Truly transformative–this is not simply a fantastic, beautiful and well-supported ride that empowers every rider, but it is an intentional community with inspiring new friends. I cannot give a bigger recommendation.

Rabbi Meir Goldstein

The Riding Rabbi program will give rabbis of all backgrounds a chance to learn about sustainability and see the Jewish environmental movement in action – from the seat of a bike! In our unique classroom on wheels, Rabbis will have a special opportunity to engage with riders and the communities we meet along the way, where we’ll be teaching about contemporary food and environmental issues from a Jewish perspective, participating in service projects, engaging in interfaith conversations, and more. This experience hopefully will inspire Rabbis to make real changes in their lives and then bring these changes back to their schools, congregations and communities.

We invite Rabbis and Rabbinical Students to join us!

The ride is fully supported: we provide you with training tips, fundraising tips, and regular contact from our office, and you can choose your 1-3 day segment to coincide, if applicable, with your community if we happen to be riding through.

What we expect from Riding Rabbis:

• we hope that that you train – the more you train, the more you’ll enjoy the cycling
• we require that you fundraise a minimum of $1800 in support of Hazon’s work (but we hope many of you will end up raising more than that)
• if the route is close to your congregation, we hope you will encourage others to ride with you
• if your community is along the route, we hope that you will host us or assist with our accommodations or meals

In addition, we hope you will commit to use the ride as a platform to work for sustainable food systems in your community. We ask that you commit to one or more of the following, with Hazon’s support:

• giving at least two sermons on sustainable food issues;
• serving healthy and sustainable food at kiddush or synagogue events;
• starting a CSA (community-supported agriculture project);
• conducting a Food Audit at your institution;
• planting a garden;
• doing work around food justice;
• supporting the Israeli environmental movement in various ways—to name just a few.

Read more about how Hazon can help you create a healthier and more sustainable Jewish community.

What you get as a 2012 Riding Rabbi:

• Hopefully an amazing experience riding with a unique community
• Option to apply for a mini grant to support a local environmental project in your community
• Member of our Rabbinical Advisory Board in 2012
• Membership for yourself or a person you select for free membership in the Jewish Food Education Network
• Opportunity to teach about Jewish values around sustainable food to the Ride community
• Inclusion in our special Riding Rabbi media campaign
• You will receive a special jersey, water bottle, plus regular training and fundraising tips and support from the Hazon office

Hazon is committed to renewing Jewish life, and we’ve found that working through the lens of contemporary food issues has had a powerful effect in congregations.

We hope you’ll join us for the Cross-USA Ride this summer!

To register, follow this link and select “Riding Rabbi: 1 to 3-day Segment”.  If you have any questions, contact Wendy Levine at wendy.levine@hazon.org or 212-644-2332 x332.

• Interested in the Rabbi Relay in the UK? The Gefilte Fest Ride takes Rabbis from Land’s End to John O’ Groat’s, aiming to raise £100,000 for food and environmental charities.