Michael Davidson is not your typical yeshivah student in Israel. Michael says he studies as much as any other yeshivah student but most don’t take the time to do much exercise. Davidson has been running since June, preparing to run in the March 16 Team Lifeline Israel marathon.

Taking a break from his daytime studies, Davidson said he learned about the race while waiting at a Jerusalem bus stop. Now in his second year at Ohr Somayach Yeshiva, a yeshivah geared to English-speaking young men 18 to 25 years of age, he said

“I called Team Lifeline and told them I wanted to run and raise money and then looked them up online.”

The 2010 Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy graduate said the idea that this organization helps kids who have life-threatening illnesses appealed to him, so he decided to run in the race. He studies eight hours a day and since June has been running.

‘I wasn’t really a runner before; I ran a little but not seriously,” said the son of Bradley Davidson and Marcee Davidson.

“I love it. I run at night and listen to music. It’s just me in Jerusalem and I’m just racing against myself,” said Davidson, who will soon celebrate his 20th birthday.

As the 26.2 mile marathon draws closer, Davidson reported he’s been able to run that distance twice.

“I’ve been working really hard on this all year,” he says.

Davidson, who grew up attending Kehilath Israel Synagogue and later BIAV, says he will be running in memory of his grandfather, the late Richard Bratman.

“Zayde always drove me to strive farther for the things that are important,” Davidson said. Bubbe Joyce Bratman visited him in Israel last summer along with his mom Marcee and his sister, Ariella.

Davidson has set a goal to raise $1,000 from donations for TeamLifeline Israel. Anyone wishing to sponsor Davidson can do so on his marathon profile page: http://www.teamlifeline.org/israel/my/michaelthegentleman.

Davidson’s father, Bradley, will be in Israel in March and plans to run the 10 kilometer portion of the race for those who prefer to run a shorter distance.

“My grandfather, Marvin Davidson, used to run marathons when he was in his 60s,” exclaims Davidson.

“Running is one of my passions,” he continued. “and I like learning Gomorrah and making sushi!”

This is Davidson’s last year at Ohr Somayach. Next year he plans to attend Lander College in Queens, N.Y.

Team Lifeline Israel

Since 1987, Team Lifeline Israel has raised funds for Chai Lifeline. Chai Lifeline’s mission is to restore the light of childhood to children whose innocence ended when life-threatening or lifelong illnesses were diagnosed.

Through programs that address the emotional, social and financial needs of these seriously ill children, their families and communities, Chai Lifeline restores normalcy to family life and better enables families to withstand the crises and challenges of serious pediatric illnesses.