Frequently Asked Questions

Fundraising:

Where do I mail my donations?
Hazon
California Ride
Attn: Jonathan Fish
125 Maiden Lane, Suite 8B
New York, NY 10038
(Please do not send cash)

Who should checks be made payable to?
Hazon. Also, remember to put your name in the memo section of each check so we correctly credit your Hazon CA Ride account.

Where does my fundraising money go?
For every dollar raised, more than 75 cents is spent toward furthering the Jewish environmental movement in the United States and Israel.  Proceeds from the 2012 California Ride help fund Hazon’s innovative food, transportation and sustainability programs. Additionally, Hazon is honored to offer mini-grants to organizations and projects in line with Hazon’s mission.

Learn more about this year’s mini-grant recipients

Are donations tax-deductible and how do I get a receipt?
Yes. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law.  Donors giving $250 or more will receive a letter of acknowledgement from Hazon. Please note that registration fees are not tax-deductible.  All gifts made online are automatically acknowledged for tax purposes via email. Any donor wishing to receive a printed acknowledgement/receipt may contact us, and we are happy to fulfill your request.

How long after I send in a check does it take to show up on my personal webpage?

It depends how many checks are coming into the office and how close it is to the event. Checks that are sent prior to the event can take two to four weeks to process. Any donations you hand in the day of the event can take up to six weeks to show up on your account. To avoid the wait, encourage your donors to donate online. Online donations are safe and easy! All online donations will immediately appear on your webpage scroll and will appear exactly as the donor enters it.

Having trouble using the Hazon online fundraising tools?

Please contact a CA Ride staff member by emailing caride@hazon.org

TEAMS:

What is the benefit of starting a team?
Participating in Hazon’s CA Ride is more fun when you’re part of a team! Teams are a great opportunity build a community of riders, crew members, and Shabbat only participants.  Each team member must pay a registration fee and raise the minimum pledge amount for their registration category.

How many people do I have to have on my team?
Teams must consist of two or more members in order to receive team recognition during the Ride weekend.

What if I already registered as an individual but want to start/join a team?
No problem- we can make that change for you. Contact us at caride@hazon.org or 415-397-7020

EVENT LOGISTICS:

Where are the start, overnight, and finish locations?

The Ride includes three overnights. Thursday night we will stay at Camp Newman, a URJ summer camp in the Santa Rosa Hills.  On Friday and Saturday nights we will stay at Walker Creek Ranch, an environmental education and retreat center in Petaluma.  Sunday morning we will ride back to San Francisco for a closing ceremony at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay.

Please see the ‘at a glance’ page for additional details.   

Where can I park my car during the event weekend?
Limited parking will be available at the Jewish Community High School of the Bay in San Francisco.  Please let us know if you’d like to reserve parking on the logistics form

What if it rains?
The Hazon Ride takes place rain or shine.

What do I do if I get a flat tire?
We highly encourage all participants to know basic safety and repair skills, including fixing a flat tire. Be prepared and bring your own pump and extra tubes for your bike.  However, if you are still unable to make the repair, marshals and SAG vans will accompany riders along all three routes.  Should you need assistance, please alert a ride marshal or SAG vehicle. If a marshal is unable to assist you with the repair, a SAG vehicle will take you to a rest stop where mechanical support is available.

Is there a minimum age requirement to participate in Hazon’s Jewish Environmental Ride?
Yes- riders must be at least 12 years old to participate. Riders under 18 years of age must complete a waiver and behavioral agreement, which is signed by an authorized parent or guardian, in order to attend.  Teen riders must be accompanied by an authorized parent or guardian 21 years of age or older.  Learn more about teen participation at the Ride.

Are non-riding family and friends encouraged to participate in the weekend’s festivities?
OF COURSE! There are a number of opportunities for you and your family/friends to enjoy the ride together.  Crew members are an integral part of the success of the event and a great way to get your family and friends involved. Please visit the Crew section of our website for Crew specifics and to register.  Additionally, we invite your family and friends to register and join the Hazon community for the weekend Shabbaton retreat.

I am coming from out of town, when should I plan to arrive?

Out of town participants should plan to arrive by 2pm on Thursday, May 10.  Check out the transportation page for shuttle information from San Francisco.

I am coming from out of town, do you have any travel tips?

Virgin America has offered a 10% discount for out of town participants who are flying in for the California Ride.  The promotion is available now through  http://virginamerica.com/. To use, enter the discount code ( VXHAZON12) at the beginning of the search.  The 10% discount is good for travel dates that are between May 8th-May 15th, to and from SFO only.

I am coming from out of town and want to rent a bike in San Francisco. Do you have any suggestions?
Yes- Riders who would like to rent a bike can choose from the Cypress Comfort Hybrid ($90) or the Defy 2 Road Bike ($150).  Let us know your sizing information on the logistics form, and we will coordinate drop-off at Camp Newman and pickup at the end of the Ride. You will have the opportunity to pay the additional fees on a logistics form which will be emailed out before the ride.

How can I contact the Hazon CA Ride staff?
You can contact us at caride@hazon.org or 415-397-7020.