Tour de Summer Camps – A Huge Success

Our Federation’s Tour de Summer Camps on Sunday, Oct. 27^th, was an enormous success! This first-ever fundraising cycling event brought our entire community together in support of our Federation’s work ensuring the Jewish future. We had an incredible total of 475 riders registered for the event, who challenged themselves on their choice of 18, 36, 62 and 100 mile routes. So far, we’re raised a total of $600K to fund scholarships to local Jewish overnight summer camps, allowing more of our children to benefit from the transformative experience.

“It was an incredible day, beyond all my expectations, especially since it was our inaugural event. I’m so proud of all the participants,” said Rodney Freeman, Ride Master of Tour de Summer Camps. “This event bridged the gap between the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative communities in an entirely new way! We united all 9 camps and dozens of local synagogues to come together in support of a common bond, Jewish summer camp scholarships.”

Our Ride for the Future will provide Jewish summer camp scholarships so even more children in our community will build a lifelong connection to Jewish values and experience the tremendous personal growth fostered by Jewish summer camp. Camps benefitting include: Camp Akiba, Camp Alonim, Camp Gilboa, Camp Hess Kramer, Camp JCA Shalom, Camp Ramah, Gindling Hilltop Camp, Kibbutz Max Straus, and Moshava Malibu.

“Riding in Tour de Summer Camps was such a high. It truly brought all of Jewish LA together for a common goal… to give Jewish kids the opportunity to go to summer camp. I loved being part of such a monumental and successful effort, and know that we will change the lives of so many children,” said Heidi Monkarsh, who rode 36 miles along with her husband Jon Monkarsh.

Check out some of the pictures that only begin to capture the excitement of the day:

“On behalf of all of us at Shalom Institute and Camp JCA Shalom, thank you to the Federation for an amazing event and raising money for kids to go to Jewish summer camp,” Bill Kaplan, Executive Director, Shalom Institute.

We thank everyone who participated in Tour de Summer Camps – our riders, volunteers, donors and everyone who contributed to such a successful event. Special thanks go to Rodney Freeman. His vision, love of summer camping and cycling made the event possible, along with the tireless efforts of dedicated co-chairs Bryan Berkett, Chuck Eberly, Ari Eisenberg, Jay Strear and Ryan Yatman.

Riders are still asking their friends and families for their sponsorship, and donations are being accepted through November 15^th.  Click here to make a donation to fund scholarships to Jewish summer camps.

Of course, we are grateful to all of our wonderful sponsors for their support in making the day possible:

Presenting Sponsor
The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation