As excited as we are to welcome campers back home to Ramah Poconos this summer, we do so with a huge hole in our hearts and in our tzevet (staff). Joe worked on our Maintenance Team for 3 decades and less than 3 months since his passing, we see signs of Joe all over camp, including in the very tzrif (bunk) from which I write this, his final project at camp, and seeing his tractor being driven around camp by his son, Joe Jr. which is simultaneously a heartwarming and heartbreaking sight.

Benjy Goldberg, our Assistant Director of Operations, really said it best when he wrote:

"Few words can describe the sadness I feel. Joe was a real "mench", with a heart of gold and great sense of humor. Our camp community is so lucky to have had Joe for so many years. He was truly a life long Ramahnik and will forever be one. I have many good memories of Joe, sitting at his desk doing crossword puzzles, his art work and creativity, playing tricks on me...like the time he tied my golf cart to a tree! He was a jokester and also a very hard worker who always under promised and overdelivered. I will miss him terribly."

Joe was the main income earner for his family, and aside from losing him, Jan and the boys have had to renovate their entire home. The funds raised here will go directly to Jan to help cover daily living costs and any additional funds will be set aside for Joe Jr. and Justin's futures.

Leora, Ed, Jan, Joe Jr., Justin and the entire Roney/Mayo/Malinksi/Price families, the Ramah community loves you.