Ramah New England – To expand the organization’s Jewish family camp that brings together families affected by serious illness and loss to immerse in deep Jewish learning and build relationships within a supportive community.

What inspired you to create Camp Ramah Sasson? 

Families facing the heartbreak of childhood cancer or the devastating loss of a parent, child, or sibling carry heavy emotional, spiritual, and practical burdens. They often feel isolated, unseen, and may become disconnected from Jewish communal life. We created inclusive, healing-centered experiences to nurture both children and adults as they navigate these challenges. Our aim is to establish warm, welcoming programs that meet families wherever they are on their Jewish journeys and ensure they feel fully comfortable, supported, and welcome.  

How can the Jewish community as a whole do a better job supporting families struggling with illness and loss? 

As a Jewish community, we have a sacred responsibility to show up, not just in moments of crisis (early loss or at diagnosis), but again and again, with compassion, connection, and care. We can begin by strengthening collaboration across institutions to coordinate resources and establish ongoing support groups for parents, children, and caregivers to share, grieve, and heal together. As a larger community, we can invest in pastoral care to meet families where they are (hospitals, grief groups, etc.) and nurture long-term partnerships with established institutions that prioritize accessibility and inclusion.  

What is your favorite part of a Camp Ramah Sasson retreat? 

My favorite part is the magic moment when a group of individuals becomes a true community. It often happens around the Shabbat dinner table, when walls come down and connections form. One child turns to another and says, “Wait, you have cancer too?” or “You don’t have a dad either?” and suddenly they are no longer alone. In quieter corners, parents share advice, stories, or simply reassure each other that it’s okay not to be okay. The joy that fills the space, born from feeling seen, understood, and supported, is powerful and deeply moving.