From a young age, I have been fortunate enough to be very active and connected with the Jewish community of Chicago. I participated in many JUF programs, went to a Jewish day school, and kept up to date with the community. However, during the pandemic, I began realizing the lack of opportunity for city wide engagement within JUF and the teens in Chicago. After discussing some nuances and clique elements of how my friends and I were keeping ourselves busy, all of us were in agreement that going on walks has truly been a blessing during this time. Not only is it a great form of exercise, but the benefits are unparalleled. That is why I decided to create JWalking with JUF, an event where each participant can fundraise based off their mileage goal, whether it be through walking, biking, scooting, or any other type of transportation other than driving. Then, with the money raised, we will be allocating it to the Maot Chitim fund where Passover and high holiday supplies are given to the elderly. I have taken part in Maot Chitim deliveries biannually since the age of 3, and it truly makes such a lasting impact upon the older generations. The other half of the money will be going to Kiwi Kids, an organization founded during these past couple months that focuses on giving all families, Jewish or not, access to healthy, hot, delicious, and certified kosher meals. These two organizations provide immediate support to families affected by this pandemic and would utilize the funds raised by JWalking to an enormous extent. Please join me and gather your friends (make a fun trip out of it!), as we walk, help gather our community, and support the exhausting fight against coronavirus.

To learn more and register click  here.

Rachel Nasatir is the daughter of JUF president Lonnie Nasatir and attends Jones College Prep High School in downtown Chicago. She participates in Write On for Israel, Jewish Student Connection club, The US Holocaust Museum Youth Board, and went to Bernard Zell. She is an avid activist for the Jewish, female, and political community. Rachel is currently working on behalf of a presidential campaign.