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Volume XX • Number 41 • October 10 - 16, 2013 •
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Annual ‘Tour de Bronx’ set for Oct. 27 On Tuesday, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., The Bronx Tourism Council and Transportation Alternatives announced the 19th Annual “Tour de Bronx,” the largest free bicycling event in New York State which will take place on Sunday, October 27th. Sponsored by the Montefiore Medical Center, St. Barnabas Hospital and the Bronx Lebanon Medical Center, the “Tour de Bronx” traditionally brings together nearly 6,000 bicyclists from around the world. “The ‘Tour de Bronx’ is a wonderful event, and each year I am always excited to join my fellow Bronxites and thousands of visitors from around the city, nation and the world to ride and see all the great things The Bronx has to offer. Riding a bike around our borough is the healthiest way to see the best of the Bronx, and I am delighted to hear the positive feedback from visitors each year when they participate in the ‘Tour de Bronx.’ I invite everyone to join me again this year to tour our beautiful borough,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This great event shows Bronx residents that biking is not only a fun and healthy way to get around the borough. It’s a viable transport option,” says
Transportation Alternatives’ Executive Director Paul Steely White. To further prove that The Bronx is fast becoming a destination, last year’s event welcomed registrants from all over the United States, as well as Europe, South America and even Asia. “Given the amount of positive coverage we’ve been enjoying in national and international media, we expect to see an increase in visitors participating in this event,” stated Olga Luz Tirado, Executive Director of The Bronx Tourism Council. “We are anxious to show off our borough to the rest of the world.” “The New York Botanical Garden looks forward to welcoming the Tour de Bronx cyclists to nature’s showplace, dressed in its finest fall colors” said Aaron Bouska, Associate Vice President for Government and Community Relations at the New York Botanical Garden. “Not only do cyclists get to see the best of the Bronx on October 27, but they do so in a healthy and sustainable manner – values we share and promote every day at the Garden. Congratulations to Bronx Borough President for his leadership in this endeavor.” “For the past five years, Montefiore has supported Tour de Bronx as a way to promote
Borough President Diaz is joined by representatives of Transportation Alternatives and Montefiore Medical Center to kick off Tour de Bronx.
healthy living and wellness in our community while celebrating the historic neighborhoods and beautiful greenways of the Bronx,” said Steven M. Safyer, president and CEO, Montefiore Medical Center. “Montefiore is committed to improving the health of the community we serve and we are proud to sponsor this borough-wide biking event.” It couldn’t be easier to participate in the “Tour de Bronx,” as numerous City agencies and corporate sponsors are rolling
out the red carpet for cycling enthusiasts. Metro North Railroad will waive their bicycle permit requirements and quantity limits for the day, allowing for groups of riders to participate. The Department of Transportation will fit and distribute free bicycle helmets beginning at 8 a.m. while supplies last. The rider must be present and sign a waiver. For children under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present and will also need to sign a waiver. Coca Cola will distribute
Dasani water, Powerade sports drinks and Fuze. Pizza will be provided after the ride courtesy of Domino’s. The event offers both a 25and 40-mile course, each of which winds through dozens of beautiful Bronx neighborhoods, historic districts, parks, waterfront, Greenway paths and more. Both routes culminate at the New York Botanical Garden for end-of-ride pizza, refreshments and a music festival. Log onto www.ilovethebronx. com to register.
Financial literacy and empowerment seminar at the Hebrew Institute By PAULETTE SCHNEIDER If you’re looking for a way to make millions without working and to retire in high style, an upcoming financial literacy and empowerment seminar at the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale may not be the place for you. There won’t be any hot stock tips for those who spend their early afternoon at the shul on Sunday, October 20, from 1 to 3:30 p.m. But there will be sound advice on how to teach kids about money, how to avoid major debt, how to establish a budget, how to handle credit cards and how to make wise personal choices. The entire community is invited to meet accomplished professionals like Tamar Snyder, an expert in teaching financial literacy to teens; social worker Anna Kirshblum, who’s trained to counsel people with financial woes; and rabbis who have helped people from all financial strata cope with debt. “There’s a lot of shame about it,” H.I.R.’s Rabbi Ari Hart said. “There shouldn’t be shame. These things happen, and millions of Americans are struggling with it. Maybe somewhere along the line you made a choice that wasn’t
the best choice. But sometimes it may be out of your control,” like in the case of medical debts—which account for more than half of our serious money problems. “This isn’t about how to retire with a fancy house. It’s really about a way of life—about walking humbly and modestly before God,” Hart said. “And that means not needing to show off, not needing to keep up with whatever your neighbor is wearing or driving. It’s about living a life of humble and modest choices that reflect your core values.” Living modesty, he noted, isn’t just about following dress codes. “It’s about making good choices and avoiding debt, setting realistic expectations, understanding what your means are and living within those means. Those are very strong Jewish values, so we want to promote that as well” through Torah study sessions at the seminar. A forum for teaching financial empowerment was inspired by the biblical concept of a sabbatical year—the next one begins this coming fall—when personal debts are either forgiven or turned over to a rabbinical court for collection at a later date with a payout plan.
The event was created in partnership with the Jewish Board of Family and Children’s Services and with Uri L’Tzedek, a social justice organization cofounded by Hart. The sponsors view it as a “spiritual mandate.” “Debt is one of the leading causes of divorce and suicide, God forbid. Debt really affects people’s lives in so many ways,” Hart said. “There’s this idea if you’re in debt, you’re lazy and you’re a bum and you deserve it. The Torah says the opposite. It says don’t pass any judgment on the person who’s in debt. “We in the society have to help people get out of debt. We want to empower them to lead lives that are healthy and stable and enable them to make good choices for their own futures. So we want to help bring this information, this awareness, to the community. And that’s what this is all about. It’s really a program for everybody. The more people come, the more we can help.” The Hebrew Institute of Riverdale is located at 3700 Henry Hudson Parkway, at Netherland Avenue. Light refreshments will be served. Those planning to attend are asked to contact Rabbi Hart at 718-796-4730, extension 124, or ravari@thebayit.org.