The High Holidays are a time for reflection — looking back on the past year and considering how we can grow in the year ahead.
From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we ask ourselves: Am I being the best person I can be? Did I hurt someone, even unintentionally? How can I improve moving forward? These moments invite us to pause, reflect and reset.
At Tamarack, these same skills are embedded in the camp experience. Learning how to contribute to your community and respond with kindness are essential parts of growing up at camp. Our campers face new challenges, try things outside their comfort zones and push through fears — all within a supportive and inclusive environment. When they return home, they carry with them greater independence, confidence and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of something bigger than themselves.
Recently, I had the pleasure of celebrating Sukkot at our Farber Farm, where we partnered with The Well and Adamah Detroit to host a special farm-to-table dinner. Together with 80 community members — many of whom were seeing the beauty of Camp Maas for the first time — we enjoyed a delicious meal made from produce grown on the farm, dining under the stars in the calendar garden (which signifies a true central gathering place and reminds us of the connection between Judaism and nature) .
It was an evening filled with gratitude — a true reflection of Sukkot, often explained as “the Jewish Thanksgiving.” The farm is a beloved part of Camp Maas, and we were grateful to share this unique experience with alumni and new friends, incorporating the farm’s bounty into our meals, bringing fresh, meaningful food as we do with our campers during the summer.
While we celebrated Sukkot without a cloud in the sky, this week, during Shemini Atzeret, we pray for rain in Israel, recognizing how rain nurtures growth. Just as nature flourishes with water, our campers thrive in the beautiful, serene surroundings of camp. Time outdoors offers them the chance to disconnect from everyday stresses and reconnect with the world around them, finding peace in the world around us.
The following day, Simchat Torah marks the day we complete and restart of the Torah, reminding us that each year brings new opportunities for learning and growth. With each reread, we gain new insights and glean new knowledge — just as each camp session builds on the last. Whether in waterskiing, social interactions or personal challenges, our campers discover new insights and gain new skills every year.
Being part of the Tamarack community is a blessing, and I often reflect on how much this place means to me and so many in our community. Like so many others, our Jewish identities were forged and grew at camp. I am grateful to work with so many alumni and supporters who give of their time, talent and treasure so that our campers and generations to come have the opportunity to grow through Tamarack’s Jewish camping experience. Wishing you growth, joy, and connection in the year ahead.
