As I drove my two sons to school last week, I listened to a podcast that interviewed Rachel Goldberg. The host asked Rachel, how she was doing. Rachel responded, "Well, are you a mother?". The host replied, "I am not.". Rachel continued, "Well, I'm sure you have had a mother. "I have.", replied the host. "So you can imagine what she would be going through if something happened to you.", said Rachel. The host, "Yeah.". Rachel finished, "So that's how I'm doing".

Rachel Goldberg, the mother of Hersch Goldberg-Polin, who is currently being held hostage by Hamas.

On December 9th, I will be running the NYCRUNS Big Apple Half Marathon in Central Park. It's been 10 years since I've run my last race. So much has changed in my life over the past 10 years, but the most life changing has been becoming a mother. It's the greatest gift I've ever received and I cannot imagine it ever being taken away from me.

I'm running for the mothers and supporting NA'AMAT USA. NA'MAT USA supports women, youth, and families in Israel with daycare, mental health services, schools for at-risk teens; scholarships and more. This organization has an Emergency Fund for Israel. While they are still learning the extent of the damage and destruction faced by their daycare centers, youth villages, and domestic violence shelter, these donations will directly allocated to support their NA'AMAT students, facilities, and staff in Israeli with the most immediate needs.

It costs about $1600 to support 1 family. These families need necessities, food, clothes, toys, psychological and emotional therapy, and activities for the children to lower their stress and anxiety.

I'm asking for a donation of $13. $13 dollars for 13.1 miles. For every dollar donated, our family will match dollar for dollar. My personal goal is to run the half marathon in under two hours. If I'm able to achieve this, our family will double our donation.

I run for the mothers.

Thank you,

Jayme Bianconi