עברית
A generous donation gives 800 Bedouin children in Israel's Negev desert the opportunity to cycle.
The Passover gift of 800 all-terrain bicycles, from Rabbi Eckstein, President of The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, to all the eighth graders of the Bedouin Abu Basma region enables underprivileged children in scattered townships to take part regularly in the national "Bikes For All" project of the Israel Cycling Federation.
On Thursday 1 April 2010, a festive event in the Bedouin town of Um Batin celebrated the gift, in the presence of Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President of the ICFF, Israel's Minister for Minority Affairs Professor Avishay Braverman, hundreds of Bedouin youth, Bedouin elders, public figures and cyclist enthusiasts from all over the country. The event included a traditional Bedouin hospitality tent, a demonstration of amazing cycling jumps, and a challenging cycling trip.
The head of the Um Batin town council, Mr. Jaber Abu Keif, surprised the children, many of whom were the age of his grandchildren, by showing them how to ride a bicycle backwards. Several speakers pointed out that the Bedouin townships are used to talk and promises, but rarely see results. "But the many good deeds of Rabbi Eckstein are visible," he said emotionally. "His gift of bicycles is a blessing for all the children."
Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, President of the International Fellowship for Christians and Jews said: "Unfortunately, the Israeli Bedouin citizens are at the periphery of Israeli society. The International Fellowship for Christians and Jews is proud to support projects that help to promote equality for all the citizens of Israel and to empower the next generation. We are proud to help in the building of bridges between all the different faiths." Rabbi Eckstein turned to Minister for Minority Affairs, Professor Avishay Braverman and asked him to tell his government that it is now time for action. "Enough talk and promises. The government must now act to strengthen the whole of Israeli society, in all its diversity. Only in this way can we guarantee the future and bring hope to Israel."
The Minister for Minority Affairs, Professor Avishai Braverman stressed the government's duty to bring proper infrastructure to the Negev Bedouins, including roads, electricity and water. "Bikes are nice and fun but are not sufficient," he said. "Equality is due to the sons of Ishmael just as for all the sons of Israel."
The director of the Abu Basma Regional Council, Mr. Amram Qalaji expressed the hope that the cycling project would promote the Bedouin youth's inclusion into Israeli society, give them an educational and empowering activity for their leisure time, promote sports and the protection of the environment.
Mr. Eli Elhawashlah, the Bedouin head of the Sports and Youth department of the Abu Basma Regional Council says: "While it may be that a Lance Armstrong springs from this community, the Bedouin youth of today will become the leaders of tomorrow and this is happening through sport and cycling."
Dr. Uri Shefer, director of the government's Sports Desk in the Ministry for Culture and Sport, Bonnie Eshel, President of the Israel Cycling Federation, and Eyal Hershtik, Director of the "Bikes For All" program all expressed gratitude to Rabbi Eckstein and the IFCJ for their help in realizing this important co-existence project.
The 25 new Abu Basma clubs that the IFCJ donation has enabled follow the model of the 25 other "Bikes For All" clubs in many other parts of Israel, which enable underprivileged children at the periphery of society to take part in a national sport on a regular basis. While much of a club's time is spent on cycling activities, the club also focuses on promoting educational values such as helping others and community events, initiating and carrying out environmental activities, recycling old bikes, setting up youth-enabled business initiatives, and running workshops to train participants in bike mechanics or leadership skills. The aim is that the club's youth go out into nature, have fun in the best ways, and learn to love the land and conserve the environment. The club also promotes physical fitness, youth leadership, helping others, self-discipline, anger management, and more.
The cycling club adolescents also take part in national cycling events each year, which brings them into contact with other bikers, from different parts of the country, other faiths, and also enables them to travel to locations that they have never visited before.
Gallery from the Event: http://www.bikes4all.org.il/he/galleries/רוכבים_בידידות_במדבר.html