On July 11, during session break at Camp Maas, nearly 300 alumni, family members, friends and community supporters gathered to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Jeff Grey’s passing and celebrate a legacy that continues to shape Tamarack Camps.
Jeff, who was serving as Camp Kennedy director when he was killed in a tragic accident in Algonquin Park in 2006, remains woven into the fabric of camp. Thanks to the generosity of family, friends and the Tamarack community, more than $80,000 was raised to thoughtfully renovate and rededicate the Jeff Grey Campfire Circle — a place that will continue to inspire connection, nature, Judaism and music for generations to come.
That spirit was felt in every corner of Camp Maas. Guests spent the afternoon at Sobell Beach enjoying canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming and reconnecting with old friends. Under clear skies and with perfect summer weather, the the Kona Ice truck arrived to provide a refreshing treat — with a heartfelt nod to one of Jeff’s beloved songs, Frozen Bliss. Everywhere you looked, there were embraces, stories, unexpected reunions and meaningful moments. Twenty years after his passing, Jeff once again brought people together.
Following dinner in the chedar ochel (dining hall), the community gathered in Jeff’s Circle for a moving dedication ceremony — a first look at this newly updated space for so many. Camp Kennedy alumni and song leaders from across generations, including Connor Michaelson, Ben Goutkovitch and others, filled the space with Jeff’s favorite songs alongside beloved camp classics. Family members and friends reflected on Jeff’s remarkable impact and the significance of creating a place where his spirit will continue to be felt.
The evening also honored another cherished member of the Tamarack family, Ruth Nemon Grey, Jeff’s mother, a former assistant camp director and longtime staff member. Her siblings dedicated a memorial bench in her honor, with Jeff’s guitar resting beside it — a quiet reminder of the impact and joy they instilled at Tamarack for so many.
After singing the Shehecheyanu to mark the sacred moment, the program concluded with a traditional camp-style Havdalah. For alumni spanning decades, it was a powerful return to the sounds, traditions, and sense of belonging that define Tamarack.
Just a couple of weeks later, the session two campers and staff regathered in Jeff’s Circle for Havdalah, continuing a tradition that has become part of countless Tamarack experiences. As new generations sit around the fire, sing together, and build lifelong friendships, they will also come to know Jeff, his passion for camp and connection, and his enduring legacy.
