This Black Fitness Trainer’s Beautiful Bond With the Orthodox Jewish Community

“You never see that.” That’s what Junaid Gilliam’s wife said when she saw Orthodox Jewish women in tichels and all doing pull-ups and getting strong in the gym. Gilliam, a non-Jewish Black fitness trainer working in the Five Towns with many Orthodox Jewish clients, has built deep relationships within the community — becoming part of their lives, celebrations, and stories — and discovering just how much their values align with his own. His perspective, and the connections he’s built, is something really special. Follow us at: Website: https://JewintheCity.com Instagram:   / jewinthecity   Facebook:   / jewinthecity   Twitter:   / jewinthecity   YouTube Channel:    / jewinthecity   If you found this content meaningful and want to help further our mission through our Keter, Makom, and Tikun branches, please consider becoming a Change Maker today. About Jew in The City: Launched in 2007 by founder and executive director Allison Josephs, Jew in the City (JITC, a 501c3) has quickly grown to be a leading voice in this generation. It is the only nonprofit dedicated to changing negative perceptions of religious Jews and making engaging and meaningful Orthodox Judaism known and accessible. This is achieved by highlighting an approach based on kindness, tolerance, sincerity, and critical thinking. Painful experiences within the Orthodox world, caused by dysfunction and ignorance have tarnished the opinions of a sizable minority of insiders who find themselves Jewishly displaced. These traumatic versions of Orthodoxy then get amplified in modern day media and entertainment without the much needed nuance they require. This results in a distorted public perception of Orthodox Jews and Judaism, pushing less observant Jews away, creating shame around being Jewish, and fueling antisemitism. Jew in the City addresses these challenges on every level: *Repairing systemic issues from within – through our Tikun branch *Rehabilitating and re-educating disenfranchised Haredi Jews – through our Makom branch *Holding traditional media accountable for accurate reporting and creating original positive Orthodox content – through our Keter branch. Our programs cause Jews to lean into their Judaism, create Jewish pride, and reduce antisemitism, bringing about lasting change for generations to come.