On a cold Sunday morning, 28 women from Queens arrived at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey for an 8 a.m. starting time of a 5K run to benefit “Chesed 24/7.” This was the fourth year of this event. The 500 women participants included young teens through age 46, plus from all over the Metropolitan area. There were many walking participants as well.
This writer interviewed one of the runners from Queens, Mrs. Beth Gray. She came to the event through La Roots, a local Queens running club headed by Rebecca Greenberg. Rebecca provides a ten-week training course that helps women build stamina to be able to run in a 5K. Beth joined in the fall to train to increase her endurance and distance. Every week, she ran, and she kept increasing her distance.
Three of her daughters, Sarah Esther, Nomi, and Leah, woke up super early and came along to cheer their mother on. In Queens, the participants picked up swag at the home of 12th grader Temima Aeder, a participant in the race.
Nomi Gray commented: “There was so much energy there early in the morning. There was a special vibrancy and feeling of togetherness!”
Mrs. Shimi Adar, a well-known party motivator, came to cheer everyone on and to encourage the runners. She high-fived each runner at the finish line.
The running course, which covered the whole mall, included going up and down escalators and up and down stairs. The stores were all closed during the run, as they don’t open on Sunday morning until 11 a.m.
Rebecca Greenberg shared some advice with her group that could really apply to anything hard we want to accomplish in life. Here’s an excerpt from her encouraging message: Be proud of yourself and go into this with a positive mindset. It really goes fast, so make sure to take it all in and remember to be present! Relax the body as much as you can, and let the mind do the work. Running is more mental than physical. Keep a positive mantra like “I can do hard things.” Or “I won’t know how strong I am until I try my hardest!” Try to identify small goals for yourself to “make it to that store,” then the next, and congratulate yourself with meeting each small goal.”
Beth shared that as she ran, she kept checking her time, and her time was faster because of the energy of the race. It was very motivating. “It was a really good feeling to run for a great cause.” She pointed out that running elevates your endorphins. It makes you feel good physically and mentally. It’s a mood booster.
After the run, there was a lovely buffet provided by Chesed 24/7, which included sushi, pasta, and salad. Centerpieces on the tables had the slogan, “Keep Our Organization Running.”
Then the group was treated to an hour in the Nickelodeon Amusement Park in the mall.
Batya Gewanter, a Queens resident, was awarded a third-place trophy in her age group, and Rebecca Greenberg won overall fifth place in the race. Batya said, “Thanks, Rebecca, for instilling within me a passion for running!”
Beth shared, “Thank you, Rebecca, for all the coaching and encouragement.”
When this writer asked Beth her vision and ambition for her future running career, she shared that she hopes to work up to running 10K in the Jerusalem Marathon someday.
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If you are interested in donating to Chesed 24/7, head to chesed247.com. if you are interested in joining the next season of the Queens or Five Towns La Roots Beginner Running Club launching right after Pesach, contact Rebecca at 732-887-9866.
Founding
The Greenbergs noticed that observant Jews had no place to pray or find kosher food in the hospital.
They requested a meeting with Columbia University’s president to describe the challenges faced by Jews in the hospital.
Columbia University provided a room so that Chesed 24/7 could set up a kosher coffee station and provide food and comfort to Jews in the hospital.
By Susie Garber
Chesed 24/7 provides extensive and innovative services to the sick, the elderly, the developmentally disabled, and any individual or family facing a life challenge. Chesed 24/7’s philosophy is that no one should ever be without food, shelter, and emotional support – no one should ever feel alone. They remain firmly committed to providing assistance whenever and wherever they can – 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Services include:
Hospital shuttles
Shvil HaChesed
Daily and Shabbos meals
Medical Equipment Gemach
Dial-a-Smile program (hospital entertainment program)
24-hour hotline
Hospital visitations
Lending Library
Medicine Chest 24/7
Boost in a Bottle (for cancer patients)
Shabbos in a Box
Mothers’ Milk Bank
Catskills Bikur Cholim
Senior Outreach Services
Chesed 24/7 is a non-profit organization that provides services to people in need 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The organization was founded in 1989 by Rabbi and Mrs. Shulem Pesach and Chavie Greenberg.
