This year was especially challenging and, as a first-time participant, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had a hard time deciding whether to participate and I appreciated the time taken to personally address my concerns.
Learning about the issues surrounding Israel’s disabled veterans was appreciated. While this is something I knew about, I only truly came to understand Beit Halochem’s impact through this trip. I was emotionally moved in a significant way by the vets in the Achiad program and how PTSD affects these men and women.
I want to commend Lisa and the team on the commitment made every day of this trip to ensure it was interesting, comfortable, and safe for each participant – especially given the broad range of expectations and demands. Her energy and ability to finish long days with eloquent communications and instruction was impressive.
Congratulations on a successful ride which was, undoubtedly, hugely beneficial for the participants, the veterans, as well as the organization as a whole. I know it was for me personally.
Thank you again for making this a truly exceptional experience. I look forward to taking part in future Courage in Motion rides.
Cory Basil, Toronto
Now that we’ve gotten to experience Courage in Motion in Israel and see with our own my eyes exactly what Beit Halochem does, it’s nothing short of extraordinary!
Marcia and I enjoyed our 30th wedding anniversary during our time in Israel and I couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate it.
Watching you orchestrate and direct the ride over the last five days all I can say is you did a terrific job.
Thanks again for the opportunity and allowing Marcia and I to play a role in this exceptional organization.
Michael Flinker and Marcia Gillman, Montreal
When I signed up for Courage in Motion, I thought I was going on a bike ride in Israel. A bike ride that happened to be for a good cause; why not? Yes, the biking was amazing (challenging, scenic, and a lot of fun!). However, spending five days alongside veterans with both physical and emotional injuries, and seeing the impact that Beit Halochem has had on their lives, moved me in a way that I did not expect. I am so proud to ride in support of this incredible organization and look forward to doing it again in the future.
Carly Greene, Toronto
I would like to congratulate Beit Halochem Canada for the Courage in Motion bike ride in which I participated together with my fellow wounded veterans alongside cyclists from Canada, US, and the UK.
The ride was very successful. From a sports perspective, the biking was very strenuous and challenging, and from the logistics, personal and social aspect – we greatly enjoyed the hotel accommodations as well as the services provided by Teutza company headed by Nimrod Hanegbi.
We can see how much thought and effort was invested to make Courage in Motion a very well- managed and successful event.
I would like to thank Lisa, Beit Halochem Canada and all the donors and riders for their blessed contribution and work. Well done!
Salomon Bitton, Beit Halochem Beer Sheva member
Now back in my office, back to business as usual, and I’m longing for an early morning ride in the Galil. I want to thank Lisa and Beit Halochem Canada for a fantastic trip. It was incredibly memorable and moving; a real challenge and a heck of a lot of fun. You guys took care of everything, as promised, and it was great to be at the vanguard of the return of tourism to Israel. The evening with the PTSD vets was particularly inspiring and their stories will stay with me for a long while.
I look forward to doing this again.
Kudos for a job very well done, against all the odds.
Darren Brown, Toronto
During Courage, we did some very tough (for me) rides into the Golan Heights. We also shared a campfire session with PTSD-afflicted veterans, including one young man who experiences trauma 20 times a day and is looked after by his dog. We heard from others who were victims of bus bombings, stab victims, and their mission’s sole survivors.
On CIM’s final day, we rode alongside the Lebanese border surrounded by the most beautiful scenery before we were welcomed back to Beit Halochem Tel Aviv. There, we were shown around the complex where the funds raised by the ride will be spent, as well as at the other centres.
Courage in Motion was an incredible experience and the stars, of course, were the veterans themselves who amazed us throughout the ride.
The ride is an international one made up of Israel’s veterans, and mostly Canadians with some Americans and Brits. I’m hoping more Brits will participate and experience what I experienced this year. It was a trip of a lifetime!