Assaf Rahamim, an extreme sports photographer, experienced motorcyclist, and nature and challenge enthusiast, received the devastating news of aggressive cancer in his body just a week and a half before he was supposed to embark on an extraordinary motorcycle journey he had been planning for many years. The surprising discovery, which struck like lightning on a clear day, especially at such an advanced stage of the disease, was supposed to lead him quickly to chemotherapy treatments.
But Rahamim chose to ignore the doctors’ advice, using the journey to aid his recovery, and went ahead with the motorcycle trip across the Balkan mountains before beginning treatment. It may not have been the most medically sound decision, but Rahamim (49) survived the ride and defeated cancer upon his return. He documented the journey, which has now become a short documentary film titled “Touching the Edge.”
The Balkan-crossing journey included a challenging route through six countries, traveling alone on a motorcycle in the midst of active illness, along a difficult course that even experienced healthy riders struggle with, featuring off-road sections, extreme heat, and harsh weather, all set against breathtaking landscapes.
“In this journey, I faced challenges and situations I had never known. The levels of pain and struggle at every moment made me internalize that difficulty is always present and just part of the path,” Rahamim, a resident of the Jezreel Valley, recalls. “I rode hundreds of kilometers a day, in conditions that allowed no room for error. I had to work as hard as possible. These moments made the hardest peaks during treatment more bearable—there I understood, largely thanks to the journey, that I already had the strength to handle it.”
The premiere of “Touching the Edge,” with the participation of the general public and motorcycle communities, followed by an emotional interview conducted by Danny Kushmaro with Assaf Rahamim, will take place on September 14 at the conference center in Kibbutz Shefayim, starting at 7:30 PM. The premiere will include a gathering with light refreshments until 9:00 PM, followed by the documentary screening and a discussion between Rahamim and Kushmaro, a News 12 presenter and Walla! Cars motorcycle reviewer.
The ticket price for the event is NIS 55, but each ticket purchaser can choose their preferred donation amount, with all proceeds going to the hematology department at Ichilov Hospital. For this purpose, the Friends of Ichilov Hospital Association created a dedicated landing page for the event, ensuring that every donation goes directly to the hospital. The association has official approval to receive donations under Section 46.
To participate in the event and purchase a ticket/donation, visit https://edgepoint293.co.il/. Donation confirmation serves as entry confirmation to the event.