Our Team

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The Tamarack Team

Tamarack Camps

Lee Trepeck
Chief Executive Officer
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Lee grew up at summer camp — as a camper and staff member — and dreamed that, some day, he would professionally become involved in the camping business. Yet it took some time — upon graduation from the University of Michigan, he was employed on Capital Hill, attended law school at Case Western Reserve University, worked in a law firm, joined his family in the operation of Burger King franchises, and then actively became involved in the real estate business. Ultimately, in 2009, following years of community participation as a lay leader, he was thrilled to join Tamarack Camps, where he was hired as the Director of Camp Maas. For twelve summers, he managed the daily responsibilities at “The Greatest Place on Earth,” where he found overwhelming pride in the ongoing interaction with campers, staff, families, alumni, supporters, and community advocates. In November, 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Lee assumed a new role — Chief Executive Officer — and was honored to lead the charge in reopening Tamarack’s programs. In this capacity, he continues to appreciate working with such talented year-round professionals, dedicated board members, and community professionals — along with organizations and supporters (locally, nationally, and internationally) that enable Tamarack to successfully pursue its mission. Lee and his wife, Robin (who he met at summer camp in 1979!), live in Huntington Woods, and are the proud parents of University of Michigan students, Jamie and Andy.

Andrew Belsky
Chief Financial Officer
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Andy is happy to be a part of the team at Tamarack Camps as the Chief Financial Officer. He joins us with over 20 years of senior financial leadership experience in the toy industry (including Shrinky Dinks and Slinky), candy industry (Wonka), and outdoor sporting goods. Andy is not a stranger to the Tamarack Camps family, as he had the privilege of watching his daughters, Rachel and Lizzy, grow up at “The Greatest Place On Earth!” As a lifetime Detroiter, Andy is deeply committed to and an active participant in our Jewish community. Andy remains eager and excited to speak with anyone who may have questions about the process of sending your child to Tamarack Camps!

Click here to email Andy!

Dr. Stefanie Aronow
Chief Medical Officer
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Dr. Stefanie Aronow has been a lifelong member of the Tamarack family. She was a camper from Brighton through travel trips, a counselor & lifeguard, a camp doctor since 2005, a board member, medical committee chair/member, camp maas committee chair/member, and a donor. After earning her undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Michigan, she graduated from UofM Medical School and completed her residency at Rainbow Babies & Children Case Western University’s Hospital. She has 25 years of experience as a pediatrician, practicing at four different university tertiary care practices over her career. She is thrilled to join the outstanding team of professionals leading Tamarack Camps in health & safety and to set an example for the national camping community. Stefanie and her husband, Herb, recently returned home to Michigan and currently live in Birmingham. They have two grown children Hannah and Josh. Dr. Stefanie loves to run, travel, cook, and spend time with her family and friends – especially at camp!

Jeannette Levene
Senior Accountant & Registrar
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Jeannette Levene is a Staff Accountant working with our Finance Department since January 2017. She handles registration and scholarship processes and may be one of the first to contact your family. Her wide-ranging background in accounting and finance makes her a unique fit for the Camp Maas team whether in the city or camp office.

Click here to email Jeannette!

Jessie Pesola
Senior Accountant
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Jessie is a Senior Accountant working with our Finance Department since March 2021. She handles Payables, Payroll, and Financial Reporting. Coming to Tamarack, she had over 20 years of direct and indirect non-profit experience. When she isn’t at the City or Camp office, Jessie enjoys traveling with her husband, cheering on the Detroit Lions, and going on adventures with their two dogs, Hailey and Loki.

Claira Sudduth
Accounting Assistant
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Claira works on the finance team. She is currently pursuing her MSA/MBA at the University of Michigan – Flint. Before coming to Tamarack, Claira worked in the craft beverage industry as a lead brewer at a popular Detroit establishment. In her free time, she enjoys long-distance running, cooking, and spending time with Hank, her GSD mix.

Camp Leadership

Carly Weinstock
Camp Director
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Carly is no stranger to summers at Tamarack Camps, as she began her camp journey at 7 years old and has been a committed camper and staff ever since! Her previous titles include Development Associate, Program Director, Assistant Director, Associate Director, and now, Carly assumes the role as Director. Carly holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Western Michigan University. When not in the camp office, you can find Carly on the lake waterskiing or swimming with our campers. During the off-season, Carly lives in Huntington Woods with her husband Michael, and two children, Joshua (current Tamarack camper) and Marlee (camper 2022).

Click here to email Carly!

Becca Fishman
Associate Director of Camp Maas
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Becca began her journey at Tamarack Camps as a camper in 1999. She continued on as a counselor and supervisor, and decided she wasn’t ready to leave camp just yet. She is thrilled to be working for an organization that had such a wonderful impact in her life.

Click here to email Becca!

Matt Russell
Assistant Director, Teen Programs
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Matt first came to Tamarack from Australia for a summer job in 2005, and he fell in love with camp, returning for several summers and working for the year-round program, Tamarack Adventure & Retreat Center as Director. Tamarack is where he met his American wife, and the two of them spent the first five years of their marriage in Australia. Since moving back to the States in the winter of 2018, Matt has joined the Leadership team for Tamarack and works diligently to ensure a positive experience for all of our guests.

Click here to email Matt!

Lauren Vidak
Program Coordinator
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Lauren joins Tamarack after spending over a decade working in education and camping. Originally from Colorado, Lauren developed a love and appreciation for nature at an early age and began working with a nature connection program for underserved youth. During her time in Colorado, she also worked prolifically in youth arts with theatre and dance programs at various levels. Her time in that area allowed her to develop new programs for the community, including the first dance program built specifically for children with learning, cognitive, and emotional disabilities. Lauren came to Michigan as a campus director for a large overnight camp where she helped expand their programming and learning objectives. Lauren continues to work to provide programming and educational outlets that help all children grow into the very best versions of themselves!

Zack Goldman
Teen Israel Coordinator
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Zack attended his first session at Tamarack Camps in 2006 and never left, attending camp as both a camper and staff member. He is a graduate of Michigan State University and has coordinated large-scale events and trips for university Greek life. Zack will lead the Joy and Allan Nachman Teen Leadership Trip to Israel (and the Sue & Alan Kaufman & Family Teen Mission in the even years), as well as the subsequent Teen Leadership Village (TLV) program at Camp Maas. Zack is passionate about how Jewish camping provides an experiential environment where campers and staff can live learned values and be the best version of themselves.

Rachel Pitt
Administrative Coordinator
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Rachel began her Tamarack experience in January 2022. After graduating from Michigan State with a BS in Environmental Biology, Rachel worked in the environmental sciences for 13 years. From there, she worked as an artisan/maker for over a decade. When she’s not working, Rachel enjoys being outdoors – walking the dog, swimming, and gardening. She lives in Beverly Hills with her husband, Adam, and their kids, Mia and Aiden.

Alex Rosenberg
Farber Farm Manager
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Alexandra (Alex) Rosenberg was born and raised in Michigan and is honored to work the land of her home state. Food, farming and positive environmental participation are the front and center of Alex’s life and she is thrilled to bring these passions to Tamarack Camps as the Farber Farm Manager. She received her field management training from The Organic Farm School in Washington state and her Permaculture Design Certificates from the Sonoran Permaculture Guild of Tucson, Arizona and the Midwest Permaculture Guild of Stelle, Illinois.

Click here to email Alex!

Hannah Zonder
Farber Farm Educator
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Hannah began her Tamarack journey in 2007 as a camper and since then has spent a total of 11 summers here as both a camper and counselor. Hannah is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in horticulture and specialized in sustainable and organic farming. With a strong passion for farming and outdoor education, she is so excited to step into the role of Farber Farm Educator. When Hannah is not on the farm you can find her spending time with her family, reading a good book, or playing with her 2 cats!

Kristen Hollenbeck
Security Manager
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Prior to joining Tamarack Camps, Kristen was a Law Enforcement Officer and College Criminal Justice Instructor.  She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Ferris State University and her Master’s Degree in The Science of Management from Hodges University. Kristen began working with Tamarack in 2013 as a Security Coordinator and now Manages the full Security Program.

Rabbi Benjamin Shalva
Director of Jewish Life & Learning
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Rabbi Benjamin Shalva is proud to be Tamarack’s Rabbi, Director of Jewish Life & Learning, and Supervisor of Soul. When not running around camp with his guitar and blue kippah, he works as a writer and freelance rabbi, specializing in Jewish meditation, mindfulness, and music. He lives in Baltimore with his wife Sara and their two children – proud Tamarack campers – Lev and Avital.

Advancement

Gabe Neistein
Chief Advancement Officer
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For many years, Gabe has been connected to the Detroit Jewish community with over 10 years of experience in non-profit organizations. He spent 8 summers as a Tamarack camper and he worked professionally for camp as the Development Associate and Alumni Relations Director from 2011 to 2017. Gabe attended Michigan State University, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism. Additionally, he received a Masters of Community Development at the University of Detroit Mercy and completed a certificate in Major Gifts at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Before rejoining the Tamarack team, Gabe was the Fund Development Director at the Midnight Golf Program, a youth development program focused on empowering young people throughout Southeast Michigan to successfully transition from high school to college and beyond.  As a lay leader, Gabe has participated on the boards of the Jewish Historic Society of Michigan and MSU Hillel. Most recently, at Tamarack Camps, he has served as the co-chair of our Advancement Committee. Gabe lives in Berkley with his wife, Ilene, and their dog, Poncho. Gabe and Ilene are Co-Owners of the Green Bay Packers and enjoy visiting our friends and family all over the world, ambitious Lego projects, and pretty much anything we can do together.

Click here to email Gabe!

Lori Davidson Mertz
Director of Annual Giving
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Lori’s love for camp began when she spent her first summer in Brighton and it grew from there.  Today, Lori enjoys her position at Tamarack Camps as the Director of Annual Giving.  Before this, Lori spent 14 years in residential new construction sales and 10 years working for the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit. Lori is passionate about raising funds to ensure that every child can spend a summer at Camp! She lives in Huntington Woods with her husband Steve and happy camper, Sophie.

Click here to email Lori!

Lori Semel
Advancement Operations Manager
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Lori Semel became a ‘camper’ 5 years ago when she joined the Tamarack team as a Development Analyst. She graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and went on to obtain her MBA from Wayne State University. Formerly, Lori worked in the healthcare field but took time off to raise her own Tamarack campers, her daughter, Lilli and son, Jacob. Lori has a passion for spreadsheets!

Click here to email Lori!

Helayne Shaw
Family and Alumni Engagement Coordinator
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Helayne started on her Tamarack adventure as a camper in Dorm 2 (2nd grade) at our former Brighton site. She spent 8 years as a camper and has over 30 years as a staff member, including a counselor, supervisor, program director and currently as the Director of Family Camping. She has worked in a professional capacity for our agency, as the Director of Family Camping for 14 years. Helayne also has been involved in our community’s Jewish Family Education Project and is an educator at Hillel Day School of Metropolitan Detroit.

Click here to email Helayne!

Robin Trepeck
Philanthropic Advisor
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After practicing real estate law for 20 years, Robin is thrilled to follow her passion for Jewish camping as the Director of Philanthropic Partnerships. Robin works with camper families, alumni and supporters to further enhance our “community’s gem” while exploring opportunities for engagement and involvement. During camps’ “off-season,” Robin lives in Huntington Woods with husband and camp director extraordinaire, Lee, and her wonderful kids that have grown up at Tamarack Camps, Jamie and Andy.

Click here to email Robin!

Camper Care

Jen Feinberg
Director of Health, Camp Maas
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Jen has been attending camp since she was 8 years old from being a camper to staff to supervisor to clinic nurse and now Director of Health, Camp Maas. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a BA in political science and then went back to school to pursue her passion of becoming a nurse at Oakland University where she obtained her BSN. She started her training at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Currently, she is a pediatric travel nurse taking on assignments all over the US with her most recent location in California at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Click here to email Jen!

Gail Chynoweth
Director of Health, Teen Programs
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Gail has been a part of Tamarack Camps for many years.  She lives in Farmington Hills with her husband Gary, 4 kids and their dog Lucy. Their 4 children are 3rd generation Tamarack campers!

Gail obtained her BSN from Wayne State University.  She has many years of experience working as a Registered Nurse, including experience in Intensive Care, Urgent Care/ER, Tamarack Camps and JCC Day Camps. During the school year, Gail is the School Nurse at Hillel Day School.  She is very excited to be in charge of the health and wellness of teen campers!

Click here to email Gail!

Hallie Steckler
Head of Brighton Side
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Hallie has been at camp since she was 8 years old.  During the summer, she sensitively works with our youngest campers and their staff members as one of the Heads of Brighton Side.  She graduated from Michigan State with a BA in Special Education and got her Master of Education from Oakland University.  As a special education teacher in Birmingham and a mom to Noa, Drew, and Griffin, Hallie’s caring demeanor and dynamic personality are a comfortable and natural fit for our Brighton Side.

Laura Charnas
Head of Mid Side
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Laura started her Tamarack career as a Specialty camper in the 90’s. Since then, she has spent 18 summers at camp. Laura has her Master’s Degree in Education. When not at camp, Laura works at The Jewish Fund as the Program Coordinator for The Teen Board. She loves spending summers at camp working with her husband. A highlight has been watching her daughters Maddie and Gillie learn and grow at camp.

Craig Charnas
Head of Senior Side
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Craig Charnas is a middle school math teacher in Walled Lake.  He has been teaching in the same school for 19 years. The summer of 2020 will be Craig’s 27th. He began camp as a TSS and this will be his 5th summer as Head of Senior Side.  He loves working at camp with his wife and seeing his daughters love camp as much as he does.

Danielle Tagai
Director of Mental Health & Special Needs
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Danielle enthusiastically returned to Tamarack in the summer of 2019 after being a camper through Kennedy Outpost Experience and a young Teen Service Staff in 1997.  Danielle holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan, and during the off-season works as a full-time School Social Worker. Her previous experience includes working with students preschool through post-secondary age 26, youth detention, and mental health. As the Director of Special Needs, Danielle supports staff, campers, and families in accessing and accommodating camp, so all campers are able to access the best camp ever! Danielle lives in Commerce Township with her husband Jason and is a mom to three energetic boys Brady, Jonah, and Jayse.

Rick Barinbaum
Senior Social Worker
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Rick Barinbaum, LMSW, is a Director of Happiness and Social Worker for the Brighton Side. When Rick isn’t at camp, he is a social worker, lecturer, and field instructor at the University of Michigan, where he teaches and supervises social work students in a variety of interprofessional settings including child welfare, immigration advocacy, and medicine. Rick grew up in Arizona and attended Camp Charles Perlstein (now Camp Stein) and was a Unit Head at a JCC summer camp. In 2002, Rick was part of Avodah, a Jewish volunteer service corps, which led him to the east coast where he earned an MSW at Hunter College and taught at a social justice focused bar-bat mitzvah program. Rick worked for ten years in New York City focusing on child welfare and interdisciplinary social work/legal advocacy and taught as an adjunct professor at Hunter before moving to Michigan with his spouse and two kids. In his free time Rick likes spending time with his family, riding his bike, playing music, hiking, cooking, eating, and eating.

Marni Alekman
Mid Side Social Worker
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Originally from Montreal, Canada, Tamarack Camps was Marni’s introduction to Michigan 20 years ago. In 2002, she worked as a Berman counselor, followed by Specialty and 2 summers as TSS Supervisor. Returning to Tamarack as Camp Maas Social Worker is like a dream come true! Marni earned her BA in Psychology from Concordia University in Montreal and her BSW from York University in Toronto. She later graduated from Wayne State University in 2012 with her masters degree in Social Work. She has worked in a variety of settings including camps, cruise ships, team building programs, and an early childhood development center for children with special needs. Her social work career includes experience working in child welfare, outpatient substance use treatment, and community mental health services for children with serious emotional disturbances, adults with mental health challenges and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. During the off-season, Marni works as a therapist at a private group practice. Marni lives in Huntington Woods with her husband, David, and her 2 daughters, Sadie (first-time Shiffman camper!) and Izzy. She is counting down the days until summer!

Lexie Kay
Brighton Side Social Worker
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Lexie began her camp journey in 2006 as a Shiffman camper and went on to be a TSS, counselor, and supervisor at Camp Maas. She earned her undergrad degree in Psychology and Organizational Leadership from Michigan State University and her Masters in Social Work from the University of Michigan. Lexie currently works as a school social worker at Scranton Middle School in Brighton schools.

Lexie is thrilled to be returning back to the “Greatest Place on Earth” this summer as Brighton side social worker to ensure new and old campers alike have the best summer ever!

Outside of Lexie’s role as a social worker, she loves to try new work out classes, go shopping, hang with her friends, family, and Berndoodle, Skilly.

Jodie Heicklen
Senior Side Social Worker
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Jodie is so excited to be a first time camper – although, her husband and kids have been part of the Tamarack family for many years! Jodie has an undergraduate degree from Indiana University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Her past work experience includes working as a psychiatric social worker in the hospital and she is currently in private practice as a therapist. Jodie lives in Huntington Woods with her husband, Gary, their three kids, and dog Indiana! As a family, they enjoy traveling and spending time together. Jodie can’t wait for THE BEST SUMMER EVER!!