South Jerusalem ‘Friendship Cycle’ Celebrates 13 Years of Inclusion

50 cyclists set out from Jerusalem's historic First Station for a thrilling 40 kilometer bike ride with Kosher Cycle Tours for the second annual South Jerusalem Friendship Cycle, celebrating 13 years of friendship and inclusion. Full Story, Photos, Video

June 19, 2023 – 30 Sivan 5783

Photos: Hadassah Esther

On June 2nd, 2023, close to 50 cyclists set out from Jerusalem’s historic First Station for a thrilling 40 kilometer bike ride with Kosher Cycle Tours, led by Rabbi Aaron Hurwitz, for the second annual South Jerusalem Friendship Cycle!

The event, which culminated in a generous lunch and fun festival at the Baka Community Center, celebrated over 13 years of friendship and inclusion at the Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem, directed by Rabbi Avraham and Nechama Dina Hendel of Chabad of Baka.

Families of kids with special needs and volunteers who have been spending quality time with their special buddies on a weekly basis enjoyed the delicious dairy lunch from Holy Bagel, together with the cyclists and donors. Attractions at the party included a petting zoo, archery station, a Hatzalah demonstration and tour by volunteers from Hagshamat Chalom, music with Amy Schwartz, and interactive sports with basketball star and coach, Tamir Goodman.

An added highlight was the 13th birthday celebration of Friendship Circle member, Halleli Markowitz, who glowed with delight at the balloons, singing, and ice pops in her honor. Another young member of the South Jerusalem Friendship Circle, DY Adler, celebrated his upsherin at the event, with his Friendship Circle buddies and family friends cutting his first locks of hair.

Amongst the riders were Friendship Circle volunteers from various yeshivos and Chabad of Baka community members of all ages, ranging from 13 to mid-70’s.

Highlights along the bike ride included the Jerusalem Aquarium, the recently reopened Water Tunnel Bike Path, and the Beit Zayit Reservoir. It was a particularly hot Friday in Jerusalem, and the riders returned exhausted but exhilarated, knowing that they had raised funds for a great cause, while having an unforgettable Israel experience.

DC Jewelry, Aviv Basketball Net, Haven Plumbers, Premium Merchant Funding, Rachel’s Children Reclamation Foundation, and Seder Kitchen Renovations were corporate sponsors, in addition to Holy Bagel, Red Heifer Steakhouse and many others who contributed to support the great work of Friendship Circle.

A Friendship Circle mom of twin boys with down syndrome, shared the following at the end of the party, “As usual, the event today was beautiful! So many activities! So much food! Each of the kids had a wonderful time, in their own interest. The basketball, the petting zoo, the ambulance, the guitar, the big hearts and smiles of so many volunteers~ good yidden who want to make someone else feel happy, special, capable and normal. Thank you!”

Hadass, a mother of an 18-year-old with Down’s syndrome, shared that this kind of event and the Chabad’s year-long program “is like additional drops of oxygen.”
“The two volunteers who come weekly to take my daughter to some activities give her a sense that she is wanted, loved and special in the best sense of the word. This is a lot for us, the parents of children with special needs, and the volunteers always do it with a smile and great love.”

The Friendship Circle of South Jerusalem is now servicing over 50 families on a weekly basis, with over 100 volunteers. Year-round programming includes exciting events for the families and volunteers, volunteer enrichment programs, Shabbat dinners and special retreats to nurture the parents.