Pre-Ride Blog: Daniel Schwartz

A quick entry to let you know who I am and why I am doing this…My name is Daniel Schwartz. I am the NFTY- Ohio Valley Regional Advisor. I am also a third year rabbinical student at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, OH.

This is my third year participating in the Ride 4 Reform which raises money for and brings a message of support to the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism (the URJ of Israel).

I am participating in the ride for a number of reasons:

1. The IMPJ (Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism) is a valuable organization that is worth supporting. Through their efforts, they are helping to establish progressive Judaism and progressive thought in Israel. Their programs and services in turn help to create a stronger and more tolerant Jewish State.

2. I love biking and being in Israel. This is a great way to combine these two passions and to explore Israel by getting off the beaten path and seeing it in a way that many sabras (native Israelis) never do.

3. The wonderful support that I have. It feels like the moment I returned from the ride last year, I already had people encouraging me to return for a third year. The campers, staff and faculty of the URJ – Goldman Union Camp made the first donation this past summer which inspired me to return. Since then, I have received many donations, notes and messages from my family, friends, youth groupers, rabbis (ranging from my home congregation [Temple Israel in St. Louis] to the rabbis I work with at camp to the rabbis here in Cincinnati), co-workers, fellow riders from previous years who aren’t able to participate and, of course, my fellow HUC students and teachers in Cincinnati, Los Angeles and New York. Without all of their support and encouragement, I would never be able to do this.

4. The Ride. It is well organized and a great challenge. We have a wonderful course each year and a wonderful team of people who make sure that we, the riders, are treated like royalty. The riders from the past two year have been a great group. They are there to have a good time and enjoy the ride. In addition to the great rides and people, there are also wonderful activities planned for us each evening that teach us more about the IMPJ congregations around Israel and Israel in general.

I can’t wait to be there and start the ride. I’m off to pack…