ABONIM DROR

munity, too. As a community camp,
serving families of every Jewish denomi-
nation, Tamarack Camps serves as a
hub for Jewish life. Throughout the
summer, I greeted hundreds of visitors,
from parents to camp alumni to local
Jewish professionals — and their tours
stretched well beyond meals and photo-
graphs. They jumped into camp life and
our many camp activities, including a
Shabbat experience.
Along the way, they met with
Tamarack's leadership team: Chief
Executive Director Stephen J. Engel,
Camp Director Lee Trepeck, Associate
Director Debbie Landau, Assistant
Director Carly Weinstock, Director
of Teen and Family Programs Jason
Charnas and Board Chairman Darren
Findling.

When I asked visitors why they would
take hours out of their day to shmooze
with us in the woods, I heard a common
refrain, "Oh, I come every summer. I
need my Tamarack fix!"
Clearly, the value of Jewish camp
extended beyond campers and staff, pro-
viding rejuvenation and inspiration to
the larger Jewish community.
We've all heard the joke: two Jews,
three opinions. Jewish life can feel
fragmented. Yet a community camp,
like Tamarack, can provide a vital, non-
denominational setting for our disparate
factions to collaborate and celebrate.
This summer, members of Tamarack's
newly formed Rabbinic Advisory
Council, including Rabbi Josh Bennett of
Temple Israel, Rabbi Michael Moskowitz
of Temple Shir Shalom, Rabbi Aaron
Starr of Congregation Shaarey Zedek,
Rabbi Aaron Bergman of Adat Shalom
Synagogue, and Rabbi Simcha Tolwin
of Aish Detroit made multiple visits to
camp. These local leaders taught camp-
ers and staff observed Jewish program-
ming and worked with our leadership
team to continue enhancing Jewish life
at camp.
Even in the off season, though we
may differ in our backgrounds and
some viewpoints, our Rabbinic Advisory
Council continues to meet, united by
our commitment to shaping Tamarack's
Jewish life.
This past summer, our camp song,
titled "Nothing More by the Alternate
Routes, includes many meaningful lyrics,
especially the important lyrics, "We are
love. We are one If one Jewish value of
camping rises above the rest, it is this.
Jewish camp reminds campers, staff
and community members alike that we,
as a Jewish people, are one. Our true job
is to love one another, to support each
other and to celebrate together. Jewish
camp connects us as one. *

www.camptavor.org
224-619-5969
registrar@camptavor.org

At Habonim Dror Camp Tavor,
campers build life-long friendships
and create their own meaningful
Jewish community.

Alt

2-7 week sessions for campers entering grades 3-12

5-day option for entering 3rd, 4th and 5th graders

First-time campers may be eligible for up to
$1000 off of camp tuition

"The values that are lived daily are outstanding and the children have a wonderful sum-

mer in so many ways."-Camp Parent

tir

Rabbi Ben Shelve is rabbi-in-residence and direc-

tor of Jewish programming at Tamarack Camps.

'Summer Horse Camp for Girls

Western Riding • Vaulting • Trail Rides • Swimming • Boating
Arts & Crafts • Field Acri77777317Imuch more!

** Mother/ Daughter weekends available! Call for details! **

BLACK RIVER
FARM. RANCH \

c)

Call today to learn more! Phone (810) 679-2505

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December 3 2015

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