American Hebrew Academy Student Ahuva Hanau from Rochester Bikes Over 100 Miles for Eco-Judaism

GREENSBORO, NC (11/15/2010)(readMedia)-- This fall, Ahuva Hanau, a senior at the American Hebrew Academy, located in Greensboro, NC, rode over 115 miles in the 10th anniversary of Hazon's New York Jewish Environmental Bike Ride. Hanau has enthusiastically participated in the fundraising biking event for three years, raising over $5,000 for Hazon. This organization funds Jewish environmental projects across the nation and in Israel, helping to create "healthy and sustainable communities in the Jewish world and beyond."

Hanau fits right in with Hazon, a network full of leaders, thinkers, and doers. Anna Hanau, Ahuva's sister-in-law and the Associate Director of Food Programs at Hazon, explained, "I first met [Ahuva] on the Hazon bike ride in 2007. Her energy, enthusiasm and self-confidence were contagious. She continues to inspire me…going out of her way to make people feel welcomed and included, and she seems to have a clear sense about working to make the world a better place." Through her work with Hazon, Hanau has channeled her passion for Judaism and the environment to bring a new sense of positive environmental awareness to the Academy, her already ecologically and environmentally friendly school with a 100-acre campus. Her advisor at the Academy, Danny Nurafshan, agreed, "Ahuva strives to harmonize human and nature along an invariable exploration of new places and challenges."

The most recent Hazon Environmental Bike Ride was not just a ride for a cause. It was a family of Jewish doers who joined together, in a pluralistic fashion, to physically make a difference in the world. Hanau's favorite part of the bike ride was the challenge. "You're challenging yourself, and everyone is right there with you, challenging you, encouraging you, and taking that same challenge."

Hanau brought that undefeatable spirit back to the Academy by filling her senior year with a full load of academics and extracurricular activities. She is taking numerous Advanced Placement classes, participating in campus community service projects, playing for the cross-country running and soccer teams, and accepting leadership roles in the Student Jewish Life Committee and AHArai Student Ambassadorship. Hanau has also embraced the senior Madricha position, which allows her to live in the freshman girls' house and spread her enthusiasm and passion for bettering the world with 16 freshmen girls.

Hanau comments that one of the greatest lessons she learned from Hazon is "the importance of supporting people and being supportive of their current endeavors as well as their visions. Hazon, a Hebrew word, means vision, and it all started with a thought. This bike ride teaches me that anything is possible for me to do, and also teaches me not to doubt other people." For Hanau, the challenge of learning, leading, and succeeding comes naturally, leaving no question that her future will be much more than a vision.

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About the American Hebrew Academy

The American Hebrew Academy, America's premier Jewish pluralistic college prep boarding school serves students from 28 states and 13 countries. The state-of-the-art environment fosters academic achievement and strengthens Jewish identity in a residential setting for motivated and high achieving students in grades nine through twelve. The dual curriculum, along with the aquatics center and sports complex, provides a holistic educational experience-nurturing mind, body, and soul. An internationally acclaimed faculty challenges students to excel in a rigorous program that includes Advanced Placement and Jewish studies courses. At the Academy, values and leadership skills are enriched by the culture, customs, and history of the Jewish people. Students graduate thoroughly prepared for college and ready to make a meaningful impact on the world. For more information about the Academy, please visit www.americanhebrewacademy.org.