The ESRA Negev committee ‘HaDromim B’Derech’ is happy to promote the project ‘Bikes for Kids under Fire’ in the north western Negev.

For much of the last eight years, children in the area close to Gaza have been denied a normal childhood. Playing outside was ‘a risky business’ and cycling for youngsters was discouraged.

This was not acceptable for 73 year old Dr. Herzl Melmed, a former Rhodesian/Zimbabwean now living in Denver, Colorado, who over the years has, through his organization ‘ActionIsrael’, targeted specific causes in Israel to support. A passionate cyclist himself, he naturally gravitated to the idea of providing bikes for youngsters living under the shadow of constant war.

“What child does not like to cycle?” asks Herzl. “And yet, for these kids, an activity normal for kids elsewhere in Israel was understandably denied! Despite the concerns of missile attacks, we wanted them to live like kids.”

Last year Melmed’s organization, ActionIsrael, raised over $25,000 and the first cycle club was established on Kibbutz Nachal Oz.

Only 850 meters from the border, Nachal Oz is the closest Israeli residential area to Gaza. Prior to Operation Cast Lead, not only was the kibbutz beset by the constant barrage of Kassams and mortars, “but also had been infiltrated by terrorists. So there was always this feeling of fear,” says Tami Halevi, the Nachal Oz Bike Club’s coordinator. “And then of course, there was the noise - like a soundtrack to a movie. Even if the missiles do not land close by, the Tzeva Adom (Red Alert siren) is going off all the time, and then it’s the quick dash to the shelter. You have only a few seconds to find protection.”

It was for these very reasons that when Melmed’s organization proposed donating money nearly two years ago for the purpose of buying bicycles for the children, parents were initially against it. “Choose another project,” they said.

As there were few bomb shelters at the time, outdoors was considered unsafe. “Children were not free to roam on the kibbutz alone. And if they were caught on their bikes out in the open, what would happen? However Herzl was persistent. He felt our children deserved a childhood like kids elsewhere in Israel. He was so right.”

Like his namesake well over a century ago, “If you will it, it is no dream,” Herzl and his band of supporters, including Raz Arbel who today runs the tourism department in the Ramat Negev regional council and who at the time was the Jewish Agency emissary to Denver, got down to the business of raising funds.

That was eighteen months ago and today “we have today a wonderful cycling club, professionally managed, divided into three age groups with instructors: 6-9, 10-12 and over,” beams Tami.

Building on their success and the financial support of ActionIsrael, they are looking to open another club in the area soon. “The terrain here is perfect for off-road cycling and we hope to attract cyclists from all over Israel to join us in our rides and explore our wonderful countryside,” says Tami.

“This is the best message we can send. We are here to stay and we are going to thrive.”

This message is clearly resonating.

Since the relative quiet following operation ‘Cast Lead’, nine new families, with fifteen children amongst them, have joined Nachal Oz. One mother gave birth recently, another is expecting. “This changes the atmosphere completely. New families, young kids, bike clubs - we only hope this will last,” she sighs.

Herzl, quite literally, has not stopped pedaling in support. This past November, he cycled mostly alone and through all climatic conditions 1000 miles from Denver, Colorado to Phoenix, Arizona. The sponsorships he received will go towards the next cycling club that will open in 2010.

At one stage while riding through the Navaho Indian Reserve in Arizona, he stopped at a hotel, exhausted after a tiring day in the saddle. Always on his mind was ‘the cause’ driving his legs to push on.

Inside the hotel’s lobby was an abstract painting of Indian tepees and giant arrows piercing the ground all around these primitive dwellings. “You could not see the archers, but you could imagine them lurking somewhere, firing their deadly arrows. How it must be for the people of Sderot and neighboring area,” he reflected.

Next morning Melmed walked past the painting again before saddling up. He relished the challenge ahead.

You too can join this challenge.

Anyone interested in learning more about this project can contact:

Tami Halevi, Kibbutz Nachal Oz.

054 791 7429

 zvitam@nahaloz.org.il 

ESRA’s Negev Committee, ‘HaDromim B’Derech' Dave Kaplan hildav@netvision.net.il, 09 767 2404, 050 743 2361

Herzl Melmed at Denver, Colorado 303 773 3891 or hmelmed@comcast.net

For Israeli donations:

‘Bikes For Kids Under Fire’

Adv Malcolm Finn Trust Acct

11 Galgalei Haplada

P.O.Box 4005, Herzlia Pituach, 46140 Tel: 09 956 6685