2025 will be my 10th time participating in the Tour de Summer Camps ride to raise funds for more Jewish kids to go to Jewish Summer Camps in SoCal.

Over the years, both my daughters have benefited from Jewish summer camps, and I continue to believe that Jewish summer camps are key to forming strong Jewish identities. This year is especially crucial as we watch the release of the last living hostages and hope for a stronger, safer Israel and a world free of antisemitism. If we want our children to see the beauty of the Jewish world in Southern California, there is no better place than in the safety of Jewish summer camp, the fun of color war, and the harmony of Shabbat services.

I continue to ride in memory of two very important people -- Hillary Moss (z"l) and David Oberman (z"l).

Hillary spent many summers at Camp Alonim as a camper, though I had known her since she was born, having met her parents at Orange County Hillel. She had been a CIT at the camp, and now a bench is dedicated there in her honor. She was bright, kind, and certainly had a great future ahead of her with her interests in theatre, Jewish life, and — of course— cupcakes. It means so much to be riding in her memory so more Jewish kids can have the camp experience she did.

I am also riding in memory of David Oberman (z”l), who our family had known for twenty years from the time that our daughters attended preschool together and our time at Kehillat Ma'arav. He was thoughtful, caring, and always had insightful remarks on the parashah each week (as well as some top-notch whisky). We had both participated together in this ride several times, where David was the captain of the Kehillat Ma'arav team. David’s memory also continues to live on at Kehillat Ma’arav, where they are currently running a speaker series in his memory.

If you feel compelled and are moved by their memory, you are more than welcome to donate at my donation page and continue to spread the word! May this be the year where more SoCal Jewish kids can see what it means to be a part of the long legacy of Jewish summer camp.

Thank you,
Robert