Tikvah:
Supporting Campers With Disabilities

The Tikvah program at Ramah Berkshires is a continuously growing and evolving initiative. We are proud to offer Jewish children with a wide range of disabilities the opportunity for growth in the areas of Jewish identity, socialization, independence, and much more.

The program is an integral part of the Ramah Berkshires community and currently consists of three tracks: Breira B’Ramah, our Tikvah residential program, and Supported Employment.

Breira B’ Ramah (mainstream inclusion: rising 3rd – 11th grade)

Our Breira program serves campers who need extra support and are successful living in a typical bunk with their same-age peers. In addition to the two bunk counselors, a third counselor is added to these bunks for an added layer of supervision. This program usually serves campers who are independent with their daily living skills and benefit from support with making and maintaining friendships.

Tikvah (self-contained residential program: ages 10-15)

Our self-contained program serves boys and girls ages 10-15 who have higher support needs. The campers live in a bunk with no more than eight peers and there is a 1:2 staff to camper ratio. The campers participate in a typical camp program with modifications, built in breaks and additional staff.

Supported Employment (young adults: ages 18-21)

For graduates of our camper-age programs, we provide job coaching and job placement to young adults in Camp. This is a track for members of our community who want to work at camp and would not succeed in the role of traditional bunk counselor. Each employee lives independently in staff housing and follows an individualized work schedule.

 

Jewish Living

Campers in both Breira B’Ramah and Tikvah are fully immersed in Jewish life and Hebrew language. From spirited morning prayers and daily interactions with Israeli staff to Hebrew singing and dancing in the chadar ochel (dining room), Tikvah campers enjoy and celebrate their Judaism and Jewish culture.

Health and Safety

The Tikvah Director works closely with each family to monitor every individual camper’s special needs and trains the counselors in the program to assist campers with self-care. The Ramah Berkshires professional Marp (health center) staff of doctors and nurses provide immediate medical attention whenever necessary.

For more information about our Tikvah programs, please contact our Director of Camper Care & Inclusion, Elisheva Layman Salant, or our Family Relations & Outreach Coordinator, Yael Wallen.