When we talk about the Tamarack Camps experience, one thing we often say is that “camp is run by grown-ups” — but what does that mean and why is it important?
By grown-ups, we really mean professionals — our camp leadership who bring years of experience and a deep love for camp to everything they do. From guiding campers through new challenges to supporting our counselors and supervisors in shaping the magic of summer, these dedicated individuals ensure that summer is safe and fun for everyone.
Some of us work at camp year-round (you can learn more about us on the year-round staff page), but for the summer, when we need more hands on deck, we call on our community — and we’re so fortunate to have a deep bench of educators and physical and mental health professionals who are willing to make camp their summer home:
Medical
Gail Chynoweth
Director of Health, Teen Programs
Gail oversees the health and wellness of our teen campers, ensuring they have the care and support they need for a safe and successful summer. During the school year, Gail is a school nurse at Hillel Day School. She earned her RN, BSN from Wayne State University and brings a wealth of experience to her role. A longtime member of the Tamarack family, she loves to celebrate Shabbat at Camp Maas and her favorite camp meal is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Outside of camp, you can find her spending time with her husband and four kids.
Jen Feinberg
Director of Health, Camp Maas
Nurse Jen has been keeping campers healthy and safe for five years as director of health — and was once a Tamarack camper, counselor and supervisor herself! She manages the clinic staff and supports the medical needs of everyone at camp. Currently an RN at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Jen also serves as a SWAT nurse and has worked around the country as a travel nurse in places like California, Arizona, Florida, New York and Hawaii. Her camp favorites? Silent disco, apple turnovers, and the time she led her own canoe trip in Algonquin. When she’s not at camp, she’s off exploring — because she loves to travel!
Brighton Side
Hallie Steckler
Head of Brighton Side
Hallie has been a part of Tamarack Camps for over two decades, spending the last 14 summers leading Brighton Side, where she oversees the supervisors, counselors and campers. During the year, she’s a middle school special education teacher in Birmingham, bringing the same care and enthusiasm to her students. A Spartan at heart, Hallie earned her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University and a master’s in special education from Oakland University. One of her greatest joys at camp is seeing once-homesick campers turn into kids who never want to leave. She’s all about waterfront adventures and creative moments in omanut (arts and crafts), loves a good s’more and will always sing along to Leavin’ on a Tamarack Bus. Fun fact: Hallie met her husband, Bryan, at camp!
Lexie Kay
Social Worker, Brighton Side
Lexie spends the school year as the social worker (and Girls on the Run coach) at Norup International School and her summers doing the “Best! Job! Ever!!!” helping campers navigate friendships, solve problems and feel supported throughout their time at Tamarack. A former camper herself, she later served as a counselor and supervisor before coming back as a senior leader. With a master’s in social work from U of M, Lexie brings to Brighton Side mental health expertise, kindness and a love for traditions, old and new — establishing “Kindness Day” bingo in 2024 is among her proudest Tamarack accomplishments. And her favorite camp things include Havdalah, tripper stew and OG song sessions, but what she loves the most is “that no matter how much camp changes, it always feels like home.”
Mid Side
Laura Charnas
Head of Mid Side
With more than 20 summers at Tamarack, Laura is dedicated to making Mid Side an incredible experience for campers and staff alike. She’s there to support, energize and ensure everyone has a summer to remember. When she’s not at camp, she works at The Jewish Fund and holds a master’s in educational leadership. A lifelong camper at heart, Laura has been packing her kids for camp since 2013 — an impressive feat! She loves omanut (arts and crafts), the baked potato bar and Kabbalat Shabbat songs. At home, she bakes amazing chocolate chip cookies and has even trained her dogs to jump through hoops.
Marni Alekman
Social Worker, Mid Side
Marni supports campers in Charach Sheruth, Wolfe, Berman and Hermelin villages, helping them navigate homesickness, anxiety, friendships and bunk dynamics. A licensed social worker for 13 years, she runs a private practice specializing in maternal mental health when she’s not at camp. With a background in community mental health, Marni has dedicated her career to supporting individuals through life’s challenges. One of her most rewarding moments? Seeing a once-homesick camper leave with happy tears, wishing camp would never end.
Senior Side
Craig Charnas
Head of Senior Side
With more than 30 summers at Tamarack, Craig leads the oldest campers through unforgettable experiences. A longtime middle school math and science teacher with a master’s in education, he brings dedication and energy to camp life. Craig’s favorite part of camp? Camping trips and enchilada casserole. But the absolute best part is that it’s a family affair, where he gets to work alongside his wife and one of his daughters.
Jodie Heicklen
Social Worker, Senior Side
Jodie helps our oldest campers navigate camp life. With a background as a psychiatric social worker and a current private practice in mental health therapy she brings compassion and expertise to her role. This summer marks her second year at Tamarack, and she’s especially proud of helping homesick campers go from tears at drop-off to tears at pick-up — and watching friendships that begin here last far beyond the summer. A fun fact: Jodie has a photographic memory, making her hard to beat at trivia!
Rick Barinbaum
Senior Social Worker
Rick brings his expertise in social work and education to camp, supporting well-being across the community. When he’s not at Tamarack, he teaches at the University of Michigan’s School of Social Work and consults on resilience, trauma-informed care and team building. A lifelong camper at heart, Rick’s favorite parts of camp include Shabbat, song sessions and tie-dye. He’s built incredible relationships with staff and loves seeing “I love you appropriately” become a camp tradition. Fun fact: he once played in an electro-funk-disco band called Moses!
Danielle Tagai
Director of Inclusion and Teen Programs Social Worker
Danielle is dedicated to making camp a welcoming place for everyone, leading Tamarack’s Inclusion Program and helping teens grow into leaders. With a master’s in social work and certifications in trauma, resiliency and clinical social work, she brings expertise, compassion and a deep commitment to ensuring every camper feels at home. Outside of Tamarack, she’s worked in school health and social work, and at Tamarack, she’s especially proud of creating the camp’s Sensory Room. She’s a proud wife to Jason and mom to sons Brady, Jonah and Jayse. Her camp favorites include omanut (arts and crafts), schnitzel sandwiches and singing Colorful — a perfect choice for someone who helps every camper shine.
Program Areas
Jordyn Kay
Jewish Educator
Jordyn is bringing her passion for Jewish education and music back to Tamarack this summer, overseeing Jewish programming and the music team. With a background spanning Jewish education, songleading, youth work and camp leadership, she has spent the last decade working in the Jewish nonprofit world. A proud product of metro Detroit’s Jewish day schools, she also has a degree in Judaic studies. At camp, you’ll find her on the waterskiing dock, enjoying a potato knish at Shabbat dinner, or leading a spirited rendition of Shooby. Outside of Tamarack, she’s a frequent flyer — literally — having boarded 70 planes last year! If there’s a Taylor Swift lyric to be sung, Jordyn knows every word.
Brooke Leiberman
Head of the Arts
Brooke is the heart of Tamarack’s creative arts programming, including omanut (arts and crafts), theater, dance, music and multimedia. Under her guidance, campers and staff explore self-expression through a variety of artistic forms and she’s passionate about ensuring that each project, mural and performance is a true expression of campers’ talents. Outside of camp, Brooke is an educator in Novi and a fluent Hebrew speaker. Her favorite moments at camp? Watching campers bring their ideas to life in unforgettable ways, including through her own artwork, which now proudly lives on at camp. Brooke is also a dedicated Tamarack parent to three campers. Her camp favorites include ceramics, BBQ chicken, and the song Colorful, which feels like a fitting choice for a person who brings color and creativity to everything she does.
