Teens

Cover Story

HARRY KIRSBAUM
Staff Writer

arina Gofman walked down the
path from the beach to lunch. The
sun streaked through the trees on
what most would consider a hot,

stifling day.
But to Marina, 14, of Nazareth Illit in Israel, a
walk through the woods of Tamarack Camps'
Camp Maas in Ortonville was just one part of a
cool experience.
"Everybody who is here is very lucky," she said.
"We had to get used to the camp and the people,
but after a couple of days, we see how perfect this
place is."
Marina was one of some 300 Israeli children,
mostly from the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's Partnership 2000 region
in the Central Galilee, who spent a few weeks
this summer away from the violence of the latest
Palestinian intifada (uprising) back home. It was
a safe place where they could be kids again.
The idea came about several months ago, when
Federation canceled this year's Detroit Teen
Mission to Israel. "We decided not to let the situ-
ation keep our Detroit and Israeli youth apart,"

"

"

From left to right:

Peering over the handrail with a little help from a
friend, Rebecca Goldberg of Farmington Hills checks
out the bottom bunk group, which includes Rachel
Malesa and Naama Landau, both of Israel, Lauren
Greenfield of Huntington Woods and Alison
Wachlarz of West Bloomfield.

Matan Sagi of Israel navigates a wakeboard.

Ayelet Maizner of Israel reads a newspaper from
home.

Shaked Fried of Israel takes a swim.

Vered Fridman of Israel enjoys horseback riding.

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2002

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