(JTA) — The Ramah camping movement has established a network to connect its thousands of alumni.
The Reshet Ramah initiative, which was announced Tuesday by The National Ramah Commission of The Jewish Theological Seminary, is being funded by $1.8 million in grants from the Avi Chai Foundation and the Maimonides Fund. The network also will offer an opportunity to enhance Jewish community involvement.
Some 250,000 participants and staff have attended Ramah camps and programs in the movement’s 65-year history. Ramah, the camping arm of the Conservative Jewish movement, runs eight overnight camps and four day camps, as well as youth programming in Israel. More than 9,000 campers and staff members participate in Ramah programs each summer.
In addition to helping to strengthen the Ramah movement, the network is designed to "recharge Jewish community and connections to Israel through new programming and partnerships with other Jewish organizations," according to a statement from Ramah issued Tuesday.
The global alumni network will feature "generational, geographic, and interest-based educational, spiritual, and Israel-focused programs," according to Ramah. Plans include regional and national shabbatons and other types of retreats at camps, online learning opportunities, and enhancement of programs such as the Ramah Service Corps.
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