Friends Team Up to Raise $250K With ‘Run for Yitzi’

This year will, IYI”H, mark the 50th birthday of Rabbi Yitzi Hurwitz sheyichye, the Shliach to Temecula, CA who along with his family and community has valiantly fought a formidable illness known as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) for the past nine years.

As his courageous wife and Shlucha, Dina Hurwitz has stated soberly, “Yitzi was diagnosed at 41 years old and was only given a year and a half to live. With the grace of Hashem and the vast support of many, Yitzi, BH, has beaten the odds and only increased in his productivity as a Shliach of the Rebbe inspiring hundreds of thousands. He actively continues his shlichus with, among other things, writing and delivering his much anticipated weekly dvar Torah written with the help of the amazing Tobii program that tracks his eye movements enabling him to write.”

The Run4Yitzi fundraiser had helped the Hurwitz family and their shlichus for the past 7 years, however due to COVID restrictions it has been on hiatus since March 2019.

This year, we want to make up for lost time and financial support by fundraising a grand 50th birthday gift of $250,000 to Rabbi Yitzi & his family to help offset the astronomical medical costs, as well as the costs associated with a family of seven kids, other domestic needs and continuing his shlichus and impact on so many.

Brocha Lipkind, a childhood friend of Dina Hurwitz now living in Miami, started and organized the run in 2015 and has continued to do so, increasing funds raised year after year, until COVID hit. From the beginning of Yitzi’s shocking diagnosis that had so many crestfallen, Brocha set out a call to action that would be the most impactful for Yitzi, Dina, their kids and community; and from thereon Run4Yitzi was created and is today a much anticipated event with participants from across the United States.

“I saw what Dina was going through and knew in my heart that I needed to help. Something meaningful and dignified was paramount in my helping Dina and Yitzi and their family,” said Brocha Lipkind.

When asked how she has accomplished so much she answered, “I see firsthand the difference that our fundraiser makes in their lives. Aside from the actual raised funds that assist the Hurwitz’s in their daily lives and shlichus, seeing all the runners and supporters gives Yitzi and his family a huge boost to know they are not alone.”

The Run4Yitzi Marathon is currently the only fundraiser that helps directly support the Hurwitz Family Fund which was established and is overseen by five shluchim lovingly referred to as “the Fab Five” whose sole goal was to help a fellow Shliach and his family with complete financial after a devastating diagnosis. Mushi Fogelman, one of the administrators of the fund, explains to COLlive, “Run4Yitzi literally keeps the lights on, the family fed, and Yitzi properly cared for. I can’t stress that enough.”

Run4Yitzi has made it a point to keep overhead and expenses to a minimum; therefore ensuring that all the money brought in by the runners and donors goes straight to the Hurwitz Family Fund. You can be confident that 100% of your funds are going directly to the Hurwitz family’s needs. There are zero administrative costs. Every sponsored mile that is run makes this happen.

As Dina Hurwitz, who also runs on the team, so eloquently expressed, “we get to run for Yitzi to remind him that he is still very much loved, and we benefit greatly from him being with us. We are all still in this with him. Chassidim are all one family.”

“During the weekend of the run the energy is palpable,” explains Rivka Teich, who is part of the administrative team, “You’re in a room with “regular folks” who are doing something bigger than themselves. It’s pure positivity, joy, excitement, support, and most importantly fun! You’re not the same person afterwards and the joy is contagious!”

With our amazing team of coaches, whether you’re a first-time runner or a seasoned marathoner, you’ll get the support and training you need to be prepared. As well as fundraising tips and ideas to complete your commitment smoothly and with as little stress as possible.

“It feels great to help such a worthwhile cause for somebody who can’t get out of bed, can’t run a marathon, can’t raise money for his family. It feels awesome to collect money and at the same time, it’s so good to get out and run and work on your health & fitness. There’s no other feeling than getting over the finish line and reaching your donation goal,” remarked Yosef Hellinger of Florida – 3rd year runner/fundraiser for Run4Yitzi

Make an impact and be the change – Join this great team and make a difference in the Hurwitz Family life as well as your own life, click here https://run4yitzi.com/signup. There is more than one option to show your support and be a winner. You can run or walk a half marathon or even a 5K (3.1 miles). Bring a friend or family to walk or run with for this life-giving event.

Join the team at the Miami 305 Half Marathon & 5K on Sunday, March 6, 2022. Every runner has a minimum fundraising goal of $1800. There are runner recruitment bonuses and family team discounts.

If you can’t run or walk for this event, you can still have a huge impact by donating and getting others to support by visiting our website: https://run4yitzi.com.

 If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out at [email protected]. You can also visit our Facebook and Instagram page. Please help us get the word out for this great cause!