On your mark, get set, GO! And with those words 26,000 runners from across 50 countries began the 4th International Jerusalem Marathon last month.
Team Shalva comprised dedicated individuals who accepted the challenge of training for the Jerusalem Marathon for the immediate benefit of Shalva’s children. In return for helping their special needs children, Shalva’s corporate sponsors provided all participants from America with a free trip to Israel. This trip included flexible flight dates, three nights in the luxurious Crown Plaza Hotel, a pre-race pasta party, a personal tour of the international award-winning Shalva facility, a post-victory party and a running T-shirt. Team Shalva had over 350 runners, raised over $500,000, and was blessed by the presence of Gilad Shalit. All of the money raised went directly to Shalva’s services.
Under the direction of Mr. Yosef Gillers, Director of Physical Activities at MTA High School, MTA contributed close to $30,000 by sending 11 of its high school students. Among MTA’s team were many Teaneck natives who got to see Shalva first-hand and experience the sights and sounds of one of the most exhilarating and inspiring marathons in the world.
Among other participants was a group from Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School. Through the leadership of Assistant Principal Rabbi Mordechai Miller, 27 high school students raised over $80,000 for Shalva. This was Kushner’s second year participating, as it had sent 11 students in 2013. Although the students only needed to do a minimum of walking in the 10k (approximately 6 miles), every single one of them trained vigorously for months to be able to complete the half marathon.
Please feel free to check out the Shalva Marathon website at run4shalva.org where you can see all of the schools, groups and organizations who participated this year. If you, your school or your organization would like to be a part of next year’s exciting Shalva Marathon and get your own free trip to Israel, please contact Daniel Kolat at [email protected] or 212 725 0900.
