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11.

Israel Day included various tests of athleticism.

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we're a

Camper Brendan Alpiner of Franklin leads the way under the wire.

PROUD PART

COMMUNITY!

to Israel and inserted into the real
Western Wall. He also put together a
series of laminated Jewish superhero
trading cards featuring pictures and
information about 25 figures like
Gal Friedman, the winner of Israel's
first Olympic gold medal. Tamarack's
kosher 500-square-foot tallit that can
cover the whole camp for an aliyah
is another project Rockowitz speaks
about with pride.
"The bottom line is, it just becomes
mega cool to be Jewish on every
lever said Rockowitz.
"Kids want in."

Lasting Connection
After the whirlwind of camp is over,
the campers make one final last-
ing connection, spending a weekend
with local Jewish host families before
returning to Israel. Laura and David
Gorosh of Birmingham opened their
home as hosts for the third year along
with their children, Hannah, 9, and
Andrew and Isabella, 6-year-old twins.
"It's amazing to see how wonderful
these kids are David Gorosh said.
"They're so warm, and I think the

experience they have here is invalu-
able."
The Gorosh family tries to give
Israeli campers a taste of Michigan
by taking them to Detroit's Comerica
Park, concerts and to a mall. They've
even kept in touch and visited with
campers and their families in Israel.
Many host families also maintain a
correspondence via e-mail.
"It really builds the relationship on
a whole different lever said Naomi
Rockowitz. "They're bringing Israel
into people's homes."
"The community here is amazing
and the people are doing so much
for us," added Kama Abercohen, 16,
of Midgal Ha'Emek, a counselor in
training who was also a camper three
years ago.
"I appreciate that gratefully."
Shelly Hutton of West Bloomfield,
first vice president of the Fresh Air
Society, which oversees Tamarack is
also overwhelmed by the success of
the program. "I'm filled with naches
(joy)," Hutton said. "We're doing won-
derful things here. We're building a
community." Fl

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August 23 • 2007

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