Ramah Darom Counselors Return from Transformative Israel Trip

For the past two years, the National Ramah Commission has organized special May trips to Israel for full-time and returning seasonal staff across the Ramah movement. Held just before the start of the summer season, these trips—run in partnership with Taglit-Birthright and the Shalom Hartman Institute—offer an immersive, meaningful experience rooted in service, learning, and connection.

Six Ramah Darom counselors and two full-time staff members participated in this year’s journey, which centered on three key components:

• Volunteering to support Israel’s agricultural economy and soldiers

• Learning in the Beit Midrash with thought-provoking Hartman educators

• Bearing witness to the impact and aftermath of October 7

While the itinerary was powerful, what made the experience truly special was watching our Ramah Darom madrichim (counselors) step into leadership—showing up as thoughtful, engaged young adults, grappling with complex realities on the ground, and deepening their connection to Israel and Jewish peoplehood.

“On the Ramah Israel volunteer trip, we spent a week volunteering across Israel—working at agricultural sites, making schnitzel sandwiches for soldiers, and sodding grass in a kibbutz. I didn’t fully understand the significance of these opportunities until we visited the Nova Festival memorial and other October 7th memorial sites. The rawness and recency of October 7th made me realize the relevance of our volunteering to Israeli society and Israel’s rehabilitation after the greatest attack on the Jewish people since the Holocaust. At that point, I understood the true significance of the entire trip—to contribute to Israel tangibly, beyond a social media post or Israel advocacy at camp. I realized we volunteered at agricultural sites because the workers had left after the war, we made schnitzel for soldiers because they had been called back to fight, and we beautified part of a kibbutz to offer some normalcy back to displaced families from Kfar Aza.”

– Jami Zeller, 2nd year counselor

“When I first heard about the Ramah Israel trip, I thought it was an opportunity to eat Israeli food and see my camp friends. But instead, I found I had made new friends, lived meaningful experiences, and felt more connected to my Judaism than ever before.

At the end of our trip, as we visited the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre, the firsthand impact of October 7th washed over me. I found myself discovering connections to Hersh Goldberg-Polin, z”l, and the other victims. Bearing witness—as we heard loud booms coming from Gaza in the background—gave me more understanding than any amount of studying ever has.

As we listened to the story of a survivor saved by an Arab Bedouin named Yunes, we saw a message of hope and unity. The opportunities to volunteer, work, and learn in Israel taught me about myself and my Judaism in ways I didn’t know I needed. I’ll definitely look back on these memories fondly, and they’ll guide my Jewish connection in the future.”

– Owen Abrams, 2nd year counselor

As our counselors return home and prepare for the summer at Ramah Darom, they bring with them more than just memories—they carry new strength, insight, and connection. Their week in Israel was not just a trip; it was a transformative journey that deepened their bond with Am Yisrael, strengthened their leadership, and reminded them—and all of us—of the power of resilience, unity, and community in times of challenge.

We are proud of their courage, moved by their compassion, and excited to see how their experiences will enrich our camp community this summer and beyond.