18 | SEPTEMBER 19 • 2024
amazing memories and a renewed
spirit.
“This program demonstrates the
power of our community to provide
not only respite but also a sense of
belonging and hope,” she added.
Lee Trepeck, Tamarack Camps’
CEO, said, “We are so proud of this
program and see its positive impact
in our partnership region, around
our community and, of course,
throughout our campgrounds. This
year, especially while in the midst
of war, the relationships were extra
meaningful.”
Gabe Neistein, Tamarack’s
chief advancement officer, added,
“This year, for us to take even
more campers than we already
do is a major statement of
camp’s leadership and also of our
community that’s wrapped their
arms around this program and
shown a commitment to making it
happen.”
The community has indeed
wrapped their arms around it,
especially Elaine and Michael
Serlin, who provided a substantial
endowment gift to help secure the
future of the program.
The Serlings, whose kids and
grandkids have attended Tamarack,
are “honored” to support and have
their name attached to the program.
Elaine and Michael met with the
Israeli campers, TLV and staff this
summer.
“They would come up to each
of us, not only with a thank you
but also the idea that you really
understand what this is doing for
us, giving us some peace, hope, joy
and freedom for a while,” Elaine
recalled. “And that was the goal.
Michael said, ‘Let’s do something
lasting.’ We’re blessed to be able to
do this.”
Robin Trepeck, Tamarack’s
philanthropic adviser, said, “Sharing
not only their dollars, the Serlings
have become the Israeli campers’
‘American Bubbie and Saba’ —
forming connections upon their
arrival to Detroit, throughout the
summer and beyond.
“Elaine and Michael and so
many generous contributors and
host families, in partnership with
JFD, make this transformational
program possible,” she added.
Weinstock believes the program
was the most important thing the
camp did this summer.
“I went to Kibbutz Be’eri twice
this year. I toured the Nova site
and saw the unimaginable. I can’t
fathom what these children went
through,” Weinstock said.
“And I know the magic of camp
and what it does for our campers
every year. I knew, no matter what
it took, we needed to do this for
these kids.
“Everyone kept saying it would be
hard. And I’m like, I’m not afraid
of ‘hard’ as long as they get to have
fun and enjoy what camp has to
offer.
“I cried at that first Havdalah,
and there were many of those
moments I had throughout the
summer of seeing these kids have
fun, smile, dance and even get in
trouble, break rules, have a food
fight — but that’s what kids are
supposed to do, have connections
with other kids and have these
experiences.
“At camp, they could have a
safe haven. That’s why it was so
important to give it to them.”
OUR COMMUNITY
continued from page 17
Elaine and Michael Serling, American ‘Bubbie and Saba’ to so many Israeli
campers and Israeli Camper Program lead donors, visited Teen Leadership
Village (TLV) participants at the Farber Farm.
Elaine and Michael Serling, Israeli Camper Program participants
and Tamarack Camps staff pose to thank the Detroit Jewish
community for an incredible, transformational summer..