Family Focus
Foreign Exchange
Tamarack Camps mark eight years on the Israeli Camper Program.
I
n 2002, as the second Palestinian
intifada raged in Israel and youth
travel to Israel was curtailed, the
Detroit Jewish community reached out
to a group of Israeli teens living under
the constant threat of suicide bombings.
Some 325 Israelis campers were offered
a no-cost Jewish summer camp experi-
ence Tamarack Camps' Camp Maas in
Ortonville.
Not only was camp a place where
they could move freely and just be kids
again, but the program became another
way of keeping the Detroit Jewish com-
munity connected with its Partnership
2000 region in the Central Galilee.
After eight years, nearly 1,000 Israeli
teens have spent a month living, inter-
acting and enjoying a safe American
camp experience at Camp Maas.
A total of 80 campers from the
Central Galilee spent a month at Maas
this summer.
"For me, and the nine other staff who
are returning here after being campers
a few years ago, the experience at camp
and being part of the community and
building relationships with out friends
at camp and host families has changed
our lives," said Simona Librov, 16, of
Nazareth Illit.
"We are now all active youth leaders
in our local communities, and really
understand what it means to be part
of a bigger Jewish community and the
Enjoying a Detroit Tigers' game are Lin Raveh, Simona Librov, Margo Goodman of
Bloomfield Hills, Noga Beeri and Shaylee Coibin.
as she prepares to return to Israel.
responsibilities that this entails."
Ten junior counselors were returning
campers from the Jewish Federation of
Metropolitan Detroit's youth leadership
program called Mercaz Maaseh and
invited to return.
Sherri Ketai of Franklin, Israeli
Camper Program chair, said, "I have
served as a host for this program. I have
reconnected with the campers I have
hosted when in Israel. The relationships
formed between my family and our
campers continue today?'
Jonah Geller, Tamarack Camps executive
director, called the program, "one of the
most special aspects within our agency."
hosted by Warren and Carol Ann Rose of
Birmingham.
"To observe the transformation that
the Israeli teenagers have undergone with
their American counterparts, especially
with respect to their social and religious
exploration has been truly remarkable,"
said Geller.
The Israeli campers this summer were
hosted by 40 local families, an experience
that significantly enhanced their stay, he
said. "I've also witnessed the reunions of
camp friendships and families coming
together during Detroit's family missions
in Israel, further exemplifying the mean-
ingful connections initiated at camp?'
Federation and Tamarack Camps
sponsor the program. II
Program chair Sherri Ketai hugs Jada
Nivi Levy and Alexandra Seledts were
Brown Program Celebrates 10 Years
Staff members of the Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care
Program gather to celebrate 10 years.
54
October 1 • 2009
ver the summer months, the
Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish
Community Adult Day Care
Program proudly celebrated its 10th anni-
versary. Festive events were held at both
Brown Centers of Metro Detroit: operated
by JVS in Southfield and by Jewish Senior
Life in West Bloomfield.
These events honored the special con-
tributions made by sponsors, donors, par-
ticipants and their families.
One contribution was an employee
recognition party to honor individuals for
their dedicated work, which has made this
program such a huge success over the past
10 years.
The Brown Program allows older adults
with Alzheimer's and related disorders to
reach their highest level of functioning
and independence in a safe and caring
Jewish setting. The program is an award-
winning model providing respite and sup-
port to family caregivers. It enables their
loved ones to continue a satisfying quality
of life in their own home.
"The pillars of the Brown Program have
always been a caring, innovative staff, a
close partnership with family caregivers
and vibrant community support," said
Peter Ostrow, program director.
"This includes not only generous donor
gifts, but also a wealth of volunteers who
enrich program services. The nearly 700
participants and 1,400 family members
served over the past 10 years often tell us
the program has been a 'godsend and life-
saver for their families?"
For more information and to contact
the Brown Program, call social worker
Dorothy Moon in Southfield, (248) 233-
4000, or Fran Cook, family life coordinator
in West Bloomfield, (248) 593-5032. ❑