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New Alliance Tamarack Camps joins Federation and synagogues to enhance future Teen Missions. S ince its inception 20 years ago — as the brainchild of Rabbi Harold Loss of Temple Israel — the Teen Mission program has been a partnership of the Federation and congregations, providing outstand- ing opportunities for teens and youth groups to travel, learn and connect with their rabbis and synagogues, while also seeing some of the work the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit does in Israel. During that time, however, some Jewish teens in Metro Detroit have been faced with a decision: four weeks in Israel — a trip-of-a-lifetime hiking, rafting, camping and traveling with friends from synagogue — or a sum- mer at Tamarack Camps in one of the outstanding teen programs there with best friends, many of whom have been together for eight or more summers. "What if there were a way to do both?" asked Robb Lippitt, a com- munity leader, Tamarack parent and strong advocate for teen missions to Israel. "Why put our kids and their families in the position of having to choose one outstanding summer pro- gram over another? "Rather than competing for turf, why not collaborate to build a bigger, better, more inclusive Teen Mission program by pooling the resources of our Federation, our synagogue leader- ship and Tamarack Camps?" With strong leadership from Federation, Temple Israel, Temple Shir Shalom, Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Adat Shalom Synagogue, Tamarack Camps and others, all of the obstacles to coming together for a common pur- pose — to bring more Jewish Detroit kids to Israel — have been cleared. As a result, Teen Mission 2016, reimagined as a community co-part- nership, will run July 5-Aug. 5, 2016. The Teen Mission will continue to be open and welcoming to all teens in the community, regardless of synagogue or camp affiliation. What could be better than finding a way to send more Detroit teens to Israel? Nothing, according to Sue and Alan J. Kaufman, avid community leaders and Teen Mission sponsors since 2012. "We love the idea of a Detroit community Teen Mission with Tamarack Camps on board," said Sue Kaufman. "This can help build on what Federation and the synagogues have created, and we hope that new partnership will double the number of Jewish teens we send to Israel." A WINWINWIN "We came to the table with very differ- ent viewpoints — and some concerns — on how the Teen Mission might work in separate, but equal shares to the benefit of each of our organiza- metro 12 October 8 • 2015 PHOTOS BY DEBBIE HILL Teen mission participants discover the beauty of Israel through hiking, learning and touring. Opportunity knocks. Research, internships, study abroad, and service learning are built into nearly all of Grand Valley's 200+ areas of study. These, along with our liberal education foundation that fosters critical thinking, creative problem solving, and cultural understanding, prepare you well to answer the call of a rewarding career and life. FIND WITHIN gvsu.edu/find 000000 Buddha Barbie Catch her debut in the Oct. 22 issue of the JN — and look for her On !e Town! Introducing our new society columnist