The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Just Between Us

NAME IT TO FIGHT IT! IT’S ANTISEMITISM!

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Editor’s Note: A vital bipartisan/nonpartisan gathering (it’s for anyone of any political persuasion!) who wishes to convey their acknowledgment and protest against the spike in antisemitism that we are witnessing from NYC to London. Enough is enough.

IN RESPONSE TO WAVE OF VIOLENT ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS 13 JEWISH ADVOCACY GROUPS FORM COALITION, LAUNCH PROTESTS IN NEW YORK AND LONDON

New York, NY – In response to a string of violent attacks targeting the Jewish Community, Women Fight Antisemitism announces partnership with 12 Jewish Advocacy groups to combat Antisemitism beginning with protests in both New York and London on September 22, 2019

NYC Location: Mayor’s Office at NYC City Hall, 249-243 Broadway NYC 10007 Date/Time: September 22, 2019,12:00PM – 2:00PM (EST)
Event Page: ​https://womenfightantisemitism.org/events
Facebook URL: ​https://facebook.com/events/404143820453764
Directions Link: ​https://goo.gl/maps/G1NgFFx9G6D9H4Js7

UK Location: Golders Green, London, UK
Date/Time: September 22, 2019 5:00PM (UTC)
Facebook URL: ​https://facebook.com/events/369891873901814

The growing Coalition and ​NAME IT TO FIGHT IT! IT’S ANTISEMITISM! are being launched in response to an unprecedented wave of violence perpetrated against the Jewish Community. These are savage and unprovoked brutal attacks targeted at one community and one community only: Jews. The media networks and the mayors of major cities such as New York City and London are entirely responsible for naming and fighting these attacks. When the majority of people in Park Slope, just one neighborhood from Crown Heights, are not informed by the mayor and major news networks that visibly Jewish Americans are getting bricks thrown at them by Antisemites, we must hold the mayors and the major news networks of these cities accountable. This is a major issue. It must be given major attention.

1. WoMen Fight AntiSemitism​ ​is a nonpartisan group welcoming all genders and races to fight for equality and against AntiSemitism ​http://womenfightantisemitism.org
Nissan Jacobs,​ ​info@womenfightantisemitism.org

2. Yad Yamin – New York​ ​is a grassroots Zionist movement that is dedicated to exposing, addressing and confronting anti-Semitic activity in NYC. ​https://facebook.com/Yad-Yamin-New-York Karen Lichtbraun, ​klb910@gmail.com 3. Eye On Antisemitism​ (UK) monitoring anti-Semitism online and social media since 2008 http://eyeonantisemitism.co.uk
Ambrosine Shitrit, eyeonantisemitism@gmail.com

4. Campaign4Truth​ (UK) promotes understanding & context of the Jewish Diaspora, Israel and the Middle East. ​https://facebook.com/pg/campaign4T
Sharon Klaff, campaign4t@gmail.com

5. Combat Anti-Semitism​ is a non-partisan, international, grassroots movement of individuals and organizations, across all religions and creeds, united to combat the global rise of anti-Semitism. ​https://combatantisemitism.org
Emma Enig, emmaenig@gmail.com

6. Americans Against Antisemitism​, established by former New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, is a grassroots coalition that mobilizes supporters to take social action against antisemites.​ ​https://americansaa.org
Israel Bitton, HikindPR@gmail.com

7. Stop Antisemitism​ is a part of a non-profit foundation that works to hold antisemites accountable and to create consequences for their bigoted actions by exposing the threat that they present to all Americans and showing how their ideologies conflict with American values, morals, and principles. ​https://stopantisemitism.org
Liora Rez, ​Liora@stopantisemitism.org

8. National​ ​Conference of Jewish Affairs​ (NJCA)​, Rabbi Aryeh Spero is author of “PUSH BACK: Reclaiming OurAmerican Judeo-Christian Spirit” and is president of Caucus For America.

9. ZOA​ was f​ounded in 1897, the Zionist Organization of America (“ZOA”) is the oldest pro-Israel organization in the United States. Since its founding in 1897, the Zionist Organization of America has been fighting for the Jewish people and the Land of Israel. Under the leadership of such illustrious presidents as Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis, Rabbi Dr. Abba Hillel Silver, and current National President Morton A. Klein, the ZOA has been on the front lines of Jewish activism.
https://zoa.org

At the Heart of Community

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One thing I’ve heard consistently about Pleasantville lately is how fiercely proud residents are of their town and of Mount Pleasant at large. As I produced this edition over the summer, and learned about Break the Hold, via Sabra Staudenmaier’s cover story for us, it was not hard to see why.

I feel like I’m getting to know a community that yes, celebrates all its gifts and good fortune, but also enthusiastically embraces solutions to challenging problems via its open hearts and extended hands. To me, such sincere involvement feels central to understanding the heart of a caring community. This story pulled my heartstrings right away. We also have a proud history covering mental health issues, and specifically the topics of depression and suicide. The Inside Press was the recipient a few years back of a Media Award from the Mental Health Association of Westchester. We hope to continue to shine a spotlight on mental health in future issues as well.

In additional heart sharing coverage, I am also thrilled to publish Ronni Diamondstein’s story about Pleasantville’s Gordon Parks Foundation; if you’re like me, you might be one of many who has walked by and felt curious about the foundation’s window on Wheeler Avenue. Its mission is to preserve the powerful images of artist and photojournalist Gordon Parks whose work has done so much to help bring attention to racism. It accomplishes that and so much more.

If you need more reasons to love Mount Pleasant, there is no shortage in this edition. We asked a long time savvy area resident and Inside Press contributor Jennifer Sabin Poux to compile ten, and she does a fantastic job of that too.

Two summer interns, Charlotte Harter and Madeline Rosenberg, have also helped turn our attention to community, with stories about how the Pleasantville Chamber of Commerce helps support local commerce, coverage of the town’s dedicated conservation efforts plus a look back at Pleasantville Community Day and the town’s firefighter parade.

We know fitness figures ‘big’ around here too, so please don’t miss the piece about area marathon runners either, which includes a Pleasantville resident!

Finally, we also keep hearing the music. In our debut edition, we offered a preview of the Pleasantville Music Festival (another mega successful day!), and in this issue, we give a nod to the area’s vibrant ‘music scene,’ as writer Miriam Longobardi spotlights a couple Rocker bands led by area moms!   

Enjoy the edition, and we hope to see you again in 2020. Our plans for now are for at least four a year, so stay tuned!  Follow Inside Press Magazines on Facebook or insidepress on Instagram, and soon enough, another surprise pub covering your town will be hiding in your mailbox!   

A Greeley Senior Experience at the Inside Press

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Julia Bialek

On June 11, Julia Bialek (HGHS, Class of 2019) presented “From Thought to Print,” a review of interning at the Inside Press in May and June, and in Julia’s case, at different times since 2016. It was one of many graduating seniors “Greeley Senior Experience” presentations taking place that day throughout Horace Greeley High School to fellow classmates, teachers, and by invite, to family and other visitors.  I was very touched by this presentation, so I am ‘flipping the script’ now to write about Julia and my impression of Greeley talent.

I’ve worked with many motivated Greeley interns over the years and have been continuously amazed and buoyed by their enthusiasm and professionalism too, whether via the Greeley Senior experience or general interning. Greeley kids, over the years, and students from Pleasantville High School too to date, have been invaluable to the success of my press, and so grateful!  I found Julia bright, introspective, with a kind and respectful disposition from the very start. Beginning as a sophomore at Greeley, Julia delivered essays and articles which showcased a natural writing talent-with some very firm and well articulated political opinions, too. Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk editor Stacey Pfeffer, in particular, took her under her wing and showed her the ropes, if you will, of producing an edition of Inside Chappaqua  ‘from start to finish.’ 

“It was a privilege to collaborate with Julia,” said Pfeffer. “She approached each and every assignment with great care and her intelligence and creativity shined through in all her work. I am sure her experience here is just the beginning of many bylines.”

Julia came to a brainstorming meeting. She sat through and absorbed hours of a layout meeting with Inside Press designer Lisa Samkoff, too. She covered the “Art Around Town” event to much acclaim. https://www.theinsidepress.com/celebrating-beauty-and-community-through-art/

We published her exquisite poem, ‘Woman,’  which made the perfect end note for a May edition with a theme about resilience in women. Chappaqua and far beyond approved. https://www.theinsidepress.com/woman/

So when I was invited to Greeley Senior Experience to listen to her presentation about her internship with us, I had a hunch I’d be in for a treat, and Julia delivered just that.

Julia shaped her Greeley Experience presentation in part comparing her experience to working with us to working on the Greeley Tribune, where she is the managing editor. “It was very similar to how we plan for the Greeley Tribune and also use InDesign to layout, although some specifics were different,” she explained, “because we are serving different communities. 

Now that was all plenty interesting, but Julia grabbed my attention when she related “how powerful publishing a story in Inside Chappaqua can be and how much feedback you can receive.”

“I had people not just all over Chappaqua but even in New York City reach out to me thanking me for writing a story.”

She added, reflecting: “The impact of the written word is so powerful; you can use it to unite the community, you can use it for good. It’s such a great force.” 

I anticipate Julia, who is off to begin studying at Yale University in the fall, will continue using her talent for good.

Each year, students who have completed their years in the Chappaqua Central School District are encouraged to embark on a ‘real life” internship experience that taps into their imaginations, and interests, that helps them gain knowledge, perspective or build new skills. The kids convey what they experienced in a multi media presentation followed by a question and answer period. It is a rite of passage for many of our kids as any Chappaqua senior or proud Chappaqua Mom or Dad will tell you, and I am among those who won’t ever forget my own son’s presentation in 2014. I know that the experience shaped who he is today.

On the afternoon Julia presented, I also had a chance and the pleasure to listen to seniors Dean Miller speak about his independent project on finance and stocks; to Nathalie Jamavan who was an intern at the Bell Middle School with a previous French teacher; and to Alexander Travagliato, who spoke about his experience at the Westmoreland Sanctuary.  Ms. Hurgin, Ms. Burger, and Ms. McKenna, the teachers in the room that day, all listened intently and appeared proud of all the students. More about the Greeley Senior Experience (the Inside Press has reported on it before too): https://www.theinsidepress.com/senior-experience-at-horace-greeley-high-school/

— Grace

Alexander Travagliato
Nathalie Jamavan
Dean Miller

Seeking a Committed Relationship

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Publishing in any new town is a little like dating. I’m courting an entire community and it’s impossible to tell exactly how things will turn out…

I can just put my best foot forward and hope for the best. But please know I’m looking for a long term, committed (publishing!) relationship right now!

Speaking of dating, about a dozen years ago, I had a first date in a quaint trattoria in beautiful Briarcliff Manor, just far away enough from Chappaqua, my hometown, for my comfort level. I’ve always been aware of all the great shops, eateries and amenities just a stone’s throw from where I live. There have been many workouts at the beloved Club Fit, and quite a few pieces of my wardrobe are from March Boutique, a perfect place to choose an outfit for date, and a local gem spotlighted as a first ‘lifestyles’ feature for this magazine.

Without a doubt too, Briarcliff Manor is also a vibrant community of families deeply committed to their schools, ‘the joy of school theater’ (see our end page ‘etcetera’ essay!), to a healthy and bucolic natural environment (as anyone who has ever visited the Edith Macy Conference Center can attest!), fascinating people (like “The Points Kid”) and as I’ll continue to communicate… to so much more!

I have been successfully publishing for 16 years. I’ve always been fortunate to work with a stellar team, talented contributors and continuous merchant support. I decided being empty nest, that it was time to introduce the Inside Press brand a little more widely. So, after launching first Inside Chappaqua, then Inside Armonk, then Inside Pleasantville, this shiny new edition of Inside Briarcliff & Ossining was born.

While I was conceiving it, I met with the head of the Briarcliff Manor Chamber of Commerce, Mike Milano, and we talked about the businesses along North State Road, ‘on the main drag’ on Pleasantville Road, and the challenges small businesses face in a digital age. I’m right in the thick of those challenges myself, and I look forward to working together to help small and medium size business thrive with both our print and online options at theinsidepress.com, and in social media! We aim to keep if fun and interesting, too.

I’m not a stranger to Ossining either. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed several wonderful dining experiences there, whether authentic Spanish fare, or at Ossining’s famous river restaurant, the Boathouse, and most recently, I’ve checked out the newest entry to waterfront dining, the 3 Westerly. I also consumed much coffee at First Village Coffee, taking breaks from my footsteps in pulling this first issue together! One time, I even discussed the possibility of running a pub together with a friend, who happens to be a karaoke dj. Ossining immediately came to mind. We’d call it Sing Sing, of course. We never pursued it. When I heard that the Sing Sing Kill Brewery had opened, I thought: great minds think alike and trust me that I’m ‘in’ for a night of enjoying karaoke or open mics as soon as I can create more down time!

Inside Tappan Hill Mansion to support the Ossining Children’s Center Gala

Ossining, I must say, is a barrel of Earthy fun, from its fabulous Earth Day festival to its festive and bountiful Farmers Market. I’m also very proud this debut issue spotlights the Ossining Children’s Center, its mission and fundraising goals to create a much needed new home. I also had fun meeting and listening to so many inspiring people at the OCC’s spring gala.

Please also note our ‘Gotta Have Arts’ coverage highlighting the cutting edge Westchester Collaborative Theatre, sharing news of the upcoming Ossining Jazz Festival at the Elks Lodge, and highlighting an upcoming June exhibit at the Bethany Arts Center–a place I’m looking forward to exploring further, too.

In short, I tried my very best to capture various happenings, slices of life– touch of the flavor, if you will–in each of your engaging towns. Feel free to tell me how we did! Let’s solidify our relationship! Please feel free to write to grace@insidepress.com.

 

P.S. June is my favorite month! It’s my ‘down time’ between late spring and back to school publishing and with all the great weather, I make the most of it!  Happy Graduations to all the new graduates; have two fairly recent ones of my own (they are 22 and 27, and I’ll think of them that way ‘till they turn 30!)  Happy Father’s Day to all the dads! My own amazing ‘Poppy’ recently passed away at age 96, so it is a first for me without him. I’m going to spend it honoring his memory on a long walk whether in a beautiful preserve, or perhaps now, along the river. Enjoy the edition, and June, too.

A First Father’s Day…

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I love being a publisher and editor and proudly covering a wide swath of Northern Westchester! But like most people, sometimes I do experience a bout of the blues, for any number of reasons. I also recognize that the reasons are circumstantial. In the last month or so, I lost my father, a 96-year-old Holocaust survivor, and grandfather of four. I simply miss him to pieces, especially as I approach a First Father’s Day with him gone. Nonetheless, I know the blues are not a medical diagnosis. They are a state of mind that can be helped whether by say, leaning on friends and family, keeping a journal or maybe taking long meditative walks. The more ‘serious’ depression and all its potential consequences continues to challenge scientists around the world. So I was glad to attend an event by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation who make it their mission to support advances in this area; my report: https://www.theinsidepress.com/tipper-gore-breaking-the-silence-about-mental-illness/

But back to my dad. As I consider that he’s gone, I also understand that his legacy will never leave me, and I intend for it not to leave this world either. The dangers of silence are all too clear. I attended a May screening of the movie Complicit at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center. It was stunning in its revelations of what led to 937 terrified Jewish passengers aboard the SS St. Louis being sent back to Nazi controlled Europe–first by Cuba and then so sadly by orders of the state Dept. and President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Over 250 of the passengers aboard were later killed–but it was the ramifications which were far worse: The horrific rejection gave Hitler exactly what he wanted: a perfect opportunity to “prove” to the world that Jews were expendable. #NeverAgain

Everyone knows a survivor’s best revenge is a long and fulfilling life. I’m thankful that my dad with a life well lived offering inspiration to many. Please be sure to read our entire edition and all its amazing stories! I’m grateful for our team and contributors who ‘share the heart of your community.’ Wishing you all peaceful and love-filled graduation ceremonies, if there are any in your household, and of course, a Happy Father’s Day.