Melabev 2011 Walkathon – Hiking for Alzheimer's Care

Let's Go Take a Hike – Up to the Highest Height!

Registration is now taking place for the Melabev 2011 Walkathon – Hiking for Alzheimer's Care, scheduled for up in the Golan this year. 

Hikers choose from three routes according to the level of challenge they want for crossing the Golan Heights along portions of the newly designated Golan Trail.  

The area is known for its greenery and its streams and brooks, and for the reminders of its ancient and modern history.  The guide from Keshet Educational Tours, who arrange the tour, say we'll visit sites like evidence of a Jewish village from from Mishnaic times; or a Roman city of 3^rd century Palestine; or an ancient synagogue destroyed by an earthquake in 749 C.E., or a castle built by the crusaders and later demolished by the Mamaluks in the 13^th century.  Some sites evoke more recent history, such as the ruins of Old Bene Yehuda, a village started by Haredi Tzfat residents at the end of the 19^th century, though the residents were killed in the uprising of 1920 or striking evidence of the Syrian army's stay here before 1967.

The Walkathon kicks off the evening of Tuesday, Dec. 6.  We board the buses in Jerusalem for a Moonlight Walk near Mitzpe Yericho, heading towards the moshav of Vered Yericho.  The Walkers, who range in age from 12 to 82, choose from two different routes – one easier than the other – with both paths converging before the moshav.   A savory barbeque feast will await the Walkers there, where the ambience is warm, relaxed and friendly and the food tantalizing.  

In addition to the minimal registration fee paid by the Golan Hikers, every Walker commits to raising a certain sum of sponsorship funds.  This year the proceeds are dedicated to helping relocate Melabev day care centers that have had to move from their leased premises, such as the day center in Beit Shemesh which recently featured in the news.  Melabev centers are known for the outstanding care they provide the elders who attend – helping them retain their remaining memory skills and conducting activities that forestall some of the expected decline.  Support groups and guidance are offered to their family caregivers.  From assessment to therapeutic activities provided in the home of the patient when needed to end-of-life palliative activities – Melabev has an array of services available.  Melabev has garnered numerous awards – including the Beit Shemesh center which just last year was honored for its innovative projects of giving to the community.  The elders make sandwiches for disadvantaged children of the community and preparing packages for soldiers.

November is senior citizens month in Israel – while at Melabev every day is committed to care of frail Senior Citizensin in its day care centers in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh. 

No time is better than the Annual Walkathon for heightened awareness of their needs.  Enjoy the breathtaking natural beauty of our country around every bend and at the crest of every hill in the dessert area of Moshav Vered Yericho and the lush hills of the Golan. Invigorating hikes build body and soul, especially while walking among a uniquely open-hearted and high spirited group.  We're told that every 4 footsteps taken in the Land of Israel is a mitzva.   How much more so when it promote Alzheimer's care! 

The Moonlight is the evening of Tuesday, December 6.  The Golan Hike is on Wednesday and Thursday, December 7-8.  For more information:  http://www.melabev.org/posts/453,   melabev.walkathon@gmail.com  or call:  02-655-5826.  

If you can't hike with us – remember to sponsor one of our walkers!