Meet Chana Faiga, a newlywed first-year corporate attorney who is redefining what it means to be strong, modest, and unapologetically Jewish at the gym. In just seven months, Chana Faiga has grown her Instagram account, Scarves and Squats, to over 2,500 followers — inspiring frum women everywhere with her tagline: coverd and confident / strong, not skinny.

In this episode, Ellen and Chana Faiga discuss:

• How she navigates the gym in a tichel and skirts — and why modest doesn't mean you can't be cute
• Her journey to deadlifting 200 pounds (yes, really!)
• Her favorite workout brands and what works for tzniusdik exercise wear
• Bringing spirituality into fitness — from Asher Yatzar to finding bracha in movement
• Balancing long hours as a lawyer, newlywed life, and late-night gym sessions
• Her healthy relationship with food and body image
• Working out with your husband — and why it's surprisingly romantic
• Navigating chagim and cheesecake season without derailing your fitness

Plus — a giveaway with Qualify Protein Powder (Chalav Yisrael certified!) and a shoutout to Gift of Life bone marrow registry.

Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Maayan Beitsch, a molecular neuroscience research scientist, histology specialist at the Weizmann Institute, and seminary teacher, who is also a wife and mother. Maayan describes how she fell in love with sea kayaking after joining a Weizmann team and now kayaks at sunrise with a women’s group in Ashdod, finding it spiritually grounding, supportive of nervous system regulation, and a way to daven while alone on the water. She shares that kayaking helped her recover balance after a stillbirth, months of bedrest, and a traumatic October 7 birth amid sirens and hospital chaos, and she connects kayaking’s “flow state” to improved stress handling and work focus. She discusses kayaking during wartime near Gaza, hopes to start a kayaking group for frum women, and recommends donating to Keren Shemesh, which supports Beit Shemesh families affected by the Iran war and missile damage.

00:00 Meet Maayan Beitsch

00:31 Podcast Mission Intro

01:29 A Pasuk in the Sea

02:06 Davening Dedication

02:42 Family and Career Snapshot

03:27 How Kayaking Began

04:27 Sunrise Routine Logistics

05:08 Ocean Mindset and Thrill

07:05 Gear and Sea Kayaks

10:02 Hashem in the Water

11:20 More Than Once a Week

12:42 Letting Go of Control

13:40 Kayaking During Wartime

14:57 Sirens on the Sea

15:49 Kayaking as Me Time

16:14 Loss and Bedrest

18:09 October 7 Birth Crisis

21:06 Kayaking Finds Her Again

22:20 Flow State Survival

23:51 Rescues and Training

24:24 From Control to Presence

24:58 Flow at Work Not Home

25:58 Brain Benefits of Exercise

26:48 Community Support Donation

28:14 Movement and Sisterhood

29:12 Final Wrap Up

00:00 Return After Loss

00:53 Back Into Motion

01:21 War Time Travails

01:48 Podcast Updates

02:11 Mini Episode Setup

03:19 Libi Trains For Life

05:59 Closing

In this episode of 'Frum Women in Motion,' Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Rifky Obstfeld, a wife, mother of three, and program director at a martial arts school. Rifky, a third-degree black belt, shares her inspiring journey from starting martial arts at age 18 to representing the USA in the Maccabiah games in Israel, where she earned two silver medals and one bronze. She discusses balancing her Orthodox Jewish faith with her passion for karate, the challenges and triumphs along her path, and how fitness can be a spiritual endeavor. Rifky also talks about her daily routine, curriculum development for her karate students, and the importance of setting and achieving personal goals. The episode emphasizes the importance of integrating physical and spiritual strength and encourages women to start their fitness journey with achievable steps. The podcast supports the Bat Melech organization, aiding women in Israel from abusive homes.

00:00 Meet Rifky Obstfeld: Martial Arts Mom

00:28 Balancing Faith and Fitness

01:51 A Day in the Life of Rifky

02:41 Spiritual Dedication and Fitness

03:19 Developing Karate Curriculum

04:28 Rifky's Martial Arts Journey

10:28 Competing in the Maccabiah Games

14:28 Family and Fitness

23:36 Encouraging Women in Fitness

27:13 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Temima Miller: Balancing Work, Family, and Athletic Leadership

Temima Miller, also known as Coach T, is a wife and mother of two who balances multiple roles including managing a group home for adult Orthodox Jewish women who are developmentally disabled and serving as the athletic director of girls high school.

In this episode of 'Frum Women in Motion', Ellen Goldberg interviews Temima about her dedication to fitness, spiritual growth, and community involvement. Temima discusses her background in sports, her efforts in building a successful athletic program at Shulamit High School, and her volunteer work with the Five Town Chevra Kadisha and as a former EMT. She shares insights on how physical activity can enhance one's spiritual well-being and offers advice on incorporating fitness into daily life.

00:00 Introduction to Temima Miller

00:35 Balancing Multiple Roles

05:03 Early Life and Sports Journey

08:23 Building a Championship Program

11:30 Incorporating Spirituality in Sports

16:15 Volunteer Work and Community Service

22:45 Israel Activism and Family

25:41 Advice for Aspiring Athletes

27:23 Kosher Casual Contest info and conclusion!

Thanks for listening!

Helena Tibber is a mother of five and grandmother of 12 who is retired after working as a computer programmer.

She took up running in her 40s and since then has completed 5 full marathons and, for the last three years in a row, has come in first in the 10 kilometer race in the Jerusalem Marathon for her age group.....of 80 and over!

Listen to this episode of Frum Women in Motion and get inspired to #KeepMovingForward!

Embracing Exercise: Libi Frager's Journey in Running and Spirituality (Before- and After- Giving Birth)

In this episode of 'Frum Women In Motion', host Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Libi Frager, a wife, mother of five, and medical office administrator. Libi shares her journey from feeling stuck in the daily grind to achieving personal empowerment through running and fitness. After running a 2K race, she ambitiously trained for, and completed, half marathons in 2023 and 2024. Libi's youngest child just turned one and she is slowly returning to exercise. Libi's story emphasizes pushing physical boundaries to bring holistic benefits to oneself and one's family.

We will be checking in with Libi periodically to see how her postpartun journey back into motion goes!

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

00:56 Meet Libi Frager

01:48 Spiritual Focus and Dedication

02:44 Libi's Journey to Fitness

06:33 Discovering CrossFit and Running

10:09 Training for the First Race

17:50 The Jerusalem Marathon Experience

21:02 Our Half Marathon Experience

21:40 Signing Up for the Dead Sea Marathon

22:32 Running in the Forests of Israel

23:22 Finishing the Jerusalem Marathon

25:03 The Dead Sea Marathon Adventure

28:45 Spiritual Aspects of Running

31:56 Supporting Family in Running

34:15 A New Beginning in Fitness

35:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement