Tziporah Gelman

For many reasons, it’s not always easy to mix physical fitness with Jewish practice, but Tziporah Gelman specializes in doing just that as the founder and director of Frumba Chicago. Tziporah has taken the Jewish fitness world by storm, forging connections between Jewish fitness instructors throughout the U.S. and Israel and becoming an “exercise guru” for the Jewish community.

“With an innovative spirit and entrepreneurial majesty, she has shown that physical and spiritual health are not diametrically opposed to one another, but rather are each part of the same equation,” said Rabbi Shaanan Gelman, her nominator and husband of 11 years.

Outside of the gym, Tziporah inspires community members as the Rebetzin in one of Chicago’s rapidly growing synagogues, Kehilat Chovevei Tzion. She also serves as a role model to the next generation of Jewish women through her work as a Judaic Studies teacher at Arie Crown, and gives back to the community through the many events and fundraisers she hosts for local organizations such as Chai Lifeline, NCSY, Bnei Akiva, Sharsheret and a cadre of local day schools.

Tziporah, a New Jersey native, is also the proud mother of four children.

Name:
Tziporah Gelman

Age:
32

Pays the bills:
ZUMBA Fitness Instructor

On the side:
Mom of four, wife of synagogue Rabbi, retired 7th grade teacher

Relationship status:
Taken (married)

Describe yourself in 10 words or less:
Energetic mother of four, passionate, leader of change, enabler, inspiring

Celebrity doppelganger:
Reese Witherspoon

How do you Jew in Chicago?
As the founder of Frumba Chicago, I inspire hundreds of women from all walks of Jewish life and all age groups to have fun while exercising on a daily basis, taking care of themselves and ensuring a healthier and happier lifestyle. I partner with other Jewish small business owners to promote their businesses on a regular basis.

Passions:
My children, my husband, the physical and spiritual wellbeing of the Jewish community, my clients, Israel.

How do you give back?
There are several women who come to my fitness classes who cannot afford them, but are severely overweight, or have extenuating circumstances. I do not charge or I charge a discounted rate for these women. I also do classes pro bono for organizations like Chai Lifeline, supporting families with children who have terminal diseases. This past year I led a zumba-thon for Sharsheret, an organization that supports women suffering from breast cancer, raising well over $3,000 for the organization. For Teacher Appreciation week, I conducted classes for school teachers. Other organizations I have taught classes in are Bnei Akiva, NCSY, the Bernard Horwich JCC, and many Jewish day schools throughout the Chicagoland area.

Fill in the blank: If time and money were limitless, I would:
Open a Frumba Chicago center offering fitness classes, nutritional seminars, motivational speakers, and "Bridging the Gap” workshops for different segments of the Jewish community, mothers and daughters, grandparents and grandchildren. All classes would be free.

Chicago's Jewish community in 10 years:
I see the Chicago Jewish community in ten years thriving and growing. I hope that Jewish identity will be strong amongst all sects on the spectrum. I dream of a community that loves, supports and openly shows pride in the land of Israel.

Me in 10 years:
Hmm... In ten years I hope to be at the forefront of inspiring women to exercise and take care of themselves both physically and spiritually, not just in the Chicagoland area but on a national and possibly international level.