By Lori Davidson Mertz, Director of Annual Giving
It is with great excitement that we announce Naomi Miller as this year’s Distinguished Alumna, who will be honored alongside Community Leaders Elaine and Michael Serling at our Send a Kid to Tamarack event — our largest fundraiser of the year — on May 8 at Temple Israel.
Naomi’s connection to Detroit began more than 25 years ago when, as a licensed tour educator, she led missions in Israel for the Jewish Federation and quickly became a beloved guide. At the height of the second intifada in 2002, Naomi helped create and led the Detroit Federation’s Israeli Camper Program (ICP) at Tamarack Camps. She continued to advance the program for over a dozen years, and its impact is evident today among Israeli and American campers, staff and host families — strengthening their Jewish identity and fostering lifelong bonds. Naomi remains closely connected to Detroit as Federation’s Director of Missions and the Israel representative of the Michigan Israel Business Accelerator.
“I felt the power and beauty of our Detroit Jewish community through Tamarack — secular Israelis embraced their Judaism, my sons, Yoav and Alon, made their best friends for life at camp; and I was inspired by the bonds formed between the host families and their campers,” Miller said. “I feel part of a global Jewish village because of Tamarack Camps and am truly honored to be the 2024 Distinguished Alumna.”
