Chai Lifeline’s “Tour de Simcha,” with 100 riders registered so far, will be held on Thursday, August 5. The all-women’s annual cycling event raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the international children’s health support network that provides practical, social, emotional and financial support to children with serious illnesses and their families.
“The mission of Chai Lifeline is to bring joy and hope to children, families and communities impacted by serious illness or loss,” said Elyanna Saperstein, marketing and communications, Chai Lifeline. “Chai Lifeline’s more than two dozen year-round programs and service include professional case management and counseling, meal delivery to hospitals and homes, transportation to medical appointments, emergency financial assistance, Project Chai crisis intervention, insurance advocacy, i-Shine after school programming for children living with illness or loss in their families, Camp Simcha/Special summer programming and more.”
Eva Rothberg will join 13 other riders from North Jersey taking part in Tour de Simcha 2021.
“There is nothing like the finish line after a hard ride,” said Rothberg. “Seeing the children at Camp Simcha (at the finish line) is emotional and extremely meaningful.” The Rothbergs have been huge supporters of Chai Lifeline,” said Saperstein. “Mordy Rothberg is presidium on Chai Lifeline’s national board of directors and Eva Rothberg has been riding for Tour de Simcha since 2016 and has raised over $50,000.”
A new rider to this year’s campaign, reported Saperstein, is Pessy Zieger. “Pessy, who experienced cancer herself and was a part of Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha, will be riding this year. Zeiger, 18, was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma just before her 14th birthday. She was told she might never walk again. Years of treatments, therapies and surgeries, including the removal of a portion of her femur bone, left her unable to bend her leg for a full year. Undaunted, Zeiger slowly began training in October of 2020, and now looks forward to riding in her first Tour de Simcha this summer, inspiring her friends, family and the children of Chai Lifeline.”
Rabbi Simcha Scholar, Chai Lifeline’s chief executive officer, remarked, “The women of Tour de Simcha are an inspiration to all of us. With every mile they ride, they help Chai Lifeline continue to fulfill its mission, providing critical support to thousands of children facing life-threatening and lifelong illness and their families.”
The race itself offers varying levels of difficulty, as there are multiple route options. Participants will depart from the beautiful Glen Spey, New York campus of Camp Simcha, Chai Lifeline’s flagship summer program for children with cancer, disabilities and chronic illnesses. Riders can choose either a 38- or 65-mile route along the scenic, rolling hills of the Catskills. They will finish at “The World’s Greatest Finish Line,” back at Camp Simcha, where they will be greeted by cheering campers to share their incredible achievement and celebrate. The route information can be found at https://www.tourdesimcha.org/Itinerary. To learn more, visit https://www.tourdesimcha.org/.
By Ellie Wolf
