About Our Children, January 2016

OurChildren
Our
About
Useful Information for

the Next Generation
of Jewish Families
Survival
of the Fittest
Eat Right,
Move More
Life Lessons
for Parents
Supplement to The Jewish Standard January 2016
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First breath. First smile. First steps.
Treasured moments begin here.
The MotherBaby Center at Chilton Medical Center.

Whether you are planning to start a family or adding to one, Chilton Medical Center invites you to
begin this exciting journey with us. Our MotherBaby Center encourages moms-to-be to personalize
their birthing experience in a way that makes it memorable for the entire family. We offer private
rooms with personalized visiting hours, hydrotherapy for labor, a celebratory gourmet dinner and
a Moms spa. For special care, theres a Level II Nursery with board certified neonatologists and
pediatricians available 24/7. And with caring nurses, expert medical staff, and our seamless
connection to Morristown Medical Center, its no wonder why so many women choose to have
their babies here with us, close to home.
For more information about parent education classes, please call 973-831-5475.
For a referral to a Chilton Obstetrician

or Certified Nurse Midwife,
call 1-888-4AH-DOCS
or visit atlantichealth.org/chilton
2 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN JANUARY 2016
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OurChildren
About
January 2016
Healthy Habits Start at the Fridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

But they dont end there, says doctor
Make Fitness Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Finding the right sport or exercise
Curtain Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Theater, arts and performance
Putting it in Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Children and our responsibilities
Power of the Pencil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

The things you can learn from an eraser
Generation G. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
One Man Star Wars Trilogy
Daniel Tigers
Neighborhood Live!
Friday, Jan 15th 8pm
Sunday, Jan 24th 1pm & 4:30pm
Cesar Millan Live!
Mike Super:
Globetrotting grandparents hunt for souvenirs
Setting Rules and Limits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Tips to get your structure in place
Listings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Schools, after-school activities, and more
Do Children Need Spirituality? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Questions for author of new book
Paying Attention to ADHD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Going from victim to victorious
Gallery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Friday, Jan 29th 8pm
Magic & Illusion

Saturday, Feb 20 7:30pm
Pictures of our children
Top Choices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Great picks for January
Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Things to do this month
Simchas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..23
Celebrating our childrens milestones
Games People Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23

Batting back boredom
Winners of the Chanukah

Gift Giveaway!
Piff the Magic Dragon
Ladybug Girl and
Bumblebee Boy The Musical
March 10th 8pm
March 13th 1pm & 4pm
The Peking Acrobats
Clifford The Big Red Dog
Friday, April 8th 8pm
April 10th 1pm & 4pm
Sharon Golub, Hackensack Sigikid Teaching Monkey

Renee Kornbluth, West New York Shalom Sesame DVD set
Debbie Fox, Teaneck Maccabee on the Mantel
Miriam Stiefel, Englewood Bumble Seat
Shira Slasky, Tenafly Enough Already & Planet Matzo Ball DVDs
Susan Helft, Tenafly Pumpkin & Bean Gift Certificate
Rifki Helft, Englewood Tickets to see Daniel Tigers Neighborhood
Michael Rosenzweig, Fair Lawn Gift Certificate from Schnitzel+
Thanks to all who entered, and congratulations to our winners!
ABOUT OUR CHILDREN JANUARY 2016
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musings from the editor

C
alm creates good karma?

One of the famous Keep Calm versions
of the saying that adorn t-shirts, mugs and
other ephemera is Keep Calm and Let Karma
Finish.
Im not so sure if calm creates good karma,
because karma is actually the sum of a persons
actions in this and in previous states of existence,
which then is viewed as deciding their fate in future existences.
But calm may help decide the fate of your present existence following an incident, episode or one
of lifes hair-raising, emotion-rising dramas.
Keep Calm and Carry On the original saying certainly holds true as a would-be mantra for
my life. To respond and not to react is something
to which I aspire. Sometimes I can actually achieve
it, but more often than not, I keep aspiring. I like to
say I am keeping my aspirations high.
I am reminded of one episode of keeping calm
involving my kids, whom I will identify as Child#1
and Child#2 so as not to embarrass them.
Child#2 (not necessarily in birth order, but I
wont say) was about to go on a school trip. It was
the first out-of-town journey, not counting sleepaway camp. It was big deal to be with classmates,
to explore a brand new city, to stay in a hotel, to
take photographs, and to have fun and learn about
the history of the city. The trip was to Boston. And
the class was to travel by bus, a long journey from
our home. Of course, many of the students had
their devices packed along to occupy and entertain themselves on the long drive there.
Child#2 needed one, and didnt have the desired device. So Child #2 borrowed an iPod from
Child#1 with the caveat that Child#2 promise to be
really, really careful. That is, to not

lose, break or mess it up in any way.
With that condition agreed upon,
Child#2 took Child#1s iPod on the
trip.
Off Child#2 went to Boston, and
I awaited the return to be regaled
by stories and adventures.
When Child#2 returned, there
were plenty of stories and adventures to tell, but, alas, there was no
iPod! Oy!
Knowing how Child#2 would be
self-punishing, and knowing how
hard it was for Child#2 to make
sure that the iPod didnt disappear, I decided to be
very calm about the loss.
And furthermore, I asked Child#1 to do the
same. Not to berate Child#2.
Sure there would be plenty of time for lectures
or lessons about responsibility and care of objects, but somehow, I decided not to react, but to
respond, and not make Child#2 feel worse for the
wear.
Then I remembered a story I had read.
It was a tale about a wife, her diamond ring,
and her husband. It also involved a toilet bowl,
some faulty plumbing and her husbands attempt
at fixing their bathroom problem. The details of
the story elude me, but I do remember the wife losing her diamond ring, her precious diamond ring,
because of something that happened involving her
husband. I also remember the point of the story.
She kept her calm. She did not rail against him. She
did not scream. She did not have a hissy fit, but
reacted with understanding. Wow!
MissionStatement
OurChildren
James L. Janoff
Natalie Jay
Marcia Garfinkle
Peggy Elias
George Kroll
Karen Nathanson
Janice Rosen
Brenda Sutcliffe
Publisher
Associate Publisher
Heidi Mae Bratt
Editor
Deborah Herman
AdvisoryBoard
Art Director
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Michelle Brauntuch, MS,CCLS
Barry Weissman, MD
Child Life Specialist, Englewood Hospital, Englewood
Pediatrician, Hackensack and Wyckoff
Hope Eliasof
Cheryl Wylen
Howard Prager, DC, DACBSP
Holistic Chiropractor, Oakland
Advertising Director
Emuna Braverman
Slovie Jungreis-Wolff
Rabbi Dovid Rosman
Rifka Schonfeld
Ed Silberfarb
Denise Morrison Yearian
Contributing Writers
Account Executives
Jane Calem Rosen
Psychologist, Teaneck
Marriage and Family Therapist, Midland Park
Cheers,
About
About Our Children is designed to help Jewish families in our area live healthy, positive lives that make the most of
the resources available to them. By providing useful, current, accurate information, the publication aims to guide parents to essential information on faith, education, the arts, events, and child-raising in short, everything that todays
Jewish family, babies to grandparents, needs to live life to the fullest in northern New Jersey and Rockland County.
Dr. Annette Berger, Psy.D.
The punch line of that story

was that a few days later, she
found the diamond! She thought
it was gone, flushed away forever. But there it appeared (reappeared) at the bottom of the bowl.
Sure was thrilled to recover her
diamond, but she was even more
happy about how she behaved
toward her husband. How she
chose calm, instead of chaotic
drama. That she was actually able
to transcend her natural inclination and not freak out.
I remembered that story days
after Child#2s return from Boston.
I remembered that story when I was emptying out the blue travel bag packed with clothes.
Inside a small, slim, side pocket, a place I would
not normally check or look, there it was. The iPod!
Returned safe and sound. Actually, never lost in
the first place.
In fact, Child#2 put it away so well, that its
packing place was forgotten!
And then I wondered whether we found it because of karma.
Calm karma.
Director of Adult Programs and Cultural Arts

YM-YWHA of North Jersey, Wayne
About Our Children is published 11 times a year by the New Jersey/Rockland Jewish Media Group,
1086 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666; telephone: 201-837-8818; fax: 201-833-4959.;
e-mail: AboutOC@aol.com.
Dont Miss About Our Children in February

Published on January 29, 2016
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OurChildren
About
Healthier Habits Start at the Fridge

But Dont End There
H E I D I M A E B RAT T
ew year, new you.

We see it everywhere this
time of year. And since weve had
our Rosh Hashanah, we get a chance to
turn over a new leaf again in 2016. What
a great opportunity, especially when fitness and health concerns dominate the
headlines, to get your children, into a
healthier mode of eating well.
About Our Children consulted with
Dr. Sherry Sakowitz-Sukkar who is the
founder and director of Healthy LifeWays: Valleys Center For Pediatric Wellness and Weight Management at The
Valley Hospital, for her expertise on how
to get your children to eat better, move
more and start a healthier way to 2016.
About Our Children: What is the
best way to get children motivated to
eat healthier?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Involve them.
Grow vegetables in a garden together.
Bring them to a farmers market to go
shopping for fresh fruits and vegetables
and most importantly cook with them.
Make healthy the only choice in your
home and show them that nutritious is
delicious. Also, parents should be good
role models and want to eat healthy
themselves. Children tend to copy what
their parents are eating.
AOC: How can we motivate our children to move more?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Make moving
fun. Find things that your child enjoys
doing. Instead of calling it exercise, call
it play time. Make family time active.
Instead of watching television together,
go for a walk or bike ride.

Find little ways to move
more. Try taking the stairs
instead of elevators and
escalators and try parking your car in a parking spot that requires
you to walk a little extra.
Buy birthday presents or
holiday presents that that
encourage activity such as a bicycle, scooter, Frisbee or Fitbit.
AOC: How do we accomplish this
and not make them feel self-conscious,
especially girls who are prone to a negative body images because of societal
pressure and the media?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Establish
healthy routines early on and make
healthy eating and regular physical activity the norm in your home. This way,
your child wont feel self-conscious
because that is all they will have experienced. Unfortunately, in the case of
overweight children, weight bias usually starts at home. Many times its the
family members who make the child
feel inadequate due to their weight.
Try to send positive messages to your
child that you love them no matter what
size they are and that being healthy is
the most important thing. The best results come from family-based lifestyle
modification where everyone engages
in healthy habits such as daily exercise
and healthy eating together.
AOC: What are the best foods to
serve your children?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Real food. A
childs diet should be a combination of
fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, low-fat dairy, whole

grains and healthy fats.
Healthy beverages include water and low-fat
milk. While food shopping, stick to the periphery of the grocery
store. This is where the
real food hangs out.
AOC: What is the best way to
handle sugar and fat-laden treats?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: This is always
tricky. Its easy to restrict and not introduce these foods when your children
are young, but you are setting them up
for problems later when they are out on
their own. Research shows that children
whose treats are restricted eat more
of them and are heavier than they might
have been.
Children shouldnt feel as though
they are being deprived or restricted. Offer treats in moderation and limit what is
brought into the house. In the case of fatladen treats like chips or French fries, offer them as part of a meal as the starch.
The trick is to offer these items often
enough that your kids dont feel like it
is forbidden, but not making it available
all of the time. In the case of sweets or
items containing added sugars, its okay
to offer your child a dessert at night or a
treat during the day as long as they are
eating healthy meals. As a rule of thumb,
keep your childrens added sugar intake
to less than 4 to 5 teaspoons a day or
less that 20 grams.
AOC: In what other ways can we
stem childhood obesity?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Healthy habits

start at home. Your eating environment
plays such an important role in what
your children eat. Parents are the nutritional gatekeepers of the house. Dont
introduce your children to unhealthy
foods and unhealthy habits and dont
bring foods you dont think your child
should be eating into the house. Make
sure your child is active every day and
always gets a good nights sleep. Screen
time should be limited to less than two
hours per day and not right before bedtime. Limit fast food and eating out. Try
having more family dinners at home.
Make healthy food convenient. Put cut
up veggies and fruits in clear containers
in full view in front of the refrigerator.
Try eating on smaller plates and serve
food restaurant style. Eat only while sitting down and not in front of the TV. Never force your child to finish. Never praise
your child for finishing. Dont have them
join the Clean Plate Club.
AOC: Any other tips for a healthier
2016?
Dr. Sakowitz-Sukkar: Make sure
your child is eating three meals a day.
Read food labels. Avoid highly processed
foods. Beware of low-fat items; they are
usually loaded with sugar and make up
for the reduction of fat. Children dont
need to drink juice at any age. Its much
better to give them the real fruit. Children learn a huge amount about healthy
habits from watching and imitating their
parents. If you want your children to be
healthy, you must lead by example.
Heidi Mae Bratt is the editor of About Our
Children.
AOC-6
Making Fitness a Good Fit

and Fun for Your Children
ow do you make fitnessan essential component to health and

well-beinga regular part of your
childs life?
For some youngsters, its easy. They

naturally love sports: running, basketball, baseball, hockey, soccer, karate, and
dance, you name your sweat-inducing,
smile-inducing sport and theyre there.
Those are the easy ones. Then there are
the others who would prefer to exercise

their fingers on the keyboard and hang
out with laptops, iPads, iPhones, you
name it here, too. That could be a bit
more of a challenge, fitness-wise.
Luckily, in our area there are a plethora of fitness options for youngsters that
not only offer a wide variety of interests
and sports options to get our children
moving after school and on the weekends,
but also makes sure they have lots of fun.
For example, Northern Valley Sports
Academy in Closter has a smorgasbord
of options for youngsters from pre-K
through high school.
We offer a full sports facility with
many options such as basketball, soccer,
baseball, lacrosse to name a few, says
Jared Sapin, who works at Northern Valley Sports Academy as an instructor and
coach.
The facility offers a full range of
classes, including group fitness classes,
private lessons and individual instruction, in addition to high quality coaches, Mr. Sapin says.
Its a great way to let off steam after
school, he says. Its also very good for
kids to interact with other kids their own
age outside of the school setting.
If its the water that gets your children excited, the Glenpointe Spa & Fitness in Teaneck offers swim instruction
and birthday pool parties in its large
pool, which runs 50 by 30 feet in length
and with a depth of 3 to 5 feet.
Members youngsters, who are under 14 years old, can swim free from 3
to 5 p.m., through its special after-school
program during the weekdays, says Jenna Mehler, aquatics director for Glenpointe Spa & Fitness.
Glen Evans, the Glenpointe Spa &
Fitness manager, said that the facility
might also be offering some extra classes for teens as well in the New Year. In
the past, it had offered martial arts.
Want to reach for the stars or at
scale the heights? A five-month-old
20,000 square foot facility in Northvale is
making excitement a high for youngsters
who want to rock climb or practice their
acumen through obstacle course work.
High Exposure is an incredibly experiential facility that gives youngsters

the chance to climb, practice Ninja Warrior Course, Parkour classes and studio,
and more. High Exposure describes itself
as a one-stop shopping, heart stopping,
adrenaline pumping, extreme sporting
facility for families, tots, kids, teens and
adults.
It seems to be catching on in the area,
says owner Stephanie Shultz. In just five
months, High Exposure already has 100
members on its climbing team, and has
been a destination for day schools, such
as TABC and Maayonot in Teaneck, and
other schools, in addition to the general
public.
Theres something extremely empowering about doing something that
youve never done before, says Ms.
Shultz.
At The Soccer Coliseum at Teaneck
Armory, youngsters can enjoy one of the
most impressive indoor soccer facilities
as they partake in tournaments, leagues
and training galore, says Yas Tambi, the
director of soccer operations there.
A source of pride of Soccer Coliseum
is that once engaged in the many activities, youngsters are able to learn so much
more than soccer, itself, Mr. Tambi notes.
Kids learn problem solving while
playing the games, he said.
For ice-skating as nice skating, there
are many options good for the winter
and for all-season long.
The Ice Vault Skating Arena in Wayne
has various activities for youngsters of
all ages. There are public sessions, hockey clinics, hockey teams, figure skating
and free-style. There are also learn-toskate programs, and hosting birthday
parties there are also available.
In Westwood, Fritz Dietl Ice Rink has
a veritable history. Established in 1958
by Austrian born Fritz Dietl, a renowned
figure skating star and coach, the ice
rink offers a cozy and comfortable staking environment. It is also the birthplace
and home of the New Jersey Figure Skating Club.
Children.
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All new
experience!
Newer, Better, More Spectacular!

Thrilling New Rides!
Giant Slides
Giant Spider
Obstacle Course Mountain
Air Cannon Alley and Slide
Sports Arena
And More!
Birthday Parties!
A performance at Cresskill Performing Arts.
Theater, Arts,
Performance and More
hen you love dance and you

love movement, such as gymnastics, you can do both, or
you can like at Cresskill Performing Arts
in Cresskill, do them both together.
This year, says owner Betsy Daly, a
new offering combines the excitement of
gymnastics with the razz-ma-tazz of jazz
dance. There are four different levels of
gymnastics jazz being offered whereby
students can get both gymnastics and
acrobatic tricks as they apply to dance.
The program is designed for students
from 5 years to teenagers.
Half the class theyre doing flips
and half the class theyre dancing, says
Ms. Daly.
In addition to the newer gymnastic
jazz class, Cresskill Performing Art offers an array of classes for youngsters
to dance, sing, and learn from Broadway
professionals and more. Dance includes

ballet, pointe, jazz, tap, hip-hop, in addition to acting, singing, improv, voice,
triple threat (musical theater) to name
some.
Black Box Studios is excited to have
its own new facility in Teaneck where
classes and performances take place.
It offers classes in theater, music and
improv all year long. Professional performances and events for all ages and
interest, including cutting-edge drama,
musicals and childrens shows, musical
performance and improv jams.
Black Box Studios is opening its 8th
season, said Matt Okin, owner of Black
Box Studios, who is a playwright, director and theater educator.
Our goal, Mr. Okin says, is to take
everything to the next level.
Giant indoor inflatables

Private bounce and party rooms
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A performance at Black Box Studios.
AOC-8
OurChildren
About
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Englewood, NJ
201-568-8088
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A Reason to Smile
A HAPPY FAMILY HAS
HEALTHY TEETH
TEANECK DENTIST
We put the Care
into Dental Care!
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Ari Frohlich, DMD
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201.837.3000
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Convenient Morning, Evening & Sunday Hours
Not Always the Best Lesson

When a Child Overshadows All Else
E M U N A B RAV E R M A N
hen our matriarch Rachel gave birth to Joseph she exclaimed, God has taken away my
disgrace. Rashi suggests that this was accomplished by providing her with a child to blame for
her faults. Why she said this and if this reflects anything
about the role of children is a long and complicated
discussion. But I was thinking about it when I taught a
class recently.
Lori cant come because she has a middle school
tour. Cathys daughter is home from school sick.
Sara has to go to a PTA meeting. Miriam is taking her
kids to the dentist. The list goes on and on. The class
was planned over a month ago with everyone available.
But now attendance has diminished.
This is mostly good. It reflects a recognition that
our children should be our priority. This was also acknowledged by our sages in exempting women from
time-dependent commandments. We cant be expected
to pray by a certain time of day with a minyan because
who knows what our childrens needs will be and when
they will occur. They certainly arent always expressed
in a timely fashion, exactly when and where wed prefer.
On the other hand, women arent exempt from
praying altogether. Its not carte blanche to ignore our
other obligations. It struck me that women have taken
this dictum, this freedom too far. You cant pin everything on the kids. Yes, if our children are stick, we need
to stay home. But if you already committed to a class,
couldnt you have scheduled the dentist appointments
or school tours for another morning? Perhaps Sara
could have requested that the PTA meet on a morning
where she doesnt have a prior commitment.
Im willing to accept that attending my class may not
be everyones priority but keeping commitments should
be and having children should not be a convenient excuse to absolve us of that responsibility. As stated, if they
need us, then of course they come first. But do they really need us now? To the exclusion of all else? At the expense of other responsibilities and commitments?
And what are we teaching our children if they watch
this behavior? I think there is one positive lesson but
a risk of two negative ones as well. The positive one is

how much they mean to us, how much they matter, that
they come first. But this can also be a negative lesson;
we dont want them to learn that they always come first,
that they can never wait their turn, or entertain themselves or put the needs of others in front of their own.
This would end up being an extremely damaging result.
Additionally, they need to see that we have other
responsibilities 8 to other family members and to our
community and that we honor our commitments.
If we are constantly dropping everything to attend to
their non-essential or non-emergency needs, they will
believe that they are the center of the universe and that
nothing and no one else matters. In our desire to raise
secure, confident, well-loved children, we may make
the mistake of creating monsters.
OF COURSE OUR CHILDREN

ARE OUR PRIORITIES, BUT
THEY NEED TO SEE THAT WE
HAVE OTHER COMMITMENTS
AND THAT WE HONOR OUR
RESPONSIBILITIES.
Like I said, Im not sure what our mother Rachel
was referring to. I know it had some connection to joining the ranks of all the other mothers, of finally becoming a member of a club in which she had felt left out.
I will have to do more research to understand exactly
the language she used and why. But I know for sure that
she didnt mean that our children are a convenient way
of avoiding any responsibilities outside of the home.
Perhaps we shouldnt make commitments if our schedules are so subject to change and variable.
Or, and heres a radical thought, perhaps we should
just keep our commitments and plan our childrens
schedules around them instead of doing the opposite.
Reprinted with permission of aish.com.
AOC-9
OurChildren
About
Using the Power of the Pencil

To Recognize and Reach Potential
RA B B I D OV I D R O S M A N
recently experienced the work of a genius

educator. When I arrived home from
work, my 10-year-old daughter excitedly brought me
her report card for
the first half of the
school year. The
grades were basically
all perfect except for the category called organization how well the student does in bringing the appropriate books to class and keeping her homework
and notes organized. In that category, my daughter received an A- (shocking, but true).
But there was something different about the minus
sign. Look Abba, my teacher wrote the minus in pencil.
She told me that she knows that really I can be much
neater and that if I improve over the next half of the
year shell erase the minus.
I was floored by the teachers clever motivation
technique. When trying to motivate our children or students we often use external means. We tell them that if
they improve well take them out to eat or buy them a
toy that theyve been begging us for. That method often
works, but there is a much more basic, effective way to
energize and motivate others to change show them
that you believe that their essence is greater. Give them
the confidence in their own potential to perform better.
Give your children the confidence in their own potential to perform better.
Instead of my daughter feeling badly or down for
being disorganized, she was excited about the opportunity to show her teacher her real self. She called
her grandparents to tell them about it. She was empowered, in a positive way, to grow and change.
When a parent or teacher relates to the child in
this way, he or she strengthens the trust that forms the
foundation of their relationship, allowing the child to
feel safe enough to open up and reveal his feelings or
past experiences so that the one influencing him can
give proper advice and direction.
Giving a child the recognition of his inner greatness
enables him to overcome challenges and gives him the
confidence to strive to reach his potential. He knows he
has what it takes.
Lastly, one cannot properly influence and change
another person if he does not believe in the person.
Since he doesnt really think that the person can
change, he wont be precise with his advice and wont
bother investing his fullest in trying to help the person.
He wont be able to relay the message with the same
enthusiasm and passion or be willing to follow up with
the person after their discussion.
In The Song of Songs, God tells the Jewish people
You are completely beautiful, my beloved, there is
no blemish in you (4:7). Rabbi Moshe Cordovero, in
his kabbalistic work Tomer Devora (1:6) writes that although the Jewish people makes mistakes, God doesnt
view those mistakes as part of our essence; they are superficial. God writes any minus with a pencil, showing
us that He believes in our ability to do better and giving
us the opportunity to erase it.
By doing so, we can elevate others towards reaching their ultimate potential. Its as easy as using a pencil instead of a pen.
In any type of relationship, writes Rabbi Cordevero,

we should act God-like and view others as innately pure.
Rabbi Dovid Rosman is the Director of the Intermediate

Beis Medrash Program of Aish HaTorah and a rebbe in the
Advanced Beis Medrash Program.
Reprinted with permission of Aish.com
AOC-10
GENERATION G
Globetrotting Grandparents
Hunt for the Perfect Souvenirs
E D S I L B E R FA R B
o presents. No shopping. No
souvenirs, my wife Sharon
vowed as we prepared for
our month-long trip abroad to celebrate
our 50th anniversary.
I tried returning her to reality. Youre willing to disappoint five
grandchildren?
We cant spend time shopping, and
we cant add bulk and weight to our carry-on luggage.
Our first stop was Stuttgart, Germany, where our son was deployed with the
Marines. We arrived during the riotous
holiday Octoberfest. The beer halls
shook with hundreds of celebrants singing the traditional lieder while waving
overflowing steins. Most were dressed
in dirnl and lederhosen. Sharon thought
how adorable her grandchildren would
look in that costume, but she kept to her
pledge and resisted buying.
I tried tempting her. How about a
couple of fancy beer steins for their fathers? But she was resolute.
Stuttgart is not just beer steins and
lederhosen. Its most highly prized product is the cuckoo clock, handcrafted
in the nearby Black Forest of Bavaria.
These are works of art the basic timepiece that cuckoos on the hour or the
elaborate display clocks where not only
do the birds appear hourly, but other
animated figures chop wood and dance.
They range in price from a few hundred
to a thousand dollars.
Sharons friend wanted one and
asked her to research the possibilities.
We examined a bewildering array, and
were intrigued by the detailed woodwork. Were we dangerously close to
buying our very own? Sharon reassured
me that remarkable as they are, cuckoo
clocks are not her thing.
Her resolve almost broke the next
day when we visited Tubingen, a university town with medieval architecture,
intriguing alleys and irresistible shops,
including one that was selling sterling
silver flatware in our pattern 50 per cent
off. It was an agonizing half hour, but fortunately the necessary teaspoons and
salad forks were not available.
From Germany we went to Israel
where we have many relatives and
friends, one of whom gave us their
apartment in the 16th floor of a tower on
Disengoff Street in the heart of Tel Aviv.
Below was a vast underground shopping

mall with high-end stores offering the
latest fashions, sporting goods, electronic devices, manicures, creative tattoos,
and yoga sessions, as well as leisure cafes. There was also a supermarket, and
in the toiletry section Sharon picked
up a green, triangular container with a
spray nozzle.
This is just what she wanted, and
its available only in Israel, Sharon said
triumphantly. It was kosher-for-Shabbos
mouthwash and toothpaste that she had
been asked to bring back to the U.S.
I marveled at such a touching, heartfelt present, but didnt that violate the
no-gift pledge? This doesnt count as a
gift. Its a semi-necessity, like lip balm or
insect spray.
We spent a day in Old Jaffa with
a cousin wandering through the flea
market, rummaging through boxes of
pottery, old phonograph records,
non-functioning utensils, and clothing. There was furniture, an antique
toy fire engine, a grandfathers clock
and an old violin. Sharon was poking
through bins of costume jewelry, looking for hamsas, the hand-shaped artifact from both Jewish and Arabic legend
that wards off the evil spirit. It comes in
a variety of forms and uses: earrings,
pendants, brooches and bracelets as
well as wall plaques. Sharons sister
had asked her to be alert for any
antique hamsas. Surely Israel is
where one could find them.
Isnt that considered
souvenir hunting? I naively
asked.
No, the hamsa is part
of Israels heritage, she explained. Looking for one
is like an archeological
dig. But, alas, despite
our digging, we found
none.
However, what we
did find in a most unlikely place were dreidels. We
were visiting the Sonora section of Tel Aviv where, in the
19th Century a sect of German
religious refugees established
colonies in what is now Israel. Among
other skills, they were farmers who grew
grapes for wine, stored in caskets in vast
caves, which we explored on a specially
arranged tour.
Though the colonists are long gone,
the neighborhood has been preserved

as a heritage site, and the century-old
buildings now house restaurants, cafes
and arts and craft shops, one of which
is called The Dreidel House. True to its
name, it sells only dreidels, but not only
the simple four-sided top for Chanukah games, but also elaborately crafted
dreidels that spin out proverbs, tell
ones fortune and comment on life itself.
The proprietor was a woman intent on
demonstrating the proper way to spin a
dreidel, though I insisted I had mastered
the technique.
Sharon was particularly taken by
one about two inches in diameter with
a short nub of a spindle and a Yemenite
design in both gold and silver. They cost
three for 100 shekels,
about $26.
Lets get three, one each for our two

sons families and one for us.
I said that if the ban on gift buying
were to be lifted, two simple community
dreidels for family use would not suffice,
even though they had the virtue of being
small and portable.

It was decided that a dreidel would
go to each son, and the mission for the
rest of the trip would be to find presents for the five grandchildren and two
daughters-in-law. The gifts had to be
light, compact and inexpensive, but
significant.
The last 10 days of our 30-day odyssey were spent in Sicily. Part of the time,
we lived in a beautiful apartment owned
by Sharons cousin in a 500-year-old
building in Ortigia, a landmark section
of Siracusa. The rest of the time we traveled the island with a private guide and
explored a treasure trove of antiquities,
the remains of Greek and Roman temples, Medieval churches, and the remnants of the many other ethnic groups
who had lived on that remarkable island.
Jews, for example, were 40 per cent of
Sicilys two largest cities before the expulsion of 1492.
It wasnt just history. We saw two of
Sicilys important products in the making olive oil and sea salt. In fact, the
highly prized sea salt solved part of our
souvenir problem. Each daughter-in-law
would get a small package of it.
What about the grandchildren? The
boys would get t-shirts, but not ones
with dopey inscriptions that seem
so popular. They would have to
be meaningful. We ransacked
souvenir shops until we found
what we wanted one shirt
showing Mount Etna erupting, one depicting the pillars of a Greek temple,
and one of a seaside
Sicilian village.
So far nothing
for the granddaughters until we wandered
through a street mall in
Palermo, and there on a
peddlers pushcart Sharon spotted them hamsa earrings one pair for
each girl. We noted the irony. After searching for two weeks in Israel, we
had to come to Sicily to find Judaica. On
the other hand, the best pizza we ate on
the entire trip was in Tel Aviv.
Ed Silberfarb was a reporter for the Bergen
Record in New Jersey, then the New York
Herald Tribune where he was City Hall
bureau chief. Later, he was a public information officer for the New York City Transit
Authority and editor of one of its employee
publications.
AOC-11
A Few Tips
for Setting Effective
Rules and Limits
DENISE MORRISON YEARIAN
ost families have rules their

children are expected to obey.
But problems may occur when
guidelines are vague or parents vacillate
on rules and disciplinary measures. To
establish effective rules and limits, consider these tips.
Navigate through
natural consequences
be adorable
marcia's attic for kids
29 n. dean street englewood, nj
201-894-5701
The natural consequence for violating a

rule can be the most effective method of
correcting behaviors. When misdemeanors do occur, talk with your child about
what he learned and help him make the
connection between the choice hes
made and the consequences hes now
living with. Also help him explore the
motivation or influence behind his decision so he can build a foundation and
avoid that pitfall in the future.
Opening minds,
bridging differences,
living Jewish values
tella
The Abraham Joshua Heschel School
Nursery-12th Grade
mage Preference 2: Jawbone
30 West End Avenue, New York, NY 10023
Headline: Book Your Next Birthday Party With Us!
ubhead:
Offer(s): Buy One Get One Free
Disclaimer:
Lesson on limits
Children need limits to teach them to be

socially intelligent: to learn how to control their emotions and interact with others. Limits are also good for providing
structure, predictability and routines,
things children thrive on.
Speak in specifics
Be specific versus vague with regard to

rules and expectations. Terms such as
behave or be good are general, and
most children have trouble translating
what that means. Make directives concrete and state specifically what you
want your child to do. This will give him
more opportunities to succeed.
Paraphrase with the positive

Children are more receptive to positive
rather than negative commands. Dont
and stop tell a child what not to do
but dont explain what to do. Instead
of saying dont jump in that puddle,
say, jump over the puddle. Although it
takes more thought and energy to conjure up positive words, once it becomes
a habit it will be easier.
Extend explanations
Children are more likely to comply if
parents explain the reason why the rule
exists. This also teaches critical thinking
and helps children develop an internal
standard of regulation. By age five most
children can begin to understand why
some rules exist. Give simple, concise
and age-appropriate explanations.
Offer choices and suggest alternatives

Give your child the freedom to make
choices or suggest alternatives within
the framework of your limits. This will
give him a sense of power and control
and may reduce resistance: Do you
want milk or juice? You cant have a
cookie now but you can have ice cream
after dinner.
Know your child
Consider your childs personality and

tailor limits and consequences accordingly. Some kids accept limits easily. Others are more resistant and may require a
firmer approach to get them to comply.
Ariela Dubler, Head of School
Marsha Feris, Director of Admissions
marsha@heschel.org
212 784 1234
Love without limit
One goal of setting limits is to help your

child realize you are there to help him
learn proper behavior and love him even
when he misbehaves. When missteps
occur, remind him his behavior doesnt
change the status of your love.
Parental controls
Avoid losing your temper, lashing out
with your tongue or dishing out too
harsh a punishment you may later have
to retract. Part of what you are trying to
teach through limit setting is self-control
so you have to model it. If you are upset, step back and collect yourself. Or
tell your kids you need time and will
talk with them later. This will allow you
to take your emotions out of the equation and concentrate on dealing with the
offense.
Be firm and consistent

Flexible rules and routines invite resistance and make it difficult to change the
undesirable behaviors. When parents
vacillate with rules or consequences are
withdrawn, children will continuously
challenge them and may resort to manipulation tactic begging, whining, arguing or temper tantrums to get their
way.
Denise Morrison Yearian is the former editor
of two parenting magazines and the mother
of three children and four grandchildren.
YOURY
K
O
O
B T PART
NEX ITH US!
W
49 EAST MIDLAND AVE. PARAMUS, NJ 07652
201.261.0032
WITH PURCHASE OF ONE

REGULARLY PRICED ADMISSION
194 US 46 EAST FAIRFIELD, NJ 07004

973.244.0026
More than 303,000 likes.
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ABOUT OUR CHILDREN JANUARY 2016 11
i aliaspiperia
us es
AOC-12
Guide
to Schools
and Activities
Schools
The Abraham Joshua Heschel School
Grades N-8
30 West End Ave.
New York, NY 10023
Grades 9-12
20 West End Ave.
New York, NY 10023
212-595-7087
www.heschel.org
Please see our ad on page 11.
Berger Learning Group, LLC
31-11 Broadway
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-742-5298
www.bergerlearning.com
Ages: 18 months to 16 years
BLG provides a range of Applied Behav-
ior Analysis (ABA) services for children

with special needs. Our ABA programs
address cognitive, social-emotional, play,
and self-help skills, as well as language/
communication and behavioral challenges through a positive behavioral approach. Please see our ad on page 19.
Gan Aviv Jewish Nursery School
21 West Main Street, Bergenfield

201-384-6111
www.ganaviv.com
Ages 6 Weeks - Pre K
info@ganaviv.com
Daycare@ssds
275 McKinley Avenue
New Milford, NJ 07646
201-452-4549
ssds@ganaviv.com
Fair Lawn
16-00 Pollitt Drive
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
201-509-8989
fairlawn@ganaviv.com
Gan Aviv is a Jewish Nursery School and
Day Care that offers a bilingual English/
Hebrew program. We offer extended
hours for the working parent. We have
age-appropriate activities focusing on
the physical, emotional and social needs
of each individual child in a stimulating,
creative, nurturing and safe environment. Please see our ad on page 14.
Academies at Gerrard
Berman Day School
45 Spruce Street
Oakland NJ 07436
201-337-1111
www.ssnj.org
Ages 2 to 14
Our mission is to provide academic excellence and leadership in a nurturing
Jewish environment one child at a time.
We provide a superb education in a small
school environment for children ages 2
to 14. We educate children to be successful leaders and learners who will meet
future challenges and make the world a
better place. Please see our ad on page 9.
Golda Och Academy
Upper School:
1418 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ 07052
Lower School:
122 Gregory Ave.
West Orange, NJ 07052
(Upper) 973-602-3600
(Lower) 973-602-3700
www/goldaochacademy.org
Ages 4 to 18
Golda Och Academy is a vibrant learning
community that focuses on the individual
intellectual, social and spiritual needs of

our Pre-K through 12th grade students. We
cultivate a lifelong love of learning within
the content of Jewish knowledge and heritage. Please see our ad on page 15.
The Jewish Community Center of

Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah
304 East Midland Ave. (corner Spring

Valley Road), Paramus, NJ 07652
educdirector@jccparamus.org 201262-7733
Ages: 4-13
Our award-winning Hebrew School provides outstanding educational opportunities for children, pre kindergarten
through 7th grades. Pre Kindergarten
through 2nd grades meet once a week
and the children experience a love
of Shabat, Israel, the Jewish holidays
and Torah stories. 3rd to 7th grade
attend twice a week. Learning methods
include activities in our new computer
lab. Individual tutoring is available to
those needing individualized learning and those who thrive with extra
encouragement. The Hebrew School
curriculum includes Prayer, Bible, Israel
and Holocaust studies; Jewish values,
holiday celebration, family programs,
trips and special activities. The school
and the cantor prepare the children for
bnai mitzvah, celebrated in either a
Traditional or Egalitarian service. Our
free monthly Sunday Special program
for 4-7 year old children continues to
attract those who are not yet ready to
register for a formal Jewish educational
program. Please see our ad on page 12.
JCC of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah

Hebrew School
SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR PRE-K-2ND GRADE AT JUST $1 A DAY
2 DAY HEBREW SCHOOL FOR GRADES 3-7
BAR/BAT MITZVAH PARTICIPATION IN EITHER TRADITIONAL
OR EGALITARIAN SETTINGS
TRIPS, FAMILY PROGRAMS, HOLIDAY CELEBRATIONS
!
S
D
I
K
L
L
A
CALLING
Want a great birthday?
that
r exe-aponal
ulatease
Have a pool party!

COMING SOON:
FREE Monthly Sunday Special Class for 4-7 year olds
For ages 3 and up.

Available Friday, Saturday & Sunday nights after club hours.
Parties include: Host Safety Procedures Fun Water Toys
Water games Lifeguard, Refreshments & Pizza
Annual Purim Carnival - Sunday, March 20, noon to 2 p.m.
$50 OFF
10% OFF
Reduced tuition for mid-year registration. Call now!
First Time Clients Only. Expires 1.31.16
First Time Clients Only. Expires 1.31.16
PJ Party with crafts, snacks, and more Sunday, January 31, 9:30 a.m.
Information: Marcia Kagedan, Educational Director

edudirector@jccparamus.org A 201-262-7733
304 East Midland Avenue, Paramus, NJ
www.jccparamus.org
JCCP/CBT IS A FULL-SERVICE CONGREGATION OFFERING
EGALITARIAN AND TRADITIONAL SERVICES.
See why Community is part of our name!
BIRTHDAY PARTY
SWIM LESSONS
LeArN-To SWIm-ProGrAm
Our Red Cross certified swimming instructors provide
one-on-one 30 minute lessons 7 days a week.
Kids Pool Hrs: Weekdays 3-5pm. Weekends 10am-12pm & 2:30-4:30pm
Glenpointe
Spa & Fitness
200 Frank W. Burr Blvd. Teaneck, NJ
201-425-0823
www.glenpointespaandfitness.com
AOC-13
Jewish Youth Encounter Program
1600 Queen Anne Road

Teaneck, NJ 07666
201-833-JYEP (5937)
www.JYEP.org
Grades 3-8
The JYEP is a pre-bar/bat mitzvah Hebrew school for children in grades 3-8,
which, in addition to the traditional classroom instruction of Bible and holidays
by young and vibrant teachers, matches
each child with a tutor/mentor. Our JYEP
staff directed by Dr. Debby Rapps, is committed to creating an environment where
each child is individually nurtured to his
or her own strength in a warm, creative,
meaningful and stimulating environment.
We offer Bar and Bat Mitzvah training in
the higher grades, where each child is
mentored individually by a Big Brother/
Sister regardless of the level at which
they enter. Please see our ad on page 15.
SINAI Elementary at Joseph Kushner

Hebrew Academy
110 South Orange Avenue

Livingston, NJ 07039
862-437-8000 x8190
www.sinaischools.org
Grades: 1-8
Elementary-Middle School for children
with a wide range of complex learning
or developmental disabilities. Inclusive,
yet individualized to fit each students
social, emotional, and academic needs.
Recognized for educational excellence;
Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools accreditation. Please see our
ad on page 19.
SINAI Elementary at Rosenbaum

Yeshiva of North Jersey, Including
the Riva Blatt Weinstein Judaic
Studies Program
666 Kinderkamack Road

River Edge, NJ 07661
201-262-4202
Grades: 1-8
Elementary-Middle School for children
with a wide range of complex learning
or developmental disabilities. Inclusive,
yet individualized to fit each students
social, emotional, and academic needs.
Recognized for educational excellence;
Middle States Association of Colleges
and Schools accreditation. Please see our
ad on page 19.
SINAI Schools Maor High School at

Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School,
including the William Solomon
Judaic Studies Program
110 South Orange Ave.

Livingston, NJ 07039
862-437-8000 x8190
Grades: 9-12
Academically rigorous program for high
schoolers with academic/social challenges. Inclusive, yet individualized to fit
each students social, emotional, and academic needs. Recognized for educational
excellence; Middle States Association
of Colleges and Schools accreditation.
SINAI Schools Rabbi Mark and Linda

Karasick Shalem High School at
Maayanot Yeshiva High School
1650 Palisade Ave.
Teaneck, NJ 07666
201-833-4307 x 249
Ages: 14 to 21
Functional academic high school program preparing students with developmental disabilities for rich and productive adult lives. Integrates pragmatic
Judaic and secular curricula with community awareness and vocational studies. Inclusive, yet individualized to fit
each students social, emotional, and
academic needs. Please see our ad on
page 19.
SINAI Schools Rabbi Mark and Linda

Karasick Shalem High School at Torah
Academy of Bergen County
1600 Queen Anne Road

Teaneck, NJ 07666
201-862-0032
Ages: 14 to 21
Functional academic high school program preparing students with developmental disabilities for rich and productive adult lives. Integrates pragmatic
Judaic and secular curricula with community awareness and vocational studies. Inclusive, yet individualized to fit
each students social, emotional, and
academic needs. Please see our ad on
page 19.
Solomon Schechter Day School

of Bergen County (SSDS)
275 McKinley Ave.

New Milford, NJ 07646
(201) 262-9898
www.ssdsbergen.org
3 years to 8th grade
Solomon Schechter Day School of Bergen
County (SSDS) is a nationally accredited,
premier Jewish day school (3-year-olds
through 8th grade) that cultivates inde-
pendent thinkers and the next generation of global leaders through an inquirybased educational approach. Now in our
42nd year, SSDS has been accepted as an
International Baccalaureate (IB) World
School candidate for the Middle Years
Programme. Our school successfully integrates a rigorous dual curriculum with
Jewish values-based moral development,
and provides a warm, nurturing environment guided by award-winning educators
committed to excellence. We offer such
innovative programming and tools as Suzuki Violin and Chess in pre- kindergarten
and kindergarten, musical theater and
yoga in our music and dance studio, an
organic teaching garden, research-grade
Zeiss microscopy lab for scientific exploration, and a digital library media center
for Holocaust and Heritage Studies. Contact Sarah Sokolic in our admissions office at 201-262-9898 x203 or admissions@
ssdsbergen.org to learn about our program. Please see our ad on page 13.
Temple Sinai of Bergen County
1 Engle Street
Tenafly, NJ 07670
201-568-6867
www.templesinaibc.org
Ages: 4 months to 5 years old
Temple Sinai Early Childhood Center is
a caring, state licensed, NAEYC accredited program for children up to 5 years
old. We are proud of our excellent staff
and high teacher to child ratio creating a warm and nurturing environment.
We offer a developmentally appropriate
and creative curriculum, which includes
music and movement, sports, sensory
activities, Tot Shabbat and holiday celebrations. Children participate in a variety of afterschool enrichment classes
Discover with Us.

Find out about our inquiry-based
approach and warm, inclusive community.
Threes through Grade 8.
To speak to a representative or schedule a tour, email us at admissions@ssdsbergen.org
SSBC_10 x 6.6_AllFinal.indd 1
SOLOMON
SCHECHTER
D AY S C H O O L
OF BERGEN COUNTY
275 McKinley Avenue, New Milford, NJ
201.262.9898 www.ssdsbergen.org
12/14/15 12:24 PM
AOC-14
ART
Lessons
Guide to Schools
and Activities
Art of Excellence Studio
Unlock your Creativity with Classes in

Drawing and Watercolor
Structured Lessons - Relaxed Atmosphere
Fabulous Results!
Age 7 to Adult - All levels of ability
Art Portfolio Preparation Available
Artist, Rina Goldhagen 201-248-4779
www.artofexcellencestudio.com
including art, woodworking, ceramics,

science, soccer, modern dance and Ivrit
with A Beat. We are very excited for our
children to play outdoors in our state of
the art playground. Our Toddler/Parent
program
and Music & Me for our very
Warm and loving

staff
young children are booming. Please call
to schedule
a visit 201-568-6867 or go
Limited holiday
schedule
to our website: templesinaibc.org. Risa

Ages 6 weeks
and
up
Tannenbaum, Director of Early Child
Newly renovated
large facilities
hood. Please see our ad on page 16.
participate in live performances on the

bergenPAC main stage. Classes are also
available for students with special needs.
Goldhagen Art Lessons

Rina
7-01 Manor Ave.
Fair Lawn, New Jersey 07410
201-248-4779
Artofexcellencestudio@gmail.com
Ages: 7 to adult
Art of Excellence Studio. Lessons in Fine
Outdoor and indoor

play areas
Art. Drawing and Watercolor Private Art
Library and computer

area
Lessons Structured
lessons, relaxed at
x.
Bilingual
English-Hebrew
Program
mosphere,
fabulous
results.
Art Portfolio
Music
and
movement
&
gym
Arts
&
Preparation Available. Experienced Art
Complete
Jewish
education
Performing Arts
Extended
operating hours for
ist/Trained Educator. Please see our ad
New
nutritious
meat
Kosher
on page 19.
working
parents
lunch menu

Box Studios at the new

service
Black
Ages 6 Weeks to Pre-K

Webcam
Black
Box Performing Arts
Sports & Fitness
of Teaneck
OUR CURRICULUM
Center
200
Walraven
Drive,
Registration for Summer
Camp
2016
High Reach
curriculum

just
east
of
Palisade
Avenue
Bounce U of Paramus
is now open
Handwriting
without tears
201-357-2221

Ultimate Party and Play Experience
www.blackboxnynj.com and in FaceBook The
Open Enrollment for 2016-2017 School Year Center based
learning
70 Eisenhower Drive

Ages: 5 to Adult
Paramus, NJ 07470
strategies

To schedule a tour, call Karen 201-452-4549. Sensory cognitive
201-843-5880
Description: Classes in theater, music,
Chalav
uDvash
www.BounceU.com/Paramus
and improv all year around. Professional
Ages: Preschool to Adult

performances and events for all ages and

Mon-Thu
7:30
am - 6:30 pm
21 West Main Street

16-00
Pollitt Drive
interests including cutting-edge drama,
Voted #1 Best Place to have a Kids Party
Fri 7:30
am - 5 pm
musicals, childrens shows, musical per& #1 Best Kids Fun Place, Top 3 for Kids
1-888-GAN-AVIV www.ganaviv.com
formance,
improv
jams,
and
more!
Please
Gym. Bounce U is a party place for fami
see our ad on page 14.
lies and friends to share memories that
Bergenfield
Fair Lawn
Hours of operation:
Cresskill Performing Arts Inc.
will last a lifetime. All parties and events

completely PRIVATE for you and your
guests. Two giant bounce stadiums.
10 incredible inatables. Plus the new
Lightspace game wall! Cosmic BounceGlow parties. Check out our open
bounce and preschool play-date schedule online. Kosher
available. Please see
our ad on page 7.
ater, funk), tap, hip-hop, acting, improv,

voice, triple threat (musical theater),
choreography, fencing lessons, creative
legos. Cresskill Performing Arts companies: Dance Ensemble, Troupe, Junior
Company, and CPA Kids. Performance
opportunities include a work-in-progress
show in December, Spring Recital in June
and charity shows throughout the year.
Great themed birthday parties: dance,
acting, yoga, fencing, arts & crafts, pajama party, princesses, fairies, divas,
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at bergenPAC
1 Depot Square
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Ages: 3 months to 21 years.
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children and adults. Also check out our
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muscle. Please see our ad on page 12.
Ice Vault Skating Arena
10 Nevins Drive
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973-628-1500
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Ages: All
The Ice Vault has various activities for
AOC-15
kids of all ages. Public sessions, hockey
clinics, hockey teams, figure skating, freestyle, Learn to Skate programs. Birthday parties are also available. Please see
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49 E. Midland Ave.
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All ages
Monster Mini Golf is an exciting indoor
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some locations even have unusual gift
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OurChildren
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100 Oakland Avenue Closter, NJ

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Description: First Place For Sports Training. NVSA offers sports training in baseball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, softball,
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The Soccer Coliseum

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1799 Teaneck Road

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AOC-16
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Call today to schedule your visit! (201) 568-6867

hen I began my journey of connecting with

parents after writing, Raising a Child with
Soul, there were some who could not fathom the idea that children are spiritual beings. I often
recalled my fathers words as he gazed at my newborn
son in the nursery. Slova Chanalah, this little soul just
arrived from the heavens above. He was learning Torah
from the mouths of angels. He came into this world the
purest of the pure. Watch over him and teach him well.
There was no doubt for me; children are born naturally
spiritual.
Now, a Columbia University psychologist, Dr. Lisa
Miller, has written a book asking us to think about our
childs spiritual journey in this world. We learn that
there is EQ, IQ, and natural spirituality as well. Children
possess an innate spiritual compass that is part of our
biological endowment; it must be cultivated to flourish.
Through highlighting psychological and neurological
research, she proves that children raised in a nurturing spiritual life are happier, more successful, more resilient, more optimistic, and better able to handle lifes
challenges. These children grow up to become adults
who live with grit, are aware of their blessings, find purpose and mission in their careers, value their relationships and see hardships as priceless opportunities.
She compels parents to think about their childrens
sacred growth through scientific research. A study of
twins shows that a persons sense of being connected
to a higher being is inherited. In other words you can
create a spiritual legacy and pass it on to your children.
Any parent of teenagers will be
AOC-17
Winter Soccer
Build soccer skills & confidence
WE HAVE A HIGHER
CALLING. IT IS UP TO US TO
NURTURE OUR CHILDRENS
SOULS AND GIVE THEM
TOOLS FOR LIFE.
them tools for life. We try hard to provide our children
with the best in life, why stop when it comes to their
spiritual path? It behooves each parent to consider the
price their child is paying for their cynical spirit. Our
legacy includes a connection to God that anchors our
children to values and beliefs, enhancing their lives
with purpose, stability and meaningful traditions, making them more likely to avoid risky behavior.
Parents who explore the wonder of life and delve
into this new spiritual world along with their children
discover the magic of the soul. Within each of us lies a
spark. Perhaps in some it is merely an ember, but still,
the spark remains waiting to be ignited. And sometimes
it takes a child to kindle the soul of his parent. How can
we deny our child this gift of life?
As we concluded our conversation, we spoke together about the mission we share, to bring spirituality home. Dr. Miller added. Tell parents this is not one
more thing to do. Its about sitting still. Showing up. Doing less and being present more.
The journey awaits us.
Slovie Jungreis-Wolff is a parenting educator and author of
Raising a Child With Soul (St. Martins Press).
Reprinted with permission of aish.com
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Dance Acting Creative Legos Voice Choreography
a sacred self. There is performance

and then there is meaning in life.
Children fall apart with only a performance self. If they dont know
where they are or why they are here
it becomes an empty life. Children
with a sacred sense of the world
have less depression. Children have
an inner spiritual compass, a calling
that says where I want to go. And
at age 45 if one is left by a spouse
or loses money the performance
self is shattered but the sacred self
remains.
Q: You say in your book, The
Spiritual Child: The New Science
on Parenting for Health and Lifelong Thriving that children, especially teens, have a growing spiritual need. What about
the spiritually cynical parent?
A: When a parent is cynical and so jaded, there is
not much left. That is an empty bucket. We do have
in us an open heart in whatever language we can be
moved to hold value in the beauty of life. Thats not
sappy; its real. Its bedrock. And its a much healthier
way of living. Our children need a spiritual hub.
I have been reflecting on this last question that I
asked, about spiritually cynical parents. There are
many who must grapple with being apathetic or even
opposed to their childs spiritual path. It is not an easy
challenge. But we must take a moment and reflect on
our responsibility as parents. We have a higher calling.
It is up to us to nurture our childrens souls and give
Our 19th
Season!
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Disney
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Modern Ballet Fencing Princess Dance and more
thrilled to learn that they can help

protect their teens from engaging
in risky behaviors and even cope
better with depression by helping
them be in touch with their spiritual side. Miller takes the case for
spirituality further by warning us
that spiritual stunting can cause
damage by preventing a child from
developing a true sense of self and
resiliency. Crisis occurs when a
childs spiritual development is neglected or denied.
In a world where parents strive
to give their children the best education, encounter experiences
from zip-lining in jungles to swimDr. Lisa Miller
ming with dolphins, compete in
extreme sports tournaments, encourage art, dance and
music and learn languages like Mandarin, where does
spirituality fit in? The question is especially hard-hitting
for those who feel disconnected and spiritually alienated. Miller asks parents to consider the possibility of
offering piano lessons to children even if they, themselves, dont know how to play. Would one offer a child
something beneficial even though it feels strange and
unfamiliar?
This is an especially crucial question when we
contemplate the world that we live in. Our children
are growing up in a culture where empty fame and
excessive materialism are worshipped. Children are
constantly posting and taking selfies learning to focus
exclusively on themselves. Bullying, cynicism, casual
cruelty surrounds them. How can we help our children
grow generous in heart and spirit?
I spoke with Dr. Miller and asked her these
questions.
Q: What does raising a spiritual child mean to todays parents?
A: Every child born is a spiritual child. This becomes our opportunity to support our childs birthright. When we pay attention, respond with love and
interest to spiritual wonder, we help ourselves raise a
spiritual child. And this is irrespective of tradition or
your own religious upbringing. Every child has this
birthright to build this relationship. This is an entirely
different way of raising children than if we remain silent. To pave the road back to natural spirituality we offer our child access, focus parents attention and offer a
path. This involves being transparent. Go the extra mile
to put the spirituality in the childs life.
And as a sidebar, she added, a child comes naturally with a universe of spirituality. Help build your
spiritual child. Every tradition has a language and practice; every child can know what is meant. Research
has shown that it is not enough to be kind. Optimism,
forgiveness and regret are all required virtues. In 4 out
of 5 kids, a child is as virtuous as they have personal
spirituality connecting with a Higher Power. Character strength and virtues go hand in hand.
Q: What would you say to parents who tell me that
they are too overwhelmed trying to handle getting
their children into the right schools and overwhelming
academic pressures, basically saying that raising a successful child today takes time and there is just no time
left to put into spirituality?
A: The most important thing we can do towards outward success college, skills, grades is to give human
fulfillment. Both correlate with a strong spiritual life. This
means giving children a sense of fulfillment; from talents and gifts to making a contribution to this world as
Soccer Training
2015
a true performing arts center,

FIRST PLACE
age 2 through adults SECOND
PLACE
READERS
CHOICE
DANCE SCHOOLS
201-390-7513 201-266-8830
studio-info@cresskillperformingarts.com
www.cresskillperformingarts.com
AOC-18
SPECIAL NEEDS
Putting the Right Kind of Attention

On Attention Deficit Disorder
R I F KA S C H O N F E L D
ost of us find ourselves a little

scattered at moments. Who
hasnt zoned out during a meeting or while listening to a speech? Or
found their attention wandering during
conversations with friends or co-workers? Forgetting where we put the car
keys or why we dropped by the supermarket are experiences we can all relate
to.
For many people, however, absentmindedness, scattered thinking and
disorganization are not merely occasional lapses. They are chronic and persistent, to the point of impairing a persons
functioning. When attention deficit is
present to this degree, it can indicate the presence of a neurological
disorder.
ADD and ADHD (attention
deficit with hyperactivity)
are among the most prevalent chronic conditions
plaguing school children
in the United States, experts say. In a majority
of cases, left untreated,
the symptoms and their
emotional fallout continue through adulthood.
al insight and empowerment that comes

with early detection of ADHD can transform a childs world, says Dr. Edward
Hallowell, a Harvard-based psychiatrist
who treats ADHD children and has authored many books on the subject.
Instead of facing a steady barrage
of criticism that destroys self-worth, a
child whose ADD is detected in the early
grades is helped to learn about his special neurological challenges, and to master specific strategies to stay on top of
them, he explains. Early
intervention
can
deficit disorder. An ADHD child often

has no trouble focusing on an activity
he or she finds enjoyable. One can find
such children engaged in games, crafts
or other projects in which they have
natural skill or interest.
However, as soon as the subject matter becomes more abstract or requires
sustained mental effort, the ADHD child
typically loses interest. She begins to
fidget and be disruptive, or to space
out.
Parents
who
do not see
their
transform a victim into a victor.

Ironically, the vast increase in ADD/
ADHD diagnoses across the country
has given rise to skepticism in some
quarters about the disorder. Teachers
who try to make parents aware of their
childs attention issues often encounter
opposition. They find that some parents
brush aside the suggestion that ADHD
might be present, and are quick to put
the onus on the teacher.
The child is bored, the parents
argues, or lacking stimulation. He has
no problem concentrating at home. Perhaps if you made the lessons more interesting, he would pay better attention.
This reaction underscores one of
the key misconceptions about attention
child in a classroom context obviously

have no frame of reference with which to
gauge attention issues, hyperactivity or
impulsivity. Only when these behaviors
are measured against those of his peers,
and combined with a parents observations of behavior at home, can a valid
diagnosis be made and then only by a
professional.
Since there is no blood test, x-ray
or sonogram that can identify ADHD, a
specialist arrives at a diagnosis through
skilled interviewing of the child, parents
and teachers, as well as careful observation and weighing of data and anecdotal
What Exactly Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurological disorder characterized by inappropriate levels of inattention,
over-activity, and impulsivity.
Symptoms arise in early childhood
but are not always identified correctly.
Signs of inattention include: difficulty following instructions; difficulty sustaining attention; loses things necessary
for tasks; poor attention to details; disorganized, surrounded by clutter; makes
careless mistakes; appears sluggish/
drowsy; forgetful; chronic daydreaming; appears apathetic or unmotivated
to complete tasks; appears spacey,
preoccupied; appears confused, lost in
thought; difficulty complying with rules
Signs of hyperactivity and impulsivity include: difficulty awaiting turn;
interrupts/intrudes; blurts out answers;
difficulty playing quietly; difficulty remaining seated; excessive writhing,
squirming, playing with objects, fidgeting; excessive talking.
Early Detection and Intervention

Detecting ADHD early can be enormously beneficial for the child. The emotion-
evidence over a period of time.
Socially Immature
Current research shows that ADHD children are often socially immature. Their
interactions with others often appear
unfriendly, awkward, remote, abrasive,
domineering or insensitive. They tend
not to be able to read social cues and to
be rebuffed by peers for inappropriate
behavior.
Social rejection provokes negative
behavior that triggers more rejection,
which in turn, reinforces the childs social isolation.
ADD children may become demoralized, believing they are little more than
a nuisance, notes an article in Eye
on Education. Feelings of low-self
esteem begin to emerge. These
children tend to compare
themselves unfavorably with
their siblings and peers.
They may believe that
their families are disappointed in them, and begin to feel unloved and
unappreciated.
Although medication has been used for
years to improve control over behavior and
to stimulate and increase attention, medication does not erase
the negative feelings
and low self-esteem. It
does not reverse ingrained
habits and behavior in ADHD
children that tend to alienate
their peers.
Many experts believe that helping ADHD children to rebuild self-esteem
and to master social skills should accompany the use of medication. Only
when ADHD kids can truly believe that
they are important and worthwhile, and
can exercise control over their lives, will
they be able to succeed.
Current research shows that up to
half of children with ADHD will continue
to have difficulties with inattention, distractibility, and impulsivity for the rest
of their lives. The best way to insure
long-term success and compliance with
treatment is to get ADHD children personally involved in the process early.
Medication
Medication is, of course, another viable
option for many with ADHD. For many
children, medications such as Ritalin
r
,
d
o
e
f
e
e
h
.
AOC-19
SPECIAL NEEDS
can be extremely beneficial, allowing
them to focus and concentrate for extended periods of time. There are also
many instances in which medication
is not necessary, but for most children
with ADHD, medication is an important
step on the road to success.
Classroom Modifications for ADD

and ADHD
The following suggestions may be of
help in the classroom for children with
ADD. Seat students in rows. Having
children sit in groups increases distractions for the ADHD child. Seat ADHD
student near teachers desk, up front
with her back to the rest of the class,
but include as part of regular class

seating. Surround ADHD student with
good role models, preferably students whom the ADHD child views favorably. Encourage buddying up during
class time, whenever appropriate. Do
not place the ADD/ADHD student near
air conditioners, heaters, high traffic areas, doors or windows. Keep the classroom door closed. Keep the room free
of clutter. Distracting posters, signs,
and hanging pictures should relate to
the lesson being presented. ADD children do not handle change very well so
whenever possible, avoid transitions,
changes in schedule, physical relocation and disruptions.
Teaching Science to Autistic Students

May Help Social Skills
New research suggests that an elementary
school curriculum that focuses on sciences might be beneficial to individuals with
autism, enhancing not only their classroom knowledge, but their social skills.
Teaching Paleobiology to Children
with Autism was presented recently at
the 2015 Geological Society of America
annual meeting in Baltimore, Maryland
by Dina Beck-Billig, a senior at Touros
Lander College for WomenThe Anna
Ruth and Mark Hasten School in Manhattan, and Dr. Howard R. Feldman, a
paleontologist and biology professor at
Lander College for Women. Paleobiology
is a growing and comparatively new discipline that combines the methods and
findings of the natural science biology
with the methods and findings of the
earth science paleontology.
Children with autism have restrictive interests and fixations, but these areas of special interest can be harnessed
academically, says Ms. Beck-Billig.
When these curiosities are nurtured,
the students can become verbally passionate about what they love and the
fixations can be used to help motivate
them to interact with the world and people through their subject.
Instead of classroom instruction
that strives to improve social cues abstract concepts that can be stressful for
individuals with autism the research
proposes that cultivating students interests in factually based subjects like

the sciences will provide a pathway to
improving their personal skills.
Science, specifically paleobiology,
can be used as a bridge to help children
with autism better connect with, interact with, and understand their immediate environments, says Ms. Beck-Billig.
Teachers can harness the sensory component integral to science, as well as use
it to deepen students understanding of
natural phenomena. Furthermore, incorporating effective teaching methods into
paleobiology methodologies can help
students with autism become more settled in their social, natural and sensory
environments.
The anxiety autistic children experience from learning social behavior
makes them want to give up and retreat
into their own world, she said. They
have to learn to adapt to changes, to
transition, to not being so inflexible
and rigid in their schedule. The question is how to discuss it in a way thats
natural, and I believe its particularly effective to integrate it into the scientific
curriculum.
Ms. Beck-Billig, says that her methods have yielded encouraging results.
She added that science is only one of a
handful of subjects that could prove to
be effective for autistic students.
ADD Coaching
Many people have found ADHD coaching a highly effective and more affordable alternative to counseling. An ADHD
coach works with a child often on her
own turf, to analyze what specifically is
contributing to her social difficulties,
and to generate behavioral strategies to
improve social interactions.
ADHD coaching also helps children
to understand that the source of many of
their challenges is ADHD, not personal
shortcomings. Safely examine areas of
failure for clues as to how to implement
change. Heighten self-awareness and
self-observation skills, and use those
skills to improve decision-making and
performance.
Change perspective when stuck
(i.e. learning new ways to work with
procrastination, staying on task, or being more productive). Become aware
of their own learning and processing
styles so they can enhance their ability to comprehend information and
situations.
Rifka Schonfeld, founder and director of
S.O.S (Strategies for Optimum Success), has
served the Jewish community for nearly 30
years as an educator and education consultant. She is a reading specialist who does
G.E.D. preparation, evaluations, social skills
training, dating coaching and self-esteem
building. Visit her at rifkaschonfeld@gmail.
com.
Your child needs special education.

You want her to have a Jewish education.
You want him to be included.
INCLUSION by DESIGN
Serving Children
with a
Broad range
of
SpeCial needS
Special education uniquely integrated within Jewish Day Schools

Individualization Educational excellence
Meeting each childs academic, social, and emotional needs
Elementary Schools
High Schools
Adult Services
www.sinaischools.org/js 201-345-1974
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AOC-20
1. Rabbi Moshe Grossbaum of Living Legacy is

pictured with religious school students at Temple
Emanu-El in Closter. They learned how ancient
Jews made olive oil, and even pressed olives to
make oil to use in their own Hanukkiyot.
10K with his parents, Aliza and Ben Goldstein, as

part of Team Lifeline. He thanked his oncologist,
Dr. Lenny Wexler, and the effort of Camp Simcha
for helping to give him hope and joy and beat
the odds to survival and success.
2. Temple Emanuel of the Pascack Valley Early

Childhood Program hosted its Special Person
Shabbat recently with grandparents, parents,
and other extended family. They sang in the
sanctuary and then went to the classroom for
blessings, challah and wine.
6. Congregation Beth Aaron, an Orthodox

synagogue in Teaneck, ran its third annual
Project THANKS on Thanksgiving Day. This
program expresses thanks Teanecks brave
firefighters and provides a Thanksgiving dinner
with all the trimmings, prepared by Maadan
of Teaneck, to the firemen on duty Thanksgiving
Day.
3. Temple Emeth Religious School participated

in the 23rd annual Bergen County Chanukah
toy drive by donating toys and games for Jewish
children in celebration of Chanukah.
4. The third grade class at the Academies at
Gerrard Berman Day School learned about wind
vanes during a presentation by guest speaker
and environmental engineer, Andy Anderson, in
conjunction with their unit of study, weather.
5. On Nov. 15 2015, Nate Goldstein, who
overcame a rare form of cancer Alveolar
Rhabdomyosarcoma that was diagnosed when
he was 5 and imperiled his left leg and his life,
ran and completed the Las Vegas Rock n Roll
7. SINAI Schools newly established Bayrish

Schreiber Music Therapy Program uses music
as a therapeutic tool to address the physical,
emotional, cognitive, and social needs of their
students.
8. Students from the Performing Arts School
at bergenPAC were among the clowns who
performed on the bergenPAC main stage for
the NJ Ballet Nutcracker. The students, left to
right, Jessica Velez and Bruna Beltreschi are
studying with the beyondDANCE program at The
Performing Arts School at bergenPAC.
9. Art for All at the Kaplen JCC on the

Palisades is an annual art exhibit featuring the
accomplishments of individuals with special
needs will be on display throughout December.
More than 200 pieces were submitted from 10
different schools and programs. The exhibition

showcases the talents of school-aged children
and teens, adults, community residents and
JCC Special Services Program participants.
AOC-21
OurChildren
About
TopChoices
CO M P I L E D BY H E I D I M A E B RAT T
J A N U A R Y 2 0 16
Ski Bunny Alert:

Marcias Attic for Kids
The Giant Titanosaur

Is Coming to Town
The American Museum of Natural History is adding another must-see exhibit to its worldfamous Fossil Halls: a cast of a 122-foot-long dinosaur, an occupant so large that its neck
and head will stretch across nearly the entire fourth floor. This species is so new that the
paleontologists who discovered it havent yet formally named it. It belongs to a group
known as titanosaurs, which were first discovered in 2014 in Argentinas Patagonia region.
The giant herbivore is said to have weighed in at around 77 tons, making it one of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered. The American Museum of Natural History, Central Park
West & 79th Street, Manhattan, 212-769-5100, www.amnh.org.
Danny Weinkauf Plays

at The Jewish Museum
Grammy-winning bassist Danny Weinkauf (They Might Be Giants) and his Red Pants
Band perform their hits songs Archaeology, The Moon is Made of Cheese, and
others from the bands popular album No School Today, along with TMBG favorites
Where Do They Make Balloons? and I Am a Paleontologist at a performance on
Sunday, Jan. 25, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Scheuer Auditorium at The Jewish Museum.
The show is perfect for youngsters 3 and older. The Jewish Museum,1109 Fifth Ave.
at 92 St., Manhattan. 212-423-3200. www.thejewishmuseum.org
Real winter is still a-coming

and that means cold
weather, and snow, and for
some, hitting the slopes. If
you want to hit them hills in
style, take a look at the racks
of great togs at Marcias Attic
for Kids. This winter, there
are plenty of cold-weather
choices and plenty featuring this seasons sizzler, fur,
which adds a bit of luxe and
warmth. The pelt adorns hats
with pom-poms, scarves and
trim on coats. Theres also the
faux fur version for those who
prefer to eschew the real deal.
Ski googles in stock have been
described at da bomb. Not
heading for slopes but for the
surf this winter vacay? No worries. The clothing emporium is
carrying plenty of cruise wear,
as well. Marcias Attic for Kids, 29 North Dean St., Englewood, NJ.
201-894-5701, www.marciasatticforkids.com
Daniel Tigers
Neighborhood Live!
The legacy of the beloved Mister Rogers lives on with the hit television series,
Daniel Tigers Neighborhood, from The Fred Rogers Company and airing daily on
PBS KIDS. Now, Daniel and all of his friends are hopping aboard Trolley to entertain live audiences with Daniel Tigers Neighborhood Live! on Sunday, Jan. 24 at
bergenPAC. Donning his iconic red sweater, Daniel and his friends explore the
vibrant world of their Neighborhood of Make-Believe, sharing stories of friendship, helping others, and celebrating new experiences. This live theatrical production is filled with singing, dancing, laughter and grr-ific surprises. Sunday, Jan.
24, 2016. 1 and 4:30 p.m. bergenPAC, 30 North Van Brunt St., Englewood.
201-227-1030, www.bergenpac.org.
AOC-22
The Good Life With Kids
JANUARY
To Our Readers: To Our Readers: This calendar is a day-by-day schedule of events. Although all information is as timely as we can make it, its a
good idea to call to verify details before you go.
Friday, December 18
Saturday, December 19
Friendship Circle Saturday Night Live: Children
enjoy a pizza dinner with their friends and keep
busy with mind-boggling science experiments.
For ages 7 and older. The Friendship Circle of
Passaic County, 194 Ratzer Road, Wayne. 973694-6274, fcpassaiccounty@yahoo.com
Sunday, December 20
Meet Elsa and Olaf: 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the
Academies at Gerrard Berman Day School, 45
Spruce St., Oakland. Take pictures with Elsa and
Olaf. Do snowy science experiments. Make your
own Olaf in a bottle. Enjoy an edible snowman.
For more information, 201-337-1111
Kids in Action Skate it Away: The children will
be writing and sending letters to Israeli soldiers.
After that, they will head out for ice-skating.
Drop off at the Chabad Center, 194 Ratzer Road,
Wayne. Pickup at the Ice Vault, 10 Nevins Road,
Wayne. 12:45 to 2:15 p.m.
Friday, December 25
Oran Etkin Timbalooloo in Concert: Two special
family concerts at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at The
Jewish Museum. Etkin will be presenting a new
production, Sing Sing Sing - Benny Goodman
in the Kingdom of Swing, incorporating music
from Etkins new CD for adults, Whats New?
Reimagining Benny Goodman, and playing it in a
child-friendly way. The Jewish Museum, 1109 Fifth
Ave., at 92 St., Manhattan. 212-423-3337, www.
thejewishmuseum.org
Museum of Jewish Heritage: Spend the day
at the museum, as all exhibitions will be open
from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be tours of the
exhibitions and a matinee performance of The
Golden Bride/Di Goldene Kale (separate admission required). The Museum of Jewish Heritage
A Living Memorial to the Holocaust. 36 Battery
Place, Manhattan.
Mish Mash with Ventriloquist Jonathan
Geffner: Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Presents
Mish Mash with famous Ventriloquist Jonathan
Geffner 11 a.m. to noon, who will wow with his
wacky, whimsical wooden sidekicks who mesmerize audiences. JCC on the Palisades, 411 E.
Clinton Ave., Tenafly. 201-408-1467, alofaro@
jccotp.org.
Tuesday, December 29
Autism Friendly Theater: A sensory-friendly
production at the Paper Mill Playhouse at 1:30
p.m. with a meet your seat on Monday, Dec.
28 from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information,
To Add Your Event to Our Calendar

Send it to:
Calendar Editor
About Our Children
New Jersey/Rockland Jewish Media Group
1086 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 0766 AboutOCaol.com
or fax it to: 201-833-4959
Deadline for February issue (published January 29):
Tuesday, January 12
Games People Play

Keep Boredom at Bay
DaybyDay
Tot Shabbat with Matty Roxx at Temple

Emanu-El of Closter: 5:30 p.m. Join parents and
children, birth to 5 years old, for an end of the
year musical Shabbat with Matty Roxx. 5:30 p.m.
For more information, contact Tammy Ween @
ween@templeemanu-el.com.
Tot Shabbat in Franklin Lakes: Tot Shabbat
and pizza dinner at Barnert Temple at 5 p.m.
Our youngest ones (pre-readers) are invited to
welcome in Shabbat with us at this family-friendly
service, 747 Route 208 South, Franklin Lakes.
201-848-1027.
OurChildren
About
DENISE MORRISON YEARIAN
Mish Mash with Ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner.

See Friday December 25
973-376-4343. The Paper Mill Playhouse, 22
Brookside Drive, Millburn www.PaperMill.org.
Friday, January 8
Temple Emeth Family Service: Family Shabbat
services at Temple Emeth, 1666 Windsor Road,
Teaneck. Held at 7:30 p.m. 201-833-1322, www.
emeth.org.
Saturday, January 9
If wintry weather has put the freeze on

your fun, warm up the day with these
homemade games and invite friends
over to play. Youll be the toast of the
town!
IVE GOT YOU PEGGED
Shoebox lid
Nail
Hammer
Ruler
Marker
Ten wooden round clothespins
Five rubber canning jar rings
Come to the Cabaret My Friend: Temple Israel

and Jewish Community Center presents 2nd
annual Cabaret Night from 8 to 11 p.m. Featuring
the Ridgewood Irish Dances title-winning dancers, jazz/pop pianist Ms. Sarah Diamonds, comedian Dan Abraham, singer/songwriter Ariana
Gates, Taiko drummers Manhattan Taiko, pop
singer Caitlin Bromberg (Temple Israels cantor),
Macaroon 5 (the house band of the Glen Rock
Jewish Center playing hits from the 50s to the
80s and more. For information 201-444-9320.
On the inside of a shoebox lid, measure

and mark off ten small circles in two rows
of five that are evenly spaced.
Sunday, January 10
Below each clothespin, write one number

ranging from 1 to 10.
3rd Annual JCC Rockland Fitfest: Come and

sample classes including Pilates, TRX, Yoga, Group
Cycling and more from 9 a.m. to noon. 450 West
Nyack Road, West Nyack, NY, 845-362-4400.
Friday, January 15
Temple Emeth Shabbat Music Service: For a
musical Shabbat at Temple Emeth beginning
at 8 p.m. Temple Emeth, 1666 Windsor Road,
Teaneck. 201-833-1322. www.emeth.org.
Tot Shabbat in Franklin Lakes: Tot Shabbat
and Pizza Dinner at Barnert Temple at 5 p.m.
Our youngest ones (pre-readers) are invited
to welcome in Shabbat with us at this familyfriendly service. Barnert Temple is located at 747
Route 208 South, Franklin Lakes, NJ. 201-8481027 or schooloffice@barnerttemple.org. www.
barnerttemple.org.
Tot Shabbat Service: Temple Israel and
Jewish Community Center holds Tot Shabbat at
11 a.m. No need to leave the children 4 and
younger home when you want to go to synagogue. Services are egalitarian Conservative and
Reconstructionist. 475 Grove St., Ridgewood. 201444-9320.
Sunday, January 31
Mitzvah Mall: One day. A world of difference. 16th
annual mitzvah mall. Raising money and awareness for grassroots organizations close to home
and around the world. 9 a.m. to noon. Barnert
Temple, 747 Route 208 South, Franklin Lakes.
www.barnerttemple.org/mizvahmall.
Poke holes through the circles using a nail

and hammer. (Note put something under
the box so the nail doesnt go through the
floor or table.)
Push one clothespin through each hole.
To play, put the box on the floor with the

clothespins facing up. Stand several feet
away and toss the rubber rings around
the clothespins. Add up points using the
numbers as a guide. The first person to
20 points wins.
SOCK IT TO EM
Dried beans
Plastic sandwich-size zipper bags
Clean sox
Rubber bands
Large cardboard box
Scissors
Tape
Markers
Put cup of dried beans into a plastic
baggie. Squeeze out air and seal the bag
shut.
Place the bean bag into the bottom of a
clean sock. Roll the remainder of the sock
around the outside of the bean bag and
secure with a rubber band.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to create as many
bean bags as you need.
Turn a large box upside down and tape

the bottom and side seams shut so
the box is sturdy.
Draw four various-sized circles
on the outside bottom of the
box and cut them out. (The
smallest hole should be slightly
larger than the stuffed sock.)
Below each hole, write one
number ranging from 1 to 4.
Make the smallest hole worth
4 points and the biggest hole
worth 1 point.
To play, stand several feet away
from the box and toss bean bags into the
holes. Add up points using the numbers
as a guide. The first person to 15 points
wins.
STICKY SITUATION
3 Ping pong balls
Self-adhesive Velcro dots
2-Foot square sheet of cardboard
1 Large piece of flannel
Scissors
Ruler
Stapler
Markers
To create a game board, cover cardboard
with flannel and secure with staples.
Cut five pieces of flannel into different
shapes such as circles, squares and triangles. Shapes should be approximately
5-inches each.
Arrange shapes on the game board and
secure with staples.
Write different numbers on each of the
flannel shapes to represent scoring points.
Create sticky balls by applying self-adhesive Velcro dots all over the ping pong
balls.
To play, lean the game board against a
wall. Stand several feet away and throw
balls onto the board. Add up points using
the numbers as a guide. First one to 20
points wins.
Denise Morrsion Yearian is the former
editor of two parenting magazines and the
mother of three children and four grandchildren.
AOC-23
Simchas
BENJAMIN SCHACK
Benjamin Schack, son of
Susan Esserman-Schack and
Barton Schack of Allendale
and brother of Zachary
Bronstein, 25; Joshua
Bronstein, 23; and Sophia
Schack, 9, celebrated becoming a bar mitzvah on on
November 14 at at Barnert
Temple in Franklin Lakes.
Birth
YAAKOV LEV EFRATI
Yaakov Lev Efrati was born on September 27, 2015 at
Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem to Mandy and Etan Efrati. He
weighed 7.6 pounds and was welcomed by his brother Yitchak
Shalom, who was 11 months old at the time of his birth. Their
grandparents are Linda and Bennett Storfer of Bergenfield
and Rachel and Sasson Efrati of Jerusalem.
Bnai mitzvah
ALEXIS MOGENSEN
Alexis Rose Mogensen,
daughter of Alyssa and Chuck
Mogensen of Tenafly and
granddaughter of Judith and
Marc Pozner of Englewood
celebrated becoming a bat
mitzvah on December 12
at Temple Sinai of Bergen
County in Tenafly.
ALAN ROSENBERG
OZ ASHKENAZI
Oz Ashkenazi, son of Hagit
and Yaron Ashkenazi and
brother of Omer, Reut, and
Amit, celebrated becoming
bar mitzvah on on November
21 at Temple Beth Sholom in
Fair Lawn.
MAX BERKOWITZ
ALEX BERKOWITZ
Max and Alex Berkowitz,
twin sons of Jodi and Philip
Berkowitz of Fair Lawn,
celebrated becoming bnai
mitzvah on October 31 at
the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/
Congregation Bnai Israel.
REBECCA GROSS
Rebecca Gross, daughter of
Sharon and David Gross of
Harrington Park, celebrated
becoming a bat mitzvah
on December 5 at Temple
Beth El of Northern Valley in
Closter.
KIRA LINCOLN
Kira Lincoln, daughter of
Michelle Levine and Paul
Lincoln of Ridgewood, celebrated becoming a bat
mitzvah on December 5
at Temple Israel & Jewish
Community Center in
Ridgewood.
Alan Rosenberg, son

of Margot and Michael
Rosenberg of Paramus and
brother of Scott, celebrated
becoming a bar mitzvah
on December 5 at Temple
Avodat Shalom in River Edge.
His grandparents are Sandra
and Harvey Rosenberg of
Paramus.
GREGORY ROVINSKY
Gregory Rovinsky, son of
Yelena and Steven Rovinsky
of River Edge and brother of
Joshua and Leah, celebrated
becoming a bar mitzvah on
November 21 at Temple
Avodat Shalom in River
Edge. He is the grandson of
Raisa and Leonid Rovinsky
of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Roza
and Vladimir Kodryanu of
Cleveland, Ohio,
JACOB SAPIN
Jacob Sapin, son of Marc
Sapin and Joy Melnick Sapin
of River Edge, and brother of
Ari and Chelsea, Jared, and
Eliana, celebrated becoming
a bar mitzvah on November
28 at Congregation Beth
Sholom in Teaneck.
BROOKE SENDIK
Brooke Sendik, daughter of Jill and Paul Sendik
of Waldwick and sister
of Brandon, celebrated
becoming a batmitzvah on
November 21 at Temple
Emanuel in Woodcliff Lake.
TOBY SHAPIRO
Toby Jean Shapiro, daughter of
Debbie and Jeremy Shapiro of
Hillsdale, celebrated becoming
a bat mitzvah on November 21
at Congregation Bnai Israel in
Emerson.
MYLES SUCHOFF
Myles Suchoff, son of Sandy
and Jeff Suchoff of Fair Lawn,
celebrated becoming a bar
mitzvah on November 21 at
the Fair Lawn Jewish Center/
Congregation Bnai Israel.
OurChildren
About
Winter Camp at Chabad

At Chabad Center Day Camp, Jewish
children ages 5 to 11 years old have
their mid-winter break transformed
into an exciting camp experience. With
dynamic, committed staff, parents can
rest assured that campers will have
loads of fun and laughter while bolstering their Jewish identity in a safe and
caring environment.
It will take place from Monday,

Dec. 28 to Thursday Dec. 31. The camp
will take place at the Chabad Center,
194 Ratzer Road, Wayne.
Email
Chani@Jewishwayne.com
or call 973-694-6274 for more information. Visit us at Jewishwayne,com/
wintercamp to register your child.
Chef Eitan Bernath at the Kaplen JCC

Teanecks favorite teen chef Eitan Bernath, who was featured on Food Networks
Chopped! and in various newspapers,
including The Jewish Standard and About
Our Children, cooking demonstrations and
other appearances, is going to trade in his
toque for a judges cap.
The 13-year-old Yavneh Academy
eighth grader will lead and judge a friendly
cooking demonstration and competition
for third to fifth graders at the Kaplen JCC
on the Palisades.
Eitan certainly knows what its like to
be judged for his culinary skills, having
catapulted to local and national fame following his kippah-clad appearance on the
Food Network Show Chopped! last year.
The demonstration and competition
event at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades
Eitan Bernath
is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 19 at 7:30
p.m. 411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly. 201-408-1467, www.jccotp.org.
PARTY
973-661-9368
GIL ZYNDORF
Gil Zyndorf, son of Lisa and
Moshe Zyndorf of Fair Lawn
and brother of Benjamin and
Oren of Israel, celebrated
becoming a bar mitzvah
on November 14 at the
Fair Lawn Jewish Center/
Congregation Bnai Israel. As a
mitzvah project, he collected
bikes to donate to Pedals for
Progress. The bikes are sent
to impoverished countries and
give people access to go to
work.
Include:
1 hours of skating (during public session)
Private decorated party room
Off ice party attendant
Skate rental
Invitations for party guests
Pizza and soda
Personalized Carvel ice cream cake
Favors and candy
FREE skating pass for future use
Birthday child receives FREE Ice Vault T shirt
AOC-24
Are you tired of feeling sick? Are you sick of feeling tired?
Are you simply looking to maintain your health?
You deserve to live your best life! Let us help you.
Our philosophy and mission at Valleys Center for Integrative Medicine is that healing requires a
systematic, functional medicine approach which recognizes and utilizes the full spectrum of validated
therapies. Our top priority is your health and well-being; not just your symptoms.
You will meet with medical professionals in a patient-centered, collaborative environment
where we treat chronic illness as well as optimize and promote wellness for all patients.
For more information or to schedule a consultation for your
best health and life, please call 201-389-0075.
www.ValleyMedicalGroup.com/IM

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Useful Information for

Treasured moments begin here.

The MotherBaby Center at Chilton Medical Center.

For a referral to a Chilton Obstetrician

Healthy Habits Start at the Fridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Make Fitness Fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Power of the Pencil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

One Man Star Wars Trilogy

Friday, Jan 15th 8pm

Sunday, Jan 24th 1pm & 4:30pm

Cesar Millan Live!

Globetrotting grandparents hunt for souvenirs

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Bumblebee Boy The Musical

March 10th 8pm

March 13th 1pm & 4pm

The Peking Acrobats

Clifford The Big Red Dog

Friday, April 8th 8pm

April 10th 1pm & 4pm

Sharon Golub, Hackensack Sigikid Teaching Monkey

3 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN JANUARY 2016

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Heidi Mae Bratt

Marketing and Communications Specialist

Michelle Brauntuch, MS,CCLS

Child Life Specialist, Englewood Hospital, Englewood

Pediatrician, Hackensack and Wyckoff

Howard Prager, DC, DACBSP

Holistic Chiropractor, Oakland

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Marriage and Family Therapist, Midland Park

Dr. Annette Berger, Psy.D.

The punch line of that story

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ow do you make fitnessan essential component to health and

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For some youngsters, its easy. They

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professionals and more. Dance includes