August 2025 Newsletter
A Month of Possibilities and Purpose
August is a time of transition. “Back to school” sales begin, families squeeze in one last vacation, and the pace of life starts to shift. For us at American Friends of ALYN Hospital, this August is also when things kick into high gear as we prepare for the Wheels of Love bike ride and a range of exciting community opportunities.
If you’re a cyclist—or know someone who is—we invite you to sign up for the 2025 Wheels of Love bike ride, taking place November 3–6 in Israel. In addition to the ride itself, participants will have the opportunity to visit communities in Israel’s north that have been deeply impacted by the ongoing conflict. This pre-ride experience on Sunday, November 2, promises to be powerful. Many of last year’s riders described the visit to the October 7th attack sites as one of the most meaningful parts of last year’s ride.
Young Professionals & Community Events
Our next Young Professionals gathering will be a Shabbat dinner in Los Angeles on Friday night, August 15. We’re also hosting a special parlor meeting in Miami on Monday, August 25. These events offer a meaningful way to connect with others who care about ALYN's mission and the children we serve. Let us know if you would like more information on either event.
August is also National Make a Will Month—a great reminder to plan for the future while making a lasting impact. Including ALYN in your legacy planning helps ensure we can continue our 90+ year mission. (See this month’s article for more information.)
These serve as a powerful reminder: behind every child we help is a caring, committed community—people like you—who believe in what’s possible.
Let me introduce you to one of those possibilities: Harel.
Harel was born with a bacterial infection that stunted the growth of his left leg. At age 4, he underwent his first limb-lengthening surgery. In the ten years since, he has had seven surgeries—and after each one, he came to ALYN for intensive rehabilitation and therapy.
Harel remembers ALYN fondly, especially his time in art therapy, where his Spiderman drawing still hangs on the wall. Today, Harel walks, runs short distances, and is living life with joy—knowing ALYN will be there for him as more surgeries lie ahead.
Your support makes Harel’s journey—and so many others—possible.
Thank you for being a part of our AFAH community.
JOIN IN WELCOMING MARCELA TO THE TEAM
After graduation, I delved into grant writing, successfully securing funding for multiple institutions through federal grants. I’m excited to bring my skills in relationship building, writing, and digital communication to the team—strengthening our connections with donors and foundations, and supporting the management of American Friends of ALYN Hospital’s social media.
Wheels OF LOVE '25
Then join the 160 riders already registered for Wheels of Love 2025 in Israel! The ride is taking place from November 3-6 and will explore the Hula Valley, Galilee, and Golan Heights. We promise this year will be meaningful and memorable.
Last year, we introduced a grant to cover the registration fees for interested participants ages 25-35 from the US and Mexico. The Roee Negri Memorial Grant is a tribute to the leadership and heroism displayed by IDF Major Roee Negri, z”l, killed on action on October 7.
ROSH HASHANAH CARDS
Wish your family, friends and loved ones a Shana Tova with a Rosh Hashanah card from ALYN Hospital!
Every pack of cards you purchase will help provide a child at ALYN with the tools to develop, thrive and enjoy independence and mobility.
Buy a package of 12 cards for $36.
Please place your order by September 9th.
*Cards can only be shipped within the United States
August is Make-A-Will Month
Planning for the future is one of the most meaningful ways to care for the people and causes you love. This Make-A-Will Month, we invite you to include ALYN Hospital in your legacy. A gift in your will—no matter the size—can help ensure that children with diverse disabilities continue to receive world-class rehabilitative care and become independent for generations to come.
Learn more about how a legacy gift can make a lasting impact here: https://alynus.mygiftlegacy.org/
Join our WhatsApp
To help keep everyone updated on what is happening at AFAH and ALYN, we have created a WhatsApp community that will help streamline our efforts to communicate with you.
For those who don’t know, a WhatsApp community is a group that contains several smaller group chats. Our WhatsApp community includes a general announcements group with updates and a monthly newsletter.