On Friday March 9th, 2018, the streets of Jerusalem were teeming with more than 35,000 runners who came from all over the world to participate in one of the most difficult races – the annual Jerusalem Marathon.
No, we didn’t run the full marathon, or the half marathon, or the 10k, or the 5k. The 800 meters was more our speed, and we ran it with pride, joining some very special people.
The Ma’ayan School for severely disabled Christian, Muslim and Jewish children participated in the 800m race together with Jerusalem Foundation staff and families. Thanks to the support of Jerusalem Foundation friends from Germany, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, we are renovating the Ma’ayan School in Ein Karem near the St. Vincent Monastery, making it wheelchair accessible for these awe-inspiring children. Renovations will be complete by August 2018.
In the meantime, we ran our hearts out with these exceptional children. Michael Jordan, the famous basketball player once said, “Never say never because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion.” The children of the Ma’ayan School are fearless, and nothing held them back from participating in this annual Jerusalem tradition.
