8 | JULY 18 • 2024
J
N
I
t’s a perfect Sunday morning
in Ferndale. With bicycles
in tow, riders from all over
Jewish Detroit gather at Ferndale
High to begin a ride unlike any
other. Because this is Ride for the
Living.
THE ORIGINS: A TRIBUTE
TO COURAGE AND
SURVIVAL
Ride for the Living was inspired
by Holocaust survivor Robert
Desmond’s 1,350-mile ride from
London to Auschwitz. Following
his ride, Robert came to Krakow
and visited the Krakow JCC,
where he learned about the
reawakened and growing Jewish
community in the city.
It became clear then that his
ride should not have ended at
Auschwitz, a place of sorrow and
loss, but at the JCC, surrounded
by the local community and
friends from around the world.
It’s here in the story where
Jonathan Ornstein, executive
director of the Krakow JCC,
offered to help, creating the first
Ride for the Living that went
from Auschwitz to the Krakow
JCC. Now an annual event in
Poland, Ride for the Living has
become a symbol of our strength
and hope as a Jewish people.
THE DETROIT CONNECTION
Every summer, Federation’s
Israel & Overseas Department
organizes its own Ride for the
Living to support the Krakow
JCC. Like the Poland ride, this
symbolic journey from Ferndale
to the Detroit Riverfront and
back, honors the memory of
those who perished in the
Holocaust while celebrating the
miraculous rebirth of Jewish life
in Poland today.
Federation’s 2024 ride, which
takes place on Aug. 18, brings
together people of all ages and
skill levels. Especially during
these challenging times, it pro-
vides a unique, family-friendly
way for our community to come
together to show our unwavering
solidarity.
Jonathan Ornstein himself will
be riding in Detroit this year,
too. “The Detroit Jewish com-
munity has been a great friend to
our Krakow Jewish community
over the years, with JFD sending
hundreds of people on missions,
”
Ornstein said.
This strong partnership con-
tinues with this year’s Detroit
Ride in August.
“Krakow and Detroit are
two communities that have
gone through difficult times yet
maintained their strong Jewish
identities and never gave up,
” he
added. “This connection makes
our bond even stronger.
”
With 100% of all registration
proceeds going to the JCC in
Krakow, the support raised
through Detroit’s Ride for the
Living is especially crucial this
year due to the humanitarian
assistance that the organization
continues to provide to thou-
sands of Ukrainian refugees
since the Russian attack and dis-
placed Israelis since Oct. 7.
“I can’t wait to ride with
Detroit and am so excited for
all that our communities will do
together,
” said Ornstein.
REGISTRATION IS
NOW OPEN
Federation hopes to make this
year’s Ride for the Living their
biggest unity ride yet. Whether
you’re an avid cyclist or someone
looking for a meaningful way
to show your solidarity with
the Jewish people, this perfect
Sunday morning ride offers a
fun and unique opportunity to
make a difference.
For more information and
to register, visit Jlive.App/
Events/7893.
OUR COMMUNITY
Jewish Detroiters ride to reaf
rm our
Jewish pride, resilience and strength.
Pedaling
With Purpose
DETROIT JEWISH FEDERATION
LEFT: Riders on the way
from Ferndale to Detroit.
BELOW: Jonathan
Ornstein, center,
created the first Ride
for the Living.