On 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 to send more of our kids to Jewish summer camp and helps them build a lifelong connection to Jewish identity and values. Each year, hundreds of community members fundraise for months, do training rides, and show up to bike our course for either 18, 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. We interviewed Jonathan Ahdoot, who will be riding 18 miles to help send more kids to Jewish summer camp!
Why did you decide to participate in Tour de Summer Camps (TdSC) this year?
I think Tour de Summer Camps is a compelling cause — one that provides me with happiness and fulfillment to be a rider this year. This community-wide cycling fundraiser has given me the opportunity to see what we can do together as a community, and how we are able to fundraise and contribute to a good cause (in this case, sending kids to summer camp and giving them memories that will last a lifetime.) It makes me happy to know that I was able to help out with this effort and cause. I also know the importance of TdSC because growing up, I went to Jewish summer camp at the JCC. I also went to Jewish sleepaway camp in Pennsylvania called Capital Camps — these experiences, surrounding oneself with Jewish culture and friends, are powerful and build character. It is meaningful for me to help provide such experiences to others — the impact they had on my own life is immeasurable. Without the experiences that I had at Jewish summer camp, I wouldn’t be as extroverted or as social as I am today. Thanks to the Federation, I am able to give these experiences to someone else!
How many miles are you riding?
18 miles — I am still training, and 18 is chai! This is my first time participating in TdSC as a rider.
Are you on a team?
I signed up to participate as an independent rider.
What are you most excited about for the upcoming ride?
I am most excited to see all of the support and people out to unite for the same cause — I know there will be a strong sense of camaraderie.
How are you preparing/training for the ride?
I am getting my healthy dose of daily vegetables, and I am cycling at the gym. I am making sure to keep my diet clean, and I’m hydrating. I am planning to up my dose of potassium near the race (24-48 hours before the actual ride) so that I don’t cramp. Fresh coconuts and bananas are great sources of potassium.
What would you say to people who may be nervous about the distance of the ride? How would you encourage your friends who are thinking about riding on October 30th?
I would tell them 110% to go for it and sign up — it’s for an amazing cause, and they will get the same feeling of fulfillment as I do when we ride!
I would also remind them that it’s not a race, it’s a journey. The only person you are competing against is yourself. The first step is to get on the bike and start going! The anxiety, butterflies, and any thoughts or worries will fade away with each pedal you take. You will be happy you did it and will be thanking yourself once you finish!
Sign up to ride, volunteer or donate TODAY!
Questions? Please visit the Tour de Summer Camps website or contact the Tour de Summer Camps team at (323) 761-8013 or info@tourdesummercamps.org.
