I am running for Chai Lifeline and I am learning why.

I have always wondered about the concept of marathons within a Jewish framework. One person endures tremendous physical challenge, while another person who loves or supports him offers a donation to a third party in exchange. Growing up with the Jewish values of Tzedakah and Chesed, this strange bartering system never sat well with me. It seemed that if one person had the desire and means to donate money to a good cause then he should do so without negotiations.

In the short time since I began training to complete the Miami Half-Marathon as part of Team Lifeline which will benefit children with cancer, disabilities, and other serious medical conditions, I realized that I am on a journey of finding answers to my query. I’ve considered a couple ideas so far and would love to hear your ideas as well.

Giving yields love and the more exertion required of me to raise funds for Chai Lifeline, the more I will come to love the children, family members, caretakers, healthcare providers, and volunteers involved in the organization. How lucky I am to simply ask others for donations in order to increase my own Ahavat Yisrael and bring the Geulah!

Furthermore, the constant involvement in the physical aspect of training serves as an ongoing reminder of Chai Lifeline’s mission. The activity of running and the resulting soreness serve as ongoing physical reminders of my goal to fundraise the way Mitzvos often have physical symbolic components.

I am confident that from now through January I will consistently consider that I am preparing to run further than I have ever run in my life and I must keep fundraising for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline is an international children’s health support network that provides critical year-round programs and services to nearly 6,000 families confronting pediatric illness.The more I run, the more engaged in the mitzvah of collecting Tzedakah I will be.

Please partner with me in this mitzvah by contributing funds to my personal runner page. My goal is to raise $5,000, and I need your help. Every donation is 100% tax deductible.

With tremendous gratitude,
Aviva