Teen to Ride 40 Miles for Holocaust Survivors Charity

Mark Yaroshevsky, of North Caldwell, will ride 40 miles in the TD Five Boro Bike Tour on Sunday, May 6. But completing the ride isn’t the only goal on the mind of this 13-year-old, who currently holds the title of New Jersey State Road Race Champion.

Yaroshevsky has secured pledges to raise $1,000 for The Blue Card, a nonprofit that assists Holocaust survivors with the costs of medical, dental, rent and food expenses. The Blue Card is one of 40 official charities in the 2012 TD Five Boro Bike Tour Ride for a Reason charity program.

Yaroshevsky is a descendant of Ukrainian Jews who were killed at Babi Yar during World War II. While studying for his Bar Mitzvah, the student wanted to learn more about his family's heritage and also engage in tzedakah, or charitable work.

"Through The Blue Card, I have become friendly with Holocaust survivors, who might have been my great-grandparents' friends, and learned about the past. I can also help them with fundraising and the gift of my bicycle racing, as part of The Blue Card's team," said Yaroshevsky.

Elie Rubinstein, executive director of The Blue Card, said Yaroshevsky is one of the youngest riders in the field.

"His enthusiasm, competitive spirit and generosity will inspire all the other team members," Rubinstein said. 

Held annually on the first Sunday in May, the TD Five Boro Bike Tour is America’s largest cycling event, attracting some 32,000 cyclists. The event gives participants the opportunity to bike traffic-free through all five boroughs of New York City.

Yaroshevsky will be accompanied on the ride Sunday by his father, Yan Yaroshevsky.

If you would like to make a donation to The Blue Card, visit Yaroshevsky's fundraising page: www.imathlete.com/donate/MarkYaroshevsky. For more information about The Blue Card, visit www.bluecardfund.org.