Walk2Israel FAQs “Why Walk2Israel?” “How do I join?” “I was recruited by a team captain to join their team. How do I join?” “How much do I need to raise to participate?” “Can I set my goal higher?” “What if I don’t make my goal?” “How do I get donations?” “What do I do with checks donations?” “What do I do with cash donations?” “I didn’t get my fundraising packet?” “How do I edit my page?” “Is there a difference between donations made to a personal page vs. the team page?” “When can I expect my pedometer?” “How do I set it up?” “What counts as steps?” “How can I walk 100 miles in such a short span of a time?” “How many steps a day do I need to walk, in order to get to 100 miles?” “Why 6,000 miles?” “Why 4 weeks?” “Can I keep my Fitbit?” “How can I get (a) free flight(s) to Israel?”
----Why Walk2Israel? • For the challenge. For your health. For Israel. For the Jewish community in America. • Because you refuse to walk away from Israel. • Walk2Israel is a way of combining a healthy lifestyle with support for Israel. Through recording your steps each day, you can make every step count.
How do I join? • On the top right of the W2I website click the “Become a Fundraiser” button. • Fill out the registration questions – it doesn’t take long. • As part of the registration you will be able to choose the time frame of your challenge, the cause you will be fundraising for and your fundraising goal. If you haven’t decided on any of these yet, don’t worry. You can always choose later. You will also be asked to provide your credit card information for the Fitbit deposit so have a card at hand. • You will then receive a welcome email with a link to your very own personal fundraising page and a fundraising packet. • Put your walking shoes on!
I was recruited by a team captain to join their team. How do I join? You will receive an email from a team captain inviting you to join their team.
How much do I need to raise to participate? The minimum goal to participate is $1000 although we suggest that you set yourself a higher goal. Take a look at the different causes and the costs of items within them so you can set yourself an ambitious but manageable goal. Remember – setting a high goal gives your friends and family something high to aim for and will encourage them to dig deeper!
Can I set my goal higher? Of course! The more funds you raise the more we can help our students. Plus, since all the money you raise is matched, every dollar extra is actually two or three or four dollars.
What if I don’t make my goal? You should set a challenging goal for yourself. If in the unlikely event that you don’t even make the minimum commitment of $1000 by January 1 st 2013 the credit card you provided during registration will be billed for the remainder. If you are having difficulty raising money please email
[email protected] for assistance.
How do I get donations? Where to begin? You have an amazing personal page to take donations online by credit or debit card. You can even share it on Facebook or Twitter. Email all your friends and family utilizing the easy-to-use email tools provided along with your personal page. Try some phone calls using the phone script that can be found in the fundraising packet sent to you after you registered. Hand out flyers in your synagogue or put up a poster in your workplace. They are also found in the fundraising packet. The possibilities are endless. Take a look at the fundraising guide found in the packet for more ideas.
What do I do with checks donations? Please mail them to Aish NY, 150 W. 46th St., New York, NY 10036 with a note enclosed “donated on behalf of (your name). Your page will be credited with the donation as soon as the check is processed.
What do I do with cash donations? Be careful to record the name of each donor and the amount they donated. You can use the sponsor log found in the fundraising packet. Deposit the money in your account and write a check for the total amount to Aish NY. Mail it in along with the log and we will credit your page as soon as your check is processed.
I didn’t get my fundraising packet? No problem. Email
[email protected] and he will be more than happy to send you one.
How do I edit my page? • Go to “Edit My Page” button on the bar with the sharing tools. • There you can change your fundraising goal, customize your URL, upload a picture of yourself, add video or pictures and edit the main body of your page. • Add a personal meaningful story or message in the main body of text. Experiment with pictures and video. Take a look at the additional info we provide on each cause. Maybe there is something there you want to include on your page. • Don’t forget to write your specific cause and walking time frame.
Is there a difference between donations made to a personal page vs. the team page? Donations made on your personal page count towards your personal goal AND the team goal but donations made on the team page ONLY count towards the team goal.
When can I expect my pedometer? We will be sending out your pedometers and walking kit November 1st for those who registered before then. That way you will have a month to practice your walking and get used to the pedometer before the challenge begins. If you register after November 1st your walking kit will be mailed within 48 hours of receipt of your application. Remember – the sooner you register the more time you have to learn more about your walking habits and can pace yourself accordingly when the event starts.
How do I set it up? That’s easy: 1. Go to Fitbit.com/start/ultra. 2. D ownload and install the software. 3. Use the email address you provided when registering to set up your account. 4. P lug in your base station and slide your Fitbit over it. 5. Let it charge for an hour then put on in the accompanying belt clip and you are ready to walk. 6. I n order to see your daily activity go to Fitbit.com and log in. 7. Join group Walk2Israel to compete with other walkers.
What counts as steps? If the Fitbit registers it, we count it! Running, jogging, walking; inside, outside and on the treadmill.
How can I walk 100 miles in such a short span of a time? • With great determination! • Get off the subway one stop early. Take the stairs. Go to the park for lunch. Play some ball. Take a Sunday stroll with a loved one. Make use of your gym membership and get on the treadmill.
How many steps a day do I need to walk, in order to get to 100 miles? 10,000 steps a day (a little more than 4 miles) for 4 weeks, resting on Shabbat will get you to 100 miles. If you want to do it in 3 weeks you will need to walk 13,333 steps a day. In 2 weeks, 20,000 steps a day!
Why 6,000 miles? The approximate distance from the East coast of the US to Israel is 6,000 miles.
Why 4 weeks? Research has shown it takes around a month to start and solidify a new habit. We wanted to develop an event that benefited both the recipients of the money and the participants themselves. This is an opportunity to kick start your healthy lifestyle with Aish NY.
Can I keep my Fitbit? Yes. As soon as you raise $1,000 the Fitbit is yours to keep, allowing you to maintain your healthy lifestyle.
How can I get (a) free flight(s) to Israel? • One ticket is guaranteed when you raise $5,000 • The top fundraiser overall will get 2 free tickets. • If you are signed up as part of a team, speak to your team captain for team specific flight incentives.
