How we raised $12,000 while having one of the most amazing experiences of our lives!

On Labor Day Weekend, 2005, seven teens from the B'nai Tzedek Teen Philanthropy Program strapped on their helmets and rode in the Hazon New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride. Eight thousand dollars of the $12,000 raised went to Hazon, an organization that raises awareness about the connection between Judaism and the environment. The B'nai Tzedek Youth Foundation received the remaining $4,000, which they will dole out to charitable organizations starting this May (check out the Foundation at www.hgf.org/teen_philanthropy).

Riders gathered at the end of Shabbat at the Isabella Freedman Jewish Retreat Center in Falls Village, Connecticut.    Early Sunday morning, they pushed hard to cover 125 miles, arriving in New York City on Monday. Below, five teens share their experiences.

Why did you want to participate in this ride?

Adam S.: I've always wanted to do something like this - like a walk for cancer, but they haven't agreed with me because they don't merge with my desire to be in Jewish community. The fact that this ride allows space for Jewish observance is awesome.

Carly A.: I decided to do the ride because I wanted to meet other cool Jewish teens and it seems like a great idea to ride 125 miles.

Becca E.: I wanted to do this ride because I think it's neat that there is an organization that brings together Judaism and environmentalism because they are both things that are important to me.

David B.: An exciting new challenge and a great cause to raise money for. Ended up being more than a physical thing. The whole weekend has been incredible. Yoga, Tai Chi, different ways to observe Shabbat. Incredible!

Sophie H.: I've seen too many kids my age neglect their responsibility to the environment. Even as I look around here, there are not that many teens. It's really important for people our age to step up and take responsibility for the environment because in a few years, it's going to be our problem. It's been a moving experience to be here with a community of people who care about both Judaism and the environment.

How this Shabbaton was this weekend?

Adam: It was pretty great. Nobody has any restrictions or inhibitions. Everyone is pretty happy and joyous. Things can get humdrum with many Jews. But people here are eager to make Jewish practice new and exciting.

Carly: Everyone here had a ton of ruach (spirit) and it never stops. You have so many choices about which prayer services and activities you wanted to go to.

Becca: You could connect with anything you wanted to do. I met a lot of new people.

David: The Shabbaton was so cool because there were so many opportunities. The kid I just met once or twice, I ended up Tai Chi fighting. It was easy to bond and connect.

Sophie: As teens were welcomed into the adult community, we were not looked down upon as being less than because we were younger. Participating on an equal level was a crazy and wonderful experience.

How would you imagine that this Jewish/Environmental bike ride might be different from other charitable bike rides?

Becca: It's incredibly scenic. While we are riding through this beautiful environment, it's wonderful to see that this is what we are raising the money for. We are raising money for an environmental organization and while we are riding we realize that the cause is worthwhile because it's right in front of us.

Adam: There's no separation from the support staff and the riders. When we pull into a rest stop after riding for a long time, everyone is clapping and cheering. It's like a big block party. Very supportive.

David: Being with a lot of Jewish people, it's easy to feel an underlying connection even though we might not know each other that well.

Carly: The environment is gorgeous and so we were shown amazing scenery

Sophie: While in the beautiful scenery we also passed by many industrial areas, like highways and buildings which seemed like a warning to the riders. The message seemed to be: if you want to live in a safe world, protect the earth.

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Hey! Did you miss the U.S. ride? Check Out Hazon's Israel Ride!

On May 9 th, 150 riders from the U.S. and Israel will break a hard-core sweat as they begin a five-day ride from Jerusalem to Eilat. They'll be raising money for Hazon and the Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, a group that brings together students from the Middle East and North America to study environmental issues. But the event is more than just a ride. A tour guide leads the pack through some of the most environmentally important areas of Israel, teaching about the land as the riders zoom across it. For more info, go to www.hazon.org.

Content is provided by THE HAROLD GRINSPOON FOUNDATION . For more information go to   www.hgf.org.