Summer is in full swing! And with summer come over 100 of the Elaine & Michael Serling Israeli Campers! They arrived a little tired and a little nervous but mostly excited. They are already acclimating, making new friends and having the time of their lives at “The Greatest Place on Earth,” Tamarack Camps.
Giving them the “summer of a lifetime” is the pride and joy of our Department, Federation and community. But it doesn’t just happen. It’s a very heavy lift and takes a lot of people. It’s also very expensive, but something we think is worth every penny, especially this year.
Almost a year in advance, our team has diligently planned to make this happen. In Detroit, we were led by our colleague, the incredible Allison Gutman, and her Chairs Amy Brode, Lori Hirsch and Shayna Levine. Our leads in Israel were Federation’s Director of Grants & Outreach, Yoav Raban and our P2G Director, Einat Sapir and her staff. This year, we even pulled Federation’s Missions Director, Naomi Miller, back into this program to help out.
On the ground at Tamarack with our campers right now are Allison Gutman, our community Shlicha Lior Zisser Yogev and several counselors and mental health support staff.
Of course, the program could not exist at all without our partners at Tamarack Camps led by Lee Trepeck, Carly Weinstock and Andy Belsky.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the rest of the I&O team who have helped immensely along the way: Associate I&O Director, Dona Stillman who oversees the entire program from 10,000 feet (and also did an airport run), Bracha Katz, whose help on logistics both leading up to the big arrival day and on the day of, is invaluable, Olivia Berlin who was on hand on arrival day with her usual willingness to jump in where needed, and our Marketing liaison, David Glass and help from Jordan Robinson from our Planning Department. (Look closely at the Yom HaAtzmaut Walk the Zoo video and you will see Jordan’s laughing face helping out there too!).
In short, a LOT of people put a lot of time, energy and resources into making this a summer these Israelis will never forget.
Jennifer Levine
Senior Director, I&O