If you haven't read this blog article about Ramah Canda, please read it ASAP!
David Tractenberg
I was left speechless after reading these articles. Not only did this article respond to me as a former camper and lover of the Camp Ramah experience, but as a disabled camper who faced similar issues throughout my camping experience.
The language and rationale allegedly used by this director and staff to come to their decision to remove the disabled camper is not only a direct violation of the ADA (American Disabilities Act) but reeks of tremendous insensitivity which is inexcusable...even for Canadians. To add insult to injury, Solomon is currently featured on Ramah Canada's website: http://www.campramah.com/about.htm and thus implying Ramah Canada is adequately accommodating campers with special needs. So what changed this summer?
In the follow-up article, the camper ultimately has made the decision to voluntarily leave camp after learning of the controversy and initially not refusing to leave. However, it is clear that the choice/decision has ruined his summer and overall Ramah experience by leaving camp one month prematurely. This was not Solomon's choice and was truly never EVER up to the camper or his parents.
For a moment place yourself in his shoes: You've been a camper for 5 years and are in the middle of Gesher summer. In the middle of the summer you've been informed that the camp can no longer devote the energy and resources in assisting you and now you must go home. You have physical limitations like anyone else but limitations don't define a person, its your character and resolve. You didn't do anything wrong, your behavior has been stellar but you take to long to get to activities. However Camp considers you and your disability a liability because you spend 5 extra minutes getting between activities and you take too long eating in the Hadar Ochel.
This decision to ask you to leave wasn't made with your input, in fact your disabilities and limitations were discussed behind closed-doors with individuals who may or may not be qualified or knowledgeable or lack the experience enough to make such decisions. The individuals, your parents & you, who are authorized and most knowledgeable in such decisions were also not privy to any discussions on your well-being. This process is wrong and needs to be fixed.
This is the scenario that was presented to Solomon last week and it's arguable and debatable, but I feel that this Ramah made an unqualified and ignorant choice in asking Solomon to leave prematurely. Do not think this is an isolated experience or a fluke. It is foolish to cross off this event as a one-time thing exclusive event in Canada. The reverberations of Ramah Canada's decision have damaged the reputation of all Ramahs.
If you're still reading this and feel as outraged as I did and have 3 minutes, please I urge you to voice your concern to:
National Ramah Commission
Currently that office is reviewing the "comments" that are being relayed to the communications director. No actions are currently being undertaken at this time to remedy this situation or to put in new procedures/policies to prevent this sort of discrimination. This attitude is unacceptable. A press release (after I suggested they write one this morning) was recently released that does not address how Ramah Canada addressed the issue: http://www.facebook.com/foundationforjewishcamp/posts/10150961582408727
I won't lie, my personal belief of resolving this situation involves the immediate termination of the current Camp Director and the yoetzet (spelling) staff member who spearheaded this campaign and were so insensitive to tell a disabled person to "speed things up".
If you have 3 minutes I urge you to call or email to relay your disapproval of the current situation in Canada and that you respectfully request that actions be taken immediately to remedy this situation. Regardless that you may believe this is an exclusively isolated incident that will not be repeated, unless someone with authority (and who pays the bills) is notified, no one should be naive enough to believe situations like this resolve themselves without outside influence.
What has happened to this camper should have never happened to any camper regardless of disability or physical limitations. Events like this ruin the stellar reputation of Camp Ramah and more importantly tarnish the image of Conservative Judaism as a whole.
Thank you for reading this,
David Tractenberg
Franchise America Finance
Tel. 610-359-5866
Fax. 610-668-3041
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Kevin Waloff
http://www.thejewishweek.com/news/short-takes/ramahs-blind-spot-fuels-inclusion-debate
-Kevin
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Kevin R. Waloff