metro >> around town '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.