5 Towns runs 5K to support injured IDF soldiers
Runners of a variety of ages took part in the 15th annual Five Towns 5K Run/Walk at North Woodmere Park on Sunday, June 9. The Beit Halochem International name was added five years ago.
Beit Halochem USA is authorized in the US to raise money to aid in the rehabilitation of wounded soldiers who served in the Israel Defense Forces.
There are a half dozen Beit Halochem rehabilitations centers across the Jewish state. Each facility is specially designed to accommodate the military veterans, who are enduring a broad spectrum of disabilities.
On June 6, early morning clouds and some rain created a cool atmosphere for the runners.
North Babylon resident Joel Mandel, 42, was the first to cross the finish line with a time of 18:23. Jacob Pekelis, 34, from West Hempstead placed second at 19:28 and Woodmere’s Kyle Moshe Seidel, 23, captured third place at 20:07.
The first woman to finish was Shari Klarfeld, 43, of Plainview, at 20:43.
Israeli military veterans Shahar Firshtman, Roi Gavish and Naor Partush attended the event. More than $50,000 was raised.
“I think it was very successful, we had close to 400 participants and it went off very nicely and smoothly as usual, “ said race founder Isaac Seinuk. “We had a lot of happy participants.”
Maidenbaum Property Tax Reductions was a major sponsor of the event, along with Abraham Roofing, Herald Community Newspapers, Pa-Kua, Squeezers and The Jewish Star.
