Two Generations Run for Family and Friendship Circle

Last November, Jaime Guberman knew she wanted to do something momentous to honor the memory of her twin brother, Joshua, and her father, Ira. The ten-year anniversary of their passing was approaching that spring. Inspired by her mother, Alayne, Jaime decided to commit to a half marathon in March 2025. It was a hefty undertaking for someone who had never run a race before. Nevertheless, Jaime was determined to not only conquer the challenge, but to also raise funds for Friendship Circle.

“Friendship Circle has always been a part of my life,” said Jaime. “Running the half marathon felt special because it’s something my whole family is connected to. My dad was a huge special needs advocate and my brother being a part of the community – it was a no-brainer. There is no other cause I would be running for.”

Jaime’s twin brother, Joshua, started coming to Friendship Circle at the age of 6. Joshua was born with cerebral palsy and was unable to walk or talk. However, even in the face of such adversity, Joshua thrived at Friendship Circle.

“My relationship with Joshua was really special and unique,” said Jaime. “He couldn’t communicate verbally, but I was able to communicate with him through laughter. I would always make him laugh and giggle.”

“Friendship Circle gives hope to families,” said Alayne. “Back then, there weren’t many people offering help. But they reached out to us – they would show up with a meal, with support. That kindness has always meant the world to us.”

Jaime and Joshua’s father, Ira, was a huge supporter of not only Joshua, but of special needs awareness. When he suddenly passed only five months after Joshua, Jaime and her mother once again turned to Friendship Circle for guidance. The organization embraced them with open arms, welcoming them into Shabbat dinners and offering them opportunities to channel their grief. At one of those dinners, the idea of running was born.

“For us, running the half-marathon was a way of giving back and letting other families know there’s a place for them,” said Alayne.

In 2016, Alayne completed a half marathon in Miami to honor Joshua and Ira on the one-year anniversary of their passing. Nine years later, the baton was passed to Jaime.

“My mom inspired me to run the half,” said Jaime. “When I started training, I realized I didn’t give her enough credit for how much she put into it. It brought my mom and I closer because it linked us together. Everything came full circle.”

“She’s a rockstar,” said Alayne. “To say I’m proud is an understatement. She set her mind to something and nothing was going to stop her.”

Throughout the winter, Jaime trained in frigid weather conditions while simultaneously studying for her orthodontics residency exams. She was determined to prepare for the March 30 race in Philadelphia. Through discipline and sheer will, Jaime ran the half-marathon and raised over $7,000 for Friendship Circle – funds that will be used for much-needed programming for children with special needs.

“Jaime’s run was incredibly moving for all of us,” said Toba Grossbaum, Executive Director of Friendship Circle. “The Guberman family has been part of the Friendship Circle family since the very beginning, and we continue to remember Josh and Ira with love. This was a beautiful way to honor their legacy.”

“The half marathon is called the Love Run and I thought that was so perfect because I ran it out of love,” said Jaime. “It was an adrenaline rush like I’ve never experienced before. I was channeling my mother’s energy.”

Jaime and Alayne were able to transform their shared grief into positivity and accomplishment. Jaime’s race was the perfect way to honor her brother and father while creating an unbreakable bond she will forever share with her mother.

“My dad was the most dedicated and loving father. The way he fully devoted his life to me and Josh, to give Josh the best life possible – that is why I wanted to honor the two of them together because I feel like they are tied together,” said Jaime. “As a twin you always have an invisible string that connects you to one another. When Joshua passed, my motto was that I was going to live life for the both of us. Running the half marathon was a way to live that motto.”