Askelon to Mashabim Sade – Guest Post from Carol

Today Art rode with the tsofim riders from Ashkelon to a kibbutz in the Negev called Mashabim Sade. I drove a parallel route, accompanying the shomrim on a trip to an Israeli Air Force Museum. When we arrived at the kibbutz, we learned that there was a miscommunication over my lodging for the night. All ended well, but it pointed out the importance of the job done by the ride staff.

The ride is incredibly well organized, especially when you consider the logistics of tracking three separate groups of riders each day. There are so many people involved in running the ride – the mechanics who keep the bikes running; the crew who prepare food, move luggage, check in people, etc.; the ambulance staff; the drivers of lead cars, trucks and other support vehicles; the bike leaders; the executive staff that oversee everything and resolve issues with a smile . . . all do their jobs with enthusiasm, skill and conviction. A hearty “Todah Rabah” to them all.

And the food . . . delicious and lots of it. One of the ride’s three rabbis led a short version of birkat in Aramaic, no less accompanied by drums and spoons. It was a wonderful way to give thanks.