Yoni Herling, 24, of Tel Aviv; Jared Gussin, 16, of Farmington Hills; Ubi Mangisto, 23, of Jerusalem; Tall Zion, 21, of Gan-Ner; Anna Moshkovyen, 13, of West Bloomfield; Batsheva Honig, 13, of West Bloomfield;
Nicole Varman of Nazareth Mit; Gahl Porat, 14, of Timrat; and Adam Gould, 12, of Farmington Hills
Israel comes to Tamarack
Camper program allows American and Israeli kids to learn from each other.
by Gabriella Ring
amarack Camps' history stretches back 106
years, but its Israeli camper program only
goes back seven. Yet this recent addition
has become an integral part in the lives of both Is-
raeli and American campers.
The program was initiated to give Israeli teens
and young adults an opportunity to attend outdoor
summer camp despite conflict during the second
Palestinian intifada (uprising) in 2002. Instead of
sending a Teen Mission to Israel, the Jewish Federa-
tion of Metropolitan Detroit brought Israel to Camp
Maas in Ortonville. More than 300 campers and
counselors attended that year from Detroit's Part-
nership 2000 region in the Central Galilee.
Originally intended to run for one year, the pro-
gram was expanded after directors saw the positive
effects of having the Israeli campers mix with the
American campers.
Since then, enrollment has dropped to a manage-
able 80 campers during two summer sessions. More
than 80 percent of the funding is provided by pri-
vate donors; the rest comes from Federation.
The goal of the camper program is "for people
to get involved with Israel," said Steve Goodman,
program chair. He visits Tamarack twice a session,
for a Shabbat service and for Israel Day.
Teens are chosen carefully from a variety of crite-
ria including their English and social skills and how
well they will interact with other children. Several
meetings are conducted prior to their arrival.
Israelis like Nicole Varman, 13, from Nazareth
Illit and Gahl Porap, 14, from Timrat are among
campers attending second session. They've been
enjoying outdoor education, Jewish camp life, fun
recreational activities and getting to know American
teens.
Nicole was born in Argentina and moved to Is-
rael at 7. At camp, she has already established last-
ing friendships, including Katie Taub, 12, of Ann
Arbor.
"I think it's really cool how she's here, teaching
us what happens in Israel and giving us a different
cultural experience," Katie said.
Nicole says speaking English with everyone
comes easily; she also speaks Spanish. She even
teaches her American peers Hebrew songs that they
may know in Hebrew by melody and word, but may
not know their meaning.
Her counselor, Samantha Padgett, 19, of Oak
Park, said, "They [the Israeli campers] bring the cul-
ture of Israel to America, to Tamarack."
Nicole is among six Israeli campers to compete
in the JCC Maccabi Games this month. Of 35 Is-
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