Yavneh Marathoners Raising Funds for Shalva
A group of students from Yavneh and Akiba Academy is racing to raise money for a charity halfway around the globe.
These students have a goal of $24,000 for SHALVA, an organization in Israel that helps mentally and physically disabled children. This donation comes as a partnership with the Jerusalem Marathon.
For Yavneh sophomore Liat Levkovich, raising funds for Shalva is much more important than the race itself.
“I love Israel,” she said. “I was born there, I have family and friends there.”
Levkovich’s participation with an inclusion group at Yavneh Academy has spurred her love for helping kids with special needs. “This opportunity to go to Israel combines my two biggest passions,” said Levkovitch.
Levkovich is joined by classmates Maayan Abouzaglo, Ariella Cohen, Samantha Harris, Mikayla Kaliser, Heidi Kravitz, and Sophie Liebermann. Yavneh Academy’s own Rabbi Michel Lomner will accompany the group, as will student Jacob Schwartz from San Antonio.
On March 13, runners from around the world will travel to Israel to compete in the full and half marathons around the city of Jerusalem. There are also 10K and 5K options. Levkovich said all the kids participating are “super excited.”
Each member of the team is responsible for raising at least $3,000 for Shalva. To read more about the team or to make a donation, check out the team’s website. The deadline to make a donation is March 1.
