Jody Shapiro is part of the small Jewish community in Spokane. He’s one of the very few Jewish runners out of the hundreds of people I’ve met in Spokane running clubs.
A co-founder of the Manito Running Club, he’s an example of how the running lifestyle can be so beneficial. A runner in his teens and early twenties, he stopped during his last year of college, and over the course of several years, gained weight until one day in the shower he noticed his belly prevented him from seeing his feet.
He resumed running and over time, lost weight and got more and more into running. He started doing marathons and since turning forty, has run four sub-three hour marathons, his best being 2:52:16.
Our 2010 Spokane to Sandpoint relay team. Jody’s at far left. I’m at right, with the white T.
On occasion, after our group runs, topics have come up that touched aspects of Jewish culture, and Jody has been a great resource. Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who was Jewish, My views of Judaism were shaped by movies and the media.
At a road runners convention, Jody met fellow Jewish runner Deena Kastor, Olympic medalist and American women’s record holder in the marathon and half-marathon.
Among the things Jody has taught me is the meaning and origin of the word Jewish. He says after meeting several times, the very first congregation in ancient Israel decided to give themselves a name, so they came up with an acronym – Just Enjoying Weekly Interesting Sermons & Hymns.
Most of us know the menorah below is a symbol from Jewish culture, but I didn’t know its meaning. Jody says long ago, way before NASA existed, there was an extreme shortage of kosher food on Earth. A Jewish astronaut was sent to each planet of the solar system to search for kosher food. Each candle symbolizes the flame used to light the fuse that blasted the rockets into space.
I’m delighted I can now have conversations about Judaism and come across as educated and intelligent. And I know Jody is very happy to share his knowledge and wisdom. When I thank him profusely, he always breaks into a smile and has to work hard to stifle joyful laughter.