More than £20k raised for Jewish charities at RideLondon
Thousands of pounds raised for Jewish charities at annual 100-mile race
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
The fittest members of the community’s were among 100,000 cyclists who took part in the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday.
Kisharon had 11 cyclists take on the 100mile course as they raised more than £7,000 for the charity. Simon Samuels, Eli Younger, Joel Sager, Mendy Freundlich, Russell Tenzer, Abe Rosenfield, Simon Selouk, Moishe Vogel, Paul Koopman and Jonny Marks all talk on the formidable 100-mle challenge and completed the distance in under eight hours – the fastest coming home in an impressive 5 hours and 7 minutes.
Moshe Vogel said: “It is always a pleasure to wear the Kisharon badge on my shirt with great pride. You do so much for the whole community, how can we not. I had a puncture in the first mile, so was back pedaling (at least in my mind) from there on.” Another of the cyclists, Russell Tenzer, said: “It was a great experience, enhanced by doing it for Kisharon.”
Kisharon’s Chief Executive Dr Beverley Jacobson said: “Having taken part in this challenge previously, I know what a formidable distance 100 miles is and what endurance is needed to participate. I am particularly in awe of the incredibly fast times managed by all those riding in support of Kisharon. Their achievement though is made all the more meaningful by the support it brings to the charity as a by-product. We have a lot of exciting projects going on this summer including a refurbishment of the TuffKid nursery and the development of two new supported living flats. So the money raised will be put to very good use! We are very grateful to all of our riders.”
Norwood’s dozen riders raised around £10,000, with the money going to various projects including for Israel challenges.
One of the 12, Paul Tuhrim, said: “It was a great ride and a novel experience riding with thousands of others. I cycled for Norwood because I’ve been supporting Norwood for 25 years as a rider and leader and when the opportunity arose to be a part of the Norwood team, I couldn’t resist. I would urge anyone who wants a challenge to consider the Pru 100. It’s great training at the right time for the Norwood challenges in the Autumn.”
Fellow cyclist Judith Harris said: “It was an awesome 100-mile ride following the London Olympic route. It’s an incredible experience riding from London to Surrey and back with all the roads closed to cars, ignoring all traffic light signals and crossing over roundabouts without looking together with thousands of other riders!
“It was really a huge challenge but worth it in the knowledge that I am raising money for Norwood, an extraordinary charity helping so many families and young people. Our family have a personal interest as our daughter Stephanie has recently moved into a beautiful new supported living service in Barnet giving her and her house mates the nearest thing to independence.
“I used this ride as a training ride for my big international challenge in October this year. This will be my 8th Norwood international ride and this one is my biggest! I have chosen to ride from the North of Israel to the Eilat in the south, an average of a 100-miles per day. It will mark the 25th anniversary of the first Norwood International bike ride. I’m glad that I have woke up this morning feeling good and strong and raring to go!! Roll on October!
Simon Rosenblatt said: “The Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 is the only time thousands of cycling enthusiasts get to enjoy a closed road route over 100 miles passing iconic landmarks and beautiful country roads and rolling hills (including Leith Hill and Box Hill), this was my second time cycling this event on behalf of Norwood and am delighted to support such a worthy charity”.
Justin Dewinter was Emunah’s sole rider and crossed the finish line in a time of 6.44.00. Raising money as the charity is ‘close to his heart’, he said: “I’ve taken part in triathlons but this was the longest bike ride that I’ve ever done. I was fine for the first 50 miles but the last half was more challenging. The atmosphere was fantastic and the event was very well organised.” Raising funds for a new dormitory at Emunah Afula, he said: “When you begin to understand why these children are in Emunah’s care… It is a great motivator to want to help – to make their lives better.”
Shaare Zedek had two participants – Dr Leslie Boobis who has so far raised more than £4,300 – and the charity’s UK’s honorary treasurer Alain Stechler, who’s so far raised £4,685. Dr Boobis, who sustained a serious injury when hit by a car on his bike in November 2015, said: “I was extremely fortunate not to have sustained a serious or even fatal head injury and am only as of now back on the bike. It therefore resonates with me to be in the position to raise funds for Shaare Zedek’s new neurosurgical department. Completing the ride has been very satisfying and a positive experience.”
Stechler completed the challenge, in just over seven hours. He said: “I’m delighted to have raised much needed funds for the Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem, known worldwide in particular for its paediatric, heart, emergency and research departments, and which stands as a beacon of peace and harmony in a troubled region. Politics do not enter its gates – Muslims, Christians, Jews and all other religions are all treated equally, in a harmonious co-existence irrespective of their ethnic and cultural diversity, and both patients and staff come from every sector of the multi-faceted population of Israel and worldwide.”
A spokesman for Shaare Zedek UK said: “Dr Boobis has a longstanding close relationship with Shaare Zedek, having modelled the Accident and Emergency Department in Sunderland Hospital on Shaare Zedek’s A & E. Our Hospital prides itself on providing support for other medical centres all over the world and we are deeply touched that Dr Boobis has shown incredible fortitude in coming back from a serious injury to raise vital funds for our cause. Alain completed the ride for a third time for our cause. His continued energy and commitment is remarkable.”
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