When Ethan Blauner signed the lease for a small private gym on 27th Street in Chelsea last fall, he didn't initially plan for it to become a hub for Jewish athletes and fitness enthusiasts. However, the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, changed the course of his new venture.
After months of preparation, Blauner, 29, opened Sid’s Gym in January. His original vision was a boutique gym combining his passion for running and strength training.
But as he witnessed the impact of the attack on the local Jewish community, he realized that many were searching for a way to channel their fear and anger into something constructive.
Responding to this need, Blauner has embraced Jewish programming, while still welcoming all New Yorkers. The gym now hosts regular workouts with groups like Nice Jewish Runners and events like Schvitz & Shabbat, where a Friday night workout is followed by a Shabbat dinner at the gym.
“I’ve seen people wanting true community in the Jewish space and I’m happy to be able to host that,” Blauner said. “I want a place for people to feel empowered and connected to other Jews around them.”
* The Jewish Telegraphic Agency contributed to this story.