Frequently Asked Questions
The Hike for Hope is appropriate for hikers of all levels. However, to enjoy all of the routes planned, you should be prepared to encounter stretches of steep ascents and descents. You should be in good physical condition, able and willing to make an extended physical effort, and eager to enjoy the satisfaction of a challenge accomplished. In the most challenging stretches, a bypass or alternative route will be offered to those preferring that option.
The hike routes are tailored to different levels of ability and experience, from beginners to advanced and include a special Family Route for hikers looking for a more leisurely pace.
To prepare for the Hike for Hope, we recommend going on long walks with inclines, or using a health club’s Stairmaster, elliptical walker, or regular walker. And join us for our “practice hikes” which will take place in the months leading up to the Hike for Hope.
Please contact Asher Arbit aarbit1@gmail.com for more information.
Sponsored hikes are a great way to help important causes like Tsad Kadima and to personally connect with the Land of Israel. It is a fantastic opportunity to hike through some of the most beautiful scenery in Israel, meet and bond with wonderful people from all walks of life, meet Tsad Kadima’s incredible staff and have fun while supporting a great organization and its activities.
Tsad Kadima is an award-winning Israeli non-for-profit organization founded in 1987 by parents of children with Cerebral Palsy and professionals who embarked on a life-changing journey to bring the Conductive Education approach (Petõ) to Israel.
Tsad Kadima is the only organization in Israel that implements and trains the unique Conductive Educational approach which focuses on developing personal abilities and constantly instilling motivation amongst children and adults with severe complex disabilities so they can learn skills and lead active, independent and autonomous lives, participating in their family and community frameworks and settings.
We operate in six cities throughout Israel – Eilat, Beer Sheva, Rishon LeTzion, Ness Ziona, Jerusalem and Or Akiva – and we are in expansion mode – having opened two centers in recent years and we are currently embarking on a major capital project in Jerusalem.
About 75% of operating costs are covered by government funds. But the remainder must be raised through fundraising efforts like the Hike for Hope.
The early registration fee of 500 NIS available until March 1, 2024. From March 2, 2024, registration will cost 600 ILS per participant. The registration fee covers all costs of the 2-day hike (see below).
In addition, the first hiker in each family is required to raise at least 2,500 NIS in donations to Tsad Kadima by the hike starting date. Couples are required to raise 4,000 NIS together. Another 1,000 NIS is required to raise for any additional children from the same family (maximum 2,000 NIS for all the family’s children or grandchildren).
Usually, everyone reaches, and even exceed their fundraising target. If you do raise less than required, you will need to donate the difference in order to hike. For example, if a couple attending (after paying their registration fee) raise only 3,000 NIS, they will need to donate the difference (1,000 NIS).
We encourage you to aim for a voluntary fundraising goal of 3,600 NIS. The more we raise, the more children with disabilities will benefit from the award-winning educational and rehabilitative programs run by Tsad Kadima.
For hikers coming from outside Israel, your minimum fundraising goal is 3,600 USD.
The Registration Fee covers all costs including accommodations at the main site, food, transportation (from the main site to the hikes and back), lodging, snacks, etc. during the hike. For more details about accommodations, please see the answer to Question 6, below.
Each participant is responsible for covering their own transportation costs to the location where we will be staying. Assistance in arranging rides and/or public transportation will be happily provided. For assistance in arranging transportation please call the office at 02-6540062 or email offfice@tsadkadima.org.il
Our experience shows that your friends, relatives, and colleagues will be moved by your willingness to participate in this physically challenging activity to benefit children and young adults with complex physical disabilities in Israel.
We will prepare a personalized online fundraising campaign page that you can use to give everyone you know the opportunity to donate. We would love to have a picture of you to add to this page. We will assist you in every step of the fundraising process, and provide you with tips how to reach out and follow up effectively – and help you overcome any concerns you might have – all in order to maximize your success – which means success for Tsad Kadima’s children who will able to take steps forward, thanks to your support. We will prepare a sample WhatsApp message and email that can use to give your contacts the opportunity to be a part of this amazing event.
All donations to Tsad Kadima, and registration fees, are tax deductible in Israel, the U.S. Canada and the U.K. We can also accept donations in Euro.
Yes!
Hikes are ideal family activities and children 12 and over make great hikers. Younger children may participate at the judgment of parents as to suitability. Children under 15 will require the direct personal supervision of a participating adult.
Raising funds for a charitable cause is a wonderful educational and life experience for children and young adults.
Accommodations this year will be at “Back to Nature – Biblical ecological glamping for workshops and accommodations” located in Mikhmanim near Carmiel. https://www.michmanim.co.il/en
We will be staying in two complexes for large groups (the Abraham Tent and Stone Kahn) suitable for 20-60 guests in shared accommodations. Mattresses will be provided free of charge.
For those who wish the comfort of a bed and upgraded accommodations, we will provide you with a list of cabins, in nearby towns and villages. You must liaise with these venues directly regarding your stay (including payment).
All meals and snacks before and during the hike are kosher with halachic supervision and will be provided on site. We always add some special treats to make hiking that much more enjoyable. We will finish with a final bar-b-que – a festive finish for a job well done!
You need a small day backpack, hat, water containers for at least 4 liters, sunglasses, flashlight, soap/toothbrush/toothpaste, small towel, personal medications, suntan lotion, camera, walking/hiking shoes, shoes to change into, cotton or wool socks, WARM clothing for evenings, sweater/sweatshirt; layered clothing for the hike from short sleeves to long sleeves, rain jacket or poncho; any games or books you might like for the evenings.
Hiking boots are a great investment and highly recommended for the Hike for Hope. Be sure to get professional fitting at outdoor equipment stores and wear your new shoes for several days before the hike to “break them in”. Do not bring worn shoes showing signs of distress – they WILL fall apart when intensively used on a hike like this!
We also recommend considering bringing hiking poles to ease stress on knees and help with stability.
Your personal items will be under supervision during the day at the campground. You will only need to carry your water and snacks, camera, etc. during the hike.
Every Hike for Hope participant must sign the medical registration form in which you agree that participation in the hike is the responsibility of the individual hiker alone. This includes the possibility of personal injury, as unlikely as it may be. For hikers coming from abroad, medical insurance is imperative for your stay in Israel. Israelis are covered by their local health fund.
We will have a medic hiking with us at all times, and have made contingencies for emergency situations that may arise.
Hikers are expected to make their own way to the accommodation site by car or bus. As the hike date approaches, we will assist participants in any technical arrangements to get to and from the hike. Participants will meet at the main site on: Tuesday evening April 9, 2024 the evening before the actual hike on April 10. The hike will end on Thursday April 11.
The 2023 Hike for Hope was phenomenal!
If you’d like to speak with a participant from last year’s Hike for Hope, just let us know by emailing to Office@tsadkadima.org.il
To register for the 20th Anniversary Hike for Hope, April 9-11, 2024 – Please CLICK HERE