Just Between Us

Why I Plan to Vote Blue on November 6

October 24, 2018 by Grace Bennett

If there is one thing ‘about me’ I’d want anyone to know about my politics, it is that while I have always been a registered Democrat, I am not hyper-partisan. I am loyal only to the truth. By now, many of you (I hope) won’t be surprised to hear that.

But given the ‘pick your side’ nature of American elections, being a Democrat has always felt more in line with values that include compassion and good will and a sense of generosity toward your fellow man and woman and child.

So let’s talk about what feels ‘most’ wrong two years post Election, 2016.

I feel with every fiber of my being that Trump has been such a big fat horrible mistake for this country. He is worse than the bad dream we envisioned. He is now more the nightmare we can’t wake up from as he has completely divided us, and consequently, we’ve now witnessed an unprecedented escalation of hatred and accompanying violence toward every population, it sometimes seems, except white men and women of privilege.

He has given the fringe, shrill anti Zionist set on the left a window of opportunity to exploit, and I won’t let up on that either. Not as a child of Holocaust survivors whose war-torn parents met and married in Israel, drinking from a Kiddush cup, celebrating their union and their survival against all odds. I will fight to challenge every single politician, blue, red or purple, to support Israel as we move toward 2020, and hope you will too.

For now, however, there’s a bottom line I have come to terms with: Voting for the enabling band of GOPers helps keep ‘him’ in office…and consequently:

* Our health care is on the line.
* Our personal safety is at continuous risk from gun violence and ‘activated’ alt right individuals and gangs.
* The fate of our air and ocean continue to be deeply compromised by this climate science denying bunch.
* The trauma on children inflicted at the border is completely unacceptable and will impact them for a lifetime.
* As a woman who celebrates the hard fought gains made for myself and my sisters, I will not sit back and watch this sexist gang make decisions that could roll back the clock for our daughters.
* I will stand up for my gay and trans friends who are under attack too.

We all deserve better. Much better.

First order of business, change up this very bad hand we’ve been dealt.

#VOTEBLUE on November 6th!

Please keep reminding our youngest voters, too. While I may veer away from making official endorsements, there are times for anyone who cares about our country’s future to speak up, and now feels distinctly like one of those times. I’m grateful I still have freedom of expression to share that thought and a forum in which to do so. There is so much at stake…

Imagining the Glorious Possibilities of ‘I Can’

August 29, 2018 by Grace Bennett

Can I do this? Yes I Can!

When you are Empty Nest and single, but still living in the suburbs, ‘Back to School’ feels more like an experience from the sidelines—I admit to being more observer, than participant. It’s also easy to fall into ‘missing my kids’ mode, and I so do. However, this year, I plan to celebrate their wings by approaching life with a hefty dose of joie de vivre.

Indeed, the possibilities are rather glorious. While I consider others’ September scramble for book supplies and finding out teacher assignments, and while I certainly wish our Chappaqua Schools a very happy 90th birthday at Greeley’s homecoming, in truth, my mind wanders a bit as I plot multiple ways to fill more ‘me time.’

Two words I’m saying more: ‘I can.’ I can get to the gym more. I can go to karaoke or a favorite musician’s gig (if I can take a nap first, that is). I can take more walks in our amazing ‘hoods and parks. I can sleep longer. I can meditate or schedule an occasional massage. I can write a novel or a movie, or start a new publication…yes, I think about that, if I can simply pull myself from social media a bit more! Or I can get over myself and accept however each day plays out! I can volunteer. I can get more politically involved, as fraught with ‘issues’ that sometimes feels. I can binge on a hot TV series, wrack up movies at the Burns, and I can cook more or I can treat myself to lovely meals. I can hop Metro North more to take advantage of the amazing city we live a stone’s throw from. I can make a bucket list travel wish come true. One certainty: I can keep soaking up precious time spent with my 96-year-old Poppy.

I can… I can…

Fortunately, anytime I feel like stepping up Community life, I can do that, too. I’m ultimately blessed to live in an area where, in truth, fun opportunities abound at any life stage–our ‘Happenings’ section makes that clear–whether its stopping by Community Day, the Chappaqua’s Children Book Festival or Armonk’s Outdoor Art Show and Cider and Donut Festival–these are all on my I Can calendar too. Ultimately, I plan to do it my way, in Can Do…the world is my oyster…mode.

“I Had a Little Suspicion”

June 20, 2018 by Inside Press

Pre war, my uncle Wolf, with my grandmother and grandfather, before the Nazis separated he and my dad first from their parents. In time, Mengele separated him from my father too.

By Grace Bennett

As I read of children and babies held hostage in cages–as little more than bargaining chips–my dad’s singularly monstrous experiences of separation and loss during the Holocaust have come back to haunt me.

Whether you agree that the Holocaust comparisons to the current day madness are fair or not (I admit that I find the comparisons troublesome sometimes), I think when you read this, you might at least agree there are powerful lessons to be learned and that our despair over the abuse and indignities being inflicted on migrant families and especially to the children at our border is entirely warranted.

When any category of people are treated so callously, and our President lies so brazenly about ‘who created the situation,’ as the situation persists, yes, you damn well better question authority to the max, and do not stop.

To protect helpless children, I do beg you: please lose any moral qualms about assuming the worst.

We know full well that the worst is possible. It is all our jobs now to guard against the worst. The worst, the Holocaust taught us, also comes incrementally.

But I digress because my dad’s story as a victim of rock bottom evil speaks for itself…

After being separated from the rest of his family (all of whom–except for my dad and grandfather–were killed at Auschwitz), my father and Wolf (who was two years younger) had managed to stay alive during the Holocaust after being dragged away for ‘work details,’ i.e., slave labor. Together, they suffered and together they survived a series of smaller ‘labor’, i.e., concentration, camps.

Through it all, what meant absolutely the most, what time and again would trigger their survival instinct and help the other through, was that they had each other. They looked out for each other, my dad told me. Being together meant everything.

But then they were sent to Auschwitz, too.

An excerpt (lightly edited) from my Poppy’s memoir.

“The Germans decided to send us to the concentration camp Auschwitz. Arriving there we were greeted by the S.S with the infamous Dr. Mengele. They lined us up and the Dr. was telling us that all injured or too young to do hard work will go to a special location for the injured and children, and will be taken care of.

I had a little suspicion.

He (Mengele) got in front of me, and for some reason, he asked my age. I said 16, and added that we are very good workers.

My brother (Wolf) said nothing; he was younger than me but taller and a fiery red head.

He (Mengele) told my brother to step forward and told him that he will be better off being with children.

Our (Jewish) camp leader was a 6’ tall guy. He showed the S.S. officer his damaged finger, so he told him to also go with the children and take care of them.

In the meantime my brother came running back asking for half of the bread we still had.

I begged him to stay with me, but he argued I should go with him.

One of the soldiers noticed the commotion and asked what was going on.

I said that I have the whole bread, so he said to break the bread in half and give that to him.

They went one way, and we vent to shower, change our civilian clothing into striped uniform and we all got tattoos injected into our forearms.

My # was 141940 with an upside triangle underneath.

After arriving in the quarters assigned to us, we went outside of our building, meeting people from other buildings, telling them where we came from,

I mentioned that I came here with my brother who was transferred to a camp for children.

He told me to look at the smoke in the background, and said, “That’s were your brother and all the others are, being incinerated…”

In Wolf’s memory, may the gross mistreatment, abuse, and human rights violations of children at America’s border–AMERICA’S border–STOP. We are better than this.

Grace Bennett is Publisher and Editor of the Inside Press. She has been on the board and advisory board of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center since 2007 and is a member of Women’s March for All. Her father (‘Poppy’) Jacob Breitstein is a 96-year old Holocaust survivor.

Inside Press: 15 Years of Caring

May 23, 2018 by Grace Bennett

As we wrap up two more beautiful late spring/early summer editions, I proudly call your attention to a local publishing history that includes the following honors:

Westchester/Putnam Women in Communications ‘Superwoman of the Year’ Award
Media Award, Mental Health Association of Westchester
Bernard J. Rosenshein Courage to Care Award, Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

We conceive and produce community and regional stories that keep in step with our times and a larger national picture sometimes too. Mostly, we like when our stories touch hearts and stir souls, or otherwise resonate with our readers. We aim, whenever we can, to make a difference to lives both inside and outside our area. Our editions, given that they spotlight your neighbors, are read cover to cover, and all our stories are linked online to theinsidepress.com.

I’ll be celebrating Father’s Day honoring my 96- year-old dad, of course… He’s my biggest fan and here he is enjoying recent Inside Press editions.

In my estimation, the call to ‘Shop Local’ means supporting local media too, whether you are an advertiser or a reader. After all, consider that social media could get a little dull without all the wonderfully reported stories to share, too! Still in 2018: September/October, November and Holiday edition advertising opportunities in print and/or online. To advertise and/or order a voluntary or gift subscription, drop a note to grace@insidepress.com

Thank you for all your support in spirit too. Buoyed as we head into (a hopefully warm!) June, celebrating dads and grads, I wish you and your families near and far a wonderful, and healthy summer of fun and exploration. — Grace

I can’t resist sharing some proud family news that my son Ari Bennett (HGHS ’14) is graduating Union College on June 17 too! He is seated here together with his fellow artist classmates during an Open House for a Senior Art Exhibit called Perspectives. Congrats to all!

Letter to the Editor

On behalf of Lagond Music School,The Mental Health Association of Westchester, and Music & Miles, Changing Minds, we thank you for attending our March 10 Living Proof event and writing an in depth piece that shines the light on the power of music, mental health awareness and education. We are so pleased we could raise enough monies for two high school music scholarships in Miles’ memory and mental health services. Your article brought the evening to life in a very meaningful way.

Shari and Ed Applebaum
Event Co-Chairs, Music & Miles: Changing Minds

Wide Wings

March 25, 2018 by Inside Press

Editor’s Note: May the memories of lost loved ones be both blessing and call to action. My poem is dedicated to all the courageous survivors in the March For Our Lives movement. — Grace

We give our kids roots

So that they can grow wings.

After teaching them first

of important things.

Guess we didn’t know

How far kids can fly

After growing up watching

Small children and peers die.

Their wings spread wide

And views heard across the land

We watch in awe

And also, extend a hand.