UJIA's 2nd North4North Bike Ride

Galil, Israel -- November 1st, 2008 -- UJIA's North4North Bike Ride has just returned from an exhilarating week's riding in the UJIA-supported region of the Galil. The riders, 11 Mancunians and one Londoner, raised 15,000 pounds for the benefit of Yeshivat Bar Yochai Robotics laboratory facilities.

The Yeshiva is a Secondary School for religious boys in Meron. Around half of the pupils at the school, some 200 boys, have learning disabilities and special needs, of varying severity. The Yeshiva specialises in educating and helping these children, as well as other children who have been expelled from or "dropped-out" of other schools or educational settings.
The school promotes classes in high-tech and technology, in order to equip its pupils with practical skills and tools that they can take out with them out into the work force.

Over an intensive five days of riding, the group covered hundreds of kilometers across the mountainous Galil terrain, and all participants broke personal biking records to raise the money.

Four of the dozen riders -- Jason Zemmel, Andrew Kingsley, James Glaskie and Ilan Lieberman - also sat on the two-wheeled UJIA narrow saddled hot seat last year when they raised thousands of pounds for projects through sponsors from within their families, friends, synagogue communities and work colleagues.

"This year the ride has been far more challenging. Basically we had our guide create a ride of champions for a bunch of amateurs," said Jason Zemmel with a wide smile.

"Never had to make such a huge effort to give someone some money before," joked one of the riders after the ascent to Meiron where they were surrounded by yeshiva 'bochers' fascinated by the helmeted riders in identical kit from Britain. Within minutes of entering the yeshiva gate a few of the riders were playing football with some of the yeshiva students -- UJIA Manchester not against but with Meiron!

"The bike ride last year was so successful that almost immediately upon our return Jason Zemmel and Andrew Kingsley took upon themselves to co-chair the UJIA North4North ride for this year as well," reports Ilana Ray, the UJIA Manchester based regional director for the last 2 years who accompanied the riders on the extremely challenging route -- but in a four-wheeled vehicle!
"They are an absolutely amazing group, couldn't have asked for better," commented Ilana Ray during a rest stop on the last day of the ride.
"They exude a very special camaraderie and of course the almost non-stop northern wit has remained intact even during the most difficult of the challenges they have faced and conquered during these last few days," said Ilana who is hoping to accompany yet another Team UJIA next year.

Even before they finished the five-day grueling route that took them up, down and around northern Galilee and the Golan Heights, the Brits with grit were already planning next year's ride having decided that it would now become an annual event for those who wanted to pick up the gauntlet of physical and mental challenge whilst aiding struggling communities in northern Israel.

You can see photos from the event in our photo gallery. Please click here.