Meet Our Hiker: Jeffrey Benaron
On Sunday, October 29th, Jewish Federation Los Angeles will proudly hold our 5th annual Tour de Summer Camps, the community-wide cycling and hiking fundraiser that helps provide scholarships to send more of our kids to Jewish summer camp and help them build a lifelong connection to Jewish identity and values. This is the first year a hike has been added, bringing even more fun to this family and community-filled day!
This year, we are profiling a few of our riders and hikers to find out why they participate in Tour de Summer Camps and what Jewish summer camp means to them. Check out our interview with Jeffrey Benaron, who has participated in Tour de Summer Camps for many years!
Why did you decide to participate in Tour de Summer Camps this year?
Tour de Summer Camps is a great cause. My experience at Camp Ramah shaped who I am today. I believe in Jewish summer camps for future generations because I understand its impact.
Are you riding or hiking?
I have participated as a biker in Tour de Summer Camps the past few years, but this year I am excited to hike! I am looking forward to engaging and inspiring more people to sign up this year.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming ride/hike?
I am excited to continue raising money for Jewish youth and to be able to get more kids involved with Jewish summer camp. I hope (and know) it is a positive experience for those children now and in the future.
Can you tell us more about your Jewish summer camp experience and how, for you, it ties into Tour de Summer Camps?
I was a camper for 7 summers and a counselor for 2 summers at Camp Ramah in California. I loved camp, and believe Jewish summer camp is a great forum for children to not only meet lifelong friends, but to define who they are and to develop their connection to Judaism. I fully support and share Tour de Summer Camp creator Rodney Freeman’s goal and mission, and I will do anything I can to help support his dream and our community’s shared vision to send more kids to summer camp.
How would you encourage your friends who are thinking about participating?
As soon as others share the mission behind Tour de Summer Camps (sending more kids to Jewish summer camp), you find that everyone wants to sign up! Those who plan the event think everything through — the event is well-organized, fun, and great to be a part of. And, it’s easy to share the mission and vision of something that truly makes a difference!
Each year, hundreds of community members fundraise and train for months. Join us to either bike 18, 36, 62, or 100 miles or hike 1, 3, or 6 miles on a day filled with activity, community, and fun!
To sign up for Tour de Summer Camps, please visit tourdesummercamps.org. Looking forward to October 29th and sending more kids to Jewish summer camp!
