[HANASHIR:2888] Re: from UAHC camps to Ramah

[Janice Steirn <jsteirn...>]

Joanna,

First, Welcome to GA!  All of us in the deep south are thrilled to finally
have a Ramah down here.  Families who have wanted to send their children to
Ramah have been sending them north for years.  In response to the
question/comments about instuments on Shabbat, I feel fairly certain that
the answer is no.  Conservative Judaism is into music, but not instruments
on Shabbat.  Because this is a relatively new camp, the children there will
not have the established repertoire of the kids at the more established
camps.  I would find out what they do know and use those songs as a base
for establishing rapport with the campers.  Then, add new stuff.

If you don't have a copy of B'kol Ehad, you might want to get one from a
local Conservative synagogue (or write to me personally and I'll send one
to you).  This is USY's bencher/songbook and, because it is used in many
Conservative congregations, it will give you a good idea of the songs that
the kids are familiar with.  There are also some variations from some of
the versions that I've heard in Reform settings (e.g., Lo Alecha has a
Sheyebaneh "verse" added that is very popular in Ramah camps and USY
gatherings).

Have fun.  It's a terrific camp in a beautiful setting.

Janice





Dr. Janice N. Steirn
Department of Psychology
P.O. Box 8041
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA 30460
(912) 681-5505
Internet:  JSteirn (at) GaSou(dot)edu

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