in NYC.
“Ramah has been a truly formative piece of my life. I found a special Jewish place where I feel at home. I have grown up here, made some of my very best friends and love coming back now in a different capacity as a Rosh Aidah to give other people that same feeling and experience.”