Meir Charash: Cyclist, father, and advocate who keeps on riding
Sarah Tuttle-Singer, The Times of Israel social media editor, is an LA expat (reluctantly) growing roots in Israel. She’s also a contributing editor at Kveller.com. Dangerous when bored.On many mornings, Meir Charash takes his mountain bike and heads to the Jerusalem hills.Some days he pedals to the Haas Promenade, where the city stretches beneath him in pale limestone and morning light, 3,000 years of Jewish history unfolding in a single panorama. Other days he heads toward Ein Lavan, where springs bubble up beneath ancient trees and the sounds of the city shift into birdsong.For nearly half a century, Charash has measured his life not by lack of bumps in the road but by his willingness to keep riding — through war and peace, hope and disappointment, extraordinary joy and devastating loss.When he boarded an El Al flight to Israel on October 16, 1979, none of that was part of his…
Meir Charash, an American immigrant to Israel, initially planned a short visit in 1979 but decided to stay and help build the nation after reading "The History of the Jews." He served in the IDF, married, raised children, and pursued various careers. His political views shifted from left to center following the Second Intifada, and he believes in Jewish sovereignty while advocating for dignity for all citizens. Charash experienced profound personal loss when his son, Ariel, died by suicide. In response, he wrote "Ride Through" and volunteers with B'Shvil HaHaim, supporting bereaved families and promoting suicide prevention. He states, "If one less parent has to say Kaddish for a child, then everything I’ve shared has been worthwhile." Charash, now a grandfather, continues to find joy amidst sorrow, believing that "We’re all riding through now. We carry our losses beside us, but we keep moving."
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