Frum Women in Motion

Chana Faiga: Scarves and Squats: Covered & Confident/Strong, not Skinny

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. #FRUMWOMENINMOTION #SCARVESANDSQUATS #JEWISHWOMEN #TZNIUSFITNESS #FRUMFITNESS #MODESTFASHION #STRONGNOTSKINNY #JEWISHPODCAST #FRUMLIFE #WOMENWHOLIFT

Kayaking to Resilience: Maayan Beitsch's Journey of Strength and Emunah

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

Training for Life with Ellen and Libi

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

Rifky Obstfeld: Balancing Faith and Physical Strength Through Martial Arts

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: Building the Next Generation of Frum Women Athletes

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!