We just returned from an amazing trip that included five days in Krakow, Poland. Krakow is an amazing city that was spared destruction during World War II as the Nazi’s made it the capitol of the Third Reich in Poland. For centuries the Jewish people lived in peace, with the exception of occasional pogroms, until the destruction wrought by the Nazis. While touring the old Jewish quarter on a Friday afternoon, we literally stumbled upon the JCC (Jewish Community Center) of Krakow and discovered an amazing program that is serving the needs of what is a growing Jewish rebirth in Krakow. With support from the community, we were struck by the number of non-Jewish younger adults that were working there and helping to create something special. That evening the JCC was hosting their weekly Shabbat dinner, which we would have stayed for except it was sold out.
In 2015 the JCC started a fundraiser, Ride for the Living, inspired by Robert Desmond, who rode his bicycle 1,350 miles from London to Auchwitz, visiting WWII sites of liberation along his journey. After joining the JCC and learning about Krakow’s reborn Jewish Community, Robert realized his ride should not have ended in a place of loss, but rather at a place of hope, JCC Krakow, joined by members of the local Jewish community and friends from around the world. The Ride for Living will celebrate its fifth year in 2019, June 27 to 30, and we are planning to be there.
Last year the ride attracted approximately 200 riders, including Greg LeMond, expected to return this year. The ride started in 2015 with 15 riders and follows the route that a survivor, who rides every year, followed when he walked out of Birkenau when the camp was liberated and he walked the 60 miles from the camp to Krakow. They are anticipating 250 riders this year. The ride dovetails with the Jewish Cultural Festival in Krakow, and the four-day program includes a private tour of Auchwitz/Birkenau. They supply bicycles, helmets, and you can ride a shorter distance than the 60 mile route. The ride is fully supported including a police escort. It is a fundraiser so there is a fund raising challenge that is part of the registration.
We hope that you might consider joining us. A brochure is attached and additional information can be found on their website: www.ridefortheliving.org, as well as on Facebook at Ride For the Living. There is also a JCC Krakow Facebook page. Please let us know if you have any questions and we are more than happy to introduce you to the excellent staff at the JCC. Hope to see you in June in Krakow.
Best,
Alvin and Kate Spector