by Naomi Miller
I am ending my almost 25 years with Federation in a most symbolic way. In the spring of 2002, when the idea of ICP [Israeli Camper Program] was first conceived—although at the time it was simply “bringing Israelis to Tamarack,” with no official title because we thought it would be a one summer only program; it was the height of the Second Intifada. The Teen Mission to Israel had been canceled.
As I quickly learned, when Israelis were experiencing terror, this Federation stepped up to comfort, support and offer respite. In April of that year, funds were raised to bring 300 Israeli children to Tamarack.
Fast forward to 2026, that same DNA remains deeply ingrained in this community. Just three months ago, exactly 24 years later, I was on a call with our CEO, Steve Ingber, about a very familiar situation. Israel was at war. Michigan teens once again could not participate in the Teen Mission and they, and their Israeli counterparts were missing out on another summer experience together—just as they had last year because of the first war with Iran.
But, not all would be lost if they could spend the summer together at Tamarack… straight to the point, Steve asked, “How much do you need?” We told him. He said, “Give me 36 hours.”
Six hours later, he called back and said, “We’re a go. We got the funds.” I let him take the next 30 hours off.
Back in 2002, I knew very little about American Jewish camping or the Detroit community. I had grown up attending a Jewish camp in Melbourne—it was for one week, 100 kids, no horses, no lake, and certainly no salad bar. It was basic and rustic, but it is what helped shape my Jewish and Zionist identity. When I was asked to help create the program in 2002 and spend the summer with the teens at Tamarack, the first thing I did was open an atlas and I found the glove of Michigan. But where’s Ortonville?
We packed up the family and came. Alon and Yoav became Applebaum and Deroy campers and thrived. I am convinced that their experiences for more than a decade at camp, their connections, until today, with their friends and people in this community, as well as growing up in a home consumed by Federation work, helped shape them into the Israelis, Jews, and mensches they are today.
After that first summer, Bob called me into his office and offered me a position representing Federation in Israel.
The past two and a half decades, serving as Federation’s eyes and ears on the ground in Israel, have been marked by constant motion and the intensity that comes with witnessing Israel’s fascinating, challenging, miraculous, often heartbreaking and ever-evolving story. Through periods of relative stability—rare as they may be—and through crises that profoundly shaped Israeli society and touched me personally, I have had a front-row seat watching the challenges, resilience, innovation, and complexity of Israel.
Even more importantly, I have had the privilege of sharing those experiences with so many of you. Together we traveled Israel—on foot, jeeps, buses, occasionally on helicopters, innovation centers, ancient ruins, devastated kibbutzim and our Partnership Together region. We engaged with the people of our remarkable country and saw firsthand the impact that our Federation continues to make.
It’s said that in Michigan you are never more than six miles from a lake. While we can only boast in Israel of one lake of any significance, but I am convinced that in Israel you are never more than a block away from either an ICP graduate or someone whose life has been impacted by one of our Federation supported programs.
We have much to be proud of. Israel is not simply one of Federation’s priorities—it is woven into the very identity of this community. None of this happens alone. Our shared commitment to making a difference, creating meaningful change, and strengthening both Israel and our local community, has been powered by an extraordinary partnership of professionals and lay leaders.
I won’t attempt to thank everyone individually today, but there are a few people I would like to acknowledge. Over these 25 years, I have worked with three CEOs: Bob, Scott, and now Steve. Thank you for continually supporting our team in Israel and for ensuring that Israel has always remained a priority in this community. In my early years at Federation, Mark Davidoff was a tremendous source of inspiration, and he continues to mentor me today while creating and leading the crucial work of the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator. To my team in Israel: beginning with Tova Dorfman; the dedicated Liza; Yoav Raban, my partner in the field since almost the beginning; and the creative and committed Partnership Together team, now led by Einat — toda raba.
To my team here in Detroit, the Israel and Overseas Department—first headed by Amy Neistein, and staffed by Karen Kaplan for many years, now led by Jen, along with Dona, Rachel, Bracha, Lior and Aaron—thank you for your talents in creating, connecting, programming, and keeping Israel at the forefront of community life. And of course, Lee, Robin, and the Tamarack team—who have always made us feel that, in addition to Steve’s Deli, Ortonville is our Michigan home.
At a time when the bonds between Israel and American Jewry feel both fragile and more vital than ever, as hard as it is, we know that this is not the moment for any of us to step back or stay silent. It is a time to challenge misinformation, speak confidently about being Jewish and to support Israel’s democratic and diverse society. While I am retiring from my current role with Federation, I am certainly not retiring from these endeavors.
I look forward to welcoming many of you back there, SOON, hosting you for shakshuka and a cup of mint tea, and being with you on a bus on the roads of Israel, enjoy a taste of the day, as I continue pursuing my other passion—guiding and sharing the story of our extraordinary country. Thank you for the privilege of this journey.
