Thirty five Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy of Connecticut students are getting ready to lace up their running shoes, grab their passports and experience the Dead Sea 10K Marathon, an annual race event taking place in Israel on February 7, 2025. With the stunning backdrop of the Dead Sea as its location, this internationally acclaimed running event promises to captivate and inspire participants from around the world. Renowned for its unique location, awe-inspiring landscapes and exceptional race experience, the race attracts participants who are seeking an unforgettable running adventure.
Participants from BCHA include students from grades eight through 12, all of whom, thanks to an anonymous donor, are diligently preparing to complete the race in Israel. Thanks to the generosity of this donor, all expenses for this extraordinary Israel experience are being covered for the student participants.
“This trip is an amazing opportunity that we are so grateful for,” said Rabbi Tzvi Bernstein, BCHA head of school. “The marathon itself is something no one has ever done before. The beautiful Shabbat we will be spending in the area, and the Chessed activities that we will participate in all add up to an extraordinarily unique Israel experience for the students and staff.”
“The Dead Sea Marathon has grown tremendously over the past four years, and we are thrilled to celebrate its fifth anniversary,” said Mr. Nir Wanger, head of Tamar Regional Council. “This year, we have carefully crafted each course to provide runners with an unforgettable experience, combining the thrill of competition with the serene beauty of the Dead Sea.”
The main highlight of the race is running across the sea over the famous gravel dikes amidst the turquoise-colored water with its unique salt formations on either side. These remarkable features, stretching 6-8 meters wide, create an incomparable experience for runners of all courses.
With the event gaining more and more international recognition and reputation, the race committee estimates doubling the number of international runners from the last edition, thus creating an electrifying atmosphere of global participation. The students are fortunate that Howard Goldstein, a BCHA alumni parent and avid long distance runner, volunteered to train and coach the BCHA team. He also is a chaperone and will be running with the school in the marathon.
The remarkable generosity of BCHA’s anonymous donor has made it possible for these students to experience a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, from both an athletic and spiritual perspective, to be gifted this extraordinary journey to the Holy Land with their classmates and coaches. Tenth grade BCHA student Kira D., who is very much looking forward to traveling to Israel, had this to say: “I am so excited to share this once in a lifetime opportunity with my classmates. Just being in Israel is such a gift, and I am so grateful to the person who is making it possible for us to share this journey with our BCHA friends.”
The Dead Sea Marathon is a testament to its unique appeal and competence of captivating runners from around the world. The opportunity to race amidst the stunning landscapes of the Dead Sea, joined with the challenging courses continues to draw the attention and interest of running enthusiasts worldwide. All of the members of the BCHA family join in wishing these students safe travels and a heartfelt Mazal Tov for representing the Bobcats so ably in this international competition.
