More than 5000 people demonstrated their solidarity with Israel by embarking on a 26-kilometer walk to raise funds for the Jewish United Fund-Israel Emergency Fund. The distance was set in honor of Israel’s 26th anniversary. Starters in the Third Annual “Walk With Israel” ranged in ages from 31/2 to 23. Not all of them negotiated the entire course through primarily residential areas in the northwest part of Chicago and nearby suburbs. But all participants, sponsored by friends and relatives for each kilometer completed, helped raise an estimated $200,000.
Previously, members of the Chicago Jewish Youth Council, which sponsored the event, and the Young People’s Division of the Jewish United Fund traversed the course to note hazardous intersections. Volunteer guards were stationed at these , locations, and other volunteers drove “toe trucks” along the route to rescue the footsore and the flagging. Registration began at the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center, starting and finishing point for the event. Prior to the Walk, participants staged an open-air memorial service for the students slain by Arab terrorists in Maalot.
Both the number of the walkers and the total raised was up about 25 percent this year, estimated Michael Krevitt, “Walk With Israel” chairman. Last year’s Walk drew about 4000 people and raised $156,000. The Walk’s success last week has stimulated Jews in Chicago’s southern suburbs to organize a similar event in their communities. Their first “Walk With Israel” is set for June 2.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
