FOLLOWING THE SUCCESS OF LAST YEAR’S INAUGURAL SEASON, CAMP SIMCHA WITHOUT BORDERS RETURNED TO DEAL FOR ANOTHER INCREDIBLE SUMMER. ON JULY 6, THE DEAL COMMUNITY WELCOMED A GROUP OF CHAI LIFELINE GIRLS WITH SERIOUS ILLNESSES FOR A DAY OF FUN, AS PART OF ITS INAUGURAL SESSION OF “SIMCHA AT THE SHORE.” THE BOYS ARE SCHEDULED TO VISIT ON AUGUST 3, AND ARE EXCITEDLY AWAITING THE DATE.

The event on July 6 was generously hosted by Jamie and Ricky Cohen, with special thanks to Lee and Lillian Cohen, Ike and Rosie Seruya, and Victor and Loraine Shalam. Campers enjoyed a range of activities, including rides in luxury cars, delicious food, and a rocking concert by Uri Davidi.

Launched in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, Camp Simcha Without Borders was developed to safely bring the magic of Simcha, Chai Lifeline’s flagship summer program for children with life-threatening and lifelong illnesses, to communities across the country. Camp Simcha Without Borders operates day camps and hosts special events in all of Chai Lifeline regions across the country.

“To provide a moment of joy in anyone’s life is something that is incumbent upon each of us,” said Ricky Cohen.

Jeff and Rachel Sutton added “For the children of Chai Lifeline, a day like this is a beacon of light in a time of darkness. It’s the least we can do to help these warriors along their journeys.”

Last year more than 1,200 children around the world took part in Camp Simcha Without Borders programming.

“It’s been a very difficult year for many kids,” said Jack Tabbush, director of Camp Simcha Without Borders. “For children with serious illness, summer—and Simcha—cannot come fast enough.”

He added, “It was really incredible to watch how the Deal community welcomed the opportunity to assist these children. The sheer exuberance and joy on the kids’ faces expressed it all. The chance to be a kid, to have fun, to have a normal childhood is most important, and I’m grateful we can help make that a reality.”

SOPHIA FRANCO, PHOTOS BY RACHEL MISHANIEH PHOTOGRAPHY

THE OTHER DAY AS I DROVE DOWN MAIN STREET IN ALLENHURST, I NOTICED A HUGE CROWD IN THE DISTANCE. AS I GOT CLOSER, I SAW THE YELLOW T-SHIRTS AND HEARD YAAKOV SHWEKEY SINGING MY SONG ON FULL BLAST. A SMILE BROKE OUT ACROSS MY FACE, WIDE AND STRONG AND REAL; FROM MY HEART.

I jumped out of the car at the Special Children’s Center Lemonade Stand and the kids ran towards me, hugging and kissing me and singing, “I can be stronger,” over and over again. This is love. This is happiness. And this is pure.
Over the years I have learned that while the care of special kids is intricate and exhausting, these amazing children need one thing to thrive. That one thing is love, and at The Special Children’s Center, they get it by the busload. During COVID, we lost so much, but stop for a moment and imagine what it was like for the families of these kids. While most of us were at home, watching Netflix and giving ourselves spa treatments in our bedrooms, the needs of these kids did not dissipate. Twenty-four hour a day care is exactly that. The powers that be at the Special Children’s Center understood this thoroughly, and did not stop for a moment.

WE RISE, LIKE THE SUN
Chaya Bender, co-founder of the Center explained, “We really never closed. Not for a minute. The first couple of weeks were so hard—we sent the families care packages, activities to do with the kids, DVD’s, DVD players, and arts and crafts. I remember that the first of these packages was sponsored by Monique Chera for the refua shelama of her father in law, Stanley Chera A”H. Marc Sitt and his friends sponsored another batch of goodies. I vividly recall standing outside a toy store, begging to be let in. No one was open; it was nuts. Yaakov Shwekey did Facetime calls with each of the kids, he gave impromptu Zoom concerts, and offered the children the love and attention they craved. We had to get creative, but we figured it out. By Passover, we realized that the moms needed some TLC; they were truly at their wit’s end. We sent beauty products, books, slippers, and a heartfelt letter validating their struggles. The overwhelming response from the parents, was, ‘Yes…yesss! Someone really understands what we are going through!’ And as soon as there was a small window visible, our doors opened once again.”

In September 2020, schools were still closed, but the Special Children’s Center in Brooklyn had their doors wide open, with Dina Grafstien at the helm. Jenine Shwekey, co-founder of the Center, explained, “There was no way these kids could stay at home even one more day; it was not a choice. The parents would not have been able to function. But finding staff was a real struggle, as many parents would not let their girls come in. Then there was so much back and forth; opened – closed – opened – closed. There were some crazy days, and that lasted all year long. The Center is really supposed to be a respite, for after school and weekends, but during COVID, when we could, we ran all day, from morning till night.”

SHOOTING STARS
At the Center, it’s a partnership between the staff and the families every step of the way. Parents drop off their babies each day knowing that they will be cared for there, like nowhere else. At the end of the day they are met with positivity, hope and growth. “She had the best day,” the teachers will say. And she did!

Today, the Center is a touchstone for special parents, and they call early on for support and understanding. The Day Care program is available for children from birth until three years old. The progress these parents see in their kids is second to no other program in the world. Shani Gross, program director described, “They come in with these tiny newborns; tense and afraid, and they walk out calm. We give them such comfort and the confidence to go home, love their babies and themselves, and live a normal life. They can say, ‘ I’m not alone—and they can breathe, sometimes for the first time in a long time.’

UNBREAKABLE
On some days, the Center will open its doors for a newborn and on others, it will be for a 30 year old. Unfortunately, it’s not that different. Jenine continued, “When a special child is born there is so much unknown, so much fear in the parent’s eyes. As these children grow, our love grows exponentially, but the fear does not go away. Each chapter is a new beginning, a rebirth, and a whole new flood of emotions. As children become adults the mothers continue to hope for something more; ‘maybe if we do more speech or more physical therapy…’ but there is a point where the child takes the lead and the hope is for an enriched life. Here at the Center we find that something amazing happens when you treat these kids like adults. We’re still coaching and helping them learn to grow, but we are focused on showing our special adults just who they are, and what they can do.”

Chaya Bender added, “We have been working so hard on every detail of getting the new building finished! And when you see what we’ve done you will understand how we’ve been growing alongside our community. Here, we are catering to the special adults. We have a huge culinary arts training center, teaching everyday skills and food prep. These are lessons that will truly serve these kids, especially in our new Café, that will be run by them and for them! Already, our team of special adults are cooking for each of our five group homes. They prepare the food, separate and label it, count it, and make sure it goes to the correct house. In this way they feel responsible and capable. With the new Café, we’ll have coffee, drinks, salads and more, and the staff’s duties will expand to stock replenishment, inventory and customer service. We believe this accountability and trust is essential for the growth of our special adults. It’s crazy; we aren’t thinking of these ideas; our community is demanding them!”

Jeff Sutton, real estate developer and loving dad of Frieda Sutton, said, “I watched firsthand as my daughter developed a sense of purpose, accomplishment, camaraderie, and self-esteem. There is nowhere in the world like this Center.”

NEW BEGINNINGS
The Special Children’s Center has become a campus; it is big, beautiful and alive, like a children’s museum. The stunning two-storied glass lobby is bright, cheerful and inviting. The lights overhead give an ombrè effect—warm, and full of soft color. And the walls are singing! They are colorful, vibrant and happy, like the children who walk between them. Jenine continued, “We look forward to a ribbon cutting very soon, and we are really almost there!” At a recent fundraiser at Vornado offices, Haim Chera, Center advocate, spoke to the donors, “This is not a choice; this building has to be finished, and it has to be finished to perfection.” These words echo those of his father, Stanley Chera A”H, who promised the completion of this project on the day he first entered the Center, almost ten years ago. “These are G-d’s children,” Stanley would say, “and it is our responsibility to love, protect and nurture them.”

Shani Gross added, “Jenine and Chaya are fundraising every day, and in between, they are choosing tiles and paint colors; buying equipment for new physical therapy rooms and mapping out floor plans for a music room that will rival any Broadway stage. Here, the children will flourish like never before!”

Jenine chimed in, “When you see the kids with Yaakov, it’s clear that every child responds to music. They will now learn beats and skills—in a professional way—in the new Adele Hanover Performing Arts Program. This is something they can all connect with, and enjoy. That, and the new Café will be the shining stars of the new building, and will make all the difference in the world for our kids. We cannot wait.”

AND FINALLY, THE CONCERT!
After a year and a half of Covid related quiet, we are all chomping at the bit for some good, old-fashioned fun. We can’t wait to get out, dance and be happy—and the time is now! On Tuesday, August 17th at 7:30 pm, join us at DSN as Yaakov Shwekey lights up the beach in Deal, New Jersey with an Electric Concert. Come early, and join the special children as we rock the house for what will surely be a magical evening. You, too, can be a part of the Center’s growth, and help to put smiles on the faces of the best kids in the world. Steve Rosenberg, Center supporter, asked this question to friends of the Center, “How many causes can you support knowing full well that your creator is giving you a standing ovation?” For more information, to donate or to buy tickets, visit TheCenterNJ.org.

Sophia Franco, 53, is a mom and grandmother who has been feeding her love of reading and writing for as long as she can remember through poetry, community journalism, and songwriting. She has written many songs with Yaakov Shwekey but the first, I Can Be, has become an anthem for the Special Children’s Center and the community at large.

MARCH 2020, AS WE ALL KNOW, SAW AN ABRUPT CHANGE TO LIFE AS WE KNEW IT. CHILDREN STOPPED GOING TO SCHOOL, THERAPY WAS CANCELED, SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WERE NONEXISTENT AND WE STRUGGLED TO CREATE SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALCY AMONGST THE CHAOS.

The repercussions of this on the social emotional wellbeing and development of our children was significant. Zoom sessions proved to be extremely challenging specifically for the younger population. Heavy use of technological devices with minimal social interactions caused significant social and developmental delays for many children, and the lack of structure and learning hindered normal function and progress.

As the summer came and more venues started opening up with caution, Bridge Linx was prepared to help meet the new challenges now facing the children. Schools were opening. Many new families were moving to the Jersey shore, flooding the schools and making it more difficult to meet the individual needs of these students. And many students needed help getting back on track and bridging the gaps and deficits they now faced.

Over the summer, Bridge was in full gear offering therapy services, working closely with the community schools, and evaluating many new students to set up individual plans to ensure their success transitioning into school.

Bridge Linx offers therapy services including OT, PT, Speech and Social Behavior therapy to school aged children. Therapies are offered in our state of the art facility as well as in some community schools. We work closely with the child’s parents and school to ensure the goals are carried over and met. Many mainstream and bright students are challenged with specific deficits that need to be addressed in order to succeed and thrive. Following are some examples of areas that typical therapy may cover.

Speech and Language

Much of the learning environment is dependent on good language skills. These would include being able to follow directions and to follow and comprehend an oral lesson. In addition, proper note taking, including understanding the main idea and supporting details as well as sequencing events, are important skills. Proper social interactions involve processing the environment and expectations as well as communicating appropriately and effectively. Speech and language therapy can help children struggling in these areas.

Occupational Therapy (OT)

The way a child functions and completes his daily chores involves many OT skills. These would include dressing, manipulating toys and objects, copying from a board, handwriting, tracking with the eyes and coordination. Some other areas would be core strength and sensory processing. OT services can help a child function better in the classroom by improving these skills.

Physical Therapy

PT targets gross motor movement. These would include balance and strength, coordination, safety awareness and specific muscle strengthening and movement.

Social Behavior

Sometimes children have trouble functioning in school settings for various reasons. Some of the goals and areas worked on to help them in this area would include emotional regulation, organizational skills, following directions and routines, social expectations, and problem solving. Social Behavior therapy is provided in the school setting, and coordinated with the classroom teacher and parents to ensure that the goals are followed up and met. This Social Behavior program has enabled many students to succeed in the mainstream yeshivah environment and not have to attend self-contained or public school programs in order to meet their needs.

Bridge Linx continues to grow and meet the needs of the children in the community. We are a nonprofit therapy center and work with most insurances. We also offer private scholarships as needed so that we can ensure every child gets the help they need regardless of financial ability.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW TO VOTE IN THE JUNE 22 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY ELECTION.

VOTING IS NOT ONLY A RIGHT, BUT A CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY. THE SCF, ALONG WITH OTHER PROMINENT ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERSHIP HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR EVERYONE TO BE REGISTERED AS DEMOCRATS SO THAT WE MAY ALL HAVE A VOTE IN THIS CRUCIAL PRIMARY.

Here is all you need to be ready:

1. You must be registered to Vote (as a Democrat).

2. If you are unable to vote in person or you will be out of town on Election Day (June 22, 2021), request an Absentee Ballot, or participate in Early Voting.

What’s “Early Voting”?

Early voting runs from June 12 to 20.
Essentially, you can vote early, in person, at a site that is set up for this purpose. You can find your early voting site at findmypollsite.vote.nyc. Your site will have its hours posted there.
Note that the link above will display both regular AND early voting sites

What’s an absentee ballot?

An absentee ballot is a way to vote without going to the polls on Election Day. It is often referred to as “voting by mail”, but you can also drop an absentee ballot off at a voting site or the Board of Elections office. You don’t NEED to mail it in.

Because of the pandemic, ANYONE can request an absentee ballot this year.
In March 2020, state lawmakers passed a law that said a voter’s concern over spreading or getting COVID-19 counts as a “temporary illness” when requesting an absentee ballot. That means that anyone can still claim “temporary illness” as a reason to request an absentee ballot, regardless of the availability of vaccines or any other factors that may have changed since last year.

How do I request an absentee ballot?

You can request an absentee ballot at www.nycabsentee.com, or by calling 1-866-VOTE-NYC.

When can I request an absentee ballot? (And when is the deadline to do so?)

You can request one any time before June 15 to vote in the June 22 primary.
But an important note: The deadline to request an absentee ballot may change to June 7, so best to request before then.

When can I expect to get my ballot in the mail?

Even though you can make the request right now to get an absentee ballot, you won’t get your ballot in the mail until at least the last week of May. That’s because Board of Elections officials are still determining which candidates will be on the ballot, and they have a policy to not send out ballots until 32 days before the election.

What do I need to know when filling out my absentee ballot?

You want to make sure you fill out your ballot correctly when you vote absentee. An error could get your ballot thrown out. This year, with ranked choice voting, be careful not to rank two candidates in the same column. That’s called over voting, and it makes your ballot invalid.
With ranked choice voting, you’ll be choosing up to five candidates in order of your preference. The SCF has provided our recommendations on a full page tear out in this month’s issue. To learn more about ranked choice voting, and how it works, please visit nyccfb.info/nyc-votes/ranked-choice-voting/

When mailing your ballot, keep these things in mind:

• After you fill out your ballot, put it in what’s called the oath envelope (the smaller one with the signature line). Then, sign the outside of the oath envelope and put it in the mailing envelope.

• The mailing envelope will be pre-addressed to your county board of elections office, but you need to use your own stamps.

• Campaign Finance Board officials recommend putting three stamps on just to be safe.

• You need to mail your ballot by the day before Election Day. As long as it has a postmark on or before June 21, you’re good.

But you don’t have to mail it. Here’s what to do to drop it off.

You can drop off your absentee ballot at ANY board of elections office, ANY early voting poll site or any election day poll site up until when the polls close on election day. Note: You can also drop off absentee ballots for other people, as long as they’re properly signed and sealed.

You can find your regular polling place at findmypollsite.vote.nyc

What if I decide I want to vote in person but I already requested an absentee ballot?

That’s OK! You can still vote early or on election day in person even if you requested an absentee ballot.

One more time, these are the key dates:

• Request your absentee ballot to be extra safe by
  June 7.
• Mail your absentee ballot by June 21, or drop it off by the time polls close on primary day, June 22.

Need to figure out who your current elected officials are? Visit mygovnyc.org.

OUR COMMUNITIES ARE HURTING. OUR FAMILIES HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, MANY BUSINESSES ARE ON THE BRINK OF BANKRUPTCY, SENIORS AND PEOPLE WITH UNDERLYING CONDITIONS ARE STILL TRYING TO RECEIVE A VACCINE NOT FAR FROM THEIR HOMES. HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNSAFE STREETS HAVE CREATED A SENSE OF HOPELESSNESS AND CYNICISM OVER THE ABILITY OF OUR STATE AND CITY AUTHORITIES TO SUCCESSFULLY GUIDE US OUT OF THIS CRISIS.

I am running for City Council to represent the great communities of Southern Brooklyn because I am convinced that public service starts with a sincere desire to help people.

My family and I immigrated to the United States from Belarus in 1993. The very next day after our arrival, I showed up at the JCH of Bensonhurst and asked to volunteer. For the last 28 years, I volunteered as Vice President of the Holocaust Memorial Committee, served as a board member of the Association of East European Jewry, Bensonhurst Business Club, and other important non-profits.

With the help of my mother-in-law, my wife and I raised two beautiful children in Southern Brooklyn. I graduated Baruch College, City University of New York, with a Bachelor in Business Administration and worked for over 20 years as a journalist for Russian language TV, radio and newspaper. I also served as a community liaison for a US Congressman and later—for two City Comptrollers, representing them in Southern Brooklyn and helping local communities overcome the terrible consequences of Super Storm Sandy.

Since January 2020, I have been working as District Director of Operations for Councilman Mark Treyger. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I hosted multiple food and mask distributions across Southern Brooklyn, helped hundreds of people who lost their jobs to obtain their unemployment benefits, and coordinated private donations of food and PPE to Coney Island Hospital. I also supported small business owners by bringing them masks and sanitizers, promoting them on social media, and helping to connect them with Small Business Services.

In 2012, I was honored to be elected to the volunteer position of Democratic District Leader in the 45th Assembly District. Together with my partners, I founded Bay Democrats club that quickly became a strong voice for local communities. Our club hosted annual Jewish Community Leadership Award ceremonies and Holocaust memorial events, condemned BDS and the surge of anti-Semitic incidents in New York.

As District Leader representing a large segment of the Sephardic community, I supported the important work of many local non-for-profit organizations. As your councilman, I will fight to ensure that Sephardic Community Center, Sephardic Bikur Holim, Reach for The Stars, Harmony, The Morris I. Franco Cancer Center, and the Kings Highway Beautification Association are fully funded to meet the needs of the community. Also important—we need to fight in City Council and in the state legislature to provide financial relief to yeshivah families. I will always support and protect our yeshivahs.
In 2018, I endorsed the election of a highly qualified jurist, Gina Levy Abadi, to the Brooklyn Civil Court, and I am supporting her candidacy this year for her appointment as a Kings County Supreme Court Justice. Together with my friends, I hosted Israel Solidarity Rallies and have always stood up against hate and anti-Semitism.

Over the years, I have continuously supported our brave police officers and I categorically oppose the “Defund NYPD” movement. Fighting for public safety would be my priority in the City Council. I strongly oppose the construction of a new “motel” at Coney Island Avenue and Avenue T that might be easily converted into a homeless shelter. I will strongly oppose any property tax or water rate increases for homeowners. Homeowners should not be overlooked during the post-pandemic recovery. I will push the Department of Parks to commence the long overdue renovation of the McDonald Park ASAP.

It would be my honor to receive your support and your vote on Tuesday, June 22, during the Democratic Primary for City Council. Together we will overcome this terrible pandemic and its after affects—it is personal to me. I will never abandon our fabulous community and will serve you with dignity and perseverance.

Ari Kagan is a candidate for City Council in the 47th District (Coney Island, Gravesend, Bensonhurst) and Democratic District Leader in the 45th Assembly District.
Paid For By Ari Kagan 2021.

As we approach the holiday of Shavuot, I’m asking myself, What is this holiday about? What lessons can we learn and what are we going to accomplish? Shavuot celebrates the revelation of G-d and giving the Torah to the Jews about 3,300 years AGO, just after being taken out of slavery in Egypt. In fact, it’s the only event in history with a national revelation of godliness to an entire nation of approximately 3 million people.

You may ask, what does something that happened 3,300 years ago have to do with me today? Or, how do I connect to and commemorate this event? The truth is, Shavuot is not just celebrating this historical event; it’s actually a current event. We need awareness that the giving and receiving of the Torah continues. It’s happening again, right now, for all of us. Shavuot is a unique opportunity to tap into the spiritual DNA of accepting the Torah and Mitzvot and re-committing to it. As the Pasuk says, we bring a Mincha Chadasha (a new offering).

The holy Or H’Chayim teaches a powerful lesson from the story at Mt. Sinai that we can apply in our lives. First, Moshe began to ascend the mountain. Then, the Almighty spoke to him. We have a general rule, B’deresh Sh’adom Rotze Le’lech in the path a person chooses, they receive divine support in that direction (either in an upward or downward spiral). Moshe began, and the Almighty engaged. Whenever we want to grow and develop, we must set an intention and take a step toward our goal.

From Pesach to Shavuot, we counted down the 49 days of Sefirah to be worthy of receiving the Torah—building our character, improving, and upgrading relationships. Because this is required to be complete within and have unity. As the pasuk says, K’ish Echad, B’lev Echadm (a nation unified like one person with one heart.)
This process reminds me of the following: I’m currently working with a young man who used to be very overweight and depressed. He wakes up at 4:45 every morning to work out and get to Minyan (prayers) to ensure he has a good day, feels strong, and maintains a healthy weight. We discussed how he still felt miserable, confused, and so down on himself despite the intention and routine.

Together, we realized what was missing for him was celebration. He wasn’t celebrating his wins. His routine didn’t allow him to internalize his personal growth. He wasn’t valuing the weight loss, improved physique, or ability to interact with other people and the positive steps he was taking. We realized that he didn’t expect things to be better because he was stuck in the past. In a previous mindset, when times were difficult, his self-esteem was low, and his self-talk was negative. He wasn’t releasing the past and did not accept and embrace what has become the new him. He was disconnected from his journey and his new reality. The new experience he created, where he feels productive, alive, healthy, and strong—we now regularly celebrate this.

How do we celebrate Shavuot?

Pesach eat matzah, Succot shake the lulav, what do we do on Shavuot (besides eat cheesecake)? Many have the custom to stay up and study Torah subjects all night until Shacharit (morning prayer). Others say all of Tehillim (Psalms) because they were written by King David, whose Yahrzeit is on Shavuot. This is an application of internalizing the Torah on this holiday.

We read the Aseret Hadibrot (10 commandments) in the morning. In some communities, entire families, including tiny babies, make sure to attend synagogue to hear this portion because every Jew was present for this at Mt Sinai. One of the reasons why the Torah reader stands is because, “Every time we read from the Torah in the synagogue, it’s like we are receiving the Torah again.” In this vein, most people stand while the Dibrot are being read.

What’s the lesson?

We all have innate potential. One of the lessons from Shavuot is that we can harness our potential and bring it into reality through looking forward, visualizing, taking action, anticipating and expecting success.

Many of us feel or think that we can’t succeed because:

I’m not worthy
I’m not capable
It’s too difficult
I have stressors
I have disabilities
I failed last time I tried

Therefore, when it comes to studying Torah, parenting, work, running a company, interacting with people, or any initiative to move life forward, we don’t even try. We give up before we get started. We take the essence of humility, which is actually a necessary component to success, and we misappropriate it. Using it as an excuse to remain stuck and stay small. Sound familiar? Shavuot reminds us that everyone was unified in the entire community. Young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor—at Mt. Sinai, all were unified.

Together, we are stronger. We have a way to find ourselves and our path. Together, we can help each other when linked, interconnected, and working as one. It’s been said, we are like a bundle of reeds that you can’t crack. When it’s just a single reed alone, even a child can break it. We need to harness our combined strengths and operate as a bundle.
Shavuot is an opportunity to step out of the old and step into our new selves. However, if we don’t prepare, work on ourselves, develop, upgrade our perspectives, tools, and skills, we will not achieve our desired reality. Our dreams will fall flat.

This process isn’t about doing something wrong—it’s about doing something right. The simplest, easiest thing we can do for Shavuot is commit to some form of Torah study. Maybe, you didn’t have a set study time or missed prayers. Perhaps you did and fell off the schedule. Maybe, for you, it’s prayer or Tehillim every day. You can commit to a certain number of words, pages, chapters of Psalms that you will say every day, no matter what. Perhaps, you thought you could not study the next level, be it Chumash, Mishneh, Gemara or Halacha, and now you can and will. You are not the same person you were last year or two years ago. You are new and you’re able to do more. You can partner with someone to help and support you because together, you are more resilient.

Guarantee a change in your life and upgrade your reality. What are you committing to this Shavuot?

As the difficult time of COVID-19 continued to limit travel, many seminaries and yeshivahs were unsure what to do for Pesach. Lucky for me, Midreshet Eshel, my home since September, decided to create their own Pesach program for all the girls, and it was an incredible and eye opening experience.

We were taken on an overnight trip to Mitzpe Ramon which was packed with fun activities. Our group was treated to the most beautiful views of giant craters, with the knowledge of thousands of years of history behind them. At night we went skygazing in the middle of the desert and it was absolutely beautiful to see millions of stars covering the sky.
After this overnight, we were able to visit Kever Rachel and Maarat Hamachpela and actually entered our Patriarch Yitshak Avinu’s tomb which is closed during the year. Margo Goldstein recalled the trip as, “a very spiritual experience being in the same place where the greatest people of Tanach are buried. At each grave, we prayed meaningfully and felt very connected to our heritage.”

We also visited the city of Shiloh, where the tabernacle stood for 369 years. The girls sang Hallel together among the remnants of the tabernacle, as well as where Chanah prayed silently to have a son.
Our amazing tour guide used the Tanakh as the basis of his explanations and made the text come to life in such an awe-inspiring way. Paula Guindi said, “We got to visit a replica of the Mishkan which is now a functioning shul. We also stopped at many sites along the way, including the rocks where Yaakov Avinu had his dream of the ladder and angels ascending and descending in Beit-El.” A few more trips helped us strengthen the connection to our beautiful, inspiring, and historical land, Eretz Israel.

After all the trips, we had the most unique and interactive Seder I’ve ever been a part of. Audrey Sutton wrote the following detailed summary of what our Pesach Seder looked like: a Seder in the heart of the holy city of Jerusalem, minutes away from the Kotel—and future Beit Hamikdash—what could be better than that? Our very own Midrasha classroom was covered in blue drapes decorated with seashells and bright blue pearls hanging from the ceiling to create an under the sea theme. A huge Moroccan carpet covered the floor along with many mattresses where we sat during the Seder. Everyone wore blue to match the under sea theme and prepared ourselves to run and greet Moshiach and Eliahu Hanavi by the Beit Hamikdash.

Before the Seder even began, we all shared our own “Egypts” that we wanted to escape from this year. This included anything we struggled with or were bothered by that we didn’t want to take along with us in the future. After sharing, we all walked out onto the terrace through two rows of tables decorated to look like the split sea, and imagined ourselves leaving behind all of those issues. When we walked back into the classroom, our teacher Nili who joined us for the Seder, surprised us with costumes all related to the story of Pesach and the 10 plagues. The group dressed up and truly felt as if we were living the story of Pesach.

When the Seder began, each of us chose one part of the Haggadah to tell a Dvar Torah on. This really helped us connect to the Seder and understand the text in ways we never did before.
Because all of us come from different backgrounds and have different customs and tunes from our families back at home, we had the ability to bring them all together and enjoy a unique and international Seder. We took the Syrian custom of saying “Misharotam,” and holding the bag of matzah over our shoulder, a Morrocan custom of swinging the Passover platter around our heads, and a Persian custom of hitting each other with scallions during Dayenu.These customs really helped keep us engaged in the Seder, and made us feel as if we were home.

As we read about the plagues, Nilli (who brought all different props with her) brought them to life. We had red slime to imitate the blood that took over Egypt. Little pieces of heart confetti thrown into our hair for lice, and so on for each of the plagues. When the time came to finally have our first piece of matzah, we took a few minutes of silence to really take in the moment. As we ate the matzah, we pictured ourselves being freed from everything we struggled with. Sitting there, just simply eating matzah, was a powerful experience.

After our meal, we went on a scavenger hunt around the school looking for the afikoman. Then it was time to welcome Eliyahu Hanavi. We all lit candles and walked around the entire Jewish portion of the Old City, singing songs about Eliyahu to give him a nice and proper welcome. If our candles went out, our friends would relight them for us. That was a deep and powerful lesson we were able to take for life. We, as Am Yisrael, will always be there to help each other and spread our light in times of need.

We got back to the classroom, sang songs and had some classes about the Red Sea, and before we knew it, there were two hours till sunrise. A group of us sang and danced around the classroom keeping ourselves awake and having a great time until sunrise when we walked down to the Kotel and prayed.

This was a Pesach experience like no other; one I will always cherish. I intend to bring the lessons, customs, and ideas I have learned and experienced Beezrat Hashem to my own home in the future.

There is a long list of attributes career coaches discuss when advising clients. Talent is discussed but that can always be developed. Integrity, discipline, and resilience are not discussed often enough, but they are qualities that can certainly impact a person’s trajectory towards a successful career. Clients and coaches always focus on current skills. One strategic question that directly impacts continued success might be, “What skills can be learned next?”

What actually delivers opportunity? What puts a person in a place of choice? What moves you towards better earnings and overall success? Skills.

Just as you have legs that move you towards a local destination, and a car moving you on longer distance journeys, skills are the vehicle that moves you onward and upward throughout your career. Just as eating creates energy, or putting gasoline or electricity in your car makes it go, you must continually acquire skills to keep moving forward professionally. Skills fuel your career.

There are both hard and soft skills. Some skills that were once important are no longer useful and new ones are continually emerging and demand acquisition because they have become essential to growth.

Soft skills are often overlooked but paramount in getting ahead at work. Being able to recognize and manage your own emotions, and your relationships with others is key. Playing well with others is not only essential to workers; if you run your own business, it allows you to evoke better results from employees.

Historically, the most basic of these soft skills were learned naturally as a part of growing up. We learned by communicating face-to-face with parents; then we learned in the sand box: then school: then the larger world. Today, because so much human interaction is done through technology, and so much focus has been lost to staring at a screen, younger people don’t have the requisite experience with face-to-face communication. They must put effort in honing those ‘people reading’ skills and many do.

You might not know when opportunity will knock, but you can position yourself to take advantage when it shows up. Communication skills both aural, oral and written must be constantly upgraded. You can learn in school or on your own.
Listening skills are barely taught but are so valuable. You’d be surprised how much insight one can gain by observing. Reading well-written books may not only improve your vocabulary but your sentence phrasing as well.

Effective speaking can deliver better results on interviews and on the job. Toastmasters International is a non-profit devoted to improving speaking skills. They have groups everywhere. Those considering an upgrade in verbal communication might consider familiarizing themselves with the Toastmasters mission. Find a group that fits your style and be prepared to learn and enjoy at the same time.

Anything is possible if you have a growth mindset and can commit to being a life-long learner.
Our brains have a wonderful capacity for passive learning. We can pick up skills painlessly through association. We are affected by our surroundings so we can improve by exposing ourselves to excellent influences. Take advantage.

One cannot speak about skills without mentioning technology. Do not underestimate the continual unfolding opportunities in technology and not just in e-commerce. A World Economic Forum report says that by 2025 time spent on tasks by machines and humans will be equal but that 97 million jobs will be created globally. To remain relevant in an automated world, employees will need to learn new skills to suit the new technological landscape.

There are some serious skill-building initiatives in the technology sector being promoted by Microsoft, Amazon and Google. Some are cost free to participants, but you have to be seriously committed. Others have a modest cost.
The American business magazine, Fast Company, has described these initiatives recently:
“Microsoft Corp said this year that it aims to place 50,000 people in jobs that require technology skills as part of a broader push being undertaken with its professional networking website LinkedIn to help workers affected by the coronavirus pandemic move into new fields.” LinkedIn made free many of its digital skills training courses, covering topics such as software development, data analysis and financial analysis. LinkedIn announced it will extend the free courses until the end of this year.” Microsoft and LinkedIn had aimed to get 25 million people to try the courses and that the figure has already hit 30.7 million, most from the United States but with many from almost every other part of the world.”

Investigate Amazon’s Tech Academy. “The program, part of Amazon’s $700 million investment in upskilling, is open to any nontechnical employee (such as truck drivers and warehouse maintenance staff). It provides intensive reskilling with the goal of hiring students as Amazon software developers. Participants have gone on to be successful members of Amazon’s technical teams.”

Fast Company reiterates what we have read for the past few years. “Even before the pandemic, young developers in particular utilized nontraditional learning: In early 2020, 71% of Gen Z developers reported using YouTube to learn new coding skills. Now, coding boot camps are reporting historic enrollment surges.”

Google has partnered with Coursera, the online learning platform, to offer Google Career Certificates through self-paced courses in data analytics, project management, UX Design and IT Support. The program charges a modest $40 per month and is self-paced so that depending on your personal timeline it can be a low cost skill builder with a great return on your investment.

I’m a believer that you must strive to thrive. Get ready to bloom by adding new fuel to your career journey. Information about these programs is easily accessible. Look online, read about these programs and of course, contact PROPEL for guidance and support.

BEFORE THE 1900’S, PEOPLE USED VEGETABLE STARCH AND APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO CLEANSE THEIR SCALP AND REMOVE EXCESS OIL. IN 1930, JOHN BRECK INTRODUCED THE FIRST LIQUID SHAMPOO IN THE US. IT CONTAINED 14 INGREDIENTS, COMPARED TO 24 IN MOST SHAMPOOS TODAY.

Breck shampoo became extremely popular in the following decades, due to advertisements that featured up-and-coming celebrities like Brooke Shields, Christie Brinkley, and Cybill Shepherd.

The main message of these campaigns was you must shampoo multiple times a week if you want to have healthy hair. Other companies began to jump on the bandwagon, and the shampoo industry exploded.
Shampoo is the most basic part of your hair routine, and can be the most complicated. If you identify your hair’s most pressing needs and understand the ingredients that best address them, you will be lead to the perfect formula for you.

WHAT IS SHAMPOO AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

Today, shampoo is usually a liquid. Your typical formula contains surfactants—like sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate—which emulsify oil and dirt on the hair and scalp. The loosened debris is then swept away when the hair is rinsed. Most formulas contain some kind of preservative to inhibit microbial growth, and some have fragrance to provide that fresh-from-the-salon smell.

HOW TO USE SHAMPOO CORRECTLY

Believe it or not, there is a right and wrong way to shampoo your hair. In order to get the most out of your wash, first drench hair with water. The wetter the hair, the less shampoo you will need. Take about a tablespoon of shampoo into your hands and begin applying it to your scalp. Concentrate your shampoo on your scalp because that is where most oil is produced and most noticeable. Lightly wash through the rest of your hair. Avoid piling hair on top of your head when lathering up—you’ll create tangles. Simply massage in an up and down or side to side motion with the tips of your fingers. Once your scalp is scrubbed, rinse thoroughly. If you hold a section of your hair it should squeak a little when you run your fingers over it. Chemists at TRI Princeton found that rinsing with cold water did not increase sheen. If you use conditioner, apply a little on the ends and continue rinsing.

WHAT TYPE OF SHAMPOO SHOULD YOU USE?

Choose your shampoo according to your hair type: normal, oily, dry, or silky. Some shampoos specialize in removing dandruff, others can help straighten hair, while other shampoos create volume. Only a small group need to shampoo daily, those with fine hair, someone that exercises a lot, or someone with very oily hair. The thicker your hair, the less you need to shampoo.

TYPES OF SHAMPOO

• Regular: Designed for those who don’t have any specific needs.
• Clarifying: Removes stubborn buildup, do not use when dyeing hair
• Anti-Breakage
• Purifying
• Dry
• Moisturizing
• Volumizing
• Dandruff

That said, there are eight billion shampoos on the market and sifting through to find your match is a massive undertaking.

INGREDIENTS TO AVOID IN YOUR SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER

• Sulfates: Help a shampoo strip oil and dirt away from the hair. However, the hair needs to retain a bit of its natural moisture and oils to stay healthy. Sulfates may strip away too much moisture, leaving the hair dry and unhealthy and the scalp dry and prone to irritation.
• Parabens
• Polyethylene Glycol
• Formaldehyde
• Synthentic Fragrances And Colors
• Dimethicone
• Retinyl Palmitrate

The most popular shampoo

Head & Shoulders is the most sold shampoo in the world. They sell 29 million bottles per year!

THE TOP 3 SHAMPOOS OF 2021 FOR ALL HAIR TYPES

• Pureology Strength Cure Strengthening Shampoo
• Paul Mitchell Lemon Sage Thickening Shampoo
• L’Oreal Paris Frizz-Defy Shampoo.

DO YOU HAVE INFREQUENT AND IRREGULAR PERIODS OR EXCESS FACIAL OR BODY HAIR? IF SO, YOU MAY BE SUFFERING FROM POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS), WHICH IS A HORMONAL DISORDER COMMON AMONG WOMEN OF REPRODUCTIVE AGE, ALTHOUGH IT CAN BEGIN IN PUBERTY AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST MENSTRUAL PERIOD.

A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you experience at least two of the following symptoms:

• Irregular periods. Infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year, more than 35 days between periods and abnormally heavy periods.
• Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair, and occasionally severe acne and male-pattern baldness.
• Polycystic ovaries. Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.
Obesity is associated with PCOS and can worsen complications of the disorder.

See your doctor if you have concerns about your menstrual cycle, if you’re experiencing infertility, or excess facial hair. Take your daughter to the doctor if she is experiencing irregular periods followed by heavy ones, because PCOS is often overlooked in teens.

The exact cause of PCOS is not known. However, insulin resistance is a key feature of the disorder. Insulin is the hormone produced in the pancreas that allows cells to use sugar, your body’s primary energy supply. If your cells become resistant to the action of insulin, then your blood sugar levels can rise which can cause the body to produce more insulin. Excess insulin can increase androgen production, causing difficulty with ovulation.
Low grade inflammation also plays a part. This term is used to describe white blood cells’ production of substances to fight infection. Research has shown that women with PCOS have a type of low-grade inflammation that stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens, which can lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

Complications

PCOS can cause several complications including infertility, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, miscarriage or premature birth, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis—[a severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver.

Other complications high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase one’s risk of cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety and eating disorder, abnormal or uterine bleeding, or cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer).
Obesity is associated with PCOS and can worsen complications of the disorder.

To help decrease the effects of PCOS

• Maintain a healthy weight. Weight loss can reduce insulin and androgen levels and may restore ovulation.
• Be aware of carbohydrates. Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets might increase insulin levels.
• Be active. Exercise helps lower blood sugar levels. Do aerobic exercise and weight training. Yoga can improve insulin sensitivity.
• Eat high-fiber vegetables with every meal. Broccoli, kale, and spinach, can help combat insulin resistance and reduce inflammation.
• Eat lean protein at each meal.
• Sleep eight hours a night.
• Learn to meditate.
• Limit dairy to 2 servings day.

The goal of treatment for PCOS is to decrease symptoms, improve fertility and prevent health risks. For some medication is needed to improve metabolic and reproductive parameters.
Early detection of PCOS and treatment is essential. It can prevent excess weight gain, prevent infertility and reduce risks of chronic disease. Weight loss or prevention of weight gain is a main concern in treatment

If you need help finding the right doctor, with nutrition or anything else, contact A-TIME. You can visit their website at www.atime.org.