The JCC Ranch Camp is a three-dimensional love story for Miriam and Gilad Shwartz. They had no inkling that they’d marry each other, when they met as wranglers at the camp corral 10 years ago. As Ranch Camp summers repeatedly brought them together, their love grew for (1) Ranch camp, (2) each other – and (3) job sharing. Having wed in 2004, they became the camp’s Co-Directors in 2007. Gearing up to lead the camp in its 58th summer in 2011, these spouses remain best friends, who still love the camp and their daily teamwork.
“Camp is our life; we live at camp, most of our friends are from camp,” Gilad says. “There is nothing better than waking up in the morning to the Elbert sunrise and going to bed to the Elbert sunset.”
Miriam’s penchant for Ranch Camp preceded his arrival. She grew up in Cedar Rapids, IA, where her family was active in a small synagogue. As she recalls, her parents wanted her to attend a Jewish summer camp to enhance her Jewish identity. So, off she went as a novice camper at age 12 to discover sunrises, sunsets and horseback riding. “I told them I would only go to a Jewish summer camp if it had horses — they found Ranch Camp, and I fell in love.
“Ranch Camp is my favorite place on Earth,” she adds. “Since 1993, I’ve only missed four summers.” The summer of 2011 will be her 15th at Ranch Camp. Between camp seasons she earned a B.A. degree in anthropology from the University of Arizona, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude and with Honors.
Gilad has master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Animal Sciences from the University of Arizona (graduated Cum Laude and Magna Cum Laude respectively) and is working on an MBA degree at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, as a young adult he served in the Israeli military and soon starts his ninth summer at Ranch Camp. His extensive background in Jewish education spans counseling and trip leading for OSRUI in Wisconsin and NFTY in Israel and Hebrew school-teaching for Congregation Bet Shalom in Tucson, AZ.
The Shwartzes have no children of their own at this time, but are expecting plenty of campers to care for this summer – and animals! Nowadays the camp is home to two dogs (Coleman and Emily), two cats, six chickens, four horses and two cows. For Miriam and Gilad, Ranch Camp is a year-round occupation. “A lot of people tell us that they don’t know how we work with our significant other, and that they would kill one another if they were to be in our situation,” Miriam says. “For us, it works. And we are so grateful to be able to combine our talents for the benefit of children and for the benefit of a place we deeply love and believe in.
“We share our lives, and our passion for camp,” she stresses. “We are good at very different things and provide a true balance for one another in our personal and professional lives. Like all couples, we sometimes have our differences, but I believe that the camp and the people we serve really benefit from our two perspectives on issues and the solutions that we develop as a result of the debates we have.”
Gilad deals with budgetary matters, logistics, renovation projects and rentals, while Miriam is in charge of registration materials, staff hiring, marketing materials and recruiting campers. They don’t have a count of how many other married couples have met at Ranch Camp over the years, but it’s “a lot,” according to Miriam. “That is something we want to work on building. Camp is a very special place, a place where you meet some of your best, life-long friends.” For more info about Ranch Camp, check the website at www.ranchcamp.org. Or contact Miriam at 303-316-6384, miriams@jccdenver.org, and Gilad at 303-316-6321, gilads@jccdenver.org.
