Swimming the Kinneret to Benefit Others

Some folks are swimmers. Some folks are root-ers. I'm a root-er, and one of the things that makes me cheer louder than just about anything else is the Annual Women's Swim in the Kinneret.

Yes, in only a few days, the year's most exciting women's event is about to take place by the Sea of Kinneret – the third annual women's swim-a-thon Swim4Sadna on Wednesday, May 23. The fundraising event for Shiluv b'Emuna will help build a secure home for special needs young adults – enabling  them to live within a supportive community, while they study and work and learn to live independent lives.

Sadnat Shiluv in Rosh Tzurim is a revolutionary triumph in education – helping special children integrate successfully in today's modern world.

For women swimmers, Swim4Sadna is a rare opportunity to swim the Kinneret together with hundreds of other women for an incredible cause.

Previous swims have helped contribute to the creation of one Shiluv b'Emunah apartment for young men already. This year's swim is aimed at creating a similar apartment for young women.

Join the Swim4Sadna for the experience of a lifetime! There are two routes to choose from - a 3.5k starting at Haon Beach and a 1.5k starting at Maagan Beach – each ending at Tzemach Beach.

For anyone who wants to participate without jumping in the water, there's a fantastic “Fun & Fitness Day” on Tuesday, May 22, for women and girls 12+ at the Tzemach Junction.  (There'll be a separate area for younger children.)

The exhilaration and powerful feelings of unity of purpose continue as even non-swimmers cheer on those who take to the water!!

Swim4Sadna is the brainchild of Vivienne Glaser, a mother of one of Sadnat Shiluv's graduates, and a powerhouse in the world of chesed and innovation.

The overall goal is 350,000 NIS for the benefit of Shiluv b'Emuna.

You can help make it happen. Join in - 1-800-39-35-39 or info@swim4sadna.org. To find out more: www.Swim4Sadna.org.

Find out more about previous swims 

http://voices-magazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/by-sea-of-kinneret-for-sadnat-shiluv.html

http://voices-magazine.blogspot.com/2010/06/kinneret-womens-swim-splashing-success.html

Kinneret All-Women Swim for Sadnat-Shiluv

Let’s help Vivienne Glaser fulfill her million shekel dream. Vivienne wants to build two hostels in Gush Etzion for special-needs children (with learning disabilities or Down’s Syndrome).
Vivienne is so serious about making this happen, she’s already planned her first major fundraising event – An All Women’s Swim in the Kinneret on Wednesday, June 16, IY”H, to benefit Sadnat Shiluv in Rosh Tzurim .
Everyone reading this article can make this swim a success by sponsoring: a swimmer, transportation, or anything from sun-tan lotion, liquid high-energy food, or towels to long T-Shirts for the women swimmers. Together, we can make Vivienne’s dream for a better life for at least a dozen special-needs children come true. Contact Swim4sadna@gmail.com.
What's it for?
Sadnat Shiluv encourages maximum integration of special people into the community. It works with children from kindergarten and elementary school until young adulthood. Currently, its only hostel houses six young adults and offers them a place to live, work, study and lead an independent life while being an active part of the Rosh Tzurim community. Vivienne has made it her personal goal to try to build another two hostels.
Vivienne told Voices that there’s usually an Annual Swim across the Kinneret in the middle of September, “but it’s a mixed swim and it’s always on Shabbat.”
Women who have always wanted to participate in a Kinneret Swim, but were unable to do so because of the mixed swimming or Sabbath scheduling, can now join in. Of course, the event is not only for religious women. Vivienne said, “Today 30% of sports in Israel are women only. It's become very trendy.”
Vivienne’s weekday swim will have two courses – Maagan to Tzemach, 1.5 kilometers (60 lengths in a 25 meter pool); and HaOn to Tzemach, 3.5 kilometers (you do the math).
Sadnat Shiluv Hostel
Vivienne’s dream took shape when, her son Elchie, 19, entered the Sadnat Shiluv hostel in Rosh Tzurim after having been educated in its school. Five other young people, aged 17 to 23, live there too. Vivienne commented, “It proved fantastic for Elchie. It's five minutes from home. I haven't sent him away. I can pick him up for a simcha, the dentist, and he can pop home to be with his friends too.”
Vivienne wants to give the same happiness to other youngsters. There are currently seven young adults, mostly from Gush Etzion, on a waiting list to enter a hostel.
The Sadnat-Shiluv under the direction of visionary Noa Mandelbaum and educator Tamar Hechsher has created the most unique institution, Vivienne said. “They need to be empowered. There's nothing like the Gush for an area where chesed, ahavat chinam (uncompromising love) and everything else good can be showcased.”
In the elementary school 400 kids learn with about five special kids in every mainstream class of 20. The special kids can have any combination of disabilities, she noted. “It’s an interesting combination per class. And the whole idea is that they become part of society.”
More about the school, IY”H. Meanwhile, register at http://www.shvoong.co.il/ or email Swim4sadna@gmail.com.