Where Fitness Meets Holocaust Education

Where Fitness Meets Holocaust Education

Jewish Long Beach Staff

Ride for the Living (RFTL) is a program created by JCC Krakow that commemorates the 60-mile journey that liberated Jews walked from Auschwitz-Birkenau to Krakow, Poland with a symbolic bike ride following their same journey. Participants from around the world gather to take part in this incredible experience in Poland as a way of honoring Holocaust victims and the rebirth of the Jewish community in Krakow.

In response to the pandemic, JCC Krakow crafted a remote Virtual Ride for the Living Global Challenge experience so people could still participate in this meaningful event from the comfort and safety of their own community. Virtual RFTL combined fitness and Holocaust education to help support JCC Krakow and survivors around the world. The Alpert JCC is proud to have participated in the Virtual RFTL Global Challenge each year since it began. This beloved program returns to the J on Tuesday, June 25, with a full day of special fitness programs.

When Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022, the world changed. Overnight, JCC Krakow turned into a full-scale humanitarian relief agency running dozens of projects and directly helping over 300,000 Ukrainian refugees and counting. In addition, when Hamas attacked Israel on October 7th, they also helped dozens of Israeli families in Krakow who needed housing and a welcoming community.

You can support the critical work of our partner agency by pledging per lap/ mile or donating a flat rate. All proceeds will benefit JCC Krakow’s efforts to help Ukranian and Israeli refugees, Holocaust survivors, and the Jewish community in Krakow survive and thrive. Pledge forms will be available at each event, at the AJCC front desk, or online.

For more information about RFTL fitness events, please contact Elsie Bennett at ebennett@alpertjcc.org. If you are interested in volunteering at any of our RFTL events, please contact Anneleise Thompson at athompson@alpertjcc.org.

For more information about fundraising and donating, please contact Kevin Giser at kgiser@jewishlongbeach.org.

RFTL at the AJCC Schedule: Tues, June 25

6:30 am Swim Laps in the Mary Alpert Pool

9:30 am Walk with Friends starting at the front of the AJCC

5:30 pmThemed Spin Class (RSVP required)

6:30 pm RFTL Reception – Open to All!