Hello. My name is Sammy Moscovitch. I am a Junior at Ida Crown Jewish Academy in Skokie, Illinois. I am choosing to run the Miami Half Marathon again this year for my 3rd year in a row to raise money for Yachad. If you didn’t know what Yachad is, it is an organization that is dedicated to the needs of all Jewish individuals with disabilities and ensuring their inclusion in every aspect of life. Yachad also educates and advocates for a greater understanding, acceptance, outreach, and a pro disability attitude. In Yachad, we don’t see kids with disabilities; rather we see them with different abilities.
I have been involved in Yachad for over seven years. In 9th grade, I was chosen, to go on a Yachad High School Leadership program in Connecticut. Only seven other kids from the Chicago area were chosen to go. It was there that I was told about running the half marathon to raise money for this great organization. I couldn’t believe that I, at 15 years old, could do something to help people my own age with disabilities. I told my mom how important it was for me to help Yachad and that if I could make a difference for just one kid with disabilities, it would be worth the training. That was my first time running a half marathon but more importantly, the first time that I believed we can all make a difference to help.
After that experience, I immediately signed up for the following year. Unfortunately, last year, I was diagnosed with severe Crohn’s Disease in December. I lost about 60 pounds the two months prior to my diagnosis and had a hard time just getting out of bed. My doctor told me that I wouldn’t been strong enough to run a half marathon and I told her that I didn’t care about what treatment I would have to go through, that I would run in Miami in January. I needed to be there because this organization means so much to me.
I made it there, I ran and more importantly I finished with my Yachad friends. I needed them to cheer me on and to support me just like they need me to support them. When I crossed the finish line I was overcome with emotions. This is so important to me and I proved to them and to myself that sickness wouldn’t stop me, and disabilities will not stop my Yachad friends.
I am looking forward to running again in Miami this year and I am setting a high goal for myself to raise money for Yachad. Every amount counts, and if you are willing, your donation would mean the world to me. I hope to raise as much as I can to run and prove to these kids and teenagers that stumbling blocks in life are just another reason to work harder towards your goal.
I hope you can contribute to this amazing organization. You can donate to Yachad through my page. Thank you for your time.

Sincerely and with appreciation,
Sammy




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