1 Week to Go!

Dear Friends,

It's hard to believe that in one week's time I will be beginning the incredible journey of cycling from Jerusalem to Eilat! As I am in the final preparations for departing I am filled with excitement and trepidation! I find tremendous comfort, though, from the incredible outpouring of support that I have received from family and friends. Let me thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your good wishes. Thank you for your encouragement, for riding with me, for lending me all sorts of gizmos and equipment to help me train, and for your contributions to Hazon and Arava. This has truly been a transformative experience for me. Please know that you have played a role in that.

Allow me to thank also the members of our team who will be sharing this experience with me. Miles Herman, Jeff Seligsohn, Barry Kahn, Suzy Berkowitz, Sue Carson and most especially Stuart Kurtz. Last May when Stuart invited me for a bike ride, little did I know that a year later I would be riding 125-150 miles a week, losing weight and having the time of my life preparing for touring Israel from the saddle of a bike! Thank you Stuart.

We hope to keep you posted on our experience through this blog. Enjoy it! Eeach evening (if we're conscious) we'll share a few of our thoughts fo the day's travel, learning and experience.

Thank you again for all your good wishes. I'm thrilled to be doing this and very grateful to you for your support.

B'Shalom,

Rabbi Steve Wernick