JERUSALEM MARATON 2019

Dear Important People in my Life, After a hiatus too long to reasonably blame on having a baby, I am thrilled to share that I’m lacing up and returning to the streets of my favorite city to participate in this year’s 10K race of the Jerusalem Marathon! I am once again honored to be running (and perhaps also walking!) as part of the Merkaz Panim team. Finding the time and energy to train is among my greater challenges these days, but I am especially motivated by the prospect of raising funds and awareness for this extraordinary cause (plus the “alone time” of running isn’t all that bad, either!) Merkaz Panim provides a comprehensive approach to nurture, sustain and empower couples facing a wide-range of fertility challenges, such as difficulties in conceiving and pregnancy, genetic issues, miscarriage and fetal loss. Founded in 2011, Merkaz Panim services a silent population suffering under the strain of invasive procedures and emotional hardships. These struggles are universal. However, in the Jewish community, where family is the core of Jewish life, and especially in Israel where children are so much the center of daily life, fertility challenges are especially heartbreaking. So many people in my life have faced fertility challenges of some form or another, oftentimes suffering under a veil of painful loneliness. In my connection to Merkaz Panim (as a runner and a proud board member), I have found a truly extraordinary team of people -- so many of them volunteers -- doing heroic work. There is basically no overhead. The last time I ran, you responded extraordinarily generously (I was blown away!) contributing nearly $6,000. I would love if we could do this again. If you're inspired to do so, please take two minutes and make a contribution of any size to advance the work of Merkaz Panim and donate through Israel Gives’ secure fundraising site. (All contributions made in dollars are tax-deductible in the US.) I hope you will join me in supporting this great cause and please feel free to share this link with friends, family or anyone else who might be inspired to support this one-of-a-kind organization. Sending lots of love from Jerusalem, Aviva