One Billion People Will Be Watching Israel for the Launch of the Giro d’Italia Bike Race

Project By:
Jerusalem U

The World’s Second Largest Bike Race, the Giro d’Italia, is launching in Israel for the first time ever. Help produce the film Gino Bartali: A Hidden Hero of the Holocaust to tell the story of a Italian cyclist who saved hundreds of Jews in the Holocaust

One Billion People Will Be Watching Israel for the Launch of the Giro d’Italia Bike Race

Donate today to complete the production and distribute Gino Bartali: A Hidden Hero of the Holocaust, a Jerusalem U short film. Because of you, Bartali’s story will reach millions and inspire hope and faith in a world that so desperately needs it.

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  • Anonymous $5,000

  • Vicki Lopow $200

  • Abraham Yudelevich $20

    Sorry for not being able to donate more. Thanks for doing this film.

  • Chaya Gordon $72

  • Anonymous $288

  • Anonymous $100

    Shalom, am Yisrael!

  • Anonymous $720

  • Anonymous $400

  • Marie Bernice Dinner $72

    I dedicate this to my son, Alec Dinner whose love of biking is unsurpassed.

  • Stuart Kaufman $72

    Much Hatzlacha

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Donate today to complete the production and distribute Gino Bartali: A Hidden Hero of the Holocaust, a Jerusalem U short film. Because of you, Bartali’s story will reach millions and inspire hope and faith in a world that so desperately needs it.

The Giro d’Italia is beginning in Jerusalem this May. It’s the first time the race is starting outside of Europe.

Pretty neat, right?

Close to 1 billion people will be watching. 3,000 journalists will cover the action.

Sounds awesome!

And there’s so much more to it.

The Jewish people have a deep connection to this race. In war-fraught Europe during WWII, Gino Bartali was Italy’s premier cyclist. Over the course of his career he won the Giro d’Italia three times and the Tour de France twice.

As the Holocaust raged and the Nazis occupied Italy and began rounding up its Jews in 1943, Bartali used his celebrity and riding abilities for the noble goal of saving Jewish lives.

The full story:

Bartali pedaled around Tuscany and from city to city, traveling hundreds of kilometers a day, transporting false documents, to help Jews in hiding avoid detection, in the seat and body of his bike. Bartali’s public appearance at train stations would cause a stir, thus allowing Jews to switch trains without being noticed by the Nazi guards. He put his and his family’s lives at risk by pursuing these activities and by hiding a Jewish family during the war. This family, the Goldenbergs, has descendants living in Israel today.

Bartali helped save the lives of as many as 800 Jews during the dark days of WWII. Yet he never sought any recognition for his brave actions. He simply said, "Good is something you do, and not something you talk about." He was recognized posthumously as a “Righteous Among the Nations” by Yad Vashem in 2013.  

Today, more than ever, we need to tell this story.

In an era of rising anti-semitism, it is imperative that we share stories of courage, of standing up for values and human life. No matter who a person is, what one’s religion, race, or background, there is always the option to choose good. Each one of us can stand up for what’s right and protect our fellow human.

The film features the manager of Israel’s pro-cycling team, Ran Margaliot. He introduces Bartali’s incredible story, and shares how his life has been personally impacted by this hero.

Donate today to complete the production and distribute Gino Bartali: A Hidden Hero of the Holocaust, a Jerusalem U short film. Because of you, Bartali’s story will reach millions and inspire hope and faith in a world that so desperately needs it.

This short film is being produced in coordination with the Israel Cycling Academy and Bartali’s granddaughter, Gioia. The ICA has the largest Facebook presence of any Israeli sports team and is ready to share this video with its following.

Jerusalem U will partner with other pro-Israel organizations to promote the film. Organizations like Hillel, AEPi, Israel on Campus Coalition, StandWithUs, CAMERA, JNF, and others.

Plus, your investment in the film funds distribution channels to reach even more diverse audiences through strategic digital advertising. Because of you, the world will know Bartali’s story.

None of it can happen without you. In order to truly maximize this film’s exposure, it MUST BE completed by May before the Giro d’Italia begins. Please donate today.

Imagination Productions, Inc. DBA Jerusalem U is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (tax ID #26-1264680).