Metro

Tamarack Reunions

Camps take alumni efforts on the road.

Jacob Korenstein, Justin Ben Zvi, Talia Salei, Jen Feinberg and David Fichman, all of New York City

T

amarack Camps held its first
out-of-state alumni event in
New York City on Nov. 8 and its
second annual Thanksgiving Alumni Bar
night in Southfield on Nov. 29.
The two events were coordinated by
Rachel (Grey) Ellis, Tamarack board mem-
ber and alumni committee chairperson,
and Carly Leipsitz, development associate.
In New York City, 50 former Tamarack
campers and staff of all ages turned
out at Legends in midtown Manhattan.
Participants shared camp stories and
memories, reconnected and caught up on
Tamarack and Michigan current events.
Ellis, along with Tamarack board mem-
ber and nurse Kathi Moss, traveled with
their spouses to New York for the event.
"What is so wonderful about bringing
alumni together is that it doesn't mat-
ter what generation you represent. Our
Tamarack experiences are all very similar
so we all share a very special connection:'
Ellis said.
"The alumni committee's mission is to
provide meaningful opportunities for our
alumni to connect with each other and
Tamarack. Hosting reunions for our alum-
ni who no longer live in Michigan shows
that commitment:'
The second annual Thanksgiving
Alumni Bar Night took place at Mr. Joe's
in Southfield, attended by 200 former
campers and staff. Alumni came from Las
Vegas; Wilmington, Del.; New York City;
Los Angeles, San Diego, Louisville and all
around Michigan. Jeff Metz and Lenny

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December 25 • 2008

Newman, both past directors of Camp
Tamarack, Brighton, attended the event.
"It was really wonderful to reconnect
with people who shared a very special
time in our lives:' said Metz, who came
into town from Wilmington.
"It is always great seeing the gang;
there is no gang like the camp gang!" said
Newman, director of Brighton from 1972-
77 and 1982-84.
Metz and Newman were part of the 50
Brighton staff alumni who came to Mr. Joe's.
Both events are part of a series that
Tamarack Camps has initiated to enhance
its strong alumni base. More than 1,300
people attended last summer's Alumni
Family Fun Day when Camp Maas in
Ortonville was open for the community.
"Tamarack has an extremely strong and
vibrant history:' said Executive Director
Jonah Geller. "There's nothing more special
for alumni than to reconnect and share
memories that have shaped their Jewish
identity. The added bonus is when fam-
ily members and friends from multiple
generations come together to share their
experiences:'

.

Randy Topper of Staten Island and Janet Loesberq of
Warren, N.J., at the New York event

Andy Krasfur of El Paso, Nita Cohen of Birmingham, David Cohen of Bingham Farms,
and Laynie and Michael Langnas of West Bloomfield at Mr. Joe's in Southfield

❑

On tap are a Chicago Alumni Event
on March 7, Alumni Family Weekend
on May 22-24 and Alumni Family
Fun Day on June 21. Check tama-
rackcamps.com or e-mail alumni@
tamarackcamps.com for information
and to be added to the alumni mail-
ing list.

Jessica Topper of Farmington Hills, Kate Bush of Detroit and Rachel Engel of Chicago