Shira Low Itzhak, a United Jewish Federation of Tidewater Women’s Cabinet member, will undertake a grueling bike ride on July 19. Along with 250 other women, she will ride 75 miles from New Jersey through the Catskill Mountains of New York. The World’s Greatest Finish Line is Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha in Glen Spey, N.Y.
This is not the first year Itzhak has committed to ride Tour De Simcha. She participated iin 2015, helping to raise money for children with cancer of other childhood illnesses to attend Camp Simcha. But this year she says she “will have the honor of riding those mountainous roads in memory of Evan Levy,” son of Margaret (Stein) and Andrew Levy, grandson of Norfolk family Joanne and Bob Stein.
Chai Lifeline provides the emotional and social support for seriously ill kids and their families to help them cope with the crises and daily challenges of pediatric illness, and to find hope and joy in everyday life. Chai Lifeline’s Camp Simcha, is an overnight camp that gives the children of Chai Lifeline the ability to experience summer camp. It is designed to meet the medical and social needs of children and teens with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. Memories of Camp Simcha give the children the strength they need to endure the long months of treatment, pain, and isolation that comes along with a devastating diagnosis. The friendships formed in Camp Simcha arm the children with the courage to continue the fight and persevere in the face of illness.
Evan Levy was a Chai Lifeline kid. He benefited greatly by hospital visits from many, many Chai Lifeline volunteers. Unfortunately, Evan did not survive his childhood battle with cancer.
Itzhak and the 250 other Tour De Simcha riders train, prepare, sweat, fall, and keep riding to raise funds so that kids like Evan can have some fun and enjoy normal childhood activities while facing difficult treatments.
Shira and Shmuel Itzhak have a special kesher (connection) to the entire Stein family. Shmuel Itzhak taught Margaret Stein Levy at Hebrew Academy of Tidewater and the Steins hosted the Itzhaks for many, many Shabbos and Yom Tov meals.
For more information or to support Tour De Simcha in memory of Evan Levy, go to tourdesimcha.org/shiraitzhak.
*of blessed memory