Local 'Angels' rev up for Holocaust education
By Enid Weiss
March 14, 2008

It may sound like the opening to a joke, but it's not. It's the beginning of the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance fourth annual Ride to Remember.

Every year the international group of more than 2,000 bikers picks a different spot to convene as a way to share their commitment to Judaism, Holocaust education, and love of motorcycling.

With affiliated state clubs like Yids on Wheels and New Jersey's own Hillel's Angels, the cyclists express their sense of humor and their affection for their Jewish heritage.

Yes, they often dress in protective leather clothing, ride motorcycles with attached saddlebags, and enjoy living on the edge as they participate in a dangerous hobby. But instead of the biker bars, wet T-shirt contests, and beer that mark other motorcycle gatherings like Bike Week in Daytona Beach, Fla., they talk about the ceremony they'll attend at the Nebraska Holocaust Memorial in Omaha.

"It's a very dangerous hobby, and I think most of us recognize that and take it very seriously," said Gil Paul, a resident of Edison and member of Congregation Neve Shalom in Metuchen. Paul is president of New Jersey's Hillel's Angels motorcycle club that boasts more than 60 members statewide. "To have extra luck or Hashem looking out for us -- we're all for it."

Paul explained that motorcyclists on the whole tend to be a superstitious lot and it's common for other motorcycle club members and bikers to deck their bikes out with little bells as good luck charms. JMA members don't usually opt for the little bells, but several do hang mezuzzot or hamsas.

"They invaribly tend to fall off, and the theory is that when they fall off they've used up their luck," Paul said with a chuckle. "When we ride there's always kids along the side of the road and we wave. It's always exciting when we get them to wave back."

What makes the JMA so unique is that they manage to combine a meaningful purpose and seriousness with the hobby they love -- and a little levity -- according to Paul.

This year's Ride to Remember, May 22-24, supports the National Holocaust Endowment Fund, aiming to fund Holocaust education at several college campuses in Nebraska among other institutions around the world.

"We are helping to assure that tomorrow's leaders understand the horrors of genocide and the terrible consequences of indifference," said Hillel's Angels Vice President David Levine, who lives in East Brunswick and is a member of Anshe Emeth Memorial Temple in New Brunswick. He talked about the atrocities committed in Darfur and added, "Holocaust education, in today's world, may be more relevant than ever before....We must not only remember the horrors of our past, but do what we can to stop the genocides of tomorrow."

Meanwhile Levine is working on finishing up personal preparations for what will be his first long ride. He's purchased his luggage; the next step is to arrange for days off from his job with a pharmaceutical company and finalize the route.

"I'm planning my big adventure," Levine said. "I'm not going with Gil's group. I'm leaving Tuesday and riding hard."

Several other riders who can't take the entire week off will join him as they hit a mainly highway route to get to Nebraska by Thursday.

Is he nervous? Excited? Afraid?

"Yes," he said, laughing. "I don't want to hold anybody back. I'm excited because I think it'll be the trip of a lifetime. It's dangerous riding a motorcycle, no matter what anybody says. You can't daydream. You have to pay attention."

The event is open to all Jewish bikers regardless of affiliation with a member club.

"It's a round trip of close to 3,000 miles," Paul said. "We're always concerned for everyone's safety. It's very tiring and exhausting. We stress these are long days in the saddle. We start first thing in the morning and don't stop. If we can do 300-350 miles a day, we're doing great. It's mostly back roads and traveling about 30-35 miles an hour. We try to stay away from the highways as much as possible to have a more interesting motorcycle ride.... The more twisty the road, the more challenging the road, the more enjoyable the ride."

Riders collect donations from friends and family members as well as kicking in some of their own cash, he said. Two years ago, the Ride to Remember destination was Whitwell, Tenn. Hillel's Angles raised about $50,000 for the school made famous for their Paperclips Project that showcases 6 million paperclips to represent Jews murdered by the Nazis during the Holocaust.

"We want to teach Holocaust education to those who might not have it otherwise," Paul said.

Ride to Remember is personal for Paul -- his father was a fighter in the Czech underground during World War II and his mother (who recently died) was a survivor of Auschwitz.

"She hated that I rode a motorcycle, but when she and my father saw us ride in the Israel Day parade, they understood," Paul said of his mother. "It made them proud to see (such an unusual) image of Jewish strength and unity."

This also is the first long-distance ride for Uri Mittler. Mittler is a Hillel's Angels member from Highland Park and congregant at the Highland Park Conservative Temple, and the furthest he's ever ridden in the three years he's been a biker has been Newport, N.Y.

"Originally, I wasn't going to go," Mittler said. "I mentioned it to my (adult) daughter Haley and she said 'you're not going to get any younger, just go.' This is special."

"We've gotten a tremendous response," he added. "I've received close to $3,000 and there are still five weeks to go. Anyone who wants to contribute can email our Web site and ask where to mail a check."

"I feel [Holocaust education] is important; as survivors die, the message is not forgotten," Mittler said. "I lost grandparents in the Holocaust. The ride -- it's the least I can do to make a statement."

To contribute to the cause check out www.hillelsangles.org or e-mail the club at info@hillelsangles.org. For ride details check out http://www.ride2remember.com or http://www.jewishbikers.com.