After two days of hard cycling, thirty-eight cyclists led by Abie Maleh and Alan Shamah entered the gates of Camp Simcha to a tumultuous welcome from 120 ill and disabled children and their counselors.
The entrance, which included a long arch of foam rubber noodles held aloft by screaming counselors and campers, hugs and high-fives, left few eyes dry.
The ride, which raised over $200,000 for Chai Lifeline’s activities and programs, was the dream of Elliot Zaks of Lakewood, who shared the idea with Harry Ashkenazi, Abie Maleh, and Alan Shamah of Deal.
Zaks explained, “We were talking about 15 to 20 riders, but Abie said, ‘This is going to be big. Let’s get 40 to 50 riders and aim for $200,000.’”
Even before they were inspired by the children of Camp Simcha Special, many of whom lined the road to camp to greet them, the group heard firsthand about Chai Lifeline’s impact on a family’s life. Rider Morris Sutton talked about his teenage child’s first summer at Camp Simcha Special.
“Our daughter found her own way to adulthood at Camp Simcha. She was like a 
flower blossoming,” he said.
Once in camp, the riders seemed overwhelmed by the combination of fun and love evident everywhere. “I had heard so much about Camp Simcha from friends who had been there, but when we finally got there what I saw far exceeded my already high expectations. The irony for me is that while Camp Simcha is in the smile business you had me fighting back tears the whole time,” said Billy Shalom.
David Ginzburg concurred: “This was a fantastic experience. I have done many charity bike rides but this one was the best because we finished at camp. The ruach (spirit) was amazing. The enthusiasm and energy of the kids and hesed of Camp Simcha staff brought me to tears. On other charity rides we rode for a vague cause or a t-shirt. At Camp Simcha, we saw it live and felt it in the high (and low fives) of the kids and staff.”
“In the end we all came together for the greater good of our Jewish family. That makes us one. It doesn’t matter if we are from Lakewood, Deal or Baltimore. What does matter is that we are one,” noted Steve Shamah proudly.
“Nothing that I imagined can compare to what I and all of us experienced. I feel so blessed to have been a part of this event,” Harry Ashkenazi wrote the next day.
The ride was challenging, but the rewards were great. One cyclist promised, “We’ll be back next year, and the year after that, and every year.”
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Melanie S. Kwestel is the director of communications for Chai Lifeline.
