Posted to Communal Matters on
by Yonit Tanenbaum

[Clockwise from top-left] Esther Riesenberg, Shloimy Herz, Zev Wineberg, Chani Witkes, Paul Hamburger, Chaim Backman.

With 21 days to go until the ING New York City Marathon, Lubavitch runners living in Crown Heights are training harder than ever. Twelve members of the community will be racing in order to raise money for Bikur Cholim, a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to providing support for the needs of the medically distressed in the Crown Heights community.

Running a Marathon for a Communal Cause

by Yonit Tanenbaum

[Clockwise from top-left] Esther Riesenberg, Shloimy Herz, Zev Wineberg, Chani Witkes, Paul Hamburger, Chaim Backman.

With 21 days to go until the ING New York City Marathon, Lubavitch runners living in Crown Heights are training harder than ever. Twelve members of the community will be racing in order to raise money for Bikur Cholim, a volunteer-based nonprofit dedicated to providing support for the needs of the medically distressed in the Crown Heights community.

Among those racing for Bikur Cholim are Paul Hamburger, Shloimy Herz, Adam Kramer, Shmuly Lang, Yitzchak Liberman, Malka Perelman, Esther Riesenberg, Zev Wineberg, and Chani Witkes. Chaim Backman, certified triathlon coach in Crown Heights and multiple marathon runner, is training the team of 12.

“I have always wanted to run a marathon,” reflects Witkes, who grew up in the community and is a Registered Nurse. “I have heard numerous times that the NYC Marathon is one of the most exciting marathons. The support and enthusiasm from the crowd is unbelievable and extremely motivating,” she adds.

The runners have varying degrees of track experience and have been training by going on group runs through Prospect Park, running in pairs, working out vigorously, and jogging up mountains. Each runner is said to be looking forward to the test of human endurance.

For Rabbi Zev Wineberg, co-director of Chabad of Long Island City, NY, this will be his first marathon, too. After four years of encouraging runners as they sprinted past the Chabad House on Vernon Boulevard, and distributing Kosher energy drinks, the shliach says he became inspired to run. “I will run the Marathon in the hopes that by surpassing my own physical limitation I will inspire and motivate you to overcome any obstacles stopping you from achieving spiritual growth,” the rabbi states on his website.

Hailing from Australia, Riesenberg works as a personal trainer in Crown Heights. “I am looking forward to the feeling of accomplishment once I cross the finish line,” she says. “I hope to raise awareness of the amazing work Bikur Cholim does for our community and to inspire people to support them.”

Some examples of the services that Bikur Cholim provides are critical care intervention, family and patient cancer support, chronic illness support, surgical and procedural bills, and mental health support. The organization also offers household help during medical crisis, defrays cost of medication, distributes gifts for children affected by illness, and handles co-pays.

Kramer, whose wife is a volunteer for Bikur Cholim, is running in memory of his late father in law who lost his battle with cancer at a young age. His good friend who crossed the finish line a few years earlier sparked Kramer’s inspiration to one day run. His friend had been shot in the spine eight years before his race and had fought against all odds to live in triumph. “That’s when I decided to run the marathon myself one day,” declares Kramer, a native South African.

Their trainer is confident that his team will succeed. “The goal of the first marathon or two is just to complete it safely,” says Backman. The physical therapist by profession has been coaching members of the team in how to run with efficiency and wellbeing.

In training for a marathon, Backman explains, a runner learns which part of his foot should hit the ground first, where his body weight should be in relation to his feet, how to stretch properly, and how to breathe correctly. He also learns what hydration and nutrition is appropriate to give the body strength to finish the marathon. In order to complete the race, one must “run efficiently and safely, using the least amount of energy as possible,” instructs Backman.

Only 14 days remain until the October 31st deadline for the runners to fundraise the required $3,600 minimum per runner. Thousands of dollars are still needed.

“I believe charity begins at home,” remarks Witkes, who previously ran a race in Prospect Park. “I hope to teach others about Bikur Cholim, so they can join me in supporting the organization’s incredible endeavors… What better opportunity?”

Bikur Cholim advisory board member Esther Blau says she and her colleagues are grateful. “The consistent determination of the runners over these past few months in preparing for the marathon, and raising necessary funds for medical assistance, is something our community can all be proud of.”

Come out on Sunday, November 7th to cheer on the Bikur Cholim team of NYC Marathon runners.

For more information and to support Bikur Cholim by donating toward a team runner in the NYC Marathon, click here.

For more information on fitness or running/biking training, or to contact Chaim Backman, visit trichai.com.

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