Chai or die: Lonsmen motorcycle club unites local Jewish bikers

Some people can’t believe in the existence of a Jewish motorcycle organization, picturing riders only as tough, rugged bar hoppers instead of law observers who raise funds for charity, enjoy the open road and have social events.

The Lonsmen are a chapter of the JMA — the Jewish Motorcyclists Alliance, a diverse group hailing from all corners of the country and the world. You’ll recognize them by their intimidating appearance, decked out in leathers, chaps, doo-rags and, of course, their distinctive cuts. They roar down the highways on two and three wheels, with the wind in their faces and a shared passion for motorcycling.

The JMA boasts 50 clubs and nearly 1,000 dedicated members. The clubs sport names that range from the formidable, like the Mazel Tuffs, Chai-Way Riders, Hillel’s Angels and The King David Bikers, to the intriguing, such as the Mountain Menschen, Shalom and Chrome, The Wandering Twos and the Lonsmen.

Motorcyclists, in general, share a unique camaraderie that can be hard for non-riders to grasp. However, when you add common heritage and a shared mission, that bond becomes truly exceptional.

The Lonsmen Boston chapter, which branched out into Rhode Island, has thrived for 13 years, celebrating the sport of motorcycling, fostering new friendships and connections within the club.

But there’s more to being a part of the JMA than love of the open road, the wind in their hair (and the occasional bug in their teeth) and the joy of riding alongside fellow Jews. 

There’s a profound reason to join them: the Ride to Remember (R2R). Since 2005, JMA members have embarked on annual rides from various cities, including Providence, Boston, Baltimore, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Chicago, Kansas City, Atlanta, San Diego and Phoenix, as well as Toronto; Montreal; Melbourne, Australia; and Israel, among others.

These rides have a vital purpose  —  raising funds for Holocaust awareness and education.

Over the years, the JMA has supported numerous causes, including the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum; Whitwell (Tennessee) Middle School’s Paper Clips Project (twice); the Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center in Providence; the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum in Oswego, N.Y.; and the Maltz Museum in Cleveland, which raised over $80,000 through the Shul Boys Motorcycle Riding Club.

The June 2025 R2R event was held in Charlotte, N.C. Hundreds of Jewish motorcyclists showed up, and the organization raised over $60,000 for the Stan Greenspon Holocaust Education Center.

The annual ride serves a critical purpose — to ensure that the world never forgets. This generation has the privilege of meeting and conversing with Holocaust survivors while they are still here, hearing their firsthand accounts and renewing their collective determination to remember the unspeakable atrocities committed against our people. A weekend of music, wind and remembrance, participants ride to ensure that the world never forgets. Cleveland hosts the next R2R, July 30 – Aug. 2.

The site, “We will ride again, we will dance again,” is located at www.ride2remember.com.

The Boston/R.I. chapter will be hosting the 2027 R2R. The event will raise funds for the newly built Boston Holocaust Museum. 

Beyond the annual R2R, member clubs organize meet-and-greets throughout the year. Sometimes it’s just about hitting the road and spending time together, while other times it’s about showing support. In August 2019, several clubs joined forces with the Mazel Tuff’s of Pittsburgh to stand in solidarity with the Tree of Life Synagogue following the tragic shootings that occurred there the previous October. Members are always there for their fellow Lonsmen.

Combining love for motorcycling with Jewish heritage while promoting Jewish values and pride is a unique and immensely fulfilling experience, members say.

There’s a sense of satisfaction in being part of a powerful, formidable group of bikers thundering down the road, all united as Lonsmen, and all working together to ensure that the world never forgets.

Members include riders, their spouses and/or significant others. 

Whether you’re a rider yourself or know someone who is, the Lonsmen ask that you help spread the word. The group would be thrilled to have you join!

For more information, reach out to Ken (Scoops) at Kenschneider33@gmail.com.

ROBERTA SCHNEIDER is secretary of the Lonsmen Motorcycle Club.