Dear friends and supporters of Tamarack Camps,
My name is Nave Alfasi, and I am writing on behalf of the family of Nati David Alfasi (z”l).
I am Nati’s younger brother and the second of Hedva and Maimon Alfasi’s four children. Nati attended Tamarack Camps in the summer of 2010, and I would like to offer you a different perspective on the impact of the Tamarack experience.
Nati David Alfasi, of blessed memory, was the son of Hedva and Maimon, my beloved older brother, a devoted husband to Shahar, and a loving father to Eitan Yosef. From an early age, Nati dedicated his life to serving his country and helping others. He went on to become a highly respected commander in the IDF Paratroopers Brigade.
Throughout his military service, he rose from squad commander to deputy commander of Battalion 202, attaining the rank of major, and led his soldiers with professionalism, humility and by personal example.
Nati was a true people person, whose life was defined by giving to others. He knew his soldiers personally, cared deeply for their well-being and supported anyone who needed his help. He also donated bone marrow, saving the life of a young mother of three. On October 7, although he had completed his assignment and was on leave before beginning his studies, Nati left everything behind and immediately joined the fighting to defend the State of Israel and help restore security to its people.
Major Nati David Alfasi fell in battle in Khan Younis on January 22, 2024, while serving as a deputy battalion commander. He left behind a loving family, countless broken hearts, and a remarkable legacy of leadership, courage, humility, generosity and love for his homeland.
Back when Nati and I were children, during our sweet childhood, we used to fight a lot. Our relationship had its ups and downs, as I believe every relationship between young siblings does. I used to tease and provoke him until he got mad, and he never let me get away with it. This would often result in me bursting into tears and calling for my mom, who would then get angry with him.
In 2010, Nati left for Tamarack. My father and I dropped him off at the meeting point in Israel. This time, I was also in tears, but it was different. It was what I now consider my first real separation from my older brother. I vividly remember thinking to myself that I did not know how I would make it through the summer without him. Tamarack Camps made me understand, for the first (and certainly not the last) time, how much I admired my brother and cherished every moment with him.
The day Nati returned from Tamarack, we could all see that something was different. Nati came back changed. He was more mature, more independent, and noticeably more confident. To my family and me, it felt as though he had not been away for only a month (or even less) but had returned from a journey of many years, one that helped shape him into the man he would soon become.
My relationship with Nati was never the same after that summer. I understood how much I loved and missed him, and what an important part of my life he was. It felt as though he had come to the same realization about me. From the moment Nati returned from Tamarack, we never fought again. Our conversations became more meaningful and deeper, and I discovered my brother anew as the wonderful older brother he remained until the day we lost him.
Nati carried Tamarack with him everywhere he went. When he first returned, it seemed to be all he could talk about: the lake, Michigan, the adventures he experienced at Tamarack, the friends he made, his host family, and the unforgettable moments he experienced there.
Later, during his teenage years, everyone could see that he had returned from Tamarack with several important realizations: his love for his country, the importance of the connection between Israel and Jewish communities around the world, his appreciation for the Jewish community in America, and his desire to contribute to all of these meaningful causes.
I believe that, for Nati, Tamarack was the first step in a life dedicated to serving his country and the Jewish community.
On September 3, 2026, I traveled to Detroit, Michigan, and visited Tamarack Camps. I wanted to walk the same paths Nati had walked, visit his village, and gain a sense of the once-in-a-lifetime experience he had there. It was the closest I had felt to him in a long time.
Shani, the Israeli representative at the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit, did everything she could to make my visit possible. The wonderful and deeply compassionate Lori (Davidson-Mertz) then took me on a meaningful journey through the camp, giving me a glimpse into the experiences of the children there. She showed me places where Nati had once been, explained the children’s daily routine, and introduced me to the many workshops and activities offered at the camp. She also showed me the new spaces being built thanks to people like you, who work tirelessly to support this extraordinary place.
I was truly amazed. It was difficult to comprehend the amount of thought, care, and effort invested in every detail — the beauty and simplicity of the camp, and the authentic, deeply rooted sense of Jewish identity and community that it creates.
This letter was written from the depths of my heart and with immense emotion, as an expression of gratitude to everyone involved and to every person who makes all of this possible.
I also wanted to convey the profound and lasting impact that the Tamarack experience has on the children who attend the camp and on the lives they lead afterward. The experience is equally meaningful for the families who send their children away, miss them deeply, and welcome them home with joy after a life-changing journey.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I hope Tamarack continues to create this extraordinary ripple effect for many years to come.
To learn more about Nati’s life and legacy, please visit: https://remembernati.com/?page_id=3928&lang=en
With heartfelt gratitude,
Nave Alfasi
