I was recently introduced to a spectacular organization called The Israel Medical Fund (IMF), by Jewish IMAGE Magazine’s Managing Editor Steven Matsas. We are both avid cyclists and IMF was having a cycling event in Brooklyn, which Steven invited me to take part in. How could I refuse such an offer? I thought it would be a nice day of cycling and a great event, but it turns out Steven had an ulterior motive. He knew I would be drawn to the organization once I got acquainted with it, and that I would want to participate in the upcoming cycling event—in Israel.
IMF has a program called The Next Step (TNS) which helps Israeli amputees get state-of-the-art prosthetic limbs, which the Israeli Health Ministry doesn’t provide. Israel’s socialized heath system doesn’t allocate much funding for amputees. They provide the equivalent of $7,000 for a prosthetic, but the cost can be 10 times that. The average price tag is over $50,000 and can even cost over $100,000. That’s where The Next Step comes in. TNS helps the amputees, many of whom had suffered through dramatic events, such as terrorist attacks, accidents, cancer, and some were wounded in the IDF—get the prosthetics and care they need to regain some sense of normalcy.
It’s very important that they stay active, for both their physical and mental states. So, in addition to the physical therapy and support TNS provides, they have a cycling club, a surfing club, a hiking and climbing club, running and walking clinics and tons of other programs.
Getting back to cycling, it turns out, Steven was right. Once I learned about IMF and TNS, I wanted to participate in the Israeli cycling event—and I’m so happy I did. It was one of the most moving experiences of my life. I joined about 70 cyclist from the USA, including a handful of community members, and rode 200 miles throughout Israel, alongside the incredible amputees.
We started on Sunday, when we arrived, with a 4 mile ride at night through the Old City. Monday morning we set out from Jerusalem to Latrun and back, which was about 53 miles. We ended the day with a great dinner at the Menachem Begin Museum, where each of us received a gift—a coin from the time of Hasmonean rule and the Second Temple. Tuesday we woke up to the news that the IDF killed the leader of the Islamic Jihad, and as a result, terrorists fired over 150 missiles into Israel. We were not sure if we would be able to continue the ride. In the end, because our route was not where there were any air raid sirens going off, the IDF and other authorities gave us the green light to ride, but under extremely strict guidelines. Before the Mayor of Jerusalem cut the ribbon to signal the start, we were given instructions on what to do should the sirens sound.
The people who were there to ride with the amputees set out first, followed by the amputees. For their safety, the amputees are accompanied by a team of professional coaches and cyclists, including members of The Israel Cycling Academy who will compete in the Tour de France for the first time in 2020.
Both Steven Matsas and Stephen Shamosh rode with the amputees. Steven explained that because the amputees can’t handle some of the very big hills, they travel by bus, on and off throughout the day. He added that I was welcome to join them. I decided to join them on the bus, and it turned out to be the best day of the whole trip. Spending time with the amputees and helping them was why I was there. We got to bond and know each other very well.
On day three, we took a thrilling downhill ride from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea. After the ride, some participants opted to go on an ATV ride in the desert. I’m not going to lie, riding my bike through the Old City and down to the Dead Sea was extremely thrilling, but the entire trip was so much more than just another charity ride. I’ve done a few charity rides and all of the organizations are great, but what made this event so unique and special was the interaction with the amputees. We got to spend a week with them, riding, dining, drinking and getting to know them. To see the resolve that they have to move on, after experiencing such trauma, is so very inspiring. I got close to a number of them, and we will remain friends for life.
I got to know three of the amputees especially well, Noa, Shlomie and Chaya. All of their stories were heart-wrenching. Noa, who was barely a teenager, lost her leg when she was run over by a terrorist, while waiting for her school bus. Thanks to the generosity of our community and the hard work of Stephen Shamosh, Noa who turned 13 while we were in Israel, recently received a sparkling, pink, new, state-of-the-art prosthetic leg. Although she faces many challenges, she is full of joy and life.
One night, after dinner, I walked almost a mile back to the hotel with Shlomie Ager who is an amputee, and the grandson of the great Rabbi Akiva Ager. Shlomie was just 9 years old when he stumbled on some ammunition that a solider stole from the army. He and his friend starting playing with the weapons when an RPG detonated and blew his leg off.
One of the most amazing people I met is Chaya, who is 17, and was born with many health issues (that no one should know from). She rides a custom hand cycle that was donated by members of our community. She is so full of energy you would never believe she is disabled. Although in a wheelchair since birth, she wants to—and I can almost guarantee that she will—become a doctor.
Witnessing the perseverance of all the amputees and their love for life has inspired me to help them even more. I am looking forward to seeing all my new friends on my next trip to Israel and raising more money for this beautiful organization. For more information or to donate visit www.israelmedicalfund.org.
Author: Morris Beyda
