A virtual trip from Jozi to Jerusalem with endorphins

It may be almost impossible to get from Johannesburg to Jerusalem now because of lockdown, but the Jozi2Jerusalem project will enable people across South Africa and the globe to virtually traverse the 9 191 kilometres between the two cities between 16 and 30 August.

Participants can take part on home treadmills or outdoors. You just need to register via WhatsApp or email, stating what distance you’re signing up for and which sport/s you’ll be doing, says Ilan Herrmann of Soul Sport who, together with West Street Shul, is organising the project. “The options are walking, running, rowing, and swimming.

“The event is flexible,” says Herrmann. “You can do 1km or 100km. You can break up the distance over the two-week period. You just have to go the distance you committed to in your registration, and provide a picture of yourself at the start.”

Everyone and anyone is invited to join in. “This is a perfect challenge for lockdown. It’s putting an energising and dynamic health and sports incentive in our reach,” he says.

Jozi2Jerusalem was the brainchild of Alan Nossel, a West Street congregant. The initiative has built cross-continent bridges. Telfed, an organisation that engages expats in Israel, is one of its partners. Telfed has to date committed 250km towards the distance.

Another partner is Tikvot, a non-profit, volunteer-based organisation that rehabilitates Israel’s wounded soldiers and victims of terror through sports.

Tikvot has reached out to many rehabilitated soldiers and victims of terror to participate in the challenge.

“We are creating a magnificent link between South Africa and Israel, and are journeying this distance together,” says Ronnie Kaplan, the chairperson of West Street Shul.

To enter Jozi2Jerusalem, WhatsApp 083 273 7876, email jozi2jerusalem@gmail.com, or go to www.soulsportsa.com