30 | AUGUST 4 • 2022 

OUR COMMUNITY

W

ith their largest group of riders 
to date, Chai Lifeline’s Tour de 
Simcha fundraising bike ride 
took place on the country roads of upstate 
New York on July 19. The annual all-wom-
en’s ride raises funds for Chai Lifeline, the 
international children’s health organization 
providing social, emotional and financial 
assistance to children with life-threatening 
and lifelong illnesses and their families. 

The event has become known for its 
inspirational “World’s Greatest Finish Line” 
at Camp Simcha, Chai Lifeline’s medically 
supervised summer program for children 
with serious illness. Campers and staff gath-
er at the finish line to celebrate with the rid-
ers, making the event and the work getting 
to this point even more meaningful. 
Among the riders are former Camp 
Simcha campers, survivors of cancer and 
other illness as well as relatives and friends 
who lost loved ones to disease but continue 
to ride in appreciation for what the camp 
does on behalf of this community. 
Former camper at Camp Simcha, 17-year-
old Rosie Grossbaum, born with cystic 
fibrosis, joined the ride for the first time. 
Grossbaum, from Morristown, N.J., rode 
with her mother Rochie, to give back to the 
organization that has had such an impact on 
their family.
Shifra Zeiler from Oak Park met Rosie 
at Camp Simcha Special where she runs 
the pottery workshop, and grew close with 
Rochie when they rode together a few years 
ago. 

“Being a staff member, I saw the excite-
ment that some of the campers experienced 
when they knew a rider personally riding 
for them,
” Zieler said. “I thought how amaz-
ing would it be if every camper knew a rider 
personally riding for them? That’s what 
made me decide to ride — for all the Camp 
Simcha Warriors.
”
Zeiler has started a campaign where every 
mile she rides, and every dollar she raises 
will help support more than two-dozen 
essential programs for more than 5,900 
children and families confronting pediatric 
illness, crisis and loss.
“Life for a child with cancer, disability or 
other serious illness is grueling,
” Zeiler wrote 
on her campaign page. “From the moment 
of diagnosis, Chai Lifeline’s dedicated staff 
and volunteers are there to provide joy, hope 
and unparalleled care throughout the turbu-
lent medical journey.
” 

Zeiler’s goal is to raise $20,000, and she’s nearly 

there. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. To help 

Zeiler reach her goal, visit www.tourdesimcha.org/

campsimchapothead.

Oak Park rider aims to raise $20,000 
to help children with cancer.

‘World’s Greatest 
Finish Line’

DANNY SCHWARTZ STAFF WRITER

CLOCKWISE: 
Zeiler crossing the 
finish line in a pre-
vious year’s race. 
Oak Park’s Shifra 
Zeiler (right) at this 
year’s race. Zeiler 
at work at Camp 
Simcha Special.

COURTESY OF SHIFRA ZEILER

