OUR COMMUNITY

A

fter Tamarack’s summer 2020 
programming was canceled due 
to COVID-19, Tamarack returned 
this summer with calculated safety measures 
in place. While Israeli campers were not able 
to make it to camp, 35 Israeli staff members, 
the most ever, brought Israel to 
life this summer.
“This year we had an Israeli 
counselor in every village,
” 
said Carly Weinstock, director 
of Tamarack’s Camp Maas. 
“The Israeli camper program 

was really missed this year. It was sad we 
couldn’t have them, but we look forward to 
continuing that program in the future.” 
Israeli staff members led and impact-
ed a variety of programs at camp: from 
artists-in-residences to staff training to 
teaching Krav Maga, as examples. In so 
many ways, Israeli staff enhance the Jewish 
overnight camping experience.
Yuval Hazon was an Israeli counselor 
at Tamarack this summer. Hazon wishes 
Israeli campers were able to attend but 
believes there were so many Israeli staff 

that the kids at camp still had positive 
Israeli experiences.
The presence of Israeli staff members, 
Israel Day and Jewish programming were 
obvious ways Tamarack was able to bring 
Israel to life, but Hazon believes the most 
important way is through personal connec-
tions.
“Just through being who we are, con-
necting with the campers and counselors 
here and hearing personal stories about 
Israel,” Hazon said. “You can hear and 
read about Israel but it’s so different when 
you actually get to know someone from 
there. Every one of us is so different and 

TAMARACK

A Little Bit of Israel 
at Camp Tamarack

Carly 
Weinstock

14 | SEPTEMBER 16 • 2021 

Tamarack had 35 Israeli staf
 members this 
summer, the most ever. 

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

The Israeli staff 
were welcomed 
with a dinner 
buffet

Yuval 
Hazon

TAMARACK

