On Sunday, Nov. 6, Stephen Wise Temple Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback will run the New York City Marathon alongside his wife Jacqueline Hantgan and their three daughters—Isa, Ariela, and Naomi—to raise money for paralysis research. Believed to be the first nuclear family to run the marathon together, they will be running as Team Handsome Hank, in memory of Jacqueline’s late father Henry Hantgan, who was confined to a wheelchair for the last 10 years of his life.
“While the training regimen is certainly challenging and not always so easy on the body, doing something like this as a family for such a purpose, and to be able to honor my beloved father-in-law is truly a blessing,” said Rabbi Yoshi.
Jacqueline Hantgan shared that “it’s a tremendous honor to run for my dad. Throughout his life, he always looked forward and worked to find the positives in every moment. He continues to inspire us. On my running singlet for the Marathon, I wrote, ‘Every Step for My Dad.’ It’s the truth!”
Team Handsome Hank—which also includes family friend Bayley Tuch—is raising funds for the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation for the second straight year. Last year, Rabbi Yoshi, Jacqueline, and Naomi ran the marathon to benefit the foundation, and exceeded their fundraising goal by twofold. You can donate to their efforts this year HERE. All donations are 100% tax deductible.
Founded by late actor Christopher Reeve and his wife Dana, the Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information, and advocacy. Reeve, best known for his iconic portrayal of “Superman,” spent the final 19 years of his life paralyzed from the shoulders down following a spinal cord injury.
Read the full profile published on Thursday in The Forward.
