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'Community Gem
Executive Director Steve Engel sings 'The
Tamarack meeting looks at successes, challenges and the future.
Drew, Joe and Stacey Lash
Lisa and Frank Ellias
Taylor Onderko and Talya Porre
Camp Maas Song' as part of his remarks.
Gabe Neistein
Special to the Jewish News
M
ore than 100 people associated with Tamarack Camps — incoming and
outgoing board members, staff, families, alumni and future campers — gath-
ered at the Butzel Conference Center in Ortonville on Aug. 14 for Tamarack's
Annual Meeting.
Frank Ellias, board president, said that despite a struggling Michigan economy,
Tamarack has remained a "gem in the Detroit community." He said Tamarack, whose
goal for nearly 110 years has been to provide enriching Jewish camping experiences for
children and families regardless of financial ability, was able to allocate $1.25 million in
financial aid to almost 50 percent of its families this year. As a result, camper numbers
were up by 3 percent this summer.
"Tamarack Camps enjoys the reputation of being the premiere community Jewish
camp in the United States," Ellias said. "That said, we could not have our camp without
the continued support of the families whose names are seen on our buildings and vil-
lages as well as many anonymous donors who make gifts from a few dollars to hundreds
of thousands of dollars:'
The meeting also was a first opportunity for many to meet Steve Engel, Tamarack's
new executive director, who started last December.
Federation's Israeli Camper Program, which has brought more than 1,000 young
Israelis to Tamarack over 10 years to forge bonds between Israeli and American campers
and host families, was brought to life by two members of the Teen Service Staff: Taylor
Onderko and Israeli Talya Porre.
Joe Lash received Tamarack Camps' President's Award, given annually to someone who
displays commitment to Tamarack and to Jewish camping, leadership and Jewish con-
tinuity. Lash, part of a four-generation Tamarack family, has served on the Camp Maas
Committee and this year's Send a Kid to Tamarack Patron Event committee as well as
serving as chair of the Property Committee. He and his wife, Stacey, a Tamarack alumnae,
participate each year as a host family for the Israeli Camper Program. Lash will serve as
2011-12 board treasurer.
The Annual Meeting also gave a chance to thank outgoing board members — Darren
Findling, David Goldman, Phyllis Pilcowitz, Hilary Haber and Lisa Stern. New two-year
members are Howard Katz, Cheryl Kerwin, Andrew Landau, Jodi Neff, Bill Newman, Eli
Saulson, Eileen Stein and Jimmy Sugarman. Arik Green will begin his first three-year
term, and Ilana Glazier, Alan Hurvitz, Linda Ishbia, Kathryn Lenter and Janet Loesberg
will begin their second three-year term.
Tamarack's officers are Ellias, president, Michael Lippitt, first vice pesident, Geoff
Kretchmer, vice president, Lash, treasurer, and Lori Weberman, secretary.
It was also announced that a substantial anonymous donation has been secured to
renovate Sheruth Village. I 1
Prizes-Winning Jewelry
Camp Maas Getaway
A
M
my Olender of West Bloomfield was awarded second place in the jew-
elry competition at the Northwestern Michigan Fair held Aug. 6-13 in
Traverse City. Amy's entry was a selection of her handmade beaded brace-
lets.
"We've been attending the fair for the past 20 years, and my family has always
encouraged me to enter the competition:' she said. "I'm thrilled to take home a rib-
bon!"
18 August 25 - 2011
embers of the Women's Jewish Professional Network were invited recently
by colleague Deena Lockman of Tamarack Camps to tour Camp Maas, have
dinner and meet with Lee Trepeck, camp director. Attending were Ellen
Yashinsky Chute of Jewish Family Service, Wendy Strip of the Jewish Community
Center, Amy Haimann of JFS, Leslee Magidson of the JCC, Lockman, Lea Luger of Yad
Ezra and Susan Gertner of the National Council of Jewish Women-Greater Detroit
Section.