Oak Park teen organizes triathalon
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

SOPHIA FISCHER/Acorn Newspapers SWEAT AND SERVICE- After completing a triathlon, Josh Swedelson, of Oak Park, fourth from the right, rests with family and friends at the Agoura High School pool. Swedelson, 13, organized the triathlon as a service project for his bar mitzvah which will be tomorrow night, Aug. 3, at Congregation Or Ami in Calabasas.

A group of Oak Park kids and dads didn't let the nearly 100-degree heat stop them from running, biking and swimming for a good cause on Friday afternoon, July 27.

The triathlon, organized by Joshua Swedelson, 13, was part of a service project he chose to mark his bar mitzvah tomorrow night (Fri., Aug. 3) at Congregation Or Ami, in Calabasas. Josh collected nearly $1,000 in sponsorships from local businesses for the triathlon, then enlisted friends and family to complete the course.

Wearing red shirts Josh created emblazoned with "Josh Swedelson's Bar Mitzvah Triathlon," the athletes took off from the Swedelson home on Deerhill Road with a run to Oak Park High School. From there the group rode bikes to the Agoura High School pool where they finished with several laps.

The money Josh raised through the triathlon will go to Beit Kobie, a nonprofit foundation that provides support to Israeli soldiers with no family or homes in Israel.

The organization is named for Sgt. Kobie Ichelboim, a 19yearold Israeli Army commander killed in 2002 while on duty in the Gaza Strip. Ichelboim was known as a father figure to lone soldiers, including new immigrants and those from broken homes.

"I didn't want to just raise money. I wanted to go out and do something and show I mean it," Josh said.

He also asked friends and family to donate toiletries, towels, sheets, socks, shirts, backpacks and other items for packages to the soldiers.

Josh will compile the donations and send them to Givatayim, Israel, where Beit Kobie operates a home for the lone soldiers.

Josh found out about Beit Kobie through his brother's Hebrew school teacher, who was supported by the organization as a lone soldier herself.

"I'm proud of Josh," said his brother Jared, 9. "I think he's done a great job."

Among the 15 triathletes was Josh's dad, Mark Swedelson. His mother, Frieda Swedelson, provided cold water during the event as well as moral support.

"It turned out great," Frieda Swedelson said. "The kids were really excited about doing this."

Sam Bidgoli, 12, wanted to do the triathlon to support Josh.

"Josh is my friend, and it's a good cause," Sam said. "Only the running part was hard because it was hot. But it was a lot of fun."