Keep Your Skin Looking Young

January 19, 2014

Have you noticed how very free of wrinkles teenage skin is? Do you ever wonder why? First of all, they have more facial fat. As we age, the collagen and elastin in our skin breaks down and our skin becomes thinner. Also, young people have not spent many years in the sun, therefore they have no sun damage. When I was a teenager, my friends and I always carried an aluminum shield to the beach along with our towels and other gear. We applied tanning oil to attract the sun and we would lie on a blanket and hold the reflector near our faces to catch the sun’s rays.

Continue

Protect Yourself, Don’t Get Knocked Out

January 19, 2014

Following yet another knockout assault targeting an innocent pedestrian, Councilman David G. Greenfield, Senator Simcha Felder and Councilman-elect Chaim Deutsch are calling on the NYPD to drastically increase its presence throughout the community, especially during Shabbat, which is when two of the most recent attacks targeting Jews occurred. This request includes additional officers, temporary lighting at trouble locations and other measures to help prevent attacks. In addition, the elected officials are reminding the public to be especially vigilant and aware of their surroundings at all times and to immediately report any suspicious activity to the NYPD.

Continue

Amazing Medical Breakthroughs

January 19, 2014

Sometimes, modern medicine pushes past science and into the realm of science fiction. The artificial heart and hip replacements were certainly in that category. Other breakthroughs have less of a “wow” factor, but offer relief and comfort where there was once pain and suffering. There were many amazing breakthroughs in medicine this year (unfortunately, a cure for the common cold is not among them). Although all the discoveries were made recently, some may not be available for years to come. Here’s a look at the remarkable therapies and game-changing technologies expected to dramatically reshape healthcare and save lives.

Continue

Natural Home Remedies

January 19, 2014

Who says you need a prescription for every problem? Sometimes a home remedy is all it takes to feel better. Home remedies have become increasingly popular as the expense of conventional medicine continues to rise and as the public takes a more holistic approach to medicine.

Continue

Acupuncture for Children

January 15, 2014

Millions of Americans are using acupuncture to improve their health, treating ailments ranging from the common cold to orthopedic issues. Acupuncture is also gaining momentum as an effective and safe way to treat childhood issues. Recenlty, a 9 year old boy (we’ll call him Shaya) came with his mother to my office. The mother stated that her son’s chief complaint was bed wetting. Shaya would wet the bed up to four nights a week. Summer camp was on its way and both he and his parents were eager to have him accident free.

Continue

Tu B’Shvat Connecting With Our Roots

January 8, 2014

Tu B’shvat is a holiday intimately connected to the agricultural cycle of the Land of Israel. Falling in the middle of the Jewish month of Shvat, the 15th day of the month is the New Year of Trees. Today, this holiday is often celebrated by planting saplings and eating the seven species—five fruits and two grains—associated with Israel.

Continue

Be Prepared for a Winter Emergency

January 8, 2014

We all know to dial 911 in an emergency situation, but when everyone is suffering from the same emergency (think Superstorm Sandy), assistance may be delayed. That’s why it’s important for your family to know what to do before help arrives.

Continue

Volunteer Award of Excellence for Ephraim Gartenhause

January 7, 2014

Ephraim Gartenhause will be the recipient of the coveted Volunteer Award of Excellence at the 2014 Aleh Foundation Awards Gala, to be held at the Museum of Jewish Heritage in New York City on Wednesday, May 21, 2014, at 6:30 pm. He recently paid a visit to the Aleh Foundation. Mr. Gartenhause founded and created the volunteer project in Aleh’s first major Center (which served 14 children), located at 53 Kehilat Yakov in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Continue

Grandpa Joe’s Pickles

January 5, 2014

My mom, also known as Grandma Sue A”H, would always make mmm Chelah (pickled vegetables), as we used to call them. I remember coming home from school and seeing all the pretty colored vegetables waiting on the counter to be put in the fridge. I would always sneak some. My dad, Grandpa Joe, absolutely loved his mmm chelah. He liked it even better than any regular salad or vegetables. His favorite thing to do was accidentally drop a piece of bread into the juice, just so he could sneak a bite. It would make us laugh every time!

Continue

A Memorial Tribute to Rabbi Ezra Labaton

January 3, 2014

We join the Labaton family in mourning the passing of Rabbi Ezra Labaton, one of the great American rabbis of our generation. Rabbi Labaton served for many years as rabbi of the Magen David Congregation of West Deal, New Jersey.

My personal and professional friendship with Ezra goes back about forty years. To me, he was one of the bright stars in the contemporary rabbinate in general, and in the Sephardic rabbinate in particular.

Continue

Speech by Charles Saka

January 3, 2014

I want to thank the Labaton family, for giving me the chance to speak about our beloved Rabbi Labaton A”H. It is very difficult to speak about someone who I loved very much and learned a lot from.
Rabbi Labaton was a giant and our synagogue lost its crown.

Continue

Rabbi Ezra Labaton Z”L

January 3, 2014

“Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness and Your Torah is truth. May Your mercies come upon me so that I may live, for Your Torah is my preoccupation” (Tehillim 119:77,142)

Rav Ezra zt”l, was the Ish Emet – the Truthful Man. Whenever I spoke with him, or listened to him teach, or whenever I observed him in his interaction with family, friends, congregants or students, one thought was always inescapable: this is the Ish Emet – the Truthful Man.

Continue

Rabbi Labaton

January 3, 2014

For many years, I have been privileged to have an ongoing dialogue with Rabbi Labaton. This wonderful relationship made an everlasting impact on my perspective of the community and the world at large. A meeting with the Rabbi was always an experience dominated by his intellect, wit, and his expressive face that emanated love and compassion. He was a passionate man always ready to defend and fight for the principles he believed in.

Continue

Our Rabbi

January 3, 2014

אתו ברא אלוקים בצלם בצלמו האדם את אלוקים ויברא

כז,א בראשית

All of what our Rabbi, Rabbi Ezra Labaton A”H taught and represented stems from this fundamental teaching: each and every person is godly; each and every person is unique and dignified; each and every person should be respected and each and every person’s thoughts and feelings need to be appreciated. The rest is commentary.

Continue