Running in North Woodmere to help Israel’s heroes

The Five Towns Jewish community is expected to turn out in force across the religious spectrum to show support for Israel’s wounded soldiers in the fourth annual 5Towns 5K Run/Walk for FIDV in North Woodmere on Sunday April 14th.

The race raises much needed funds and awareness for American Friends of Israel Disabled Veteran’s-Beit Halochem Centers in Israel. Founded in 1949, after Israel’s War of Independence, the goal of the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization (ZDVO) was to help the 6,000 veterans physically and emotionally injured in the war. The number of veterans currently using the three centers in Israel has now swelled to 51,000; this includes those injured in terrorist attacks as well. The goal of these centers is to aid them in legal matters, reintegrating them into society, offering physical and emotional support and assistance.

According to its website: “Beit Halochem Centers in Israel provide a place where the disabled can participate in sports and related activities suited to their individual disabilities. Each center ranges in size from 5,500 square meters to 10,000 square meters. Sports programs make a major contribution to successful rehabilitation by maintaining the members’ physical fitness and preventing deterioration of their health. Each center also offers a wide choice of social and creative activities for members. Most centers house an auditorium, multipurpose gymnasium, classrooms, fitness rooms, swimming pool, occupational therapy unit, physical therapy unit, cafeteria, offices and a social wing.”

The organizer of the 5T5K, Dr. Isaac Seinuk of North Woodmere, is the race director and a board member of Friends of Israel Disabled Veterans. He said that there are friends organizations all over the world to help raise funds for Beit Halochem. “The U.S. organization helps out the disabled heroes,” said Seinuk. “Only now in the U.S. are they starting to understand that when the veterans come back (after fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq) you can’t just say ‘thanks a lot.’ They need care and support and follow Israel’s model. They sent representatives to Israel to learn from what Beit Halochem is doing in Israel for Israel veterans to incorporate what they do there for U.S. veterans. That’s how good Beit Halochem is. But it is only as good as the services they provide. We try to raise funds for our Israel heroes. They have given up parts of their own bodies in defense of the State of Israel.”

He said that the race in North Woodmere is more to raise awareness “that the organization exists and needs support.” He said organizing the race gives him a lot of stress. He ordered close to 700 T-shirts for children and adults. Last year, they had about 600 participants, but are hoping for more this year. He noted that there is a lot of work that goes into the event and they received support from all the shuls in the area including Congregation Beth Sholom, and the Young Israel of Woodmere. Seinuk noted that Rabbi Hershel Billet of the YIW toured a Beit Halochem center last year in Jerusalem with his grandchildren and said that he “was very impressed by what he saw.” Seinuk pointed out that it is a separate organization from Friends of the IDF although FIDF assists with providing artificial limbs.

Seinuk discovered FIDV when he was looking for an extreme bike ride for a charity in Israel. “I wanted to do something to bring more awareness,” he said. “It turned into a project for me.” The race runs the same route every year. He notes that the location, North Woodmere Park, is convenient with a parking lot, community room for registration, bathrooms and the race ends at the picnic area. Joel Baruch of Gotta Getta Bagel donates bagels, Squeezers donates drinks, Brach’s donates bananas and snacks and Glenny’s provides snacks as well.

“It’s a community event,’ said Seinuk. “There are very few things that everybody participates in from shuls all over the place, not necessarily Orthodox. It’s a cause many believe in.” He pointed out that there was a large contingent last year from the Hewlett-East Rockaway Jewish Center--“they had their own t-shirts”-- and a large group from Kulanu, as well. They allow a maximum of one hour to walk the three miles but they “have a short cut with Kulanu if you feel you can’t walk the three miles.” Someone completed the race in 18 minutes last year, he noted. People get medals based on their age groups, broken down into five-year increments. He said that they raised over $30,000 last year from those signing up and from sponsors. He added that Hatzoloh is also involved, even though they have their own event the same day at their annual evening barbecue.

“It’s a nice community event.” stressed Seinuk. “There are a lot of things that make our area special.” For more information go to:www.5towns5K.org.