Breathtaking views of Jerusalem and magnificent scenery greeted our participants for another incredible day of riding and hiking, and our goal of $450,000 is in sight! As of today, we have raised $446,000 for our Ramah Tikvah programs!

“Hike for Hope,” an article in today’s eJewishPhilanthropy, describes the birth of the Ramah Tikvah program, its powerful impact on our camp communities, and the origins of the Ramah Israel Bike Ride and Hiking Trip.

Bikers rode from Ein Kerem along the mountainous route encircling Jerusalem, visiting the scenic lookouts at the Yad Kennedy memorial and the Hebrew University campus at Mt. Scopus. Rider Evelyn Horn said, “The Jerusalem ride was magnificent! On a personal level, it was special seeing Jerusalem from the bike route around the city, revisiting some of the very locations where I lived at various times of my younger years, including Ein Kerem as a med student and Har Hatzofim as a college junior. The 9-11 Living Memorial was also a meaningful expression of the special US-Israel bond. All in all, today’s ride was spectacular.”

Hikers started off the day at the Sataf nature reserve and then crossed the Soreq valley. According to hiker Lise Weisberger, “Both hiking groups agree that today’s hiking conditions were ideal – pleasant weather, unfailingly beautiful scenery, and just the right amount of challenge. Tzofim, our small but sturdy group of hikers, started the morning with an upward push to the top of Tel Tzuba, then descended through Sataf, a wooded park featuring terraced hillsides planted with olive, fig, and pomegranate trees. Every turn in the path brought delightful views of the surrounding Jerusalem hills. Versatile as always, our guides taught us about ancient and modern military history, agriculture and geography.”

Photos from today’s ride and hike will be posted soon on Facebook.