18 | FEBRUARY 8 • 2024 J
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F

or more than 20 years, the long- 
running Israeli Camper Program 
has brought more than 1,600 Israeli 
youth in total to Metro Detroit to attend 
summer camp.
The partnership between Jewish 
Federation of Detroit, Tamarack Camps and 
Michigan’s Partnership2Gether region in 
Israel is made possible by the hundreds of 
Metro Detroit host families who volunteer 
to house the Israeli campers.
This year, Federation is seeking out host 
families for Israeli campers in what it antic-
ipates will be its most impactful and biggest 
year yet. 
Host families will attend a welcome event 
the day the campers arrive and host campers 
for two nights following camp.
Session one of the Israeli camper program 
takes place from June 18 to July 12, while 
session two will run from July 16 to Aug. 9.
Since the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, many 
Israeli children have faced unimaginable 
trauma and uncertainty. Some have lost par-
ents and siblings to the fighting, while others 
hail from some of Israel’s most devastated 
kibbutz communities.
That’s why this summer, Federation is 
seeking to bring out a record number of 
campers from Israel who now need 
community — and a change of scenery — 

more than ever. While numbers vary year by 
year, the goal is 150 campers.
“This year was a very traumatic year for 
Jews worldwide, but especially Israelis,
” 
explains Allison Gutman, senior Israel & 
Overseas associate at Federation, who serves 
as the point person for the Israeli Camper 
Program. 
“We’re once again digging deep into 
community support to bring more than our 
usual round of Israeli campers, including 
those that have experienced first- and sec-
ond-hand trauma, for a summer of a life-
time and a warm embrace from the Jewish 
community.
”
Volunteer host families host Israeli camp-
ers in pairs of two or three. They’re matched 
up based on interests, diet, home specifics 
(such as pets or no pets) and having chil-
dren of similar age to the Israeli campers. 
Campers vary in age but are typically bar 
and bat mitzvah-aged up to their senior year 
of high school.
Host families are required to have indi-
vidual sleeping spaces for Israeli campers 
(which may include a couch or an air mat-
tress) and enough seats in their vehicle for 
safe transportation.
Host families are also encouraged to 
help campers get to know the commu-
nity and make the most out of their stay. 

Some families, for example, will go 
on family boat outings with Israeli campers, 
while others will take campers to a Tigers 
game.
Interested families can apply to be a host 
family at jewishdetroit.org/get-involved/
israel-and-overseas/israeli-camper-program. 
Federation will also host two free informa-
tional sessions on Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. or Feb. 
16 at 9 a.m.
Registration for the informational sessions 
is now open on JLive, and interested host 
families will have the option of attending 
in-person at the Federation building in 
Bloomfield Township or joining in via Zoom. 
There is no commitment by attending. 
“The whole community is supportive of 
Israel and the Israeli Camper Program his-
torically,
” Gutman says. “What an opportu-
nity we have to make such a positive impact 
this summer.
” 

Host families will house Israeli children 
attending summer camp in Metro Detroit.

Israeli Camper Program 
 
Seeks Host Families

ASHLEY ZLATOPOLSKY CONTRIBUTING WRITER

OUR COMMUNITY

Questions? Contact Allison Gutman 
at agutman@jfmd.org or 248-205-2534. 

With the current crisis in Israel, we’re bringing 
more kids than ever before to Tamarack for the 
Israeli Camper Program and a much-needed 
change of scenery. With more campers coming, 
we need more host families than ever too.

Here’s your chance to do a special mitzvah 
guaranteed to make an immediate impact. Host 
families will attend a welcome event the day the 
campers arrive and host 2-3 campers for two 
nights (Friday and Saturday) following camp.

It’s tikkun olam for your whole family, creating 
bonds lasting long after the summer is over.

HOST FAMILIES NEEDED. 
NOW, MORE THAN EVER. 

Summer 2024 

Important Dates 

SESSION 1: 

June 17. Welcome Event 

July 12-14. Host Weekend 

SESSION 2: 

July 15. Welcome Event 

August 9-11. Host Weekend

ISRAELI CAMPER PROGRAM

Use this QR code for 
more info and to apply.

jewishdetroit.org/icp

Last year’s 
Israeli 
campers at 
Tamarack

