Bike-A-Thon in Memory of Jesse Dweck A”H

Rain didn’t dare discourage our community members from heading out at 8:30 am recently for a Bike-A-Thon in support of the Jesse Dweck A”H City Learning Center. Jesse was an amazing biker who enjoyed riding with his father. Friends and relatives honored his memory by embarking on 10, 18, or 36 mile bike rides.

Organizer Grace Cayre expressed, “I remember how Jesse taught me to live a balanced life, to always laugh with friends and family but still make time for spirituality and Torah. The bike-a-thon and day of yoga for the Jesse Dweck Learning Center really embodied his essence”.

Running since 2004, the Jesse Center serves as a niche in Manhattan and Deal, NJ for young adults seeking to broaden their Torah learning and develop their spirituality. The center’s programs have been tremendously successful, with men’s, women’s, and couple’s classes that welcome people of all ages, from those who have little or no background, to those seeking a serious intellectual learning challenge.

Clad in specially designed t-shirts, supporters began the bike-a-thon at the home of Jesse’s parents, Sammy and Poopa Dweck, where they were greeted with energizing foods that helped put their endurance to the test.

Aside from the biking, two wonderful yoga classes took place on the front lawn of their home. Relative and biker, Mourad Shehebar said, “Jesse brought so many people together throughout his life. It was quite special to ride together in his zechut (merit). Although the rain delayed us on our route, it became a nice bonding experience as we had a lot of laughs.”

Rider, Ikey Kassin was amazed at the athleticism in our community. He remarked, “I never knew there were so many professional bikers in our community. This was an amazing experience, and I encourage everyone to participate next year!”

Parents, Sammy and Poopa were proud of the event, and felt their son’s neshama (soul) being elevated. Siblings, Eli, Mark, Sheri, and Sarine worked tirelessly at planning and participating in the day dedicated to their brother’s memory.

All who took part in the special day would like to thank Poopa and Sammy Dweck and family for opening their hearts and home to host the event and give them the opportunity to stay connected to each other and to his memory. The committee, composed of Millie Marcus, Mourad Shehebar, Grace Cayre, Jimmie Ades, Jaclyn Oved, and Grace Dayan, put their hearts into making sure the day ran smoothly. Yoga teachers Sari Sitt and Sara Hedaya, as well as bike-a-thon leaders, Jake Mehani, Jack Shamash, Isaac Krady, and Eli D. Dweck, helped make the day successful. Photographer Mark Greenberg donated his time, and did an excellent job taking photos.

The Jesse Center is vital to our special community and relies on your support to grow. Thanks to your support, it has been a tremendous success in keeping the young adults of our community on track, and we hope that it grows to be an even stronger force in preserving our legacy as a united and extraordinary community. To request a tzedakah box or sponsor a special class in a loved one’s merit or memory, contact Mark Dweck at m.dweck@onebox.com or Poopa Dweck at askpoopa@aol.com.
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Raquel Laniado is a graduate of Hunter College, with a BA in Sociology and a Minor in Music. She is a singer and performer, and a writer for IMAGE Magazine and Sephardic Bikur Holim.