1st Annual Roots Run for Reconciliation

#runwithroots

Thanks to the generosity of one of our donors, we’re thrilled to announce a 1-for-1 match of your donation that expires on October 10th!

Make a $100 donation today and it will be worth $200, a $250 donation will be worth $500, a $500 donation will be worth $1,000, etc.

Every donation helps us change the reality here on the ground!

Thank you for your continued support and generosity!

On September 13 at 6pm Jerusalem time, Roots activists will run an 8.5 kilometer route that will show how close Israelis and Palestinians live to each, and yet how utterly separate from each other we live. Our run will illustrate how Roots is breaking down some of the barriers and building bridges of mutual understanding and appreciation between Palestinians and Israelis. We will run for empathy and mutual recognition, for reconciliation and equality, for the sanctity of life and human rights, for justice and for peace.

The 1st Annual Roots Run for Reconciliation is aiming to raise $25,000 for the people-to-people work of Roots in the Bethlehem -Hebron-Gush Etzion area of Israel Palestine. We have obtained a matching grant such that every dollar donated up to $25,000 will be doubled and if we reach our goal Roots will have raised $50,000!

Here is what we ask of you:
1) Come and run with us as we cover the route from Bethlehem to the Roots Center near the Gush Etzion Junction. To do so, send an email to ravhanan@gmail.com
OR
(2) Run the same distance as us at the same time wherever you are someplace else in the world. Do it alone or organize a group to run together. Send us an email about your intentions to the same address.
AND / OR
(3) Donate to Roots in honor of this run right here on this page and right now.
AND
(4) Pledge an additional sum if your favorite runner meets his target running time. See the list of runners below to get psyched up about our runners and their target times. Write us an email to pledge  to – development@friendsofroots.net. After the race, we will contact you.
AND
(6) Get your friends and family to donate and pledge as well!
AND
(7) Tune in to the Friends of Roots Facebook page at the time of the run for our Facebook live broadcast.

Introducing Our Runners

Main Race Runners from Bethlehem to the Roots Center:

Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger

I am Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger, one of the founders of Roots. Presently I serve as its director of international relations. I have lived in Israel since about 1977.

I have been running more or less consistently since 1972 when I was a 16 year old high school student in New York. At that time I competed in Junior Varsity and Varsity Cross Country and Track.

My target time for our 8.5 kilometer run is 60 minutes.

Pledges if I make my target time:

Dave Paller – $1,000

Saskia Keeley – $500

Andrew Miller – $100

If and when I meet my target time, I hope to be crowned the Ridiculously Rapid Not-Yet-Retired Roots Rabbi.

Please donate to Roots for this event and please pledge an additional sum if I meet my target time. Your contributions will inspire and motivate me!

The pictures here were taken about 46 years ago!

Ido Hevroni

Ido is a resident of Alon Shvut, Gush Etzion: “I believe that only listening to the other can bring peace. I believe that only dialogue with those who are different from us can move us forward.”

Avraham Garber

Avraham is a resident of Efrat, Gush Etzion. He is an avid runner and he (and his wife Yifat) are local Roots activists.

David Eastman

Hey, I’m David Eastman. I made Aliyah in 2010 and currently reside in Modiin. I am the co-host of the Peace Talks podcast, a podcast about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that seeks to recapture the nuance that is often lost in the debate and humanize all those involved.
I play a lot of American football in Israel but have not done a distance run since I was released from the army in 2014. It has been a long time so I know the run will be a challenge, but it is for a great cause being put on by an organization that I deeply believe in.
I hope to complete the full 8.7 kilometers in an hour and 10 minutes. But I hope to do it in even less time.
Please donate to Roots as it is an exceptional organization that is so needed in our time.

Daniel Tuksar

Daniel is an amateur runner, a strong supporter of Roots work and everyone who believes in creation of partnerships based on dignity and true friendships.
I hope to complete the full 8.7 kilometers in an hour exactly.

RUN WITH ME!

Rabbi Barry Leff

“I’m running because I believe in building peace from ground up. Both of our peoples are “rooted” in this ancient and sacred land.”

Moshe Hirt

Moshe moved from New Jersey to Israel 9 years ago. He now lives in Efrat, Gush Etzion with his wife Yael and son Shalev. Moshe is a big supporter of all that Roots stands for and hopes to spread more awareness through participating in the run. Target time – 45 minutes.

Anonymous Local Marathon Runner, who also wishes to keep his target time anonymous

Avishai Teller, Roots activist who lives in Efrat

Shlomit Schlesinger, daughter of Roots co-founder and director of Roots summer camps

Assi Tzubal

Yaron Ollech

Uri Huron-Yarden

Ofer Finer

Yarden Kahana

 Eran Yarkoni

Rael Cohen

*******************************************************************************************

Runners Around the Globe

David Paller

I am coming out of running retirement because I believe so strongly in the work of Roots. I know of no other group that is doing this essential work in the hardest place to do it. I am running for those on the ground who have to look into the eyes of the “enemy” every day, curb their fear and desire to blame, and try to find common ground of humanity and optimism for a better world. Their strength inspires me to run.

Boston Students for Peace

This team is for all college students in the Boston area who want to help build a peaceful future for Israelis and Palestinians. Join us in Roots’ First Annual Run for Reconciliation! You can support Roots’ people-to-people peace building efforts by running and/or donating a certain amount for every mile a friend runs. Whether you run around Boston, on campus, at home, by yourself, or with a friend or family member, this is a great way to get outside and help an amazing peace building movement!

Jeff Hasenfratz

Jeff Hasenfratz is a long term admirer and supporter of Roots. He lives in Shanghai China and that is where he will be running.

Sam Fleischacker

Sam has been running since grad school, mostly because he can’t do any other sport. He ran his first race on the day he turned 40 (a nice advantage: he was the youngest in the 40-45 age group). He will run with Roots in Chicago. Sam is proud and delighted to be running in support of Roots, and hopes to complete the run in 50 minutes.

Hakehillah Korea

Our goal as Hakehillah Korea is to create a safe and welcoming Jewish space in the center of Seoul, South Korea. We aim to support Jews living in and visiting South Korea with classes, holiday services, and cultural events, while also providing an authentic representation of Jewish heritage, culture, and religion to the broader Korean community through education and cultural events. Through these events we hope to enrich the lives of our Jewish and Korean communities alike.

At the core of Hakehillah Korea we want to build a community where all are welcome regardless of race, gender, sexuality, patrilineage or matrilineage, age, denomination, political views, nationality, or level of observance. If you can be respectful and non-threatening, you are welcome in our space. Our community is built on celebrating culture and religion, not exclusion.

Hakehillah Korea is based on celebrating Jewish lives, religion, and culture. We have no denomination or political agenda. At our events you can find reform, progressive, atheist, conservative, Orthodox Jews, and everything in between, as well as non-Jewish spouses, Muslims, and Christians.

The participation of Hakehillah in the Roots Run for Reconciliation is organized by ‘Jews for Jogging,’ Hakehillah’s run club! Running is a sport that has no boundaries. It brings people from all backgrounds and ages together in our mutual love of movement and the outdoors. Help us support likeminded friends in Israel-Palestine build a peaceful future.

1. Anna TY, 50min goal
Sponsored by Tamar G.
Running because everyone has the right to dignity and peace.

2. Jessica C., 50min goal
Running for a good cause.

3. Kim G., no time goal
Running for social and health reasons, and because it’s a good cause.

4. Anna C., 54 min goal

Tamera Drozd

While not a fan of running, I am a board member and a strong supporter of Roots and the unique work they are doing. I will be hiking in the mountains of western Virginia in solidarity with the runners in Israel, Palestine and around the world.

Rachel Cohen and Lenka Lichtenberg, Toronto, CA

We are Lenka & Rachel, mother and daughter from Toronto, Canada! We are #runningforreconciliation because we believe that peace is more than a political process – it is a human process that takes place between people. We run in support of all of the people who choose to nonviolently work through their differences to break down systems of discrimination, inequality, and hate.

Anita Messica, 47 years old, will be running for Roots in Dallas Texas. Bearing the scars of childhood polio, she cannot run 8.7 kilometers, but she will cover a distance of 1 mile in 7 minutes.
She will be running for peace because Palestinians and Israelis children deserve to not know or hear of war, just love.

Sam Schwartz

Runs 5 miles everyday in Cincinnati, Ohio. On September 13, he will be running for Roots. He will be running for Roots and in place of his sister Molly Schwartz, who is a volunteer for Roots. He is running because he believes in Roots’ mission for people-to-people peace- building. He plans on running 8.7 kilometers in 45 minutes!

Shawn Dunning

For as long as I can remember, I have been motivated to do my little part in working toward a world that works for everyone.  My life and career has taken me all over the world as a facilitator and trainer in collaborative problem-solving and leadership development, and I have been continually inspired by the people I have worked with.  I now run my own company (www.shawnmdunning.com) when I’m not homeschooling my 4-yr old and 7 yr-old daughters due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Connection to Running:  I don’t particularly enjoy running, but I enjoy the exercise.  Somehow, I’ve managed to run 5 marathons (including the Tiberias International in 2013), all goal-setting schemes to keep me in shape.  I’m due for another!

Connection to Roots:  In my walks of life in facilitation, I have crossed paths with Ali Abu Awwad and worked more extensively with Shaul Judelman, who has clued me in to what you are all doing these days.  I’m in awe of the grace and wisdom encapsulated in Roots, and I find your model and vision to be relevant far beyond your geographical center.

Location: Richmond, California, right outside of San Francisco, a very diverse and yet segregated city.  I am working to plot the 8.7K course to include several of the disparate neighborhoods.  Fun    fact:  During my marathon training, I ran every street in Richmond, covering over 50 square miles.

Target time:  Same day finish!

Avi Salomon

I am a high school student in Jericho, Long Island, New York. I am partaking in the run for reconciliation because I believe that the path to peace is through Israelis and Palestinians coming together. As an Israeli American, peace is important to me because I want to see a better future for my people, and our Palestinian cousins. I hope to finish the run in about 45 minutes, and I can’t wait to make a positive change.

Anita Messica

47 years old, will be running for Roots in Dallas Texas. Bearing the scars of childhood polio, she cannot run 8.5 kilometers, but she will cover a distance of 1 mile in 7 minutes.
She will be running for peace because Palestinians and Israelis children deserve to not know or hear of war, just love.

Iyanu Oluwa

I am a person passionate about social change, fostering love among humanity, and walking alongside those who may not be able to walk alone. As an educator, I foster this among my students, as a community member, I share this with those around me, and as a woman, I empower other women to see, understand and align together in this.

I have been running since I was a young girl. I  competed in various events at track-and-field. I ran for a majority of my life, but then I stopped for a few years as I got older. Earlier this year,  in May, I picked up my running shoes and began to run again. In many ways I feel that I have been training for a race that I did not know was going to happen, and I am very humbled and grateful that this is the 1st race  I will be participating in this year.

I am hoping to complete the race in 40 mins.

Amanda Bostwick, Roots virtual intern

Frankie Alchanati,  Philadelphia, PA

Iyanu Oluwa – Ottawa Ontario, Canada