Ian Shinbrot is not a synagogue member. But over the past few years, he’s become as connected to Jewish life as any congregant.
In May, Shinbrot was named in the Jewish Lay Leader category at the Tribe 12 Jewish Philly Under 40 Awards. The group’s description of the Northern Liberties resident stated that he bridged his “passions for running and Jewish heritage” by founding The Philly Schvitzers, a running and walking group, last year.
The Schvitzers gather on Sunday mornings, and either run 3.5 miles or walk for 30 minutes, depending on which part of the group members join that day. Shinbrot also hosts Shabbat dinners, attends Jewish networking events and organizes gatherings at Jewish and Israeli-owned businesses like Top Tomato Bar & Pizza in Center City. The walking and running group typically ends its morning at Federal Donuts or Kismet Bagels.
“It definitely does enhance the connection, because you’re with other people around the same age,” Shinbrot said of his Jewish activities.
The 33-year-old wasn’t always this connected. Before Oct. 7, 2023, he lived in the liminal Jewish space between youth and young family development. He was Jewish primarily by cultural identity.
But after the Hamas attack on Israel, Shinbrot joined Philly Runners in Israel, a running group organized by the Kaiserman JCC. The group planned to conclude its eight-session program by participating in an Israeli marathon, but low participation got in the way.
Despite the complication, Shinbrot realized that, as Tribe 12 put it, he could connect his two passions. The realization motivated him to launch The Philly Schvitzers.
“It’s definitely about community,” Shinbrot said.
The Northern Liberties resident began running as a student at Drexel University to relieve stress. Today, he works from home as a software consultant, so he continues to run as a way to relieve stress and leave the house.
But when he joined Philly Runners in Israel, it also became a way to connect with others. He had been loosely engaged with young Jewish life in Center City before Oct. 7, occasionally attending services at Mekor Habracha and networking events with the Young Jewish Professionals group.
But The Philly Schvitzers became Shinbrot’s personal Sabbath: an entry point into weekly Jewish connection. It also deepened his approach of supporting Jewish and Israeli-owned businesses.
“I guess with everything going on, it seems like people don’t like to go out of their way to support Jewish-owned businesses. If people find out it’s a Jewish-owned business, it seems like people are less likely to support it,” he said. “I feel like it’s important to support Jewish-owned businesses, even if they aren’t public about how they are Jewish-owned.”
Shinbrot also explained that Jews in the community are often more inclined to attend if they find out the group is supporting a Jewish establishment. Then, once they go to the business, they might learn about another, as Jewish business owners often recommend their friends.
“I guess you can say it’s a tighter-knit group of people. If you go to one Jewish restaurant, they might have connections with another Jewish place,” Shinbrot said.
Shinbrot has also expanded his running and walking group by hosting Shabbat dinners and attending Jewish networking events.
“You go to other Jewish events in the city, and then people find out about the group, and they are excited to learn more about it,” he said.
He also said The Schvitzers would welcome non-Jews, as long as they are allies to the Jewish community. That’s important to Shinbrot, because he has seen what it’s like when Jews are not surrounded by allies.
He grew up in a Long Island town that didn’t have many other Jews. One year for a holiday party at school, his mom wanted to make potato latkes, but it was suggested she make candy canes instead.
But when Shinbrot moved to Manalapan, New Jersey, at age 9, he lived in a more mixed area and had both Jewish and non-Jewish friends.
“I think growing up in Long Island, where there weren’t a lot of Jews, opened my eyes to how people saw certain things,” he said.