Pre-Ride Blog: Rabbi Sharon Sobel

I’m looking forward to this year’s ride. It’s my third year in a row participating. There’s a group of us who’ve been there from the beginning, and everyone is truly terrific. This year, I have raised almost $22,000.00 so far for Riding4Reform! Not bad for one little person, eh?! (I think this is still – for the third year in a row – the most funds raised by one single person. Dalya will have to confirm that). And I still have funds coming in!!!

Why do I do this ride? I am doing this on behalf of ARZA Canada - the Zionist arm of the Reform movement in Canada - for several reasons:

1) to show my solidarity and support for the IMPJ in person;

2) to raise awareness here in Canada about the IMPJ and its programs and needs;

3) to show my solidarity and support for Israel.

4) to help raise much needed funds for the IMPJ's educational programs;

and 5) because I love to cycle – but not so much on those Israeli rocks (I’m an “on-road” cyclist)!

I am so fortunate to have found a great friend and riding partner in David Benninga, the Treasurer of the IMPJ. He and I do the ride on a tandem bike – because then he can navigate those vicious rocks for me! So, I raise lots of money and he helps me get over the rocks! Not such a bad deal. (Plus, he gets to tell me what to do: “pedal harder! Push! Go, go, go!”) We’re a team!

OK – time to clean off my desk and pack. See y’all in Israel – I fly out tomorrow!

Sharon