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..