Running and Rolling with Ruth and Ramon for Beit HaGalgalim's Summer Camps 2025

Keep on Rolling – Running with Ruth for Summer Camp! This year, my father and I will once again run and roll through the Jerusalem Marathon to raise funds for Beit HaGalgalim’s summer camps. This time, we are running in memory of Captain Shilo (Chico) Cohen, the team commander who, last year, personally organized and led his unit from their elite training course to participate and support Beit HaGalgalim. His team ran with us and pushed our wheelchairs through the Old City section of the marathon. On October 7th, Shilo left his home in Sderot and bravely fought alongside a unit from Sayeret Matkal. He was killed in battle at Kibbutz Be’eri. This year, we run in his memory and in his light. Now, a little about me…My name is Ruth Birnbaum. I’m a 13-year-old girl full of positive energy. Not even my cerebral palsy and epilepsy can stop me from swimming, riding a bike, or practicing walking. I love running long distances with my dad, Ramon. As we prepare for the Jerusalem Marathon, my dad, my friends, and I will run and roll to raise support for Beit HaGalgalim’s summer camps—this year, more than ever, we keep on rolling! For seven years, I’ve been part of Beit HaGalgalim’s activities at the southern house in Kibbutz Orim. It’s my second home, where I spend one weekend a month with my best friends. These weekends are filled with social activities, joy, and happiness, charging me with positive energy. The highlight of the year is our summer camp, which we eagerly await! To make this summer camp a reality, we hope to raise ₪50,000 to ensure an unforgettable and meaningful experience. This year, we run and roll in memory of Captain Shilo (Chico) Cohen.Shilo was 24 years old, born in Sderot to Aryeh and Ruti, and the brother of Itay, Ravid, Izhar, and Tchiya. He studied at the Susiya Yeshiva and later at the Eilat Yeshiva before enlisting in November 2019 in the elite Shaldag Unit, joining the “Asheri” team. After completing his training, he attended officer school and later led the November 2022 intake—known as "Team Chico" for their impressive achievements. On the morning of October 7th, Shilo awoke in Sderot to the sounds of rockets and terrorist gunfire. Realizing the severity of the situation, he did not waste time returning to his base but instead took immediate action. Armed only with a pistol, he took his younger brother’s rifle and headed straight to the Sderot police station. Seeing that sufficient forces were already there, he moved toward the city exit, where he met a Sayeret Matkal team whose soldier had been wounded. He immediately joined them, took the injured soldier’s equipment, and fought alongside the elite unit at multiple locations in the south—Sha’ar HaNegev Junction, Kibbutz Mefalsim, Sa’ad Junction, and finally, Kibbutz Be’eri. During intense combat in Be’eri, Shilo heroically moved forward to provide cover for his team. Tragically, he was fatally wounded by a hidden terrorist cell. Despite efforts to evacuate him, he was pronounced dead in the field. This year, we dedicate our run in his honor. We invite you to run with us, cheer us on, embrace, and strengthen us. Thank you for being with us, Ruth, Dad, the Cohen family, and all our friends at Beit HaGalgalim.