Rabbi Jamie Hyams grew up in what she called a “fanatical cycling family.”
Her passion for bicycling carried into her adult life. At 35, she biked her first “metric century,” a ride of 100 kilometers, or roughly 62 miles. Nearly three decades later, she has now combined her love of cycling with her profession as a rabbi.
Hyams is the founder of Chai Cycle, a Jewish cycling community that infuses weekend rides with thoughtful discussions about Jewish texts and ideas.
She was ordained at California’s Academy for Jewish Religion, a “transdenominational” rabbinical school that draws wisdom from all Jewish movements without adhering to any specific denomination. For a long time, she knew she wanted to take an unconventional approach to the rabbinate.
In fall 2023, Hyams began a two-year program at the Clergy Leadership Incubator, which trains rabbis for roles in organizational leadership. That’s where she began developing the concept for Chai Cycle, which she envisioned as a program to give Jewish cyclists an opportunity to apply the teachings of the Torah and Talmud to their everyday lives, outside of a traditional synagogue setting.
Chai Cycle, which will mark the anniversary of its first ride in March, has attracted participants who come from a variety of Jewish backgrounds, including secular ones.
“I realized that [people] want to come together in a community, but the traditional ways of affiliation … they’re all bounded by four walls, you have to go to them,” Hyams told J. in mid-February. “And this is where they already were — on their bikes in communities. The question was how did I want to tap into that?”
Today, it’s clear that Hyams has clipped into something valuable for those looking to connect with Judaism in unconventional ways.
Just ask Lisa Halperin.
Halperin, 70, said she grew up with a strong cultural connection to Judaism and the Jewish community, but without much religion. After the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, 2023, she felt a need to bond with other Jews.
“It’s nice having that connection,” Halperin told J. “This was an opportunity to not only meet new people.… But then to have the added benefit of these wonderful discussions.… I’ve learned a lot.”
When she is not leading Chai Cycle’s twice-monthly Sunday rides, Hyams splits her time between her home in San Ramon and the Mother Lode Jewish Community, serving a small Jewish community in four mostly rural counties in Northern California: Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa.
Hyams said the 25-to-30-mile rides are kept at a moderate pace: a rider may have a slightly elevated heart rate but should still be able to hold a comfortable conversation. At the halfway point in the ride, the group convenes at a rest stop for a half-hour break to discuss the topic of the day. Those topics have included Joseph’s connection to climate change, wildfires and liability, the acquisition of wisdom and restaurant etiquette according to the Talmud.
Hyams said she feels that the repetitive motion of cycling allows her to clear her mind. To prime the brain for thoughtful discussion later, Hyams gives the riders a preview of the discussion topic before they starting the ride. Then, they can consider the ideas while they pedal.
“When you’re riding along, and you’re in the zone, and you get into that rhythm, the noise falls away,” Hyams said. “It’s different than going out to coffee and talking, because in those moments, you’re all in your head… But when you’re noodling and you’re riding… clarity often comes.”
Now, Hyams is looking to expand Chai Cycle’s reach beyond Alameda and Contra Costa counties, where she launched the group, while staying consistent with its core values. One of her inspirations is the Christian Cycling Network, which has “spokes” all over the country.
Jim Mizes, former CEO of several major food companies including Jamba Juice, Taco Bell and Noah’s Bagels, is helping her. Mizes helped design Chai Cycle with Hyams — the two have been cycling together since 2007.
Mizes, like Halperin, said Chai Cycle rides have helped him form community.
“The beauty of this time of Sunday morning is with kind, caring, Jewish people, with a little bit of Jewish study to go with it,” said Mizes, who is 69 and now retired. “It has slowed me down.… This is a kinder, gentler, more inspiring cycling event, which is beautiful.”
Mizes is applying his expertise in scaling up companies to work with Hyams to determine the best way to expand Chai Cycle, while sustaining its original parameters of keeping the group size at 10 to 12 riders, so that everyone can participate in the discussion.
“As long as there’s a good structure around the teaching, and some good questions, then anyone can lead it, I think,” he said.
Chai Cycle registered as a nonprofit in June 2024. Its regional expansion is already in the works, with future rides scheduled from March through June in the Los Altos Hills, in collaboration with the Oshman Family JCC and Congregation Beth Am; through San Francisco and Marin County with Congregation Beth Sholom; and in Sacramento with Mosaic Law Congregation.
Chai Cycle currently has around 25 members who have paid a $50 annual membership fee, which is strongly encouraged for regular riders but not required to participate in the rides. Interested riders should have at least some cycling experience and are expected to come with a helmet, water bottle and tire change kit. Participants also get access to discounts at local bike shops in Pleasanton and Dublin.
“Each group is going to develop its own personality.… Sometimes [the group leader] will be a rabbi, sometimes it might be someone else,” Hyams said. “What they’re all going to have in common is that they are intentional Jewish communities with cycling, conversation and learning at the core.”