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Marathon Mom
Wednesday, February 4 | 7:00pm | Mandell JCC
Running Time: 90 min Followed by a Reel Talk
In this deeply inspiring documentary, we follow Beatie Deutsch — an ultra-Orthodox Jewish mother of five — as she dares to chase the ultimate dream: qualifying for the Olympic marathon. Her journey takes her from the streets of Jerusalem to races in Berlin, Seville and Kenya, navigating injuries, societal expectations and the relentless stopwatch. What emerges is more than a sporting story — it’s a portrait of courage, identity and reinvention. Refusing to choose between devotion and ambition, Beatie trains while keeping kosher, parenting while pacing the pavement, and claiming her place on the start line despite invisible barriers. Her mantra – “The only thing I’m going to take with me is the choices I make to expand my soul” – serves as a rallying cry for anyone balancing faith, family and the fierce pursuit of a dream.
Marathon Mom was named an Official Selection of the 2025 Miami Jewish Film Festival and is quickly gaining momentum among several major Jewish film festivals in 2026.
EPHI’S TAKE: There’s something miraculous about a film whose subject is an Orthodox Jewish American living in Israel who – on top of being a wife and mother of five – runs marathons around the world in pursuit of representing Israel in the Olympics. But what’s most fascinating lies beneath that ambition: the quiet, constant negotiation between discipline and devotion, between drive and duty. This isn’t simply a portrait of an overachiever; it’s the story of a modern Jewish woman refusing to be confined by expectation – religious, cultural, or personal – while still contending with the universal limitations of being human. Marathon Mom is both inspiring and deeply relatable, reminding us that endurance isn’t only measured in miles, but in faith, family, and perseverance.
Sponsored by Kathy & Ron Fishman and Lori & David Wetsman
 
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