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It has been another challenging week here in Israel. Life in
Israel is similar to being on a roller coaster. There are ups and downs, curves and
moments of terror, then incredible highs before a steep plummet.
Israel is similar to being on a roller coaster. There are ups and downs, curves and
moments of terror, then incredible highs before a steep plummet.
The day before election, this country was perched at the top
of a deep abyss. We voted and we held our breath. When I went to bed the night
of the election, I had no idea which direction the roller coaster was flying
and prepared myself to possibly be facing an entirely new direction by morning.
of a deep abyss. We voted and we held our breath. When I went to bed the night
of the election, I had no idea which direction the roller coaster was flying
and prepared myself to possibly be facing an entirely new direction by morning.
As it turns out, Israelis voted to continue on the same
path. So after the election, here we sit, strapped into our seats, still
holding our breath lest the roller coaster rails be stripped from under our own
dangling feet.
path. So after the election, here we sit, strapped into our seats, still
holding our breath lest the roller coaster rails be stripped from under our own
dangling feet.
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| Dog with wings…the Oketz (canine unit) |
On my last posting, I mentioned that when the going gets
tough, I go hiking. This Friday morning, just three day after the election, my
catharsis was through running. You see,
springtime here in Israel (February and March) is marathon season, with almost
every city holding its own run.
tough, I go hiking. This Friday morning, just three day after the election, my
catharsis was through running. You see,
springtime here in Israel (February and March) is marathon season, with almost
every city holding its own run.
My younger son ran the 20 km run in Tel Aviv three weeks ago along with 35,000 people. And just last week, it was the 5th
annual Jerusalem marathon, where 25,00 runners took to the streets, many
pushing handicapped children in wheelchairs, while others fundraised for important causes.
annual Jerusalem marathon, where 25,00 runners took to the streets, many
pushing handicapped children in wheelchairs, while others fundraised for important causes.
Five out of six of our family members put on their runners
to participate in the 26th annual Ra’anana run (Meirutz Ra’anana).
Ra’anana is a small, family-oriented town, so our runs are always cute and sweet
and down to earth.
to participate in the 26th annual Ra’anana run (Meirutz Ra’anana).
Ra’anana is a small, family-oriented town, so our runs are always cute and sweet
and down to earth.
We arrived to the fanfare of blaring music as everyone
sidled up to the starting line. Many soldiers were wearing their unit’s sport
shirts. They were fit and raring to go.
sidled up to the starting line. Many soldiers were wearing their unit’s sport
shirts. They were fit and raring to go.
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| Sean Carmeli’s picture on the back of a shirt. |
My older son was also there with 80 soldiers from his unit, but
they were not privileged enough to have their own shirts. In fact, the unit
could for some unknown reason only officially sign up three soldiers. So they communally
decided to send out their best runners (one of them an Ethiopian soldier), then
the rest of the unit ran for the sheer ‘fun’ of it.
they were not privileged enough to have their own shirts. In fact, the unit
could for some unknown reason only officially sign up three soldiers. So they communally
decided to send out their best runners (one of them an Ethiopian soldier), then
the rest of the unit ran for the sheer ‘fun’ of it.
The mayor, standing in his running garb, took the microphone and welcomed the cheering
crowd. Squished in my bright pink shirt
amongst a sea of pink, green and yellow shirts, I felt like I was a Munchkin in Oz as
the Wizard roared over the crowd.
crowd. Squished in my bright pink shirt
amongst a sea of pink, green and yellow shirts, I felt like I was a Munchkin in Oz as
the Wizard roared over the crowd.
However, the mayor’s message was sobering. He explained that
this 10-km run was dedicated to the memory of Sean Carmeli, a soldier who was
killed in the war in Gaza this past summer. Sean was from South Padre Island,
Texas, and as he was a lone solider, here to volunteer in the IDF, he spent his
weekends living with a Ra’anana family. Sean’s mother was at the race and as I
looked around, I saw many people wore shirts with his picture on the back.
this 10-km run was dedicated to the memory of Sean Carmeli, a soldier who was
killed in the war in Gaza this past summer. Sean was from South Padre Island,
Texas, and as he was a lone solider, here to volunteer in the IDF, he spent his
weekends living with a Ra’anana family. Sean’s mother was at the race and as I
looked around, I saw many people wore shirts with his picture on the back.
We were soon off and running. I ran with my soldier son and
my daughter, then simply ran with the huge crowd. I knew the course well as I
had spent many hours pounding the same pavement alone. And here I was with
thousands of other runners of all ages.
I saw a sweet Arab girl with huge green
eyes proudly wearing her Meirutz Ra’anana shirt. There were religious women
running with kirpas and skirts and women in skimpy tops. Young boys ran elbow to elbow with
their dads. The soldiers flew past us all.
my daughter, then simply ran with the huge crowd. I knew the course well as I
had spent many hours pounding the same pavement alone. And here I was with
thousands of other runners of all ages.
I saw a sweet Arab girl with huge green
eyes proudly wearing her Meirutz Ra’anana shirt. There were religious women
running with kirpas and skirts and women in skimpy tops. Young boys ran elbow to elbow with
their dads. The soldiers flew past us all.
Everyone was chatty and supportive. People stood on street
corners cheering us on. Some set up their own stands on the sidewalk and gave
out water to thirsty runners. We ran down Ahuza, the main street, past people chatting
in cafes, and others buying challot at the bakeries.
corners cheering us on. Some set up their own stands on the sidewalk and gave
out water to thirsty runners. We ran down Ahuza, the main street, past people chatting
in cafes, and others buying challot at the bakeries.
We ran and we ran, and when the going got tough, I thought of
Sean Carmeli, of his dedication to Israel and the ultimate sacrifice he made so we could
all be here running freely. This gave me the strength to continue.
Sean Carmeli, of his dedication to Israel and the ultimate sacrifice he made so we could
all be here running freely. This gave me the strength to continue.
The race ended to the fanfare of blaring music. Of course,
the local gymnasts and dancers were performing on the park’s stage. Every time Ra’anana has a celebration, the
young jazz dancers and the hip hop dancers are out there showing us their
talents. A bit cheesy. Entirely Ra’anana.
the local gymnasts and dancers were performing on the park’s stage. Every time Ra’anana has a celebration, the
young jazz dancers and the hip hop dancers are out there showing us their
talents. A bit cheesy. Entirely Ra’anana.
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| Three-km family run. |
As we left the park, we passed the 3-km race and stopped to
watch. This was a true family run.
Parents ran with strollers and strutting dogs and toddlers. Toddlers
pulled parents. Parents pulled toddlers. Everyone was laughing and dancing as
they crossed the finish line.
watch. This was a true family run.
Parents ran with strollers and strutting dogs and toddlers. Toddlers
pulled parents. Parents pulled toddlers. Everyone was laughing and dancing as
they crossed the finish line.
I could feel the thrill of the young kids as they neared the
end, so excited by their accomplishment.
It was so impressive that fitness is on the agenda of so many people in
this small, sweet town and how this event has become a community affair.
end, so excited by their accomplishment.
It was so impressive that fitness is on the agenda of so many people in
this small, sweet town and how this event has become a community affair.
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| Tiny kids running to the finish line. |
We went home tired but satisfied. And what about the
Ethiopian my son’s unit chose to represent them? He came in 8th place, completing the 10-km race in 35 minutes.
Ethiopian my son’s unit chose to represent them? He came in 8th place, completing the 10-km race in 35 minutes.
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Muscles sore and medals in hand, we are now back on the
roller coaster. Every so often, just like this Friday morning, we appreciate the
adrenalin of pushing ourselves to the top. And then we hold on tight….
roller coaster. Every so often, just like this Friday morning, we appreciate the
adrenalin of pushing ourselves to the top. And then we hold on tight….
This video shows the mayor opening the race in memory of Sean Carmeli.
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