Picture the scene. A group of hikers are returning from one of the trails in the Grand Canyon. Some are feeling sore after a long, hot day of traversing the difficult terrain. Enveloped by breathtaking views, the group settles down for a delicious dinner. They begin to talk about what brought them together. Every year, five million people come to the Grand Canyon to see the spectacular views and experience the indescribable. But this group is on a mission.
They are among the 40 people representing every segment of the Jewish community who will be traveling to Arizona next week for an exhilarating four-day hike. The goal is to raise funds for the Friendship Circle, an organization which supports children and young adults with special needs.
Every hiker is raising at least $3,000. “The hike is a huge personal accomplishment coupled together with an altruistic goal,” says Mendel Groner, Director of Special Projects at Friendship Circle International. “It’s taking an amazing physical feat, conquering the Grand Canyon, and fusing it with the holiness; thinking about others.”
During the hike, they have the opportunity to learn about the Friendship Circle and its impact. Every evening the hikers will participate in workshops and discussions about acceptance, positive thinking, responsibility, and commitment, the values upon which the Friendship Circle is built.
Some of the hikers have experienced the great impact of the Friendship Circle firsthand. There are volunteers who have befriended individuals with special needs and are now showing their support by tackling the Grand Canyon. Some of the hikers are parents or sibling of the children who benefit from the Friendship Circle. Others have had no previous encounters with the Friendship Circle, but were so impressed by the organization that they volunteered to make a difference.
The hikers come from around the globe and are of various ages and degrees of Judaic observance, united by the desire to bring happiness and companionship to young people with special need.
A Facebook group called Jewish Girls Travel is partnering with the Friendship Circle to promote the hike. A place for girls to share ideas and tips about traveling as a Jew, Jewish Girls Travel took advantage of its broad influence to help those who need it most.
“20 of the 40 hikers are from Jewish Girls Travel,” says Binie Harlig, Communications Director of the trip. “It is beautiful that Jewish Girls Travel is engaging these people, some of whom have never heard of friendship circle before.”
With the help of Jewish Girls Travel, the annual fundraiser has grown far larger than it’s been in previous years.
“There was amazing interest; people were so excited about the opportunity. It’s been very inspiring,” attests Chaya Bar-Chaim, founder of Jewish Girls Travel.
“Our mission at Jewish Girls Travel is to encourage people to explore and experience new things with a spirit of inclusion. The Friendship Circle is all about inclusivity and bringing people together—values we share. This was an opportunity for us to express that while doing something good.”
Bar-Chaim has expressed excitement to continue to partner with Friendship Circle in the future. She hopes that Jewish Guys Travel, a parallel group for males, will also get involved with Friendship Circle’s future programs.
The four-day hike began on June 7. For more information or to donate visit www.teamfriendship.org/hike.
go riki, chaya, and sara!!
love brhs