Today the Israel Ride entered the heart of the desert, with the Chalutzim having their toughest climb yet out of Makhtesh Gadol – a geological landform unique to the Negev Desert. Participants rode past magnificent desert vistas and ate lunch at Sde Boker, the gravesite of David Ben Gurion – the first Prime Minister of Israel. After the Shomrim hiked to a beautiful desert spring in the afternoon, all three groups were greeted at the end of the day by one of the most breath-taking sites of the trip, Mitzpe Ramon – home to the largest of the five makhteshim in Israel.

After three days of riding, our community looks forward to enjoying a restful and rejuvenating Shabbat. The day will feature optional programming including communal prayer, discussions, hikes, and yoga. There will also be opportunities to learn more about the work of the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies and Hazon. These organizations encourage sustainability, peace, and service in Israel and America.

The Arava Institute exists to ensure that the world’s environmental resource challenges are a catalyst for dialogue, cooperation, and trust among people. Located in southern Israel, this specialized academic institution prepares young Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, and international leaders to cooperatively address the region’s environmental needs. Hazon similarly promotes sustainability by creating healthier communities in the Jewish world and beyond. Hazon does so by effecting change in three ways: through transformative experiences, thought-leadership, and capacity building in North America and Israel.

Both the Arava Institute and Hazon rely on the tremendous fundraising efforts of the Israel Ride. With the help of Israel Ride supporters, the Arava Institute offers scholarships to ambitious Middle Eastern students who would otherwise not be able to attend the program. Support also enables Hazon to transform people’s lives through teaching about sustainability, kosher foods, and Jewish traditions.

To find out more about the Israel Ride, visit the Israel Ride website and be sure to “like” the Israel Ride Facebook Page as more details from the road and photos from each day will be added! If you want to experience the Israel Ride for yourself next year it will run from November 8 – November 15, 2016 and registration is already open! Enter the discount code “EARLY” to save $100 off your registration through November 3 and receive a Special Edition Israel Ride fleece by Eddie Bauer.

Click Here to Register for the 2016 Israel Ride!

Farewell for now!

Sam Schauer
Israel Ride Communications Manager