June 4: Na’amat Calgary presents ‘Marathon Mom’ to raise funds for School Supplies

by Maxine Fischbein, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

(AJNews) – An out-of-the-box documentary about Beatie Deutsch – a marathon-running American Israeli ultra-Orthodox wife and mother of five – and her efforts to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be screened by Na’amat Canada Calgary at the Cardel Theatre on Thursday, June 4.

The film documents Deutsch’s journey as she travels the world, competing in high-profile marathons to achieve the required time that will allow her to compete on behalf of Israel.

There are more than the usual challenges along the way. In accordance with Jewish laws pertaining to modesty, Deutsch – a three-time Israeli national champion – runs with her head and arms fully covered and her knees obscured by a long skirt. She cannot compete on the Sabbath and Jewish holidays.

How can Deutsch find a balance between an ultra-Orthodox world where marathon-running women are, at the very least, an anomaly, and her fierce will to win? With every step she takes toward her goal, Deutsch – who began running marathon races only four years before the Tokyo Olympics – becomes a bit of a folk hero for young observant women.

A trigger warning: There lurks in the background of Deutsch’s story an eating disorder. And the COVID-19 pandemic creates significant roadblocks for her as various races are cancelled or postponed.

Through it all, Deutsch keeps her eye on the prize.

Stephanie Sacks – the current Na’amat Canada Calgary president – learned about the Marathon Mom documentary during a Na’amat national board meeting and contacted the film distributor so that she and her Calgary executive could preview the film.

“I was totally enamoured with the movie,” recalled Sacks, adding that her chaverot on the executive also found the film compelling.

“It was inspiring to see this woman being so motivated and committed to her religion, her family, and her running,” said Sacks – founder and long-serving chair of Na’amat Canada Calgary’s School Supplies for Kids Program (SSFK) – adding that the Calgary Na’amat leadership found the film ideal for screening at this year’s SSFK fundraiser.

“Na’amat is devoted to advocating for equality of opportunity for women. While we are not a religious organization, we support all Israeli women, and it is just wonderful to share a film about a strong woman who comes from an Orthodox community and is motivated to succeed at her sport even though some within her community might frown at her efforts.”

The 90-minute documentary will be followed by refreshments and – no doubt – plenty of spirited conversation as Na’amat members, friends and sponsors gather to raise funds for SSFK, a program that, for nearly 29 years, has provided backpacks filled with school supplies to thousands of kids temporarily residing with their mothers in Calgary and area domestic violence and homeless shelters.

Over the years, SSFK has been adopted by Na’amat chapters in other Canadian centres, helping even more Canadian children to resume their education and achieve desperately needed normalcy during the darkest of times.

According to Sacks, an estimated $40,000 must be raised this year to meet the demand for backpacks at Calgary and area shelters.

“Some very generous sponsors have supported us since day one, with many more joining in over the years,” said Sacks, who will be succeeded by Aviva Lifshitz as Na’amat Canada Calgary president this summer.

Sacks plans to continue chairing SSFK through to its 30^th anniversary in 2027.

One Calgary philanthropist who has supported School Supplies for Kids since close to its inception is a non-Jewish man – unnamed here because he prefers to remain anonymous – who saw a sign about the initiative at an Office Depot location and contacted Sacks because he felt moved to become involved.

Decades later, this stalwart friend to the organization not only gives generously but often shows up in person, working shoulder to shoulder with Na’amat faithful and other volunteers from within and beyond the Calgary Jewish community, Sacks told AJNews.

Sacks – who expressed gratitude for the many sponsors who have supported SSFK through the years – hopes that others will feel inspired to go the extra mile in supporting a program that brings much comfort and hope to women and children experiencing the trauma of domestic violence.

For decades, Sacks has received letters from Calgary and area shelters thanking Na’amat for their support through SSFK.

“When children and their moms arrive at Discovery House, they are moving to a safe and healing space, where they can reimagine and rebuild their futures,” says one such letter, adding, “When the children in our care get to choose a new backpack that is filled with all the supplies they need, they just light up.”

Beatie Deutsch’s story seems a good fit for Na’amat, which has harnessed girl power on a massive scale since it was established in Israel in 1921, with Golda Meyerson – soon to be known as Golda Meir – as inaugural director general of the organization.

Meir went on to become Israel’s first – and only – female Prime Minister.

Established in Canada in 1925, Pioneer Women – as it was known until the organization rebranded worldwide as Na’amat in 1976 – quickly spread across the country. A chapter was established in Edmonton in 1931 and another in Calgary in 1934. A 1936 visit to Edmonton by Golda is well-documented, and she is believed to have also met with her Pioneer Women chaverot in Calgary around the same time.

Israel’s largest social service organization, Na’amat serves Israelis of all faiths through their large network of social services, including schools, daycares, a domestic violence shelter, counseling programs, and the like.

Calgary and Edmonton Na’amat chapters mirror locally the work they do in Israel. In addition to School Supplies for Kids, Na’amat Canada Calgary granted annual scholarships to women studying in local post-secondary institutions for many years.

Close to a year-and-a-half ago, Na’amat Canada Calgary established the “Providing the Essentials” program, which supplies personal care and hygiene items to Jewish Family Service Calgary clients supported by that organization’s food bank.

It was a source of pride for Na’amat and Jewish Calgary when Stephanie Sacks was honoured with a 2007 Global Calgary Woman of Vision Award recognizing the positive impact she had made in Calgary through the SSFK program.

In Calgary, Na’amat reached another pinnacle close to three years ago, when Susan Inhaber became the first woman west of Winnipeg to ascend to the presidency of Na’amat Canada. As she completes her term, Inhaber will be feted by members from across the country at the Na’amat Canada Triennial Convention, slated to take place in Montreal October 30-November 1, 2026.

Closer to home, opportunities are still available for the 2026 School Supplies for Kids fundraiser here in Calgary. Those who make their commitment by May 15 will be acknowledged at the screening of Marathon Mom on June 4.

To donate, please go to https://rogerscharityclassic.com/ssfk/. Rogers Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink, a long-time supporter of SSFK will match up to 50 percent of all donations. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.

Marathon Mom will be screened at the Cardel Theatre on Thursday, June 4 at 6:45pm sharp. Doors open at 6:15pm. To purchase tickets, go to naamat.com/Calgary/ or call 1-888-278-0792 toll-free.

Maxine Fischbein is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.