Rockland Unites in Achdus for the Annual 100 Ride

By M. C. Millman

Rockland's ninth annual 100 Ride took place on Sunday, June 25. 

The 100 Ride is a unique cycling event fostering feelings of camaraderie amongst friends working together to benefit their community. The riders are riding for and have raised funds to support those unknown friends and neighbors struggling with their basic daily needs.

The ride is called the 100 Ride because 100% of the funds raised in preparation for the ride by the riders are distributed to many charities. The entirety of the funds raised by the one hundred plus riders is delivered to Kupath Ezra of Rockland County and Tomche Shabbos of Rockland County, as well as many other charities and charitable causes of the riders. 

"These riders are pursuing tzedaka," Rabbi Feivel Mashinsky, Kupath Ezrah's CEO, shares with Rockland Daily. "Their dedication should bring them the bracha we find in Baba Basra 9B  where it says, roadaif tzedaka v'chesed, yimtza chaim tzedaka v'kavod, that those who give tzedaka should always find money in their pockets to give. Additionally, Hakodesh Baruch Hu promises they will always find the right place to give it to. And in this case, there is no greater cause to my mind than the Eim Habanim campaign, which Kupath Ezrah is dedicating its share from this fundraiser to  go towards."

Kupath Ezrah's Eim Habanim campaign assists nearly 200 single-parent families in desperate need throughout Rockland.

Nearly $418,000 was raised this year by riders who perform acts of charity at the highest level of giving - with no expectation of something in return. Riders come primarily from Rockland but include participants from Lakewood, Far Rockaway, Passaic, and Brooklyn as well.  The ride, which begins in Rockland, concluded in Monroe with a barbeque celebration to show appreciation for the riders' dedication to Rockland County chesed. 

"There are opportunities for involvement at all levels when it comes to doing chessed," Alan Rosenstock, Tomche Shabbos Director shares with Rockland Daily. "Some people can come to pack food, some can provide the funds for the food that goes into the boxes, and others can help find jobs. The 100 Ride is a case in point. It's a way of turning a love of bike riding into a way of turning on the electricity, paying rent, or helping the unemployed."