Sports in the service of ALEH – ALEH Ascend,
07 the EL Al Bike Ride and the Jerusalem Marathon
2016 witnessed a variety of sports activities related to ALEH. The first was the El Al Bike Ride, during which executives from EL AL Israel Airlines USA participated in a 3-day bike ride to benefit ALEH and Alut. When the bike route passed ALEH Negev, our amazing kids were more than happy to join in the fun – thanks to their Therapeutic Biking Program, which furthers our residents’ mobility opportunities and enhances their physical fitness in a fun, social setting. In September, the ALEH Ascend team joined 40,000 other runners in the 43rd BMW BERLIN-MARATHON – one of the six“ World Marathon Majors.” Each of the runners had gathered sponsors in order to raise funds for ALEH, and their shirts, which bore the ALEH logo and the Israeli flag, publicized us for all attending. Aside from the physical challenge of the marathon, and the mitzvah of supporting ALEH, the emotional sight of an Israeli team, striding through a major German city with their heads held high, proudly wearing the Israeli flag, gave added value to the event. Earlier in the year, ALEH Jerusalem’ s children also participated in the Jerusalem Marathon. The Jerusalem police trained with the children and then, when the big day came, proudly ran with them in their wheelchairs, braces or walkers. We continue to prioritize sports and fitness facilities and programs for our residents, promoting improved physical and mental health.