30 | FEBRUARY 6 • 2020
Camp Guide
The Farber Farm’s Reach
Produce from the farm makes
it beyond the dining hall.
RACHEL FINE SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS
A
t Camp Maas of
Tamarack Camps, the
Farber Farm has been
growing and blossoming since
opening its barn doors in June
2018. During the farm’
s sec-
ond summer of programming,
campers had the opportunity to
plant, harvest and snack on fresh
veggies while learning about
sustainable agriculture and its
connection to Judaism.
One may wonder where the
endless rows of fruits, veggies
and herbs go after campers, staff
and volunteers harvest them.
In the summer, Farber Farm
Manager Alex Rosenberg works
closely with the Head of Dining
Services at Camp Maas Regina
Helsinki to determine which
fresh foods can make it into the
chadar ochel (dining hall).
To maintain accordance
with kosher law, some produce
cannot be served in the chadar
ochel. While one may think
that all vegetables follow the
laws of kashrut, the possible
contamination from insects,
stringent washing and supervi-
sion requirements make things
complicated.
In the summer, donations are
delivered weekly to Yad Ezra by
volunteers. Some produce has
been enjoyed at Hazon Detroit
events, as well as displayed at the
Hazon Michigan Jewish Food
Festival. Tamarack Camps also
donates excess produce to the
Ortonville Food Bank, Jewish
Ferndale, and congregations and
food banks throughout the year.
In November, the Farber
Farm was a donating sponsor
at the Ronald McDonald House
Charities for its “House Chef
Challenge” event. The Farber
Farm delivered a produce pantry
(complete with mystery ingredi-
ents) for a fundraising program
held at the Ronald McDonald
House Detroit, which mirrored
popular TV show cooking com-
petitions.
Talented chefs, including
Tamarack Camps’
own Sammy
Vieder (a past contestant on
NBC’
s MasterChef Junior),
formed two teams and compet-
ed in a cook-off using surprise
challenge ingredients from the
Farber Farm.
Tamarack Camps is thankful
to Farber Farm Task Force mem-
bers Sheri Mark and Elizabeth
Sollish, as well as Rosenberg’
s
mother, Lisa Rosenberg, for con-
necting Tamarack Camps to this
delicious, heartwarming event.
It is clear that the reach of the
Farber Farm extends outside
of Ortonville. It reaches into
our Jewish community … and
beyond!
Rachel Fine is a development
and marketing associate at Camp
Tamarack.
COURTESY OF TAMARACK CAMPS
Chefs prep in the House
Chef Challenge event at the
Ronald McDonald House
Sunshine and laughter.
Music and art.
Sports and water play.
Exploration and discovery.
Some things are simply
better together.
CAMP
FUNTABULOUS
Like sunshine and laughter, come
experience why Summer Camp and
Hillel are better together. For
campers 2-5 years old.
For more information,
contact Robin Pappas, Director of
Early Education, at 248-539-1489 or
rpappas@hillelday.org.