This Sunday, October 30th, Jewish Federation Los Angeles will proudly hold our 4th annual Tour de Summer Camps, the community-wide cycling fundraiser that helps provide scholarships so more local children can afford the life-changing experience that Jewish summer camps provides. Each year, hundreds of community members fundraise for months, do training rides, and show up to bike our course for either18, 36, 62 or 100 miles.
This year, we are profiling a few of our riders to find out why they participate in Tour de Summer Camps. Longtime Federation supporter and veteran rider Debi Benaron is looking forward to this year’s event.
How many years have you been riding in Tour de Summer Camps?
Debi Benaron: I’ve been riding since the beginning — I’ve done them all.
How many miles are you riding?
DB: This year I’ll be riding 18 miles!
Are you on a team?
DB: I am on Beth Freeman’s team: Team Out-spoke-n.
Why are you riding?
DB: The most important thing to me and why I love the Federation is that Tour de Summer Camps is a fundraiser for Orthodox, Conservative and Reform camps. My vision is to see much more of that unity in the future. I believe strongly that we’re all in the same tribe and need to be there for each other regardless of denomination.
Is your family riding with you?
DB: My husband comes as a cheerleader. My sons have ridden in the past and one son will be riding again this time as well.
Did you go to Jewish summer camp?
DB: I attended Camp Moshava and both my children went all the way through Camp Ramah starting at eight years old and continued on to become counselors. Camp Ramah and Moshava are in my heart. They’re both phenomenal organizations.
What would you say to people who might be nervous about the distance of the ride?
DB: I rent my bike from Helen’s. They bring the bike to you at the ride and you leave it there. It’s an amazing bike! Riding 18 miles on one of these bikes is so easy. Please don’t feel like 18 miles is a lot. Once you get on these bikes, it’s a happy ride with happy friends — we’re talking the whole way. It’s so much fun! For those who really want a workout, longer distances are available, but for those who just want to connect with friends along the way, 18 miles is the way to go.
Join Debi out on the Tour de Summer Camps course this October 30th! Sign up to ride, volunteer or donate today!
Questions? Please visit the Tour de Summer Camps website or contact Mitch Hamerman at MHamerman@JewishLA.org.
