Nice Jewish Runners, the athletic and social club founded in New York City after the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, drew more than 300 runners to Central Park on June 15 for the first-ever “Star of David 5K.”
The goal of the group is to bring local Jews together to create a much-needed community for people to find comfort and solace through the common bond of running.
Runners at the 5K ranged all ages and abilities. They represented an array of Jewish backgrounds with the majority of runners sporting the blue event T-shirt that showcased the Star of David on the front and “Runners Chai” on the back. The Star of David is a symbol of the identity of the Jewish people, their history, and their connection to their faith and heritage.
“This is something we’ve been wanting to do for a while, and the day is finally here,” said Ezra Feig, founder of Nice Jewish Runners.
“For the 6 million Jews that were murdered in the Holocaust, the Star of David is the last thing they wore,” he said. “So let’s continue to wear it proudly and take the power back. Wear it proudly if you go into the supermarket or the gym, and let’s continue to wear it on our runs like we have for the last year and a half.”
Since the group’s founding five days after Oct. 7, the running club has expanded to more than 25 cities around the world, reaching thousands from New York to Tel Aviv with weekly runs designed to be easy, accessible and social to build camaraderie.
Feig, the grandson of Holocaust survivors, grew up a shy, quiet kid who never stood out, he said, and exercise was not part of his daily regimen until he reached his mid-20s. Inspired by Fred Lebow, a Holocaust survivor and founder of the New York City Marathon, he has followed in his footsteps by creating an inclusive community for Jewish runners.
To follow Nice Jewish Runners, check out @NiceJewishRunners on Instagram.
