In June, Dr. Ronald Silver, 61, summited Mount Kilimanjaro for the third time in six years, accompanied by his son Zachary Silver, 22, a senior at Suffolk University. But this particular trip was much more than a recreational father-son climb; it was a mission to fulfill a commitment to
tikkun olam,
repairing the world.
Now, typically one does not associate repairing the world with climbing a 19,431- foot mountain in Tanzania. But Ron and Zach saw an opportunity to combine philanthropy with their love of adventure. The result was a challenging six-day climb up and down the face of Mount Kilimanjaro devoted entirely to raising awareness-and funds-for the JUF-supported organization Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Individuals with Special Needs, whose influence played a formative role in Zach's early education at the Solomon Schechter Day School of Metropolitan Chicago.
In other schools and academic settings, students of typical development would ordinarily be kept apart from students with special needs because of their differences in abilities. But, at Solomon Schechter, this is not the case. For almost 25 years, Solomon Schechter students like Zach have had the privilege to learn and play alongside students from the Ariella Joy Frankel Keshet Day School, who possess unique challenges like Down syndrome, Autism, and Fragile X syndrome.
"I think it's important to learn at a young age the potential of students with special needs," said Zach. Having integrated classrooms isn't "about learning to be sympathetic…it's about empowering each other and building a community." In fact, according to Zach, it was watching his friends from Keshet Day School "continue to exceed everyone's expectations" that inspired him to step out of his comfort zone and make the philanthropic climb up Kilimanjaro with his father.
A veteran climbing for a cause, Ron summited Kilimanjaro in 2009 and 2012 to raise money for Chicagoland Jewish High School and The ARK, supported by JUF. So, upon hearing of Zach's desire to organize a climb for Keshet, Ron was more than happy to put on his hiking boots once again. In his letter to potential sponsors of the expedition, Ron wrote: "Society, and more particularly ourselves, can be judged by how we care for those less fortunate than us."
"Our family has admired and supported the educational, recreational, vocational, and social programs that Keshet provides for individuals with intellectual disabilities," Ron said. "All of their programs and activities are done in a most compassionate and caring manner," and ensure that no person will ever be forgotten. This climb of Mount Kilimanjaro is "to assist in caring for those who face significant obstacles in their daily lives" and to empower them to succeed.
And assist they did. Together, the Silver family donated $20,000 as matching funds for the first $20,000 donated to Keshet, and the donations are still rolling in.
On their expedition to bring
tikkun olam
to new heights, Ron and Zach Silver redefined what it means to repair the world. They transformed
tikkun olam
from a gracious act into a physical and spiritual journey, one that encourages us all to reconsider what generosity can do and what empowering each other can inspire.
To learn more about Keshet and opportunities to donate, visit
www.keshet.org
.
Jenna Cohen is a marketing consultant, writer, and blogger living in Chicago. She currently works as the marketing intern for Keshet: A Rainbow of Hope for Individuals with Special Needs.
Keshet is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving our community.
