(Courtesy of ADI Israel) On Tuesday morning, December 24, just ahead of Chanukah, more than 400 hundred young North American Jewish leaders embraced the light of love and acceptance at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran while participating in ADI’s third “Race for Inclusion,” a festive fun run and jubilant celebration of ability at every level. Running a tight 2.5K course around the renowned 40-acre rehabilitation village, the gap year and college students raised more than $23,000 to provide much-needed post-trauma treatments for the most vulnerable members of Israeli society and heal the Negev’s war-wounded IDF soldiers and civilians.
As the race began, participants from Jewish National Fund-USA’s Alternative Winter Break and Israel Volunteer Missions led the pack along a fully accessible track that encircled ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran. Following close behind were gap year students studying at Israeli yeshivot and seminaries, including Tiferet, Torah Tech, Mechinat Ruach HaNegev, Yeshivat Ashreinu and Amudim, as well as a MEOR contingent from Drexel University. Dozens of ADI residents, special education students and rehabilitation patients met the throngs of runners at the finish line to complete the race side by side in the spirit of inclusion, acceptance and hope.
“On October 7, 2023, the intersection of Route 241 just outside the gates of ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran saw sadistic violence, unfathomable inhumanity and abundant agony. Some 445 days later, it’s thrilling to see hundreds of passionate young leaders putting their love, empathy, altruism and Jewish pride on full display, and reclaiming the Negev as a region of resilience and renewal,” said Elie Klein, ADI’s North American director of advancement.
“It’s one thing to talk about core Jewish values and promoting true inclusion, but it’s another to take action and live that elevated lifestyle. This magical annual event allows us to demonstrate how promoting ability at every level makes us stronger as a society and helps us shine the light of humanity during our darkest times.”
At the conclusion of the race, all of the runners gathered in the village’s accessible amphitheater for a joyous inclusive celebration featuring delicious food, live music and a medal ceremony for the top three finishers. Second-place finisher Aaron Drasnin, a native of San Diego and a JNF-USA Alternative Winter Break participant who is currently studying at Case Western Reserve University, noted that the event “helped me fall in love with the people and land of Israel.
“Before coming on this mission, I felt a connection to the people of Israel—my fellow Jews—but never to the land of Israel,” explained Drasnin. “This is my first time visiting southern Israel, and this very special experience brought everything into focus for me. The land of Israel is as beautiful as the diverse populations who live here, and I finally see the full picture.”
Ilan Moskowitz, a student at Torah Tech and one of the dozens of tri-state residents who participated in the event, said that his sister with disabilities inspired him to run one of the event’s most impressive personal fundraising campaigns.
“As the sibling of someone with multiple disabilities, it was very important to me to raise awareness for disability inclusion and make a real difference in the lives of the incredible members of the ADI family,” said Moskowitz. “I am so impressed with how ADI’s Race for Inclusion brought together people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities to champion the same crucial values. There are so many people who just don’t understand what disability inclusion is, why it’s so important, and how enjoyable it can be to empower others. As we sang and danced together following the race, it all became clear to everyone involved. It’s a moment I will never forget.”
By reimagining rehabilitation, ADI is advancing ability for all—empowering children, adolescents and adults with severe disabilities and pioneering cutting edge therapeutic and recovery services for anyone touched by disability. Since October 7, 2023, ADI has provided the individualized care needed to ensure the consistent growth and long-term mental health of Israel’s most vulnerable citizens, while also healing dozens of war-wounded IDF soldiers and civilians from the country’s hardest hit communities at ADI Negev-Nahalat Eran’s Kaylie Rehabilitation Medical Center—the first and only rehabilitation hospital in Israel’s South.
To learn more about ADI and to donate, please visit adi-israel.org.