T o My
Family
Farewell To Ortonville
Harvey Finkelberg leaves Tamarack with fond memories of the children, staff
"But I will tell you this: He is one superb camp director,"
Wineman said. "I have.the utmost respect for him, on an
ongoing basis."
Several young people - who have worked with Finkelberg
n Aug. 10, Harvey Finkelberg, hoarse but happy,
during
his 10 years with the camp organization took imme-
stepped up to the sun-drenched stage at Camp
diate
action
upon hearing of his dismissal.
Maas in Ortonville and introduced folk-singing
A
message
on the Tamarack Camps Web site (from
superstar Debbie Friedman to the 3,000-plus
people who had gathered to celebrate the 100th birthday of which Finkelberg's name has been removed) reads: "Harvey
Finkelberg was fired today — show your support for him
the largest Jewish camping association in the United States.
and e-mail tamarack@tamarackcamps.com ... to let the
That may have been Finkelberg's finest moment.
board know that they have made the biggest mistake in
After 10 years as executive director of the Tamarack
Tamarack
Camp history."
Camps, Finkelberg learned Nov. 4 that he'd spent his last
Ben
Konyn,
a British citizen who has worked at the
summer in Ortonville.
"Harvey is no longer with the agency," confirmed Ronald camp for two years, told his fellow counselors via e-mail
that Finkelberg "deserves a
Sollish, president of Fresh
lot better than this."
Air Society, the Jewish
"I am sure that I am not
Federation of Metropolitan
the
only one who can see
Detroit agency that runs
what
an asset Harvey is to
Tamarack Camps.
camp,"
Konyn wrote. He
Finkelberg's wife, Linda,
may
not
have been every-
who had served as the Fresh
one's
favorite
person all the
Air Society's office manager,
time,
but
that's
his job. I
also lost her job this week.
don't
know
one
person at
The couple, who live in
camp who put in the
Huntington Woods, have
hours and the effort that
seven children.
Harvey does.
Sollish declined to com-
In two years at camp,,I
ment on the reasons for the
don't
recall seeing Harvey
dismissals.
sit down and relax once.
"We thank Harvey for his
`Camp is not for the staff,
years of service, and we wish
it's
for the kids.' That's
him the best in whatever he
what
Harvey said and he
does "
meant
it ...
Finkelberg said Sollish had
"Harvey
has brought
told him "the board wants
Camp Director Harvey Finkelberg celebrates Tamarack Camps'
Tamarack
up
from the pits
to go in a different direction
100th anniversary with campers Allison Wertheimer, 14, and
to
what
it
is
today
— the
at this time."
Samantha Wax, 14, both of West Bloomfield
biggest
Jewish
camp
in
The former camp director
North
America."
said he did not want to see
Many e-mails from
"an adversarial relationship"
Finkelberg's
supporters
were
acknowledged
at the Nov. 5
between himself and the Fresh Air board.
Fresh
Air
Society
board
meeting,
but
the
board.
did not
"There are no secret issues; nothing is going on,"
consider
overturning
its
decision.
Finkelberg said. "I'm a professional; this is a professionally
The only non board or staff member allowed into the
run organization with an extremely competent staff. I trust
meeting
was Finkelberg's daughter, Natalie. Addressing the
that they will work together for another successful camp
board, she said in part: "Thousands of parents each year
season this coming summer."
send their children away, many for the first - time because
During Finkelberg's tenure, Tamarack closed its Brighton
they feel their children will be safe and cared for. My father
facility and moved its base of operations to Ortonville,
is that sense of comfort they have when they put their chil-
where existing buildings were improved and new facilities
dren on the bus. I have never met a mother or father who
built.
could shake my father's hand and not be completely con-
Camp enrollment when he started in 1992 stood at
vinced that their child would be looked after as if that child
1,500; last summer, more than 2,000 young people were
were his own."
enrolled in Tamarack programs. During the same period,
Whoever is in the executive director's office, FAS
the budget ballooned from $2.5 million to $5 million.
President
Sollish said, Tamarack Camps will be "ready to
"It's the thousands of children and staff I've influenced
welcome
the
children of our community to camp this sum-
that I will remember the most," Finkelberg said.
mer.
Henry Wineman II, the Fresh Air Society's immediate
"We've had 100 years in the camping business so far, and
past president, said he couldn't comment on the reasons for
we'll
have 100 years in the future."
Finkelberg's dismissal.
DIANA LIEBERMAN
Copy Editor/Education Writer
Friends
Your concern
and support
has humbled me
and given me
strength
I will never
forget
your love.
Thank You!
Neale
11/8
2002
16