Stay tuned for the exciting sound of Jewish motorcyclists this June!

The Greenspon Holocaust and Social Justice Education Center is thrilled that the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA) has selected the center as the recipient of the Ride to Remember’s (R2R) annual charity. Donations will support the important work of the Greenspon Center in its next phase of development.

The five founding JMA clubs, based in New Jersey and Delaware, have expanded to 38 clubs worldwide. The local Charlotte club is called the Lonsmen Charlotte Motorcycle Club and is led by Jeffrey Komrower. Other international clubs are known by names such as the Chai Riders, Hillel’s Angels, Kosher Cruisers, and Shalom n’ Chrome. The mission of the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance is to create a global environment whereby members of the Jewish faith who ride motorcycles can congregate in person and/or electronically to share and exchange ideas and opinions about matters of concern to the Jewish community at large as well as issues specifically concerning motorcycles and motorcycle riding.

On Yom HaShoah in 2005, the JMA launched its first Ride to Remember dedicated to Holocaust education and awareness, which has become its annual signature event, raising significant funds for Holocaust organizations. The 20th annual JMA Ride to Remember, hosted by the Lonsmen Charlotte Motorcycle Club, will take place from Thursday, June 5, to Sunday, June 8, with the primary ride on June 6.

“We are honored that the JMA chose to support the Greenspon Center for the Charlotte Ride to Remember,” said Judy LaPietra, director of the Greenspon Center. “Our vision for expanding our center in Charlotte is gaining momentum, and we look forward to sharing more details soon.” As an avid motorcyclist, Judy is particularly excited to welcome this unique group in support of the center.

The Lonsmen expect around 200 riders for the event. To donate and support the Greenspon Center, visit https://jmar2r.org.

Escorted by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD), the ride will start Friday morning from the Sonesta Charlotte Lower South End Hotel, traveling through some rural roads and past notable sites such as the NASCAR Hall of Fame and Bank of America Stadium. It will end at Queens University, the current home of the Greenspon Center, with lunch and a program featuring a partial reading of the play “Protective Custody 34042,” about Charlotte Holocaust survivor Dr. Susan Cernyak-Spatz, followed by a Q&A session hosted by her daughter, Jackie Fishman. The evening will include a Shabbat dinner and program at the hotel. Donations will support the expansion of the work of the Greenspon Center. In an era of rising extremism, increasing antisemitism, and ongoing genocide, the mission of the center has never been more urgent. As a leading institution in North Carolina, the center will continue to play a vital role in preserving and promoting Holocaust education in the southeastern United States, with a focus on serving the Carolinas. The center plans to build on its success by expanding its offerings beyond its present capacity. The expanded efforts of the center will continue to provide essential resources and programs that teach about the Holocaust, human rights, and the importance of tolerance. By engaging students and the broader community, the center can help foster a generation that actively stands against bigotry and violence.

Following the Charlotte ride, the JMA will commence a North American Holocaust Museum Tour, which will include 21 museums in the U.S. and Canada from June 8 to July 30.

For more information about the JMA or to make a donation, visit https://jmar2r.org.