Comments on: Why My Blind Son is Returning from Camp Ramah in Canada a Month Early

By: Ramah’s Blind Spot Fuels Inclusion Debate | Any Faith Church

Ramah’s Blind Spot Fuels Inclusion Debate | Any Faith Church — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 08:30:50 +0000

[...] angry dad, Rabbi David Krishef, wrote about the incident on his personal blog, noting that among the reasons given were, “Sol takes too long eating his [...]

By: The Bigger Picture | Matan

The Bigger Picture | Matan — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:49:46 +0000

[...] has been a challenging week in the world of Jewish Special Education, as news of a blind camper asked to leave Camp Ramah in Canada spread at lightening speed over social media and other outlets. Though Matan has been following [...]

By: Why My Blind Son is Returning from Camp Ramah in Canada a Month Early | Strengthening Jewish Women,. l'dor v'dor | Scoop.it

Sun, 22 Jul 2012 23:47:32 +0000

[...] For the rest of the story, see part two of this post here. My almost-16 year old blind son, Solomon, was supposed to spend 8 weeks in the second-oldest Aidah (age group) at Camp Ramah in Canada, a … [...]

By: Mayim, Mayim, Mayim | Adventures in Tefillah

Mayim, Mayim, Mayim | Adventures in Tefillah — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 21:55:13 +0000

[...] I also saw this blog post today: “Why My Blind Son is Returning from Camp Ramah in Canada a Month Early.” In a time when most camps and Jewish organizations are working diligently to be inclusive, Ramah [...]

By: Rabbi David Krishef

Rabbi David Krishef — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 19:06:05 +0000

I am deeply sorry that I did not make it absolutely clear that Solomon has experienced tremendous love from the staff, especially from the waterfront staff. I am fully aware that Sol has some mild physical impairments in addition to his blindness, but at this point his diagnosis for the purpose of his educational program is visual impairment. The issue of independence is related to his vision. Ramah is a very difficult, nearly impossible, place to navigate for a person with no sight. There are very few well defined paths, and a lot of uneven ground.
Sol was admitted to camp for two session. If there was a sense that he couldn’t handle the program, that should have been discussed before the camp cashed our checks. If there were ongoing problems, we ought to have been notified — we could have helped. If the camp accepted him but didn’t take his additional needs into account when hiring staff, that’s a problem. But to tell Sol four days before the session break that he is going home because the camp didn’t hire enough staff is not right.
In addition, I do not accept your premise that Magshimim (or Alonim) ought to be reserved only for the kind of kid with a certain level of physical ability. I believe that the Ramah experience can and should accommodate Jewish children with a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional abilities, gifts, and deficits.

By: Rabbi David Krishef

Rabbi David Krishef — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:49:47 +0000

He will apologize to Solomon and Solomon’s family. That’s who was harmed, and that’s where the apology ought to go. I will post again later tonight or tomorrow with an update.

By: Joe Greenberg

Joe Greenberg — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:46:20 +0000

In 1985 I was a camp counselor at the Reform Jewish camp in Oconomowac, WI – OSRUI. There I had the great pleasure of working with and being a counselor for a blind camper. He taught me far more than I was able to provide in “extra-help”. He taught me how to explain a rainbow to a blind camper. I am deeply ashamed at the callousness of the camp experience that your son just went though. Camp should be fun.

By: acmeadam

acmeadam — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:46:06 +0000

Maybe it should be a petition for a public apology instead. I believe more of us would get behind that.

By: Rabbi David Krishef

Rabbi David Krishef — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:42:12 +0000

I will not support such a petition. I want the director and the camp to learn from this incident, not to be punished.

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 18:41:02 +0000

and Oberlin college has a very active Hillel . .lead by an amazingly talented blind Rabbi.