Last week, after several years of delay, the Jewish Federation of Detroit’s (JFD) Grosfeld 17 Mission (G17) visited Israel. Originally scheduled to leave Detroit on October 11, 2023, it was truly a full-circle moment when the group celebrated the first Shabbat after the remaining hostages returned at Hostage Square, alongside thousands of relieved Israelies. G17 also experienced emotional visits to October 7 memorials, met with families of fallen soldiers and victims of the Nova Festival, and toured various JFD programs in the JFD’s partnership region.
As JFD’s Director of Missions (and past Send a Kid to Tamarack Distinguished Alumna) Naomi Miller often says, “All roads lead to Ortonville.” This trip was no exception.
G17 included Tamarack Camps alumni, camper (and staff) parents, Serling Israeli Camper Program (ICP) participant hosts, and current and former Tamarack board and committee members. One trip participant — who actually fits all of the above descriptions — is Tamarack Camps Past President Joe Lash.
“It seemed like Tamarack and the Israeli Camper Program were referenced throughout the entire trip,” Joe shared.
In JFD’s Partnership Region in the Central Galilee, the group had an opportunity to meet ICP participants, hearing directly about last summer’s Tamarack highlights and enjoying warm home hospitality visits. Later, while touring the south, they shared a heartfelt visit with the mother of former ICP camper Maya Puder, who was killed fleeing the Nova Festival on October 7.
“None of us will ever forget what we witnessed at the Nova Festival grounds or the stories of loss from the last 2 years. But we were also fortunate to hear about Israeli pride, resilience and heroism. It felt like the country was finally able to exhale (even for just a moment) while we were there. And one of the definite highlights of the trip was having dinner at the homes of our amazing ICP campers and hearing how fondly they talk about their experiences at camp. We really felt like we were with our mishpacha (family)!”
-Joe Lash,
G17 participant and past president of Tamarack Camps
