ISRAEL RIDE: THANK YOU FOR RIDING WITH US
In October 2025, more than 100 incredible riders came together for the 18th and final Israel Ride. Cycling from Jerusalem to Eilat alongside Arava Institute alumni and staff, we crossed vast landscapes and meaningful distances—physically, emotionally, and collectively. Along the way, we opened ourselves to learning and connection, bore witness, and stood in solidarity with so many people and communities we encountered. We are certain that everyone felt the warmth, care, connection and community that lie at the heart of the Arava Institute and the Israel Ride. Thank you for your support and participation.
In May 2025, the Arava Institute and Friends of the Arava Institute announced that the Israel Ride would sunset after the 2025 ride. This difficult decision was made in recognition of the increased economic, recruitment and other challenges in executing the annual Ride. We plan to take the coming months to do an internal review and plan to introduce an opportunity which will launch in 2027.
We are deeply grateful to our Founding Chair, Howie Rodenstein, Co-Chair, David Eisenberg, Vice Chair, Sharon Cohen, and the entire group of lay leaders for their unwavering dedication of the Israel Ride and support of the Arava Institute.
To ALL Israel Ride riders from 2003–2025: thank you for being part of this extraordinary journey, for supporting the vital work of the Arava Institute, and for advancing its mission through your commitment, advocacy, and fundraising. You are not only members of the Israel Ride community—you are part of the Arava Institute family. While this chapter of the Ride has come to a close, we hope to remain connected in the years ahead.
Alumni, Get Involved! Join the Israel Ride Alumni Engagement Committee.
Calling all Israel Ride alumni: this is an opportunity to continue supporting the Arava Institute together. The newly formed Israel Ride Alumni Action Committee will help guide and sustain our community’s ongoing involvement and impact. Bring your voice, your ideas, and your heart as we shape what comes next. Please reach out to us at eleiza@friendsofarava.org to learn more. Sign up to join the committee below.
Please stay in touch and stay engaged! Sign up for our newsletter here.
Founders Fund
While the Ride may be behind us, we have an opportunity to show that the spirit, purpose, and commitment of the Israel Ride community continue. By honoring the vision, passion, and decades of dedication from the founders, Howie Rodenstein, David Lehrer, Nigel Savage, and co-Chair David Eisenberg, we can ensure that their legacy continues to empower leaders, advance solutions, and cultivate peace across the region. The Founders Fund will honor these four visionary leaders through ongoing support of the Arava Institute.
We are very grateful to the following people for their generous one-time and multi-year commitments to the Founders Fund which will support the Arava Institute. Founders Fund supporters will be listed below shortly.