Crossing mountains and deserts requires resilience and teamwork, something that Israelis have as they manage the trauma of the ongoing war against Hamas. One form of healing is expressed through sports, in which more than 100 participants biked by the Dead Sea near Masada with the Geerz Israel Charity Ride. They covered 80 miles on their mountain bikes on March 23-25, raising funds for children and soldiers impacted by the war.
“After October 7, the need for trauma support skyrocketed. Geerz stepped up immediately to offer its proven program to displaced and at-risk youth, helping them rebuild a sense of stability and hope,” said program director Chaim Wizman, who made aliyah from Queens 30 years ago. “I’m honored to be part of something so impactful.”
It was the ninth annual ride for this organization, which was founded by English-speaking olim who shared their love for biking and supporting children impacted by traumatic events.
“The Geerz Israel Charity Ride is more than a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of the community coming together to support the resilience and success of our youth,” says Nachum Wasosky, founder of Geerz. “Riding ‘uneven terrain’ is not just about mountain biking,” said Geerz founder Nachum Wasosky. “It’s about helping these kids navigate the instability in their lives, build confidence, and regain their strength.”
Wizman’s sister, Tova Plaut, attended the event as a volunteer. “I will be more involved in the coming years. They provide therapeutic activities for children and soldiers suffering from PTSD. They go to communities all over Israel,” the Cedarhurst resident said.
In its statement, Geerz provided that the bike ride integrates “the physical and mental health benefits of exercise, nature, and personal development. By fostering teamwork, resilience, and emotional regulation, the program empowers participants to overcome both physical and emotional challenges.” The organization’s efforts have support from health professionals, who recognize the healing power of biking with a team.
“The children whom I sent to Geerz demonstrated challenges with attention and focus, anxiety, depression, ODD, aggression, social issues, PTSD, low self-esteem, and more,” said Dr. Ephraim Rosenbaum, a pediatrician who refers patients to Geerz. “In combination with other interventions and treatments, I have witnessed amazing progress in the patients I referred to Geerz.”
In the aftermath of the war against Hamas, Geerz mobilized rapidly to replicate its already successful program to support displaced youth and those from communities under attack. Geerz now serves evacuees and at-risk youth, with 38 groups running in youth villages, border communities, special education schools, and after-school programs.
“The event was incredibly inspiring; the vibe was so collaborative and supportive. Unlike so many sports events, this was not competitive, as people were not comparing – they were working together,” Plaut said. “That is the therapy of bike riding.”
Yechiel and Sarah Kila of Beit Shemesh lived in southern Israel prior to the Hamas attack. The relocation was disruptive for their son, and the bike ride provided reassurance. “Our eldest joined the Geerz family in Beit Shemesh every Friday,” they wrote. “Our son would return from the rides full of strength and joy. The sense of security and belonging Geerz gave him was priceless during such a fragile time.”
Geerz is a leader in therapeutic mountain biking, offering innovative programs that integrate sports, nature, and mental health therapy. With a focus on resilience-building and emotional well-being, Geerz empowers Israeli youth to overcome challenges and find hope in the face of adversity.
For more information about the Geerz Israel Charity Ride or to support Geerz’s mission, please visit www.geerz.site/get-into-geerz/en.
By Sergey Kadinsky
