for the highly diverse gang that
goes by the name of "Shul Boys"
and has 86 local riding members
from all walks of Judaism. The five-
year-old group's unofficial leader,
Ian Abrams of Pepper Pike, says
that members of the highly inclu-
sive club have forged solid bonds
by virtue of their religion, no matter
how it's practiced, and a common
interest in motorcycles.
just starting to ride in their 60's to
those who are advanced with
thousands of miles on the road," re-
ports Abrams. And no matter what
type of bike a person rides, "we are
happy to have him." Women are
welcome, too, he notes.
scooter to high-powered machines
to three-wheelers. Irrespective of
the bike's model, members' fore-
most concern surrounds safety.
states, emphasizing the im-
portance placed on training.
Members continue to take classes,
despite the amount of experience
they possess, he adds. The group
posts safety clinics and all other
shulboys.com.
15,000 20,000 per year, but that
doesn't mean they're proper miles.
I can always learn more."
ers go for 200 miles annually. Some
might even ride 150 in a day.
mond Road near Harvard Road
on Tuesdays at 6:30 pm sharp.
"We leave at 6:31," Abrams notes.
They ride together to a dinner
destination somewhere around
town. Dues are $36 annually (a
multiple of 18 = chai), or whatev-
er is affordable. Some contribute
more, but it's kept completely
discreet. They raised $1,500 last
year, with all funds contributed to
Holocaust charities and the Maltz
Museum of Jewish Heritage.
this year due to snow, but ordinari-
ly, it's conducted at the beginning
of the season at Park Synagogue
East by Rabbi Joshua Skoff or Ritual
Director Gadi Galili.
tribute to Holocaust victims when
Ohio that has a Holocaust educa-
tion program. This year, the Shul
Boys met up with members who
belong to affiliates of the Jewish
Motorcyclists Alliance (JMA) in a
ride to Birmingham, Alabama, site
of a Holocaust Education Center.
In recognition of this effort, Beach-
wood Mayor Merle S. Gorden, a
Shul Boys member, and the Beach-
wood City Council proclaimed
May 15, 2016 as "Shul Boys R2R
Day." Last year, the R2R took mem-
bers to Oswego, New York.
members' homes at the beginning
and end of the season.
experiences as Jewish bikers.
Davidson and 1978 Honda.
riding draws the entire family.
His wife Sue is licensed, but
prefers being a passenger to a
driver, and their sons Darren, 25,
and Alex, 21, both have licenses
and enjoy riding.
starting with a mini bike, then a trail
rides to Chautauqua and Sandusky,
and he once rented a motorcycle
in Arizona and rode to and around
the Grand Canyon.
riding when he was underage, and
much later, when he ran out of gas
on the freeway due to a faulty re-
serve valve. He explains that older
bikes have no gas gauge, so the
rider must keep track of the miles.
He'd thought he had 40 miles left
but only had two since the reserve
tank was inaccessible due to the
malfunctioning part.
to interesting places, including
routes through the Metroparks and
dinners at new restaurants.
owner of 2012 Harley Davidson,
Ultra Classic Limited.
ed some bike dealers and I got the
(bike) bug," he reports. After his kids
had grown, he became connected
with some bikers in Scottsdale,
Arizona where he often visits. "It's
perfect biking weather out there,"
he notes. And it's also the "quintes-
sential culture there they take it
very seriously."