On Sunday, October 28th, Jewish Federation Los Angeles hosted its 6th annual Tour de Summer Camps, the community-wide cycling fundraiser that raises money to provide scholarships to send more kids to Jewish summer camp and help them build lifelong connections to Jewish identity and values. The day began at Camp Alonim on the Brandeis-Bardin Campus of the American Jewish University in Simi Valley, California. Participants stood together for a moment of silence and solidarity to commemorate the enormous loss and tragedy in Pittsburgh. Before the rides began, Rabbi Ron Stern and Rabbi Joe Menashe shared words for healing and strength for the victims of the attack at Tree of Life Synagogue.
The Federation has raised $7 million over the course of six Tour de Summer Camps events. This annual event features four bike routes — 18, 36, 62 (metric century), and 100 (century) miles, and brings people of all ages together to support an important cause. This year, for the first time, the event featured an opportunity to Cycle at Camp, in which 50 participants rode stationary bikes in an outdoor spinning studio. With over 500 participants, this year’s Tour de Summer Camps raised over $1.23 million to help send kids to Jewish summer camp.
Andrew Cushnir, Federation’s Executive Vice President of Donor Relations, said, “Tour de Summer Camps is a magical day in October that helps make magic for kids all summer long. It is amazing how the whole community comes together every year, and by doing so, we ensure strong Jewish identities for thousands of children.” He continued, “Thank you to all the participants and supporters for making this one of the best things we do all year. We look forward to coming together for future events that bring more positive impact to our community.”
Rodney Freeman, Founder and Ride Master of Tour de Summer Camps, remarked, “The entire community — family, friends, community partners, and more — has embraced this special event. Tour de Summer Camps has become a day to celebrate the good in our community, which has resulted in $7 million dollars raised over six years to benefit Jewish camping scholarships. The cooperation from the summer camps and the Jewish community as a whole is inspiring. Each year, the impact of the event is reinforced as we all see camp directors giving each other high fives at the event, while young children and others are cheering on the riders and participants of all ages.” He continued, “My dream is that every child with the desire to attend Jewish summer camp will be able to do so, regardless of their family’s financial capabilities. We are achieving my dream that every child who wants to go to Jewish summer camp is able to do so through the funds raised at Tour de Summer Camps. I look forward to many more years of coming together for this event!”
The goal of Tour de Summer Camps is to provide the opportunity for every child who wants to attend Jewish summer camp to be able to have the experience. Attending Jewish summer camp as a child translates into maintaining a strong Jewish identity as an adult. Proceeds from the ride will support summer camp scholarships to give more kids that lifelong connection to Judaism that Jewish summer camps fosters, which in turn helps ensure the Jewish future — one of The Jewish Federation’s top priorities.
