For athletes around the world, the Fitbit Miami Marathon and Half Marathon is an opportunity to test their mettle and run 26.2 miles or 13.1 miles through the scenic streets of Miami and Miami Beach. More than 20,000 runners from over 70 countries and all 50 states take part each year in this premiere athletic event. This year the marathon is scheduled for Sunday, January 27, 2019.
Since 2012, Friendship Circle International has sent a team comprised of athletes, family members and friends from Friendship Circles across the country. They go not only to test their endurance, not only to raise funds for their respective Friendship Circles, but most importantly to demonstrate that the mission of the Friendship Circle is applicable to every person’s life. They spread the message that every individual is deserving of love, respect and, most importantly, friendship. Loneliness is one of the largest epidemics worldwide. Great Britain even has a Minister for Loneliness. The Talmud teaches us that if someone doesn’t have friends, life is not worth living. By taking part in the marathon they meet others who are committed to the goals of the Friendship Circle and help combat this epidemic.
The Fitbit Miami Marathon welcomes professional athletes as well as runners and walkers with disabilities and special needs. In preparation for the race, Team Friendship participants exercise and train. Coach Chaim, a Brooklyn-based physical therapist and USAT Level 1 triathlon coach, will coach team members this year as he has for the past five years. Whether someone plans to run or walk the race, Coach Chaim will help them meet their goal. For many of these participants, it’s not about running but about setting and meeting a personal goal.
Team Friendship hosts a powerful Shabbat experience at the Marriott Miami, Biscayne Bay, the weekend of the event. It’s a gathering of like-minded individuals who have experienced firsthand the power of the Friendship Circle. Mendel Groner, executive director of Friendship Circle International shared, “We want people to understand why they’re running. Over the course of Shabbat we have inspirational programs including sharing sessions where everyone learns everyone else’s stories. People connect emotionally and spiritually. For the parents of a child with special needs to hear other parents share similar stories and see good-hearted people, who aren’t even affiliated with the Friendship Circle, want to do something to help their child is both rewarding and humbling. Even for those of us who work for Friendship Circle full time, it’s blown us away.”
The Adler Family of Teaneck has been involved with the Friendship Circle of Bergen County for many years. Their son Jacob has benefited from programs such as Friends at Home and Hebrew School, their other sons are Friendship Circle volunteers, and parents Debby and Hillel have helped raise funds for the organization. Last year was the first year they took part in the Miami Marathon as part of the Friendship Circle of Bergen County’s team.
Hillel told The Jewish Link, “I happen to be an avid runner and I’d wanted to run the Miami Marathon with Friendship Circle for some time. The whole weekend was an amazing experience. We shared our story and got to meet other families from around the world who shared theirs. On Sunday I pushed Jacob for 13.1 miles. We trained and ran together. My son Zachary also trained and ran but he ran with a team he put together from The Frisch School. Together we far exceeded our fundraising goal. We had all kinds of fundraisers, from selling hats and other tchotchkes to my wife Debby baking and selling hundreds of kugels.”
Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum, executive director of Friendship Circle of Bergen County, shared, “One of the unique aspects of Team Friendship is that all funds raised go back to the local Friendship Circles that raised the money. People can rest assured that they will see their donations go to support local programs and services right here in Bergen County.”
The Friendship Circle is a non-profit organization whose unique approach brings together teenage volunteers and children with special needs for hours of fun and friendship. These shared experiences empower children with special needs, while enriching the lives of everyone involved. The mission of the Friendship Circle is based on the biblical commandment of V’ahavta l’rei’acha kamocha, to love your fellow as yourself. The Lubavitcher Rebbe’s unconditional love of people and his belief in Jewish unity—“the notion that no one of us is complete unless all of us are included”—motivates and is the core of the Friendship Circle. The Friendship Circle is made up of five parts: volunteers, children, parents, staff and supporters. The true beauty of the circle is how all link together to form a seamless circle of friendship.
Friendship Circle of Bergen County is now accepting applications from those who would like to be part of this amazing experience and join the Bergen County team. To learn more about Friendship Circle of Bergen County, to join Team Friendship or to make a donation, contact Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum at [email protected].
By Sara Kosowsky Gross
