Annual Tzedakah Report - Camp Ramah

DR. DAVID BRAUN’S GIFT ENSURES
A GREENER FUTURE FOR CAMP RAMAH
Jewish tradition teaches us to respect nature
and the environment. Indeed, the basics of environmentalism
are found in Torah law — “To God
belongs the earth and all it contains.”(Psalms 24:1)
Throughout its 50-year history, Camp Ramah in
California has inspired campers to take responsibility
for the stewardship of God’s earth based on
principles of biblical and rabbinic law. Now the camp
is making new strides in fulfilling its mission of tikkun
olam, thanks to a generous gift by Dr. David Braun.
Dr. Braun’s interest in the environment and Jewish
youth programs has led him to spearhead an
unprecedented solar energy project at Camp Ramah
in California. “As a child, I attended weekend sessions
at Camp Ramah, and my son attended camp during
the summer. I have always been proud about
how Ramah programs are unusually successful in
exciting the new generations about Jewish life and
how much Jewish culture has to offer the world.”
Thanks to Dr. Braun’s gift, Camp Ramah will now
be able to fully impart the lesson of environmental
consciousness to generations of Jewish youth.
Dr. Braun sees his donation to fund the first of
three phases of Camp Ramah’s solar energy project
as a gift that keeps on giving. “It is great to see
Camp Ramah as an early adopter of going solar
because this project will decrease the operating
costs of the camp, and that in turn will free up
money that can go towards the kids,” he says. In
fact, once the 3-phase project is complete, the
camp’s energy costs will be decreased by $75,000
every year. Reliance on solar power will keep the
Camp Ramah experience affordable to more
families by insulating camp against future energy
cost increases.
By using solar energy, Camp Ramah in California will
reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by fifteen million
pounds, nitrous oxide by thirty-eight thousand
pounds, and sulfur dioxide by one hundred and
twenty-one thousand pounds. Just imagine the
profound discussions our campers and staff will
have about Judaism, our earth, and those interesting
solar panels on top of the chadar ochel.
Because of Dr. Braun’s generous gift, Camp Ramah
in California is taking a leadership role among Jewish
institutions by “going green.” “It is important to
think globally and act globally, and to look at overarching
issues,” states Dr. Braun, “but what are we
doing back home to help?” The solar energy project
is particularly meaningful for Dr. Braun because it
addresses his objective to support long term
issues and projects. “I hope my gift to Camp Ramah
in California will inspire others to give, and will
provide a spark for people to see how their gift can
be leveraged to help on so many different levels.”
If you are interested in helping to fund phases 2 and
3, please call Carol Abrams at (310) 440-1276.
By using solar energy,
Camp Ramah in California
will reduce emissions
of carbon dioxide by
15 million pounds, nitrous
oxide by 38,000 pounds,
and sulfur dioxide by
121,000 pounds.
Camp Ramah
Energy costs –$75,000
annually
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