FIGHTING ANTISEMITISM

YOLA ASHKENAZI

ON A WARM SUMMER NIGHT IN AUGUST, THE ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ORGANIZATION HOSTED A COMMUNITY WIDE EVENT. SIX COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS JOINED TOGETHER IN DEAL, NEW JERSEY AT THE HOME OF LINDA AND ISAAC MASSRY WITH ONE GOAL IN MIND: TO EDUCATE, UNITE, AND EMPOWER MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO STAND UP AGAINST ANTISEMITISM.

Enough Is Enough alongside the SCA, Kesher, Stand With Us, the SCF, and the Center hosted interval workshops in which attendees were able to learn how to combat the antisemitism that is present in their lives.

We’re seeing a rapid rise in antisemitic rhetoric and acts in every-day conversation—both online and in person—and it would be a complete disservice to our community and to the Jewish people as a whole if we did not learn how to effectively stand up for ourselves. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), 2021 was the highest year on record for documented violence directed against Jews. These record-breaking numbers present as part of a consistent, five year upswing in the number of antisemitic incidents, unprecedented in the ADL’s three decades of data collection. This violence has eroded the sense of security that American Jews have long experienced, and it raises real concerns about our safety and well-being in this country. With this hate being expressed increasingly publicly and violently, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the hard skills needed to take a stand against the antisemitism that is prevalent in our lives. The event to Combat Antisemitism, put together by a group of gallant and dedicated young adults, was aimed at doing just that.

Each community organization arranged their own respective programming in which they taught about different ways that one can get involved in combating antisemitism. Attendees were able to tailor the evening to their own interests, choosing which breakout groups were most intriguing to them, and allowing for an event that would be effective and interesting to all. From Krav Maga instruction to conversations about how to respond to antisemitism on campus, there were truly spaces for everyone to feel comfortable and learn about how they can best incorporate the fight of antisemitism into their own lives.

In addition to these thoughtful conversations and breakout groups, were distinguished speakers including New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal, activist Adela Cojab, Rabbi David Haber, and representatives of the different organizations. The crowd listened intently as the speakers imparted messages about the importance of taking a stand against antisemitism wherever one may come across it.

Senator Gopal spoke about how it is our duty to educate our youth and about his valiant efforts to incorporate awareness about antisemitism, the Holocaust, and the State of Israel into the state’s school curriculum.

Adele Cojab inspired the crowd by passionately explaining that it is our responsibility to stand up for ourselves in a strong and meaningful way. “We live in a time of civil rights where every group is standing up for themselves and every group is claiming space, why haven’t we hopped on that bandwagon?” Cojab exclaimed. She continued, telling the crowd that “Not everyone has to be an activist and not everyone has to be an advocate, but as long as you stand strong, as long as you are always prideful, as long as you sit in your class and you stay true to your beliefs, that is everything.”

Finally, Rabbi Haber spoke about the responsibility that the community has to each other to stand up for one another regardless of any and all differences. “Everybody sitting here is a brother and a sister,” he began, “if you’re on the right, if you’re on the left, if you’re in the center, if you live in Deal, if you live in Brooklyn—regardless of your background, there’s no discrimination.” It is a strong message about the value of togetherness regardless of political views at a time of discord and polarization in our country.

Representatives from the different organizations spoke as well. Notably, Michael Harary from Enough is Enough (EIE) said, “Together and united is when we’re at our strongest point in combating antisemitism.” EIE is encouraging young adults to combat antisemitism and this event proved to do just that with 300 attendees listening keenly and participating sincerely. EIE plans on continuing to educate and empower our community’s young adults by forming teams on college campuses who host self-defense classes, organize athletic tournaments, and increase pro-Israel political involvement and lobbying. After this event, I certainly felt better equipped to stand up for the Jewish people and the Jewish nation when need-be. I implore you to seek out resources to learn how you can best protect yourself and protect our nation because we may need to do so when we least expect it.

Yola Ashkenazi is a junior studying economics and psychology at Barnard College. She is President of the Chabad at Columbia University’s undergraduate board and is involved with AIPAC’s campus and community initiatives.

OUR CHILDREN ARE OUR INSPIRATION

SARINA ROFFÉ

IN PROVERBS, KING SOLOMON WROTE “TEACH A CHILD IN THE WAY OF HIS ABILITIES; HE WILL NOT SWERVE FROM IT EVEN IN OLD AGE.” THE INSPIRATION AND MOTIVATION FOR WHAT WE DO WITH OUR LIVES OUTSIDE OF OUR CAREERS, THE WORK THAT GIVES OUR LIVES MEANING, OFTEN COMES FROM OUR CHILDREN AND THEIR NEEDS.

Such was the case with Jack and Claude Setton, who began Gesher Yehuda three decades ago, and later Yeshiva Prep High School. When their son was not talking at age three, the Egyptian-born couple began looking for alternative methods to encourage him and help him develop.

There were no community schools at the time for children who learned differently. The couple looked around and did not like their options. At a family bar mitzvah in Israel, they went to get a blessing from Rabbi Shalom Lopes A”H, father-in-law of Israel’s Chief Rabbi Bakshi Doron A”H. When Rabbi Lopes heard their story, he suggested they open their own school. He opened a book to a pasuk. “Whoever takes care of my children, I’ll help them take care of theirs.” This planted the idea to open a school. Years later, Rabbi Bakshi Doron came to visit the yeshivah.

“Some children just need that extra help, or the right approach to help them over the gap. I call it a bridge to regular education,” said Jack. “When I saw the impact on my own child in just two years, as he was able to go to Yeshivah of Flatbush in second grade, I knew it was important to help other parents.”

Each child is unique in his or her own way. It is important to build on a child’s strengths. It reassures them and builds confidence, and there is a domino effect which enhances other traits. To Jack, it was clear children could succeed if they were in a positive, encouraging environment. He felt you could change the trajectory of a child’s life if given the proper guidance at that stage of their lives and build their confidence so they can reach their full potential.

With parental determination and drive and no other alternatives, the Setton’s started their own school. In the first year, there were six students in kindergarten and first grade, then 18 students the second year in K-1. By the third year, there were 36 students. Today, the elementary and high school have about 100 students. The school expanded grade by grade, and Jack hired professionals to give the students individualized instruction to help them thrive.

Before they knew it, Gesher Yehuda became the go to school for children with language delays and other academic needs. Jack is motivated by King Solomon’s philosophy to think outside the box, to educate each child according to their own way, and teach in a way that works for that individual child. Teachers do not stick with traditional teaching methods, but instead find techniques that connect with the children and the way each child learns.

Many remember the children’s storybook by Watty Piper called the Little Engine That Could. The book is about a little blue engine that has to make it up the mountain hauling a long train. The task seems overwhelming, but because the engine has the desire, the motivation to deliver her load to the children on the other side of the mountain and make them happy, the engine is successful. It is motivation that inspires the little engine to plug along and be successful.

Jack faced a huge challenge when at age 14, while attending Stuyvesant High School, the top public high school in the City of New York, his father Leon Yehuda had a stroke. Born in Egypt, he had watched his father, who was successful in Egypt struggle to rebuild their lives again when they settled in New York. Now living in Manhattan Beach, his father came home to recuperate after the stroke.

One Shabbat morning, Jack woke up and saw his father was gone. It was a windy day and Jack and his brother Mark ran to shul, only to find that their father was in synagogue praying. He had walked a mile and a half to get there.

“I saw his determination, and the emunah, the way he pushed himself and the drive my father had. It made a big impression on me,” said Jack. “My mother went to work to help out.”

Jack also worked after school to help the family. Like the Little Engine that Could, Jack had to rise to the occasion and was motivated by his family’s needs and the culture of hesed as he grew up. When he married Claude Nackab and they had children of their own, Jack faced new challenges. Soon the needs of his own son inspired him to give other families with children who needed a little help with their learning challenges the same hope.

In the early years, Jack was guided by the wisdom of people like Joe Beyda A”H, who told him, “It’s not the kids that have disabilities, it’s us, the parents. The kids are just challenging us to teach them differently.”

“We became dedicated and wanted to make sure other people had that bridge for their children who had early learning needs. For example, if a child has dyslexia, they learn differently, and we were able to help with that, and so many other learning challenges,” said Jack.

When children feel at home and in a place where they feel they belong, their other issues melt away, they feel better about themselves and become more eager learners. Because of the excellent success rate the school had, many community children were pulled from public school and enrolled in Gesher Yehuda, where amazing accomplishments were happening. The school became a model for other Jewish communities around the world. Gesher hosted the Minister of Jewish Cultural Affairs from France, as well as yeshivahs from Mexico, Los Angeles, Chicago, Englewood, Connecticut and elsewhere, where they coordinated and shared curriculum to start their own programs.

There are so many incredible opportunities that Hashem has blessed the yeshivah with. For about 20 years Gesher’s school psychologist was Dr. Mary Courtney. She grew up in Minnesota and became a renowned psychologist and author of many books. She was a senior member of the New York University Child Study Center, as well as the head of psychologists in the New York City Public Schools.

“When I once asked her why she was working with us, she told me that as a young student she dreamed of a time when she could work hands-on with kids and implement effectively what her training and passion was all about, to help kids,” Jack said. “She could never have imagined that opportunity would come later in her life in a small boutique yeshivah in Brooklyn, New York.”

In a study done in the late 1990s by Harvard University about schools that provided individualized instruction, Gesher Yeshiva rated amongst the top schools.

About one third of the children in the community have some kind of special need that requires a specialist, such as a speech language pathologist. So Gesher Yehuda is opening a therapy center, as well as an early childhood center to help those children who need therapy.

“One of the main ways to help build a child up is to give them confidence in their ability. If they see they can succeed, their confidence grows. I saw the impact the school had on families firsthand, including my own son,” said Jack.

Funding comes from several sources including tuition for the Jewish part of the day, and fundraising. With one voice and one heart the community and multiple volunteers have rallied to help the yeshivah with bake sales, parlor meetings, tournaments and other fundraisers. Gesher owes a deep debt of gratitude to all those pillars in the community who lent their financial, emotional and intellectual support to the school.

Before they knew it, it was time to establish a high school. Setton worked with Rebecca Harary to open Yeshiva Prep High School for students who needed additional academic support. The school opened in 2009 to help those students aging out of the K-8 schools that were not yet ready to attend a mainstream high school. A collaboration with Yeshivah of Flatbush High School allows Yeshiva Prep students to participate in non-academic and social activities such as morning prayers, Shabbatons, plays, gym, computer classes and more.

One of the many inspirational and moving moments of Jack’s involvement with Gesher came last year when Rabbi Eli Mansour, Gesher’s Rosh Yeshivah for approximately 20 years, came to Gesher on one of his regular visits. He reviewed and tested the seventh and eighth grade students on Gemara and Chumash. He was very impressed by the knowledge and clear understanding the students had of the text. A child’s potential is unlimited if given the proper attention and education. The foundation of our character and education is emunah.

What gave meaning to Jack’s life began with the need to enable all children to thrive. And so many other children and families benefited from his commitment.

“The most rewarding gift is when years later you see these children have grown up, gone to college, have amazing careers, got married and now have children of their own,” said Jack. “I tell the graduates that the greatest appreciation they can show parents and educators is their success. And they delivered in a big way. I get a warm feeling, seeing them confident and productive. I thank Hashem every day for giving me the zechut and opportunity to be involved in enhancing the education and social development of our incredible children, B’H!”

A genealogist and historian, Sarina Roffé is the author of Branching Out from Sepharad (Sephardic Heritage Project, 2017), Sarina holds a BA in Journalism, and MA in Jewish Studies and an MBA.

A NEW BUILDING, AN OPEN HOUSE & A TRIBUTE TO LESLEY KASSIN A”H

SOPHIA FRANCO

OUR SAGES TEACH US THAT IF YOU TAKE ONE POWERFUL STEP FORWARD, AND ALLOW HASHEM AN OPENING INTO YOUR LIFE EVEN AS SMALL AS THE SIZE OF THE EYE OF A NEEDLE, YOU WILL WATCH AS HE CREATES FOR YOU AN OPENING THE SIZE OF THE WHOLE WORLD.

A year ago, a beautiful group of realtors in Brooklyn came up with an idea. So many calls had come to their doorsteps for short term leases to accommodate medical patients coming to New York for doctor’s visits and treatments, but no matter how hard they tried, they could not be of service. Even if there was an empty apartment available, how could that help? Furniture, beds, towels and sheets—there was so much to provide!

According to the old adage, the first step is always the hardest, so, they began with one apartment. Friends and relatives around them began to buzz, and donations poured in. With the help of so many, they cleaned it up and decorated it, and got ready for the first call. Within moments it was booked, all set up and free of charge. Quickly they realized, one apartment wasn’t going to be nearly enough.

Today, just one year later, Habayit has fourteen apartments to offer visiting patients and their families, and most of them are occupied year-round. The committee worked for many months trying to renovate a new building that they rented for Habayit, on east 9th Street. With the help of their landlord, they were able to rework the entire building, including the kitchens, bathrooms, and floors. Every piece in the new apartments was donated—from couches to beds, cribs, lamps and art work. Even the Shabbat locks on the doors and the mezuzot were graciously given from the heart. With the help of their fabulous design team, Natalie Ammar Shalom, Beth Heaney, and Michelle Barsano, who volunteered their time, the apartments came together like a thing of beauty. With fresh linens and towels stacked high, and kosher food in the fridge, each space has become a home away from home, just like the name suggests.

This month, the founders and committee planned a celebration in their new building to honor all their donors, and the four brand new apartments that they could now offer. Eva Shammah, the energy source behind the project, humbly explained the excitement of the day. “Twelve months ago, we started on a path. We wanted to solve a problem, and we did. But we wanted the community to know what we did. It was so emotional! To stand in these apartments—to feel the coziness and to see how beautiful each one turned out—to appreciate all the special touches; the high chairs in the corner, the towels stacked neatly, the games in the closet—it was just surreal! When Rabbi Azriel Matsur gave his beautiful words of beracha, blessings for the patients who stay here to have refuah shelama (full recovery) and success in their treatments, everyone understood that this is really the bottom line. This is why we did this! We want to help these families! We want them to come here, and get through whatever it is they have to do with as little pain as possible, and go back home, to their lives, feeling well, and with success in their treatments. That’s the goal. That’s what this is all really about.”

One of the apartments and the entire day, was dedicated in memory of one of the most beautiful souls this community has ever known, Lesley Kassin A”H, Leah bat Rachel, who we lost from this world too soon. Natalie Ammar Shalom, one of the original forces behind the organization explained, “Lesley was an artist and a teacher and you can feel her genuine and kind spirit in the apartment through her artwork and sculptures. She was good hearted, generous and fun to be around. She had a zest for life and she knew how to light up a room. She always took people under her wing, as we are doing here in Habayit, and I hope that her beautiful artwork and creativity will bring our guests a little bit of her warmth and joy while they stay here.”

The committee opened the new Habayit to the community so that their donors could really see what they accomplished, because every act and donation, small or large, makes a difference! To see how many people were involved, to be there, enjoying the most magnificent meal Stephanie Esses prepared, to sip coffee and nibble on yummy desserts while listening to the wisdom of world-renowned speaker Slovie Jungreis-Wolff who had us all in tears talking about the holiness of this project, you could just picture how a patient would feel staying in these homes. The sheer warmth of it—and to feel Lesley’s presence, to know that she is smiling on everything Habayit has accomplished—Regine Shrem recalled, “It was a very emotional day! And truly, it’s been just one year! I’m so happy and proud to know that I had even a small part in sparking the fire for this.”

The compassion and love surrounding Habayit makes this organization one like no other, entering at a time in a person’s life when they need it the most. At the celebration, over 400 people showed up to pay tribute to a project that is unlike any other. Elliot Shelby said, “Aside from the effort and work so many people put into making sure each apartment was finished beautifully and stocked with every amenity, the work does not stop there. Just as an example, when one of the patients needed a ride to a doctor’s appointment in the city, all we had to do was put it on the chat, and within seconds someone was on their way to pick him up.”

Many of these families have nowhere else to go, and nowhere to turn, but when they end up in Habayit, they could not be more grateful. From, Panama, Israel, Mexico City, and all over the world, the patients can rely on this organization to make them feel safe and at home. One visitor explained, “Once we called Habayit, there was no need to call anyone else on our list. Yes, we had medical issues on our mind, but Habayit gave us comfort and stability and took care of everything else.”

Lillian Srour added, “The committee and our volunteers are always wondering ‘what more can we do for our guests. How can we make them feel more relaxed? How can we make their road easier?’ It’s so much more than providing a roof over their heads. There is no end to the service, and it’s all done from the heart. Our visitors are more than just guests, they are family. We only pray that all those who stay in these apartments have a refuah shelama, and that these apartments can be transformed into homes for brides and grooms, rather than sick people, very soon!”

Rabbi David Ozeri summed it up perfectly, saying “Habayit is the most beautiful home on earth, bringing joy and happiness to Hashem and mankind.”

Eva continued, “I can’t thank our amazing committee enough, especially Aaron Cohen who worked tirelessly for months and months and put in so many hours to get us in on time, Shirley Barnathan who donated fresh flowers for the open house, Yossi Beri, who handled all the graphics, and also, Eva Matut, who was our event planner! And of course, all of our donors—you know who you are! And our volunteers! You are amazing, stepping up on a dime to work or drive or give whatever you can to make our guests feel like family! I love what we do, and I love that we are able to do it in such a beautiful way. I am blessed to be a part of such an incredible group of people.”

Follow us on Instagram @Habayit_ny
Donate on our website www.habayit.org
To volunteer, contact Regine Shrem (917) 405-2316
Tizku l’mitzvot!

Sophia Franco is a mom and grandma, and a lover of the written word in all forms. She has been an author, lyricist and poet for our community for more years than she can count.

BUILDING LEADERS FOR THE FUTURE

IS YOUR SON THINKING OF STUDYING IN ISRAEL FOR A YEAR? THERE IS A NEW CHOICE FOR A SEPHARDIC COMMUNITY YESHIVA IN ISRAEL FOR POST HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. RABBI CHARLES SHAUL TEBELE BELIEVES AT HEICHAL YERUSHALAYIM, WITH A LITTLE MOTIVATION AND CONFIDENCE, EACH BOY CAN BECOME A LEADER FOR HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY.

OUR RABBI
Rabbi Charles Shaul Tebele is Head Director and Rosh Yeshiva of Yeshivat Heichal Yerushalayim. Rabbi Tebele has a very diverse background, which gives him the ability to connect with all types of boys from all backgrounds. Married with five children, having recently moved to Yerushalayim, the Rabbi and his family are dedicated to helping the students grow and shaping their future.

Rabbi Tebele grew up in Brooklyn, went to Magen David Yeshivah Elementary School, and attended Ohr Hatorah High School. The Rabbi is a Syrian community Rabbi who held positions teaching as a rabbi in Magen David Yeshivah for years, guiding over 120 boys, now in community high schools. He also served as a rabbi, delivering shiruim in Shaare Zion and Edmond J. Safra Bet Jacob, under the guidance of Rabbi Eli Mansour Shlita. Rabbi Tebele has proven that with the proper amount of love and dedication a boy can reach his full potential.

OUR VISION
A premier, boutique yeshiva for our community boys, Yeshivat Heichal Yerushalayim has been endorsed by many esteemed community rabbis. It is in-line with our traditions and customs, which make our community vibrant and consistent. We are a small family-orientated yeshiva. This formula, which was developed in Yerushalayim, helps us give our community boys the opportunity to grow in many ways, with the proper amount of structure and guidance, as well as an exciting staff of rabbis who are devoted to bringing out the excitement in learning Torah and doing mitzvot. Our goal is to motivate and stimulate boys to taste the love of the Torah and mitzvot while building friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Boys from 17 to 21 begin the learning curve of life, developing who they are and who they want to be. Their role models begin to change and their concepts on what reality is changes with each day that passes. Our Yeshiva believes this is important, and our rabbis convey this message with patience and motivation. Here, a boy can find his mold by gaining the independence he needs for life.

Our trips and Shabbatons are built around spiritual inspiration. They’re uplifting and enjoyable. While the boys have a good time, they gain moments that last a lifetime. Each boy has a personal relationship with the rabbis and build a kesher that follows them for years to come.

WE GIVE OUR BOYS THE TOOLS TO GROW
No student feels out of place in our Yeshiva. Each student comes from a different background with different obstacles. Whether they have ever opened a Gemara or not, we help them grow. We work with them to build self-confidence, motivation and dedication.

Our Yeshiva prides itself on being small in quantity with a max of 20 boys per year, but large in quality, showing each boy personal attention and having the ability to maintain a clean and healthy yeshiva, without having any boys fall through the cracks.

For more information, check out their website: www.HeichalYerushalayim.com

HANUKKAH AT DSN SHOWCASES SOME OF THE MOST HIGHLY ACCLAIMED EVENTS IN THE JERSEY COMMUNITY. BOTH CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND SENIORS LOOK FORWARD TO THESE WELL-ORGANIZED, INSPIRING AND EXHILARATING GET-TOGETHERS.

On December 26th, DSN hosted not one, but two special Hanukkah celebrations: one during the day for its seniors and the other at night for children and their families. These well-known parties exemplify community building at its finest, bringing everyone together in a positive, happy, joyous, and festive way.

During the day, DSN hosted a joint party with SBH. Over 80 seniors were warmly welcomed at DSN and offered a beautiful lunch graciously donated by PKS. Then the fun began with raffle prizes such as blankets, bathroom sets and kitchen electronics. The seniors were elated! There was music featured by singer Shlomo Haviv, who had all the seniors singing and dancing in no time. Senior Program Directors Stephanie Massry and Vicky Schreiber, couldn’t contain their feelings. “We had such a wonderful day with all of our seniors. They were so appreciative and overjoyed with the singing and the raffle prizes. It was such a nice way to celebrate Hanukkah”.

In the evening, DSN welcomed over 800 community members into its building. It was the biggest DSN Hanukkah celebration ever! As guests entered, they witnessed a magnificent balloon arch display, then enjoyed an elegant dinner provided by Nicole’s Kitchen. There was a bingo stage filled with a massive number of prizes, a photobooth with props, and a Guess How Many Dreidels competition.

DSN mother Stephanie Hanan stated, “My son won an electric scooter tonight. He was so happy! The DSN Hanukkah party is the fan-favorite night of the year! What more can we ask for than to be with our community, have our children entertained and have delicious food for all!”

Executive Director Sammy Sitt resumed his renowned position as master of ceremony. Several bingo iterations were played such as getting a straight line, 4 corners, an X and a fan-favorite “stand up, sit down.” Sammy was smartly able to get the crowd screaming in euphoria as each number was called. The entire DSN gymnasium roared with laughter, hopefulness, and excited energy.

Yvette Nasar, a DSN mother, was amazed. “I am so impressed that my older sons are just as happy about this night as my young daughters. They were all confident about winning something from the big selection of prizes. DSN goes all out!” There were exceptional prizes up for grabs, including extra-special grand prizes to satisfy all age groups, including an Xbox, Airpods, smart watches, a bicycle, Kindles, Barbie dream houses, American Girl dolls, speaker systems, wireless headphones, iHomes and scooters.

DSN’s Youth Director Frieda Shamah enjoyed the night. “I love Hannukah and we at DSN ensure this night is a big blowout success with a stage, microphone, the big screens (to see which bingo numbers are called), prizes, food, and so much fun!”

Sammy Sitt put the night into perspective. “On Hanukkah, we are reminded how the Greeks wanted to tear down the religious and social fabric of the Jewish community. DSN is modern-day proof that we have won that battle. Bringing the community together for exciting fun and entertainment is what we do best. With all the new families who have joined the community, we must provide an opportunity for everyone to meet each other and feel at home. We have the finest community in the world, and they deserve the best!”

OFFERS SENIORS DAILY PROGRAMMING & SO MUCH MORE

VICTORIA SUTTON

HUMANS ARE BORN INTO SOCIAL GROUPS AND LIVE THEIR ENTIRE LIVES AS A PART OF A SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY BUT ONLY RECENTLY DID WE START TO DISCOVER EXACTLY HOW IMPORTANT THESE RELATIONSHIPS ARE. THE NEED FOR COMMUNITY, LOVE, AND CONNECTION IS NOT SOMETHING THAT DIMINISHES AS WE GET OLDER. IN FACT, STAYING CONNECTED CAN ACTUALLY KEEP OUR LOVED ONES FEELING THEIR BEST.

According to a study cited in AARP, “Many scientists now believe that social interaction is key to maintaining good mental health and warding off diseases like Dementia and Alzheimer’s. Many recent studies document the positive effects of social interaction.”

Increased social interaction can reduce stress, improve physical health, reduce the risk of depression, lower levels of anxiety and increase self-esteem. On the opposite end, a lack of socialization can be harmful. “Social isolation can often heighten feelings or symptoms of depression, making the need for human connection and shared experiences critical,” said Jacqueline M. Chattah, Senior Division Case Manager at SBH. Driven by the science emerging about the benefits of socialization, our firsthand knowledge of our community seniors’ needs, and our SBH foundation at the forefront; SBH Connect was born.

INTRODUCING SBH CONNECT
SBH Connect, a program of the Lorraine and Louis A”H Shamie Senior Division, offers free, all day, daily programming for the seniors of our community. Every Monday through Thursday, seniors can take classes taught by talented instructors at no cost to them. We’ve heard from so many community members who were concerned about their parents that spend too much time alone at home with nothing to do. If only there was a safe place where they could go and interact with others, they’d say. We’re proud to say that SBH Connect is that place! Each day, dozens of seniors come to Connect to socialize and interact while participating in engaging activities.

“To see SBH Connect open its doors to our most beloved and respected community members has been a dream which we worked tirelessly to achieve,” said SBH Vice President and Senior Division Board Chair Michele Levy.

On top of our amazing daily schedule, our program is staffed by trained professionals who ensure that each senior’s needs are met, whether that be related to their physical or mental health, food supply at home, or anything else they may need when they step out of our building. “At SBH Connect, we aim to provide our seniors with the support they need as they and their caregivers navigate the aging process,” said Jacqueline M. Chattah.

PROGRAMMING AT CONNECT
SBH Connect is committed to offering a diverse schedule of programs to ensure that there is something that will appeal to every senior. “The program was developed with input and suggestions from our seniors for our seniors, and offers an extensive array of activities that appeal to a wide range of people,” said Michele Levy. “So, whether you enjoy exercise, art history or arts and crafts, political debates, mah-jongg or just hanging out—there’s something for everyone,” she added. Daily programming includes art, music, cooking, exercise, games and so much more. We are constantly adding to our schedule based on feedback.

For our seniors looking for some extra fulfilment, we proudly offer volunteer opportunities that meet their hobbies and interests. One popular example is our Knitting Club, wherein our seniors knit blankets for the babies of our Fertility Division clients! Our book club provides for a stimulating conversation with experienced community moderators. Additionally, we routinely host students from our schools to Connect to spend time with and learn valuable lessons from our seniors. It truly is special to see.

If you or a loved one is interested in joining us at Connect, please call Shari at (718) 787-1100 x 353 or come join us in our new building, 1963 McDonald Ave. Transportation can be provided for those who need, free-of-charge. We can’t wait to see you! Visit @sbh_connect on Instagram to see this month’s calendar.

Victoria Sutton is the director of the SBH Lorraine and Louis A”H Shamie Senior Division in both New York and New Jersey. She has a Master’s in Public Administration from Baruch School of Public Affairs.

ELLEN ADES

WHEN JULIE DANZIGER WAS 21 YEARS OLD SHE HAD NO IDEA WHAT SHE WANTED TO DO. THE ONLY THING SHE DID KNOW WAS THAT SHE NEEDED A JOB. SEEING JULIE STRUGGLE WITH UNCERTAINTY PROMPTED HER MOTHER TO SAY, “YOU LOVE TO TRAVEL AND YOU’RE VERY ORGANIZED. WHY DON’T YOU LOOK FOR A JOB WITH A TRAVEL AGENCY?”

It made sense, so Julie followed the advice. Through friends she found an internship, followed by a paying job in a brick and mortar travel agency. After that first year, Julie moved to a larger agency where she met Jack Ezon.

Today, Julie is co-founder of EMBARK Beyond, a globally recognized luxury travel advisory with affiliated offices and agents around the world. Her co-founding partners are Jack Ezon and Eli Ashear.

Yet, if you ask, Julie will tell you that she never planned to own a business or be an entrepreneur. In that sense you might describe her as being an “accidental entrepreneur.”

Most people are interested in learning how to become successful. The ‘how to’ part is usually not glamorous and stays remarkably consistent across industries and histories. Hard work always plays a role as does ‘timing.’ In Julie’s story she adds that her success was also a result of perseverance.

From the time she first began working, Julie was patient. She rolled up her sleeves, and showed respect to those who had more experience and knowledge. She focused on bringing value. Her time working as an employee prepared her. When the opportunity presented itself to become a business owner, she was ready. Succinctly summed up by Julie, “You can’t cross the finish line without running the race.”

Jack Ezon says he appreciates her consistent execution and how she trains the people around her to be the best version of themselves. Over time Jack says he’s learned that, “Julie is the ultimate team player and captain. She is always focused on making everyone around her thrive. She focuses on the win for the team, not for herself, every time.”

Eli Ashear praises “Julie’s ability to understand what specific experience each client is seeking. She is a great co-founder and partner because she represents our brand and embodies who we are.” He went on to add that, if there is one thing he’s learned from Julie, it is the tenacity necessary to advocate for a client. He states, “It’s one thing to assist someone with a booking. It’s another to stick with them through thick and thin, which is what defines us as part of their story.”

Over the years, Julie married, and gave birth to three beautiful children. She has been raising her family with her husband, Joe. Having a supportive husband has been key to her success as a business owner, a mother and a wife. Even with great support, managing the challenges that inevitably pop up is far from easy. One unforeseen event popped up soon after opening EMBARK Beyond. Julie was invited to join a hotel chain advisory board. This is an honor and strategic career boost to anyone in the travel industry, but she had to attend an event in Europe. Initially, Julie accepted because it was mid-week and she calculated that she could attend and easily be home for Shabbat. Shortly after accepting, she found out her daughter was having a siddur party at school that same week. Julie backed out of attending the European event and therefore being accepted on to the advisory board. It might have set her career back a bit but it satisfied her desire to be a good parent.

Julie said, “When you’re a working mother you have two jobs. For me, my home job as a mother and wife always takes precedence.” When one of the children is sick, fortunately, Julie has a husband who offers to stay home so she can go to the office. That kind of support is key to her well-being.

According to Julie’s husband Joe, “No matter how much she has on her plate the children always come first.” Therefore, it is certainly no wonder that all three children—ages 7, 10 and 13—have positive feelings about their mom being a business owner. The oldest describes his mom as being a lot more fun than other moms. Her middle child appreciates traveling to really cool places. The youngest admits to missing her mom when she goes to work, but appreciates that she can occasionally work from home. She also loves the popcorn machine in her mom’s office.
Julie is most proud of the growth her business has experienced in a relatively short time. She never thought she’d be in business for herself. She was happy working in the travel industry and being around people that made her happy. “I am grateful to be working with amazing, incredibly honest, hardworking, thoughtful people all over the world,” she said. Regarding her personal life she shared, “I am proud that Joe and I are part of a supportive, loving, incredible family.”

At the onset of our interview, Julie was adamant about describing herself as a “regular, average person.” She stated, “There was never anything special about me. I was average in school. My family was a typical community family.”
In spite of her many declarations to the contrary, there is much more to Julie Danziger than meets the eye. By her own admission, she has high standards. Professionally, she wants to keep learning. Being a working mother means she always strives to be a better mom. Most importantly, her message is profound and key: You can achieve great things if you like what you do and you’re willing to work hard at becoming the best.
Julie knows what she values most and she makes decisions that honor those values. That is a master class on how to feel comfortable in your own skin.

To get in touch with PROPEL: call 646-494-0822, email info@thepropelnetwork.org
Instagram @PropelNetwork.

Ellen Ades is a PROPEL career coach.

OPENING SEPTEMBER 2023

BARKAI YESHIVAH HIGH SCHOOL HAS BEEN MAKING ALL THE HEADLINES THESE DAYS WITH SO MUCH HAPPENING IN PREPARATION FOR OUR OPENING IN SEPTEMBER 2023! OUR NEW BUILDING, LOCATED AT 1945 MCDONALD AVENUE, IS IN THE HEART OF THE COMMUNITY.

Sitting off the corner of Kings Highway and right next door to Sephardic Bikur Holim, our students will have easy access to hesed opportunities and community work, as well as restaurants and shops to enjoy. The new space, sitting at nearly 20,000 square feet on two floors, will be host to several large, bright classrooms, lab space, a beautiful Bet Midrash, a student learning center, a restaurant style cafeteria, a library and research center, a guidance suite and administrative offices.

In addition to a rigorous academic program that prepares students for college and career, BYHS offers a Bet Midrash style of learning for Judaic Studies, Madrikhim/Madrikhot to act as role models for our students, a special Empower Me workshop to focus on life skills and a partnership with Machon Lev, The Jerusalem College of Technology, that will offer students college credit when they take classes as early as 9th grade. Those are just some of the things that make Barkai Yeshivah High School an incredible experience.

While our amazing Open House event highlighted Rav Yeshivah, Rabbi Richard Tobias, Associate Principal, Mrs. Esther Tokayer and Director of Judaic Studies, Rabbi Nathan Zaboulani, we have since put together a stellar faculty, whom applicants and their families will be able to meet at our Meet the Faculty evening, later this month.

Stay tuned for more details and follow us on Instagram @BarkaiHS for updates and more exciting announcements to come!

We eagerly await our inaugural class and look forward to an incredible journey ahead!

WHEN, WHY & HOW TO CHOOSE A PLAN THAT’S RIGHT FOR YOU

ARI BAUM, CFP®

WHETHER YOU’RE LOOKING INTO MEDICARE FOR THE FIRST TIME, OR WANT TO UPDATE YOUR STRATEGY, WE’VE BROKEN DOWN THE CRITICAL CHOICES YOU MUST MAKE INTO A SIMPLE DECISION-MAKING TOOL (INCLUDING THE EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND QUESTIONS YOU MUST ASK YOURSELF BEFORE CHOOSING A PLAN).

Getting the answers wrong can cost you big-time! Not only is healthcare likely to be your largest expense in your retirement (potentially $300,000 or more), but nearly every American over age 65 must eventually enroll in Medicare.

Making the wrong choices could cost you thousands in permanent penalties, leave you facing high medical bills without coverage, or force you into a too-expensive plan.

WHEN TO ENROLL
Are you at least 65? Unless you qualify for disability, you typically don’t qualify for Medicare until age 65. Are you covered by employer-sponsored or retiree health insurance? If so, and your employer has at least 20 employees, you may not need to enroll in Medicare yet.

Do you qualify for VA benefits or TriCare? If so, you may still need to enroll in Medicare Part B because VA and Medicare benefits do not overlap.
Warning! If you are eligible for Medicare coverage and are not covered by qualifying insurance, you should consider enrolling in Medicare ASAP to avoid late enrollment penalties and higher premium costs.

WHY CHOOSE A MEDICARE PLAN?

What Medicare plan is right for me?
Choosing a Medicare plan means balancing priorities and knowing what’s most important to you. Remember—there are no right or wrong answers to the following questions.

Choosing between Original Medicare (Parts A + B) and a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C).
• I already have doctors and specialists, and don’t want to switch.
• I travel away from home and want coverage that spans the entire United States.
• I value the freedom to visit almost any doctor, hospital, and medical provider that accepts Medicare.
You Should Consider Original Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) + Part B (Medical Insurance)

• I don’t mind going through a primary care physician to see specialists.
• I stay close to home and can find a doctor within my network.
• I value simplicity and don’t want to manage multiple insurance plans.

You Should Consider a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)
Part A covers hospitals, rehab, and hospice care, whereas Part B covers doctor visits, lab tests, screenings, and other outpatient services. While Part A is free for most people, you’ll pay monthly premiums for Part B plus deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

Pros: You have the freedom to visit any provider or hospital in the U.S. that participates in Medicare and you don’t need to work with a primary care physician to see specialists. This flexibility is ideal if you travel outside of your home network or have existing relationships with doctors you want to keep.
Cons: Services have deductibles and copays, which may require you to purchase a Medigap or Medicare Supplement Plan to control your out-of-pocket spending. You will also need to purchase prescription drug coverage (Medicare Part D) separately.

Offered through private insurers, Part C is often structured like an HMO or PPO and provides comprehensive health coverage combining Parts A and B.

Pros: Many Part C plans cover extra services like vision, hearing, and dental and may include prescription drug coverage. Plans have an annual limit on your total out-of-pocket costs.

Cons: In addition to paying a part B premium, you’ll typically pay an extra monthly premium for the Medicare Advantage plan. Networks change, doctors can leave, and benefits can change over time.

Choosing Original Medicare (Parts A + B)?
Since it doesn’t cover prescription drugs, you automatically need Medicare Part D.
You’ll need to sign up as soon as you become eligible for Medicare, even if you don’t use prescription drugs, to avoid paying late enrollment penalties.

Pros: Copays and other plan details vary by state and insurer, but they will cover most of the cost of your prescriptions.

Cons: After exceeding coverage limits, you’ll pay the full cost of your medications until a Medicare threshold is reached.
Let’s see if you need supplemental insurance to lower your out-of-pocket costs.
Do you have retiree coverage through the military or a private company? Eighty-one percent of Original Medicare participants had some type of supplemental coverage.
If not, you may want to consider a Medicare Supplement Plan or Medigap.
What is it? Private insurance that fills the coverage gaps in Parts A and B of Medicare and helps with deductibles, copays, coinsurance, etc.

Pros: It limits your out-of-pocket costs for Original Medicare.

Cons: There are many different types of Medigap plans, all with different details.

Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C)?
You’ll need to determine whether prescription drug coverage is included. Most Medicare Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage, though not all do. Read your policy documents carefully.

HOW TO DECIDE
You don’t need to make critical Medicare decisions by yourself.
As a taxpayer, you’ve earned the right to your Medicare benefits. If this guide hasn’t given you 100% confidence in your next steps, you don’t need to go it alone. All you need to do is contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE or 1(800) 663-4227.

Right now, you might be asking yourself questions like:

• How do I enroll?
• When is my next enrollment period?
• Which doctors and hospitals will take my plan?
• How much are my premiums, deductibles, and services going to cost?
• How do I balance coverage with price?
• Do I have to medically qualify?
You can find the additional answers and support at www.medicare.gov.

The content aterial is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. Consult your financial professional before making any investment decision. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Ari Baum, CFP® is the founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients.
Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC

DURING A CRUCIAL ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH THE EXECUTIVE TEAM OF THE SEPHARDIC DIVISION OF CHAIM MEDICAL, RABBI DAVID M. HABER EXPLORED THE ALL-ENCOMPASSING SCOPE OF THE ORGANIZATION, AS WELL AS THE TREMENDOUS LOVE AND CARE THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT OF THEIR LIFE-CHANGING ENDEAVORS.

The Panelists
Co-founder & Senior Case Manager Nathan Hoffman,
Co-founder & Senior Case Manager Ezra Zaafarani,
President Abe Sutton, and Vice President Norman Jemal

Rabbi David Haber (RH): The medical world is frequently misunderstood, particularly post-Covid, which is why Chaim Medical is so important. In its simplest form, what is Chaim Medical?

Nathan Hoffman (NH): An experienced team who are dedicated towards helping people overcome medical challenges. In a nutshell, this encompasses an organization of over 60 people who specialize in separate areas of medicine to support patients.
Ezra Zaafarani (EZ): Medicine is so much more complex than it was 10-20 years ago. That’s why the help we offer is mainly educational.

Abe Sutton (AS): Chaim Medical also provides access to information they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

NH: It’s where to find the best doctor, the best hospital, what kind of questions to ask, how to prepare for an appointment…

(RH): So, the average person who goes to the hospital, myself included, barely understands the technicalities of what is really happening. How does Chaim Medical change that?

EZ: I think people are surprised to hear the different questions we ask but in many cases, it’s something mentioned during intake that proves crucial to the case.

NH: It often starts when somebody suspects they’re not feeling well and they don’t know where to begin. They call Chaim Medical and now they feel, wow, I’ve got somebody in my corner. I can rely on them to help me through it.

AS: Most of the time, patients grant us access to their medical portal, which allows our well-trained medical coordinators to look into their case.

RH: So what does the intake process look like?

EZ: Every patient is asked a sequence of detailed questions, which helps us categorize the case and ascertain its level of urgency. Next, they are assigned a case manager, an assistant case manager and a medical coordinator. Every patient has three people constantly monitoring their case.

NH: They have an army behind them and they feel it. Just this week we had a challenge where tissue slides needed to be sent from one NYC hospital to another and the family was calling the hospital relentlessly, without success. You can imagine what the family was going through! Then one of our team members stepped in and said: ‘I’ll take care of it. And it was transferred that very day.’ Now this patient will likely receive treatment faster than they typically would. But that’s not the point.

AS: It’s that somebody took over the worry.

RH: If somebody receives an appointment far into the future, what should they do?
Norman Jamal (NJ): Take the appointment and then call us to expedite it.

NH: Not every case warrants an expedite but when presented properly, doctors are usually happy to expedite appointments when necessary. It’s about understanding how the medical system works.

RH: This is somewhat of a sensitive question. Ultimately, none of you are doctors; why should somebody trust a seemingly amateur group to handle anything medical?

AS: They’re not amateurs and they’re not telling anyone what to do. They’re simply sharing Chaim Medical’s vast knowledge to help them make a decision.

RH: I know Chaim Medical has access to information, experimental treatments and studies. How does that help?

NJ: People don’t generally think to seek an opinion from a hospital in Houston or Minneapolis. But a coordinator who researches this day in, day out, will know which hospital has dealt with something similar and they will reach out for an opinion.

NH: We’ve had many situations where doctors from top hospitals worldwide have consulted on a case because of our relationship with those doctors. It happens all the time.

EZ: We’ve been involved in complex neurosurgery cases where we got 10 opinions from around the world in 48 hours. So yes, these connections come into play and it’s comforting to know we can call upon them when needed.
RH: What categories does Chaim Medical deal with?

NH: There isn’t a category that they don’t.

RH: So there’s no area in which Chaim Medical is unable to dig deeper for a patient. Another sensitive question: Is there ever a situation where one should give up hope?

NH: Those words aren’t in our dictionary. I’ve yet to come to a circumstance where there weren’t any options. Not every situation ends happily, unfortunately, but we never stop trying.

RH: Please share a story where you reached to the ends of the earth for someone, because for a lot of people, this is beyond the scope of their imagination.

NH: We’ve been involved in cases where doctors called the family three to four times to come and say their goodbyes. And I think if it weren’t for Chaim Medical, it would have been just once. End of story. But we constantly asked, what do we have to do to get the patient through the next 24 hours? Over and over again. And then imagine hearing that the patient is coming home! All you need is one story to realize that you should never give up and really, that’s what Chaim Medical is all about.

RH: True. It sounds like very intense work. What does it take to be a Chaim Medical team member?

AS: In one word, commitment. If the patient or their family needs you, you need to be available. We don’t like to say 24/7, but that’s what it is.
NH: Approximately 10% of our cases are urgent. And from our point of view, those cases are anytime, anywhere, anyplace, we’re always with you.

NJ: This is actually an important point, there are many things that don’t need to be dealt with immediately. As Nathan said, 10% of our cases are urgent, but the other 90% just need proper guidance.

RH: What do you wish people knew?

EZ: How much our team loves every community member. I don’t know 70% of the people we deal with and it doesn’t matter. I’ll stay up all night for whomever. If it’s a community member, if it’s a Jew, it’s my pleasure! And I think every team member is like that. The software rings on our phones day and night, so there is always somebody with you around the clock. It’s love for our fellow Jews during their time of need.

RH: What is the current caseload?

NH: We have 160+ active cases at any given time and the list, unfortunately, keeps growing.

AS: The non-urgent cases require less input but there are 100 of those…

NH: Yes, and that’s just in our community. Chaim Medical, the parent organization of our division, deals with thousands of cases every day. The 160+ cases are from our division alone.

RH: I want to address another aspect because I’ve been there and I think it’s important. What can you advise a family member taking a patient to the hospital?

NH: Be prepared.

NJ: You’ve got to be really present. Pay attention, introduce yourself, say hello, say thank you.

EZ: Many times we deal with complicated family dynamics and we always recommend appointing one contact person for the family, so we can go back and forth and everybody can get the information from that one person.

NH: You know, something as small as asking for CDs after imaging. It’s a small thing but you know how much time that could save?

AS: The average person that is thrust into a medical issue doesn’t know what to do.

NH: And they don’t want to do it. Nobody wants to be sick. Nobody wants their family members to be sick. We recognize that if the roles were reversed, G-d forbid, we would need somebody to tell us what to do, too. There are a lot of emotions.

EZ: Many times I’ll call a team member to review a case. Imagine, we’re doing this every day and I still sometimes need to bounce it off somebody else. How much more so does a clueless family member need to bounce it off somebody so they can figure out their next step.

RH: Also, some people get scared off by medical terms and they assume that if somebody in a lab coat said it, it’s written in stone.
NJ: You need to trust doctors, but you should take notes and you should review it with someone knowledgeable.

AS: And there might be another doctor in a lab coat with another opinion.

NJ: To be sure, doctors save lives, we’re just facilitating the process and helping you find a doctor you can trust.

RH: Tell me about the skill set and dedication of your team.

NH: Dedication is really the first and foremost aspect. Never in my life have I seen a group as dedicated as the people working for Chaim Medical. Ezra and I get shocked every day, seeing how they go above and beyond for a community member in need.

RH: Do you have a parting message?

AS: We want the community to know that they don’t have to go through a medical crisis alone.

For more information call (718) 649-4000.

To watch the full interview visit thecommunityconversation.com

Mary Anne Cohen

Naomi was crying in my office, “I just can’t go on vacation. I’ve gained so much weight since last summer, I don’t want anyone to see me in a bathing suit. All the cool girls are going to be on this trip. I feel like such a loser!” What Naomi doesn’t know is she is not alone—two other girls have been in my office saying the exact same thing!
Julia presents a different story, “After having my fifth child, I can’t seem to lose the baby weight. So many girls in my community get back in shape pretty quickly after pregnancy. Everyone is going to judge me when they see me on vacation looking like a whale.”
Naomi and Julia are not strangers when it comes to feeling badly about their bodies and weight, but the idea of having to show themselves in summer clothes makes them extra vulnerable. When vacation time intersects with “feeling fat,” it becomes the perfect storm for self-consciousness and self-blame.
How can we help Naomi and Julia embrace the enjoyment of their vacations while lessening their body image distress? Following are six suggestions of WHAT NOT TO DO and WHAT TO DO.

WHAT NOT TO DO
Before vacation, do not go on a diet or restrict your eating in order to lose weight! It will backfire! You will either overeat on vacation or when you return home to make it up to yourself.

In her upcoming book, Body Love: An Awakening Journey from Diet Culture to Freedom, Sari Dana describes the lengths she went to trying to stay on a diet and even lose weight during a family vacation to the Caribbean. “I prepped, froze and filled up a suitcase with a vacation’s worth of juices, 5 a day, for 10 days. That’s 50 frozen juice bottles! The excitement, dedication, commitment, and will power wore off quickly! At each meal, I brought my juice with me to the restaurant while everyone else was enjoying delicious food. I tried really hard to drink while everyone else ate, imagining how wonderful I would feel after drinking 10 days worth of juice. When I could no longer hold on, I felt like a failure. Today, I don’t blame myself. I wasn’t yet awakened to the harmful practices of diet culture—I was part of them.”

Do not compare yourself to others. We all have our own unique and personal journey regarding body image, food, and anxiety. The girl with the “most perfect” body may have her own inner stress and anxiety. Remember that “comparison is the thief of happiness.”

what TO DO
Eat mindfully. Tune in to your hunger. Eat what will satisfy you. Stop when you’re full.
Try to translate why you are feeling fat. Many people blame their weight when they are really feeling anxious about something else. Naomi came to realize she was criticizing her body when, in truth, she was really worried about meeting boys on this vacation. When she was able to better focus on this underlying worry, we strategized how to better help her face her fears about her popularity and competition with other girls.
Tell yourself, “It is what it is,” in other words, accept yourself compassionately for where you are today. You are a work in progress. The final chapter has not yet been written on resolving your food and body image struggles.
Enjoy your vacation! You deserve it!

If you would like support on your eating, weight, body image journey, please feel free to reach out to the Mindful Eating Project. We will work with you to:

• Custom tailor an individual approach for your unique needs.
• Help you get control of your eating back inside yourself.
• Develop and maintain healthy eating patterns.
• Regain body confidence.
• Unlock what may be keeping you stuck in your eating problems.

Schedule an initial assessment with The Mindful Eating Project, and we’ll help you determine if you can benefit from treatment. To start a confidential conversation about your eating, please contact us. Your contact with us will be absolutely confidential. Please feel free to call (718) 336-MEND. The Mindful Eating Project is a division of The SAFE Foundation.

Mary Anne Cohen, LCSW, BCD is Director of The New York Center for Eating Disorders since 1982. She is also author of French Toast for Breakfast: Declaring Peace with Emotional Eating and Lasagna for Lunch: Declaring Peace with Emotional Eating. Mary Anne has hosted her own radio show on eating disorders, appears frequently on national television, and is the professional book reviewer.

LAURA SHAMMAH MS, RDN

DO YOUR VACATIONS TURN INTO A GREEN LIGHT TO OVERINDULGE? DOES YOUR MIND SET CHANGE TO SPLURGE MENTALITY? DO YOU FORGET ABOUT ALL YOU THE REASONS YOU WANT TO EAT HEALTHY ONCE YOU ARE AWAY ON VACATION? IF SO, YOU’RE NOT ALONE. HOWEVER, YOU CAN STAY ON A HEALTHY EATING PLAN WHILE ON VACATION AND STILL ENJOY YOURSELF. FOLLOWING ARE 8 TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU STAY ON TRACK WHILE HAVING FUN.

Eat breakfast
While vacation schedules vary from your local routine, don’t skip the first meal of the day. If you are staying at a resort, take advantage of the breakfast or brunch buffet and fill up on fruit, salads and whole grains, such as whole-wheat toast or oatmeal. If going out for breakfast, choose lean protein, such as eggs, and fruit.

Walk everywhere
Strolling through museums, a new city or on the beach is a chance to explore while getting in a little exercise. If a destination is within a mile, walk. Make sure you pack comfortable shoes.

Daily activity is key. Find fun ways to move, so all of your vacation activities don’t revolve around food. Play volleyball on the beach. Go for a run through town. Take a bike tour. Try paddle boarding. Go for a hike. Walk through a museum. Play a round of golf. Do whatever spikes your interest. I always encourage my clients to pack their exercise clothes and sneakers.

Stay hydrated
Dehydration is common when traveling, especially when flying. Bring an empty water bottle to the airport and fill it once you are past the security checkpoint. Stock up on water bottles once you are at your destination and bring a bottle wherever you go.

Make a shopping list
If you are doing food shopping at your destination make a shopping list before you go. Making a grocery list before you go to the store can help limit unnecessary buying and avoid forgetting items that can help you stick to what makes you feel great.

Plan your day
Try to Stick to your usual eating habits when possible. I make sure to plan ahead and pack healthy snacks or meals for the beach or the flight there. I also try to pack a fruit, vegetable, and snack to help me stick to my normal habits that make me feel great.

Splurge once a day
It’s fine to enjoy special treats when you’re on vacation. If you are in Paris, you might want a fresh-baked croissant from the bakery. If you are on a road trip with the kids, you might want to stop at the ice cream stand for a homemade indulgence. The trick is to monitor your portions, eat slowly and savor every bite—and don’t feel guilty—just enjoy.

Have fun and indulge when you feel the time is right. Vacations are about enjoying yourself and making memories with each other. While creating a healthy eating plan is important, so is treating yourself every once in a while. Savor the time with your family. These will be the memories everyone will remember for years to come—so make the most of your time together.

Relax
Between catching flights, recovering from jet lag, being aware of new surroundings, and of course, family; traveling can be stressful and exhausting. Stress and lack of sleep mean that our cortisol levels will be higher and our sugar cravings will peak. Taking deep breaths can help keep you grounded.

Be gentle with yourself and remember that vacations fly by quickly, so make sure to enjoy non-food related fun and activities. Try your best to eat healthy on vacation and know that every meal and every movement is a chance to practice self-care.

Laura Shammah MS, RDN has a masters degree in health and nutrition and is a registered dietitian. She has been operating her own private practice in both New York and NJ for over 20 years. She is happily married and has four children.

CLEMENT SOFFER

JOSEPH SOFFER A”H WAS BORN IN 1906 IN THE KHAN KHALIL NEIGHBORHOOD IN CAIRO, EGYPT. HIS FATHER, REUBEN SOFFER WAS BORN IN BAGDAD, IRAQ AND EMIGRATED TO CAIRO WHERE HE WORKED AS A MERCHANT. HIS MOTHER SIMHA WAS BORN IN ALBANIA AND EMIGRATED WITH HER FAMILY TO JERUSALEM AND ULTIMATELY EGYPT.

In 1931 he married Rachel Sultan A”H. Together they had 4 children: Allegra Mizrahi, Clement Soffer, Marcelle Zeit and Robert Soffer. In 1952 he was appointed controller of the accounting department for the Egyptian division of Ralph Pontremoli and Sons, which was the largest high quality furniture firm in the Middle East and was owned by a prominent Italian-Jewish family. The family lived a very nice religious and comfortable life in Egypt until President Nasser came into power and nationalized all Jewish businesses. This led to the persecution of the Jewish people. Allegra married in 1950 and moved with her husband to Israel.

Coming to America: In 1956, Clement left after being arrested for helping the Jews escape. Joseph and the remainder of the family fled in 1958 together with most of the Jews. When leaving Egypt refugees were only allowed five Egyptian pounds each, which was at the time the equivalent of $20. So after living a very comfortable life, the family left with a total of $80. The family traveled to France where they were housed by Hias and fed from a soup kitchen. They waited 10 months for their American visas to arrive. Robert celebrated his bar mitzvah in Paris.

In 1959 the family finally arrived in New York and Joseph was able to start his blessed life again. He was successful both in his business and religious life. He became one of the founders and early president of Congregation Ahaba Ve Ahva on 67th Street, as well as the controller for Joujou Designs. Unfortunately, his wife took ill and passed away in 1965.

Oseh Sedakot: After a health scare in 1979, he pledged to open a charity fund if he was healed and so he established a Sedaka U’Marpeh which proceeded to help hundreds of struggling families in Israel for over 40 years and continues to this day. That was followed a few years later by Or Yosef Foundation which was established to help Kollelim and Yeshivot. He passed away on December 12, 2003, 18 Kislev 5754.

Joseph’s legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren and the great institutions he established. His son Clement has served as lay leader in many communities throughout his life and Robert is a mainstay in Congragation Ahaba Ve Ahva of Brooklyn.

The above biography was posted on a special display at Congregation Ahaba Ve Ahva of Ocean Parkway to commemorate the Yahrzeit of Joseph Soffer A”H. The display was part of its ongoing Heritage program led by Rabbi Jack Savdie. The program aims to commemorate the lives of our great Hachamim and lay leaders, and their contributions to the community. Zechutam Yagen Alenu.