Earlier this week, Lubavitchers Rabbi Shlomo Vorovitch from Toronto, Rabbi Mendel Dechter from Miami and Isroel Nemanov joined cyclists from all over America and Israel in a 180 mile (300 km) bike ride to raise money for the Chai Lifeline organization.
Over 500 cyclists fundraised an astonishing $7,000,000 for the organization, which provides support for children with varying illnesses.
The two day event of cycling through New Jersey and Connecticut to the “World’s Greatest Finish Line,” Camp Simcha, the overnight camp which gives Chai Lifeline kids a chance to have their own Jewish summer experience.
As the cyclists arrived, the kids were there waiting for them. While that in itself was a sight to behold, there was something else that stood out.
There was one boy who, like many other Lubavitch teens, was helping and encouraging people to put on tefilin. The only difference was that this boy, Arye Leib A., had very limited use of his hands. Despite this, however, he was smiling and helping as eagerly as everyone else. He could have searched for an easier task, but this was what he wanted to do and he was eager to do it.
“With Tisha B’Av nearing and our thoughts turning to all the suffering we’ve endured, something like this is inspiring to see,” said Shlomo Vorovitch.
“This boy has challenges and could have let that be the deciding factor, but he disregarded that to help out and do so with a smile.
“The fact that he did so despite the challenges is all the more encouraging that while our past is full of grief and loss, we can still greet the day with a smile and do what we can to help out, no matter how hard it is for us to ‘move our hands’.”
Big yaher koach to Eli, another counselor at Camp Simcha for his hard work
Arye Leib is the most amazing chevreman anyone has ever met.
He is a True Chossid of our Rebbe… and he is Perfectly Healthy B”H Bgashmiyus and Ruchniyus. Keep it up!
Go ELI MUCHNIK!!! Always involved in helping a fellow Jew & bringing Simcha to others!
Beautiful and very inspiring. Aryeh Lieb and the cyclists are the greatest! As the young people like to say, you Rock!
moshiach noW
B’H for all Aryeh Leib has accomplished and he can thank his very determined mother who helped him get to where he is today.
I know Aryeh Leib since he’s a little boy and have watched him grow so much!
Solomon V. You are the best. Keep cycling for good health and for helping others. next trip from Halifax NS to Victoria BC. To raise money for Chabad Houses from coast to coast.
Aryeh Leib is an inspiration to everyone around him! He’s always looking to do mivtzoim and help another Jew. Keep up your amazing work
Arye Leib, you are one incredible person!!! Keep strong!!! You are such an inspiration, even to people five times your age! May you always be proud of who you are, and your wonderful family, and may you go from strength to strength and keep your amazing smile and contagious spitit!!
You rock
A.l.a. has been an inspiration for years! Kol hakavod to his mother’s years of devotion, never stopping to search for ways to help him get where he is today! A.l. should go from strength to strength! Yasher koach
For numerous years already Camp Simcha has had Chabad Counselors, and doing some amazing things.
I just need to jump in here and give the credit where credit is due,, Chana, you are an inspiration to so many of us. Every time I see AL walk with his tefiilin tucked under his arm, I get teary eyed thinking aobut your mesiras nefesh for your wonderful son. May Hashem give you koach to continue to be you ad meah v’esrim, Chani V
Great Job Aryeh Leib!!
Bh he does not have pain in his hand and he is ability to use his hands is just like any boy his age!! Aryeh Leib said he made a bar mitzva that day with one of the boys who has not put on tefillin once yet!