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David Sussman
David Sussman

Hiking in Israel for kids in India

David Sussman, who made aliyah to Israel six years ago, to embark on 950 km hike along Israel Trail in bid to raise money for children's charity

Reuters | Published:  02.20.09, 08:51

On March 1st, David Sussman, 31, an immigrant to Israel from Boston MA, will embark on a grueling 950 km hike, spanning the entirety of Israel from Eilat in the south to Tel Dan in the north to raise awareness and financial support for the "All the Kids" charity. "All for the Kids" is a non-profit organization committed to feeding and educating children in some of the poorest communities in the world.

 

Last year, Founder/Director, Bradley Cohen walked the length of Israel in the opposite direction, from north to south, and raised $18,000 for children’s causes in Israel and Africa. That money went towards food, education, clothing and dental treatment for over 200 children.

 

"All for the Kids" is now running a series of programs in Northern India to engage Israeli backpackers on their post-army trip in volunteer work with Indian children. So far, Sussman has raised $2,500 in sponsorship dollars that will go to children in Dharamasala, Northern India.

 

“Dharamasala is the home of the Tibetan people in exile, and we as Jews know plenty about exile,” says Cohen, who lived in India for a year during his six-year stay in Asia. Many organizations send volunteers from Israel to India, but only "All for the Kids" reaches out to backpackers who are already there and searching for meaningful ways to spend their time.

Sussman. Direct help for kids

 

Sussman's donations continue to pour in; he anticipates that by the time he completes the challenge he will have raised a grand total of $25,000. He has also attracted sponsorship and support from Dancing Camel Brewery in Tel Aviv, and Israeli touring company VITS Travel.

 

Raising awareness for Israel as well

"I'm doing this first because I can't think of a worthier cause than this one. The 'All for the Kids' fund does great work. Unlike many bureaucratic charities, it gives kids direct help, really making a difference in their lives, and in the lives of the volunteers," says Sussman, a certified Israeli tour guide, who will document his 100-day trek with day-by-day photo, video, diary entry, and interview uploads to his website: www.TheIsraelTrail.com.

 

"My second reason is to feed the minds and hearts of people around the world about Israel; to attract awareness and provide education to the world about one of the most misunderstood and misrepresented places on the planet. I hope this initiative will serve to inform people about both the history and present of this beautiful country that does so many good things for the world and that is so close to my heart."

 

Sussman will meet with a wide range of Israelis in a wide range of places along the trail, from kibbutzim to communities most affected by terror. He invites anyone who is interested to join him, for an afternoon, a day, or a week, at any point along the trail, to show support, or just to enjoy some free educational touring. "This is my way of giving back to the Israeli community that I have gotten so much from," says Sussman.

 

"This place has given me a sense of purpose, identity, and spiritual fulfillment, and it is my time to give back." David Sussman has lived in Israel since 2001 but made aliyah from Boston, MA on July 16, 2003, after his life was changed by the Hamas homicide bombing by British Muslims of Mike’s Place live music venue in Tel Aviv on April 30, 2003.

 

Then a bartender at the establishment, the incident and its fallout - a major reduction in aliyah and Jewish tourism from abroad - inspired him to claim citizenship. A year later he joined an Israeli Defense Force (IDF) artillery unit. He served in the 2006 war in Lebanon, where he survived a Hizbullah ambush of his unit. A recent graduate of the Ministry of Tourism Archaeological Seminars course, David Sussman is now a licensed Israeli tour guide.

 

 

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