DONE!

Photo Updates

Some more photos...

And check out Mel's blog when you get a chance!

Getting ready to go down the big crater.

Entering Eilat! 5 miles to go.

Israel's Grand Canyon.

Day 3

As we finished Day 3 of cycling around Israel we looked back at all the amazing sights we've seen in a way that many people never get to experience. Israel is such a beautiful and diverse country that is faced with some very severe environmental challenges. We have been in the desert, on busy highways, in archaeological digs, national parks, on a lovely Kibbutz, on the Mediterranean--the view is different and special at every turn. How lucky we are to be connected to a country that means so much to so many people and is a leader in science, technology and education. We heard presentations from former students who are working on environmental projects including sustainable water resource management and alternative energy sources like bio fuels generated from micro algae. These students from this region and North America are working on projects locally to help find solutions to global problems.
 Each day brings new insight and inspiration!

The People of the Ride

As we started our journey from Jerusalem on day 1 of the ride, it was apparent that there are some great leaders in the group of riders. Our own team member Bruce is one of those legendary ride leaders who is loved and respected by many! Bruce was asked to start the ride by reading the "Travelers Prayer" and another team member, Spencer, was asked to blow the Shofar.

As we began our treacherous decent out of the Jerusalem area, Bruce stayed with team members Annie and Allison who needed a little support navigating the dangerous terrain. Once the girls got their "bike legs" under them, Bruce was off to help a rider who was seriously injured. All along the first day's route Bruce was there to cheer people on, sing to them as they rode and help everyone see the joy and hope of this journey. We are so lucky to have Bruce in our community!

Along the way we also began to ride with, eat with and tour with the staff members and alumni of Arava and Hazon. Hearing their stories and how they are using their education to better the environment and peace process is truly inspirational. They are really introducing us to the environment, partnerships and Israel in ways we hadn't imagined! 

During pit stops and lunch breaks the crew feeds us,waters us and pumps up our tires and spirits  like we never imagined, showing off the Jewish value of Hachnasat Orchim (Hospitality/Welcoming Guests).

We are all so honored and happy to be here biking for these great causes and these amazing people!

Photos From Our Day

Visiting one of the Arava projects.

 

Our hosts at the Beadouin Village.

Our hosts at the Beadouin Village.

Making a Difference

Submitted by Bruce Stanger

I have done the Israel Ride eight times. It is truly a wonderful experience to know that you are making a difference for an organization such as the Arava Institute, the major recipient of this fundraiser. In addition, Hazon, such a wonderful organization here in the States, also gets a portion and provides us so much guidance.

Each year on the bike ride, I get to interact with people from around the world but especially with Arab and Jewish Israelis, as well as Palestinians and Jordanians from the region who are there for two reasons. The obvious reason that the students are there is to get an education on the environment. But the second very important benefit and reason for some, is that they get to meet the "other" in a setting that is conducive to discussions of the narrative of each.

Israeli Jews to a lesser extent but Palestinian and Jordanian Arabs to a great extent often face a good deal of opposition from their families before going to the Arava Institute. Many of them tell stories of not sharing with their families that they were applying or not sharing with friends and family where they were going when they went off to attend the one semester academic program for college-aged students on the regional environment in Israel.

The students of the Arava Institute study the environment, develop products, work on projects, and make a difference in the region. They have developed projects that allow for the generation of heat from waste. Other projects accumulate rainwater from individual homes for use in farming. They have a wonderful project that can take the gray water from a home and use it for irrigation. These projects are provided to the local communities who need them. These projects form the basis for an outreach to those that are far less fortunate.On Shabbat during the ride the students present to the riders on their experiences and reflections about being a part of the Arava Institute. These are very moving conversations where you see the tensions that develop among the students with different backgrounds, and the offsetting respect and love that they have for each other.

It is the hope of the Arava Institute that someday the director of the environment for each of the neighboring countries will be a graduate of the Arava Institute and that this will create a back channel for conversations about very important issues such as waste and the all-important issue of water in the region.

It is through these conversations, between the students and maybe someday between the heads of an agency, that the Arava Institute hopes that a real difference will be made in the community not just in the environment but in the cooperative dialogue that can occur when different people have a common goal. It has clearly happened on an individual student basis, and it has happened on a government to government basis; you can find out more about these successes by coming on the ride and meeting some of the students and staff. Over 30 people from the Hartford area have gone on the ride some of us multiple times.

If you want to learn more, you just need to reach out and ask someone at the Mandell JCC or elsewhere in the community, “Do you know someone who has gone on the Israel Ride?” The odds are you'll quickly be able to meet one of us. Please do reach out. Please do consider joining us on the ride next year and please do contribute in support of a rider's efforts to participate on this charity ride. You can contact me at bruce@israelride.org or at 860-561-0651. To make a donation in support of a rider, visit www.israelride.org.

Shalom from Jerusalem

Submitted by Annie Keith

Today was our first official day of Israel Ride 2013!

People from all over the world arrived, greeted old friends and made new ones! Excitement, and the spirit of cooperation, peace, fellowship and caring for the environment were in the air!

At lunch we dined on blankets in a local park, ate fresh local food (leftovers were donated to a local charity) and at the end all 150+ of us washed our own dishes in buckets on the wall so that the crew (Arava students and alumni) could use them for the next meal...no waste or disposable stuff here!

As riders set off to get their bikes ready and do test rides in the nearby Jerusalem Forest, it was so wonderful to see how everyone helped each other with bike set ups, parking lot trials and maps.

During evening orientation we learned more about one of the ride's beneficiaries--Hazon--and all the great work they are doing for renewed Jewish spirit and peace around the world.

We also learned about the diversity of people participating in the ride....alumni, 84 newbies, 13 people who've never been to Israel (like Team Mandell JCC members Annie and Allison), sets of siblings, families and couples, including one couple who recently married and asked for donations to the ride instead of gifts! So many great people and inspirational stories.

As we head off for day one on our ride tomorrow morning we look forward to showing you Israel and many of the great Hazon and Arava Institute projects from the seat of our bikes!

Shalom from Jerusalem!

Touring the Old City and Yad Vashem

Submitted by Annie Keith

As the team began to arrive in Jerusalem, everyone was drawn to the Old City. Small groups visited, toured and ate. Team members Annie & Allison (first timers) toured the Old City with Israeli tour guide and JCC friend Julian and long time Israel ride member, Bruce. It was an incredible experience to see people of all faiths and nations making pilgrimages to the ancient site. Julian's historical and societal perspective helped us understand the city in a special way.

After an amazing morning we left the Old City and toured Yad Vashem. Again, Julian really helped us see the Holocaust museum through different eyes. We started with the "Avenue of the Righteous," which honors those who helped Jews escape all over Europe. Julian explained that this beautiful tree-lined lane is at the beginning of the museum to say thank you and remind us that the loss of life could have been even greater if not for the "righteous among the nations." It was so powerful and beautiful. It was like being in school, learning what the sculptures in the garden and courtyard meant, as well as their symbolism and portrayals. Throughout the inside of the museum were stories, mementos and photos that made us hold our breath, gasp and cry. It was a moving and memorable experience.

The hotel is beginning to bustle with Arava & Hazon organizers arriving to set up for registration and orientation and cyclists checking in. Everyone we've met so far is passionate about this cause and this ride. We are getting so excited!

And We Are Off!

Submitted by Annie Keith

And we are off!

All the training and fundraising, all the packing and scheduling....

Our Team Meets up in Jerusalem Sunday night to begin our Journey together!

Thanks to all our friends, family, JCC staff and members who have supported Our Team, Hazon and The Arava Institute.

Check back to see photos of the Ride, our visits with the Arava students and their projects!

Jerusalem here we come!

JCC Kids Korner Kids and Early Childhood Kids Sending Team Mandell JCC off with cards, posters and gifts!

Pedaling for and from the Heart

Submitted by Ken Simon

Meet Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013 Team Member- Ken Simon

I'm Ken Simon and the upcoming trip to Israel will be my sixth since 1999. I have spent my Professional career as a Criminal Defense Attorney. Most of those years were as a Public Defender for the state of Connecticut.  

In March of 2011 following a Biopsy of my Prostate I was hospitalized for the first time in my life for three days with a life threatening infection. I then learned I had Cancer.
This caused me to think deeply about what I wanted from my future.

 

I had watched far too many colleagues reach retirement age and then carry on until they became sad caricatures of themselves or retire and then die shortly thereafter. I wanted neither.  So I quietly planned my retirement and did in fact retire in October of 2011 at age 60.

 

Meanwhile there was still the issue of Cancer to deal with. A second biopsy in November of that year confirmed that action was required and I planned surgery for January 24, 2012. My brothers and I planned a ski trip with our daughters to Colorado. A wonderful trip ended with my first real ski accident, flying home with 6 broken ribs and a collapsed lung. That was my condition 2 weeks later when I had my surgery.

 

Moshe Pinchover, who will ride with us in Israel had started getting me out on the bike that previous fall and floated his idea about the Israel Ride and we started training. The accident and surgery put a crimp in my training. The nurse, following the surgery, asked me what I would do for exercise to rehab. I told her I'd be back on the bike in 3 weeks. She laughed and said "I don't think so." She was right. It took 4 weeks to start riding indoors but by 6 weeks I was riding miles. I put on 2500 miles last year but we didn't make the trip for many reasons. This year was going to be the year. I've done 3000 miles since April and I think I'm ready.

 

I am thrilled to be making this trip with my friend Moshe, my brother Mel, and my new found JCC cycling buddies. We will see friends and family in a land so amazing and wonderful that it defies description. The only thing lacking is peace with it's neighbors. If, in some small way, this ride can help in that regard, then I feel that it will be successful. I want to thank everybody who has helped motivate me along the way by either encouraging words or generous donations or both. 

 

Am Yisroel Chai!

 

 

The Recruit

Submitted by Allison Fisher

Meet Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride Team Member Allison Fisher:

About six months ago, I got a voice message from my sister telling me that she had something exciting to ask me.  It was the beginning of summer and I went out on the deck of my group house in Washington, D.C., to return her call.  Without any detail besides a bare bones plan to bike Israel, I determined that I was in.

Saying “yes” to this trip was the easy part.  At the time, I did not own a bike and I am an abysmal fundraiser, but I like to challenge myself and I love my big sister, who others refer to as, Annie Keith.

I eventually found a good priced bike on Craigslist and set out to ride my bike the 5 miles from my house to work on a Monday morning.  When I got to my office I was rattled by D.C. rush hour traffic, I was sweaty, fatigued and had decidedly determined that I did not like biking.  I used a different vocabulary when I told my partner about my biking experience and his response was that I needed to tell myself a different story.

The new narrative began to take form as I started to bike through Rock Creek Park and on the C & O canal path along the Potomac River; when my spinning classes started to pay off; when I realized gears and tire pressure matter and when friends and family began actively supporting me.

The story I tell myself now is that I’m still going to struggle through both hills and descents and that’s ok, because it’s not just about the ride – it’s about the where, why and the with who.  I probably didn’t realize it fully at the time, but that’s why I said yes so quickly.

I’m looking forward to meeting the other members of the Mandell JCC team on this amazing adventure. I’ll likely be the one you pass going up the hill or the one you wait for at the bottom of it – you might notice a look of awe on my face.  I’ll be telling myself the story about how I’m riding through Israel with my sister for a cause that I am passionate about.

The recruit is Allison Fisher of Washington, D.C., she is the Outreach Director for Public Citizen’s Energy Program.

Allison getting ready along the Potomac

Annie and Allison in their first Triathlon (Sisters who take on challenges TOGETHER)!

 

Getting Ready!

Submitted by Spencer Erman

Meet Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013 Member, Spencer Erman:

Reposted from the Israel Ride Blog:


I would like to begin my Blog contribution with a little background. I first heard about the Israel Ride a few years ago from a friend in West Hartford, CT who is a member of our Shul. He mentioned that he was in training for a bike ride from Jerusalem to Eilat. I thought he was meshuga, and didn’t give it a second thought (Neil Kochen-his wife Sharon was on the 2011 ride). Fast forward a few years, and another friend, an alumni of many rides (Bruce Stanger), also from our Shul, started talking to my wife Nancy into going on the ride. She has an adventurous spirit, and gave it serious thought. In the Summer of 2010, she bought a bike and began riding. I was still not convinced, and they did not try to talk me into doing the ride. On my first trip to Israel, in 1969, I spent 12 hours on an Egged bus going from Jerusalem to Eilat. I could not even imagine the craziness it would take to ride a bicycle over 250 miles through that desert. I grew up in Tucson, AZ, and know all about riding through the desert-or so I thought.
Nancy signed up for the ride, and was planning on going alone in 2011. In the Spring of 2011, I bought a hybrid bike and began riding, just to keep her company. It was the first time I had ridden a bike since I had learned to drive (a long time ago). We rode together, and then when I got in shape and was enjoying myself, I started riding both with her and on my own. When I saw how I could ride 25-30 miles in 2.5 hrs without adverse affects, I began thinking about joining her.
In late June 2011 (just after the prices went up), I had convinced myself that I could get in shape for the ride. The idea of riding 40-50 miles a day was not overwhelming. I asked her permission to join her, as I did not want to encroach on her adventure. As expected, she was thrilled to have me join her, so I signed up and began training. We routinely rode 20-25 miles each day on the weekends, and tried to get in rides during the week. We both bought road bikes (Cannondales) and were thrilled with the increase in speed and the decrease in rolling resistance. We bought our plane tickets, started fund-raising, made arrangements for the pre- and post excursions, and were ready to go………..until….
Remember the Halloween Blizzard in New England in 2011? It occurred 5 days before we were supposed to leave. Our house had no electricity for the 5 days before we left. We had no heat, no washing machine, no lights, no cell phones, nothing. We had to pack by flashlight. Luckily, I had arranged to have our bikes packed by a local bike shop that has a generator, but they had no phones either. Luckily, I was able to pick p our packed bikes the day before we left. Our dog went to a kennel that had a generator and heat- she had heat, we didn’t. Our house was without electricity for a total 11 days.

Through a lot of resilience, flexibility, and temper-control, we made it to Kennedy Airport to check in at El Al on time. From then on, everything was FANTASTIC. We arrived at Ben Gurion, we were met by someone from the Ride Staff took our bikes for transport to the launch hotel. Nancy and I spent Shabbat in Jerusalem, walked, toured, and soaked in the ambiance.
Speaking about the Ride Staff, they are the people who make this fantastic experience even more fantastic. Not only with the ride support, mechanical help, food, shelter, and water stops; but the Ride Staff make it clear why we should support the Arava Institute. Before meeting the staff, I really wasn’t too clear on what charities we were supporting. I knew it was at a Kibbutz in the Negev, but that was about it. One of the women I met was an alumna of the Arava Institute of Environmental Studies. On the first evening, we had a conversation about why she was doing this. She said something that I will never forget. It boiled down to, “ Politics are Politics, but people are people.” She was a Palestinian, from the West Bank. It took her 2 days to get to Jerusalem to join us, because of all of the checkpoints and border crossing hassles. She felt it was well worth it, because she is meeting and working with the people who will be the decision-makers. These young people, the students at AIES, are the future of the Middle East. By learning together, living together, and working together, THEY will be able to solve the problems. Politics boils down to individuals. The more we get to know one another, the easier it will be to find solutions.

I am now on my way to the Israel Ride 2013. Due to work and other commitments, Nancy can’t join us this year. In my next posting, I will share my Ride experiences and tips for first-timers.

The Choice Is Obvious!

Submitted by Bob Efron

Meet Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013 Team Member, Bob Efron

Which bike to take?  My brand new Guru carbon fiber wonderbike with Campagnolo parts and with  wheels that cost as much as my entire "other bike". My "other bike" is an almost ten year old Fuji with cheapo tires and at least a 4 pound weight penalty. The fuji was a little tired, having been on multiple Israel Rides.

The choice was obvious. Fuji it was!! The Fuji had been with me when I arrived in Jerusalem multiple times and kindly let me assemble her. She was with me when I met lots of and lots of wonderful people on the ride.  She was with me when I spoke politics and religion to the members of the Arava Institute, Jordanians and Palestinians. She was with me when I watched Omar pray to Mecca on his prayer mat She was with me when I rode across the Arava with a Rabbi at my side discussing the Torah. Least importantly, she lugged up me the many hills we encountered. The Fuji quietly listened to my heavy breathing as I  pushed myself to the limit, but she never complained and (almost) never flatted.

True, the Guru would make my life a little easier, but I knew the Fuji and I formed a bond in Israel, as I had formed a bond with the riders, the land of Israel and its people.

Fuji it will be!


Thanks in advance!!

 

I Feel Like I Am Home!

Submitted by Andy Magin

Meet team member Andy Magin- A Israel Ride Alumni

My best memory of my ride in Israel is about the Shabbat we spent in Mitzpe Ramon.  It was Saturday night, we stood at the edge of the Machtesh and performed the Havdalah service under the stars. As we completed the service, people started to break into spontaneous song and dancing, that seemed to never end.  The Arab and Israeli guides played their instruments that led our spirits into a vortex of energy spiraling up to the heavens. It was one of the most beautiful and spiritually moving moments in my life.

 

But, before Shabbat, Bruce led a 27mph pace line into the town of Mitzpe Ramon, he seemed to not let up. We sped through the dessert, with only the strongest of riders being able to keep up.  When we arrived, we all dismounted our bikes, formed a circle around, and bowed to him paying our respects!  None of us knew at that time, that he was rushing through the dessert to get to the hotel before Shabbat so that he could get his massage in early!

 

My motivation for going on this trip is simple. I love Israel, I love the friends I am going with, and I love to ride my bike!

 

I have been connected to Israel throughout my entire life.  I breath the air and I feel I am home.

A Pebble in My Pocket

Submitted by Mel Simon



Meet Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013 Team Member, Mel Simon:
 

 

Dear Friends and Family

With your help I have raised the funds I pledged in support of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies. This past Saturday I cycled 70 miles and can securely declare that I am ready to take on the Negev desert beginning in just over one week.

For five months I have trained, I have raised funds, I've readied my body and my soul for a journey through Israel upon two wheels powered by one heart. To take on this challenge, I was inspired by the dignity of dear friends suffering the loss of their young son. In memory of Michael Kwartler, I will ride from Jerusalem to the Mediterranean and through the Negev to the Arava and unto Eilat. This venture was born of the tears shed in spring and a summer and life too short.

I knew that though my tears would turn to sweat, Michael's family's sorrow would remain. Now as I prepare to leave with my training near complete, I cannot forget that they remain rent, still torn by

fate. My mission now changing from training and fund raising is to complete this ride with dignity, to accept the pain from hills to climb and miles still to ride. Yes to celebrate the journey's joys, but to share the tears each day that Michael's left behind.

I pray that in some small way this tribute to Michael's memory gives his family strength to carry on, to climb the steepest hills and to walk the extra mile even with the stone they carry in their hearts. This past Sunday I visited Michael's eternal resting place and saw the stones placed as a border to his plot and was moved by the meaning those stones have given his family. To remember this as I searched the cemetery for a rock to place upon Michael's head stone I gathered two.  I left one on his memorial, the other I will carry with me as I ride, to eschew the cyclist's goal of shedding pounds, I'll carry this weight, but a pebble in my pocket, as a reminder that the world is not always right or just but it is our duty to live as commanded to repair the world to perform acts of loving kindness and to give tzedakah.

To all of you who have supported this effort I am thankful of the tzedakah you pledged in my honor and in Michael's memory. Know that you have given me strength to train and raise the funds to support the Arava and  know that you have shown support for Michael's family.

                                          Michael Kwartler (Mel's Inspiration) and His Dad

The Journey Begins....Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013

Submitted by Annie Keith- Mandell JCC

Welcome to the beginning of the Israel Ride 2013 Blog.  While we are all Cycling for Peace, Partnerships and the Environment, we each have a Story and a Journey to share!

 As we lead up to the Ride which kicks off on Oct 29^th, I will introduce you to the team and their stories with a new entry each day.  We look forward to having you check our Blog each day and learn about Team Mandell JCC.

 After we arrive in Israel and begin our Ride, we will post some photos and stories along the way.  It will be a great adventure so please “tune in”.

=============================================================

 I’ll begin with the Team Mandell JCC staff liaison.  That’s ME!

My name is Annie Keith and I have been working at the JCC for almost 7 years and this is my first trip to Israel!  My friend Bruce Stanger finally talked me into it…..as I am not a “cyclist” this was quite a task.  My Journey began with training and promoting the ride as of this past May.  Besides learning to be a “cyclist”, I also have had to face my fear of flying AND learn to feel comfortable asking for money to support a great cause.

While Bruce did most of the team recruitment, I did manage to recruit my youngest sister Allison who is equally inept at cycling, flying and fundraising!  Allison works as a Community Organizer at Public Citizen in DC and is a real Environmental Champion so this ride is right up her alley!  I'm so excited to have her on the team and share this life changing experience with her.

Along the way, I have been so touched with how much my family, friends , staff and JCC members have supported and encouraged me!    I can’t walk around the JCC or grocery store without someone asking me about my progress and plans.  I feel like I am taking you all with me!

While I am not a cyclist I have so enjoyed getting  to know the back roads of CT and Maine on my bike.    How lucky we are to live and thrive in New England!  One gorgeous fall day as my friend Ginger and I rode through West Hartford, Bloomfield, Tarrifville and Simsbury she exclaimed “Oh Annie, this ride is such a gift”  (Ginger is from the South so imagine an awesome southern accent).  So true, the riding has been an amazing gift!

The other gift that came to me one day was the connection between cycling and life.  As I conquered a rather tough hill, I decided to look down at my pedals and just focus on each pedal stroke and not look up at what was ahead….as I repeated to myself “one pedal at a time” I managed to get to the top without being stressed and feeling overwhelmed. 

Life lesson:  One Day At A Time, Appreciate and Live Each Day without worrying about what’s ahead.

 

Stay Tuned for more stories and inspiration from Team Mandell JCC Israel Ride 2013.

 

 

 
                                               Ride Planning in the Sukkah Fall 2013

                                             

 

                                                  Newbies and some Ride Alumni getting psyched up for this year's ride

Annie bikes to Camp Shalom with the Israeli Scouts- Summer 2013