Though temperatures were slightly above freezing, the sun, combined with the enthusiasm of the participants, created a fun-filled experience of warmth at the first-ever Yad Leah Dash for Dignity. Over 500 hardy souls gathered at Overpeck Park to participate in the 5K, as well as the 1K family run/walk. Others came to show their support and treat their children to the different activities available to them. Face painting, jumping in a fun house and having one’s picture taken added a festive touch, and the party atmosphere was enhanced by the music that filled the air. As a bonus, all attendees were treated to a delicious, healthy buffet breakfast. Although water bottles were available, the abundant hot coffee definitely reminded everyone that the days of cold drinks have passed, at least for the next few months.
Congratulations to the winners of the 5K in the male division: Joshua Goldschmidt from Passaic, Steven Rosenbaum from Teaneck and Ramon Vasquez from Cliffside Park.
Congratulations as well to the winners in the female division: Rachel Mittel from Passaic, JK Harr, and Arielle Sheinbein from Bergenfield.
Special mention should be made of the RYNJ middle school girls, who raised the most funds as a team. The second top fundraiser was Yocheved Witriol.
Other schools that had teams participating in the race were Moriah, Naaleh, Yavneh and Bruriah. Congregations Shaarei Tefilah and Ohr HaTorah participated with teams as well.
As fastidious as we are about buying our children new clothing for each chag and making sure that they are always wearing the latest styles, we can rest assured that all of the “no longer necessary” garments hanging in our closets and taking up space in our drawers will be put to welcome and comforting use by the many families in Israel that Yad Leah serves.
Six times a year Yad Leah sends 1,200 boxes of much-needed and appreciated clothing to Israel. Frequently there are questions on various local websites asking where people can donate used clothing. The fact that we are fortunate enough to have an organization such as Yad Leah in our communities makes that question easy to answer. Clothes to give away? Visit yadhleah.org.
Yad Leah also welcomes family groups, bar or bat mitzvah chesed missions and school groups to help make a difference in the lives of so many people in Eretz Yisrael. Packing boxes is much more fun when it is done with the knowledge that the donations are going to benefit those who are not as fortunate. The lessons that can be imparted by teaching our children this chesed are invaluable.
To view the heartfelt appreciation of Yad Leah beneficiaries, visit their website at yadleah.org.
Plans are already in the making for the Second Annual Dash With Dignity. Please plan to be there, and let’s hope that it will be a tad warmer than it was this past Sunday.
By Nina Glick
