FEBRUARY 1 • 2024 | 31
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ince 1902, Tamarack Camps has been an integral part of 
Detroit’s Jewish community — and annually serves as an 
inclusive place for nearly 1,100 children, teens and young 
adults to enjoy the outdoors, become more independent, develop 
leadership skills and foster Jewish identity. 
Tamarack believes every child deserves the opportunity 
to go to camp. Through the Send a Kid to Tamarack (SK2T) 
Annual Campaign, the cost for every participant is subsidized, 
and almost $1 million in additional need-based scholarship is 
granted. Tamarack awards more scholarships than any other 
Jewish camp worldwide.
“Tamarack is an important pillar in our community. It’s the 
first, sometimes only, place kids get involved in the community 
and meet Jewish friends,
” said SK2T Co-Chairs Jeffrey Kirschner 
and Lisa Korotkin Rothberger. “We are so grateful that our 
children have had this valuable 
experience and are inspired by our 
generous community donors who make 
it possible.
”
This year’s Send a Kid to Tamarack 
event will take place May 8 at Temple 
Israel. There, community leaders Elaine 
and Michael Serling and distinguished 
alumna Naomi Miller will be honored. 
Their passion and dedication to the 
Jewish community have had a lasting 
impact at Tamarack Camps, locally, and 
in Israel.
As newlyweds in 1971-72, Elaine and 
Michael Serling spent a year in Israel, 
an experience that had an indelible 
impact on their lives and inspired them 
to make a positive difference through 
their Judaism. 
 As Tamarack camper parents, grandparents and Bubbie Zaydie 
participants, Elaine and Michael’s shared involvement and 
philanthropy have fostered the love of Judaism and Israel within 
their family and throughout camp. 
They have provided significant camper scholarship support, 
contributed to the Farber Farm (through the Serling Pavilion), 
aided the Shinshinim program and have taken special interest in 
the Israeli Camper Program. 
 Together and individually, Elaine and Michael have been 
instrumental in advising, leading and supporting numerous 
community organizations and institutions, most notably through 
the Michael and Elaine Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and 
Modern Israel at Michigan State University. 
“Through the generations, we have witnessed firsthand 
the Jewish impact Tamarack has made on our family and 
community. We have also been fortunate to see up close the 
proud connection Tamarack has helped forge between our 
Detroit Jewish community and Israel. Thus, we are thrilled to 
provide support and honored to be this year’s SK2T honorees,
” 
the Serlings said.
Naomi Miller’s connection to Detroit began more than 

continued on page 32

Elaine and 
Michael 
Serling

Naomi 
Miller

Tamarack Winter 
Challenge

You can make a lasting impact 
on Tamarack campers today 
and in the future! Help us 
meet a $100,000 challenge 
grant for the SK2T annual 
campaign by March 31, 2024, 
and an anonymous donor will 
invest an additional $100,000 
toward our endowment to 
support scholarships and 
greatest needs in perpetuity.

