Ilana & Mark Meskin - Camp Ramah

PAGE 6
Letter from the Development Committee Chair
Dear Friends,
I am writing to you with a deep sense of gratitude, to Camp Ramah in particular
and Jewish camping in general. I recently returned from the East Coast, where I
attended the Foundation for Jewish Camp Leader’s Assembly conference, along with
the senior staff and other lay leaders of our camp. After attending many informative
workshops it was heartening for me to learn what I already suspected to be true—
namely, that our camp is in the very forefront of Jewish camps in the United States.
Yes, we have been doing a great job. But there is still much more to do. I agree with the many researchers
who have demonstrated and educators and parents who believe that Jewish camping is the optimum life
experience that can reinforce a child’s perspective on Judaism and solidify their Jewish identity. Towards
that end, we all need to support two very important goals: continuing to make our camp financially
accessible to as many campers as possible, and making certain that our facilities and our programming
remain the best they can possibly be, now and in the future.
Thank you for supporting those goals in 2007 with your generous gifts towards annual operating needs,
capital improvements, programs and scholarships. I am especially grateful for your support of the annual
fundraising dinner in December, when we joined together in a ruach-filled evening to celebrate raising
over $520,000 towards the new swimming pool and waterslides. Construction is now well underway!
This summer will be first that all three of our girls will be at camp for both sessions – two as staff and
our youngest anticipating her Machon summer. I now realize that all the years they spend at camp are
the building blocks which culminate in their love and appreciation for Judaism. Certainly Aaron and I, as
well as our synagogue and day school, have had a significant influence. But we believe most of the credit
goes to Camp Ramah – this is the reason why I initially got involved as a lay leader and why we continue
to give of our time and our financial resources. We know the importance of Camp Ramah and Jewish
camping, and especially the importance of your own support and involvement.
Thank you all for sending your campers to Camp Ramah and for keeping our camp in your hearts and
minds throughout the year with your generous donations.
B’Shalom,
Sheila Leibovic
2007 Philanthropic
Contributions