Written by Bob Cohen, JMA President
During my, approximately, four years as President of our JMA, and almost seven years as a member of Shul Boys/JMA, I look back one more time on our most recent virtual R2R in Whitwell, Tennessee—Yes, the one with the paperclips and one of the actual train cars associated with the Holocaust. Several of our club members attended the event in person while many more of us watched the event either live or recorded. JMA became involved in this project about 15 years ago and now takes pride in its growth and the number of children’s lives who have been positively impacted by this, at Whitwell Middle School. It reminds me that through our efforts and encouragement, amazing results can be seen within our own lifetimes.
In addition, I want to thank the dozens of club members that have stepped up, providing direction and effort in launching some amazing programs during these past few years. While it would be impossible to name all of these JMA/Club programs, a few that come to mind include:
JMA ride through Cuba, put together by Bruce Ente
Cleveland R2R spearheaded by Ian Abrams
St. Louis R2R put together by Steve Aroesty and Lauren Secular
Pittsburg Meet and Greet organized by Todd Levinson
The ride through Israel organized by our Toronto based Clubs
The exceptional Detroit Meet and Greet organized by Gerry Lullove
Caravan from Detroit to Maine and back, also organized by Gerry Lullove
The upcoming ride through Israel for its 75th anniversary being organized by Uri Kronenblut from Toronto
The incredible ride to San Diego organized by Max Heeres
The San Diego R2R organized by Lauren Secular (planned for September 2022)
Our quarterly newsletter, now four years and running thanks to the editors Danny Herbst and Jake Simon
Many other special events not specifically mentioned.
These organizers alone cannot make these events happen without the support and counsel from other volunteer-JMA/club members and coordinated involvement with each event. It is this commitment to riding, friendship and tzedakah (righteousness) that bonds us all within the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA). Thank you all!
Time has come, consistent with the bylaws of our JMA, when we elect new officers, replacing those officers that have served their two or four-year terms. This will necessitate an election process for our new officers, who will begin in their new roles at the next R2R (which will be held in San Diego in the first weekend of September). The positions that will need to be filled are the President, the Vice-President, and the Treasurer of our Alliance. Those that have an interest in running for any of these positions are welcomed to contact me directly or check our JMA bylaws, Section 6. for more details.
Our clubs continue to have regular get-togethers, whether it is a dinner every month in the winter (for those where it is cold) or going on weekly rides when the weather permits. Please note that if your club should have a special event and would like to have other JMA club members join in your event, Jake Simon, the editor of our JMA newsletter, and David Rosenblatt, editor of our website, would be most helpful to include a promotional article about the event in both the newsletter and the website.
Please take whatever precautions to preserve your health and the health of those around you. Worldwide, we know what we don’t know; we don’t know what is next, and we are all trying to be comfortable with being uncomfortable until we find a resolution for everybody.
Stay safe—Stay healthy.
President
Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance
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