Frum Women in Motion

Ellen Z. Goldberg

For religious Jewish women who want to make exercise more than just something else on the "to do" list!

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    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

    31 min
  2. 11/19/2025

    Sarah Wizman: Episode 1!

    In this episode of Frum Women in Motion, host Ellen Z. Goldberg interviews Sarah Wizman, a dedicated mother, experienced runner, and fitness instructor. Sarah shares her personal journey, including her marriage of 34 years, raising six children, having five grandchildren, and her professional transitions to becoming a fitness instructor and life coach.  Sarah delves into her passion for exercise, recounting her achievements in marathons and how running has positively impacted her life and mental toughness. Sarah offers insights and advice for women starting out and exercise's uplifting effect on life and relationships. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Introduction 00:33 Spiritual Focus and Personal Prayers 01:09 Sarah Wizman's Background and Family Life 01:43 Journey into Fitness and Teaching 02:55 Running and Personal Fitness Routine 06:52 Mental and Emotional Benefits of Exercise 12:05 Running Community and Marathons 17:53 Advice for Beginners and Encouragement 23:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement Check out KosherCasual.com and their social media sites for the Swim and Sport Skirts with Attached Leggings that Sarah loves to run in and stay tuned because in an upcoming episode, Frum Women in Motion is doing a collaboration with Kosher Casual and YOU might win that exercise skirt! Sarah would love donations made to  Ezer Mizion (EzerMizion.org), the world’s largest Jewish bone marrow registry and an organization that does tremendous good for sick and disabled people across the lifespan in Israel.

    25 min

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For religious Jewish women who want to make exercise more than just something else on the "to do" list!