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North Castle News

A Wonderful Chance to Learn from Olympic Swimmer Ariana Kukors!

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ariana

By Susan Draper

As parents of a competitive swimmer, we had heard that attending the Olympic Swimming Trials is incredibly exciting because it allows the spectators to see the Olympic team as it is formed.

It was an amazing trip, one beyond our wildest dreams! Because we purchased a special package through the USA Swimming Foundation – partly the cost of the event tickets and partly a donation – we received numerous perks during our trip: We had an opportunity to sit with Rowdy Gaines as he announced events, took a behind the scenes tour of the broadcasting center, enjoyed both a fun swim with some Olympians and a cocktail hour with autograph opportunities, had ever-changing amazing event seats alongside USA Foundation members and/or Olympians plus much more. One day we had the unique opportunity to have lunch with some new Olympians.

IMG_6225Ariana Kukors was the absolute highlight of that lunch– she simply sparkles! She told us the most heartfelt story of the days leading up to her monumental swim, and described the exciting moment when she realized that she made one of the required top two spots to become an Olympian. We made an instant connection with her and, though we’ve only seen her twice since June of 2012, we’ve kept in close contact.

When we met Ariana she was already the world record holder for the 200 IM, set in the 2009 World Aquatic Championships in Rome. In addition to her Gold at that meet, she had also won a silver medal at the World Championships, and, based on her performance, was named the American Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine. That is pretty amazing, and in that fight for an Olympic team spot in 2012, she candidly told us that part of herself pep talk was to remind herself of the fact that she held the World Record. One of those spots was hers- she just had to swim her best to claim it.

Any age group swimmer knows that swimming your best time or achieving a personal best time can be a daunting task. There are no guarantees. It requires an efficient start, turns that are spot on, swimming one’s best strokes, the proper finish and the mental fortitude to pull it all together. Ariana has won seven medals in major international competition and 22 National Titles, but she isn’t the typical super tall swimmer with height on her side. She has developed some strong strategies and techniques to help make all of her talents – beautiful strokes and execution, along with utter determination and a belief in herself- come together to achieve her dreams.

It has been our dream to have Ariana here for a visit, and help coordinate events for both swimmers and non-swimmers alike. We are thrilled to announce that she will soon spend two days in Westchester, inspiring young athletes to be their very best: On September 26th from 4-6 p.m., Ariana will offer a “Dream Clinic” at the Bristal in Armonk. This event will be for teens from ages 12-18 looking for tips and strategies to make their dreams become realities.

On September 27th Ariana will offer swimming workshops in the pool at the Boys and Girls Club in Mt. Kisco. Because she would like to offer a very “hands on” clinic, there will be multiple timeslots –  Novice swimmers 9-11:30 a.m., Junior level swimmers 12-2:30 p.m. and Senior level swimmers 3:-5:30 p.m.. To sign up for either of these events, please email Arikukors@gmail.com. Registration and payment ($45 for the Armonk/Bristal event, $65 for the Boys/Girls Club Mt. Kisco event) must be completed in advance.

315 Supporters Laced Up to Run Miles for Miles

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Team Daniel Runs for Recovery from Mental Illness
By Janine Crowley Haynes

The Laitman family with marathon great, Bill Rodgers & Shari Applebaum, Miles Applebaum's mother (From left) Abbey Laitman, Hannah Laitman, Rachel Laitman, Rob Laitman, Bill Rodgers, Shari Applebaum, Daniel Laitman, Ann Laitman
The Laitman family with marathon great, Bill Rodgers & Shari Applebaum, Miles Applebaum’s mother (From left) Abbey Laitman, Hannah Laitman, Rachel Laitman, Rob Laitman, Bill Rodgers, Shari Applebaum, Daniel Laitman, Ann Laitman

Last Sunday in Armonk, nonprofit organization, Team Daniel, held a 5K fundraising event, Miles for Miles, at Byram Hills High School in memory of Miles Applebaum, 21, who was lost to suicide last October. The high school was a fitting venue. “There’s no better place to hold an event in memory of my son,” says Shari Applebaum. Miles Applebaum attended Byram Hills High School and was a cross-country runner who ran the course behind the high school many times over. When approached with the idea of holding the event at the high school, Principal Chris Borsari quickly mobilized support from the Student Wellness Advisory Committee (SWAC), teachers, students, community volunteers, friends, and family. “Everyone came out to make a difference,” says Shari Applebaum who is truly grateful for the overwhelming love and support from the Armonk and surrounding communities.

Bill Rodgers signs copies of his book, Marathon Man
Bill Rodgers signs copies of his book, Marathon Man

Dr. Rob Laitman, Bedford resident and co-founder of Team Daniel, opened with introductions. Tables were set up for mental health representatives from NAMI of Westchester, Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.* Singers Bianca and Jacqueline Muniz sang an emotional rendition of Hallelujah. Bianca Muniz and Miles Applebaum met at Lagond Music School and quickly became close friends. Lagond’s band, County All Stars, played for the close to 400 supporters in attendance, with 315 of them lacing up to hit the cross-country trail as well as the track. Running alongside them was four-time winner of the Boston and New York City marathons, Bill Rodgers, who later signed copies of his book, Marathon Man, for his enthusiastic fans. In his 40 years of running, Rodgers participated in approximately 1,500 races–all for different causes. Rodgers noted, however, Miles for Miles was his first run for mental health.

Daniel Laitman of Team Daniel (on left) runs regularly as part of his mental health regimen after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Daniel Laitman of Team Daniel (on left) runs regularly
as part of his mental health regimen after being
diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Given that Dr. Laitman is a runner as well and has run in 68 marathons, it’s no surprise his fundraising events focus on running. He likens the cross-country terrain at Byram Hills High School with its sometimes rocky twists and turns to the long, rough road back to recovery from mental illness. “It’s hard, but you can’t give up. You have to run the course. You have to do the work,” says Dr. Laitman. Raising awareness to help dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health issues is an important undertaking for the Laitman family. Their son, Daniel Laitman, was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 15. Over the years, the family has raised between $150,000 to $200,000 for various mental health organizations. In 2014, Rob and Ann Laitman officially formed their nonprofit organization, Team Daniel Running for Recovery from Mental Illness, and have held four 5Ks, including Miles for Miles where they raised $17,000. “We have a long way to go to reach our goals, but slow and steady wins the race,” says Ann Laitman.

After the long battle to stabilize their son on the right medication, it became abundantly clear to the Laitmans that their main goals were for “Daniel to have a robust recovery and lead a full life.” No doubt, the Laitmans have realized their goals. Daniel Laitman, now 24, recently graduated from SUNY Purchase with a 3.41 GPA. He majored in screenwriting and playwriting and is currently pursuing his passion for stand-up comedy. “Robust recovery should be the norm, not the exception, for those struggling with mental health challenges,” states Rob Laitman.

It’s interesting to note that Ann Laitman is a general internist and Rob Laitman is a general internist, nephrologist, and gerontologist, but after their son developed schizophrenia, Rob Laitman read voraciously and has expanded his medical practice to include psychiatric internal medicine. Over the past six years, Rob Laitman has become expert in the medical management of clozapine. On their website, Rob Laitman writes passionately about seeing the person/patient as a whole, even when it comes to mental health challenges. The Laitmans found that along with internal medicine, integrating behavioral health (regular exercise, healthy diet, etc.) was an important component that factored into their son’s mental health equation. To read more about the Laitmans and Team Daniel, please visit their website, teamdanielrunningforrecovery.org.

Janine Crowley Haynes of Chappaqua is a freelance writer & author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World.

SupportersBeforeRun
CrossCountryRunners
DanielLaitmanRunning
LaitmanAwards
RodgersBookSigning
RodgersWestlakeDad
AMFSP
BBRF
NAMI

* Mental health organizations present at Miles for Miles:

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention www.afsp.org, AFSP funds research, creates educational programs, advocates for public policy, and support survivors of suicide loss.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK (8255)) suicidepreventionlifeline.org provides free, confidential support to individuals and/or family members in crisis or emotional distress. Lifeline provides a list of warning signs for someone at risk for suicide. However, if somone is in immediate danger of attempting suicide, call 911.

NAMI of Westchester namiwestchester.org, whose latest mental health initiative involves setting up programs in middle schools and high schools throughout Westchester County.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation bbrfoundation.org raises funds for research and awards grants to leading scientists around the world. 100 percent of funds raised for research are invested in grants leading to advances and breakthoughs in brain and behavior research.

Mitzvah Project Makes a Ripple; Topic: Mental Health

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By Janine Crowley Haynes

Top L-R: Ethan Resnik, Jake Wild, Isabella Yallof, Bella Gizzi, Sara Unger, Ellie Hooker, Rianna Rabinowitz Bottom L-R: Jesse Schmalholz, Abby Yallof, Arianna Tedesco (Students not pictured but participated: Claudia Greenspan, Sami Wurm, Laura LoBello)
Top L-R: Ethan Resnik, Jake Wild, Isabella Yallof, Bella Gizzi, Sara Unger, Ellie Hooker, Rianna Rabinowitz
Bottom L-R: Jesse Schmalholz, Abby Yallof, Arianna Tedesco (Students not pictured but participated: Claudia Greenspan, Sami Wurm, Laura LoBello)
A crowd gathered at Congregation B’nai Yisrael in Armonk on Wednesday to attend a mental health awareness multimedia program put together by Isabella Yallof (12). It also happened to be her Mitzvah project. Isabella decided to focus on mental health because she experienced depression at the young age of 8. She was also moved by the recent losses to suicide, Miles Applebaum and Madison Holleran. Isabella decided to honor their memory with her project. Miles’ mother, Shari Applebaum, happens to be Isabella’s JID teacher at Congregation B’nai Yisrael.

No doubt, it’s been a difficult road for the Applebaum family, but Shari Applebaum fully supported her students’s Mitzvah project, knowing how vital it is to address mental health concerns in the community. “I felt honored to be part of Isabella’s Mitzvah project….I have to believe there’s a silver lining with a new life purpose,” says Shari Applebaum. “I can’t bring Miles back, but I am determined to share openly and through my own experience shed light on what parents can do to stay fully informed and actively involved in their child’s treatment.”

The program mainly focused on educating the audience on the topic of depression in children and teens. Yet, Isabella chose to do it in a unique way. In between snippets of helpful information on mental health concerns, she kept it uplifting with creative performances by other talented, young people in the community. From a keyboard rendition of Rustles of Spring, to guitar solos and duos, to gymnastic and interpretive dance performances, Isabella managed to keep the attention of the audience, mainly made up of young teens and parents.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Jennifer Powell-Ludner, spoke directly to the importance of opening up the discussion, not just between parents and children, but between friends. “If you see something, say something,” states Dr. Powell-Ludner. “However difficult it might be because you think you might be betraying a trust, if you feel a friend is in trouble, talk to an adult.” Dr. Powell-Lunder also noted that changes in behavior or a drop in grades could be a red flag. In addition, symptoms of mental illness can be exhibited differently in teens than in adults. “The No. 1 symptom is irritability,” says Dr. Powell-Ludner.

So what makes this Mitzvah project worthy of attention? Quite simply, we’ve got teens talking to other teens about a hush, hush topic without shame or embarrassment. Equally impressive was the collaborative efforts from Isabella’s peers who participated in the program. Communication is the first step in raising awareness and dismantling the stigma surrounding mental illness. Equipping our children with information on mental health issues will help to break down the wall of silence and create more compassionate, supportive relationships between parents, children, and their friends.

“I got better with the support of my parents, friends, and therapy. Now I’m back to the crazy, happy girl that everyone knows me to be,” Isabella says with a smile and without the slightest bit of shame. Although Isabella is only turning 13 next month, she said that she’d like to help other children in a mental health capacity when she gets older. For now, she is doing her part to send a ripple into the community to get young people talking about it in a productive, positive way.

Isabella with her parents, Matt & Amy Yallof, and her JID teacher, Shari Applebaum
Isabella with her parents, Matt & Amy Yallof, and her JID teacher, Shari Applebaum

Janine Crowley Haynes, Chappaqua resident and author of My Kind of Crazy: Living in a Bipolar World


I see you left the sky sitting there like a love lost in the crowd.
I want you all but I just can’t tell you.
I’m afraid.
I’m ashamed.
I’m a malformation on the brink of extinction
and evolution into the eye of the beholder which beauty stems from.
Beauty all around me.
But I can’t touch it.
I can’t hold it in my arms.
I’m a bystander.
–Excerpt from a poem written Miles Applebaum

Armonk 7th Grader Isabella Yallof to Host March 18th Multimedia Event to Fight Depression

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Dancing, Singing, Artwork and Guest speakers on the Topic of Depression are Planned

Editor’s Note: This is a letter Isabella sent to members of Congregation B’nai Yisrael (CBY) in Armonk inviting participants.

Isabella Yallof
Isabella Yallof
Each day many of us live happy lives around friends and family who love and support us. We get to go to parties, hang out with friends and go to school or work. But what if you couldn’t do any of these things? What if you were constantly sad? What if you were too scared to leave the house?  Or worst of all, not even wanting to live? I was one of millions of people in the world who suffered from this. Do you know what it’s called? It’s called depression. Thankfully, I received the help I needed to win this battle.

In the past year, I’ve known of two very special people who lost their lives to this horrific disease. One of these people was Madison Holleran. Madison took her own life a year ago due to school-pressure situations. She was a very young girl, who was living the dream to become a superstar athlete at an Ivy League school. Her family was extremely supportive and she had many friends that loved her.

Another death happened a few months ago. Miles Applebaum also took his own life. Miles was a passionate and dedicated musician who had a unique talent for playing guitar. His studies during high school at Lagond Music School paved the way for a full scholarship in Jazz guitar at Boyer School of Music and Dance at Temple University.  Miles frequently played throughout venues in Westchester and Philadelphia. Miles was a gentle soul. He could light up a room with his contagious smile, big brown eyes and funny sense of humor. Miles’ life was cut too short but full with all he gave to others.

It is so sad to think about two young people’s lives which ended too soon. So, for my Mitzvah Project I am hosting an uplifting, multimedia event to raise awareness for depression and mental illness.   I am asking for your help! I need volunteers willing to perform and express how they feel through art.  Kids in grades 6th through 12th are encouraged to perform a 2-4 minute dance, song, read a poem, play music or display artwork.

Please email my mom at: alyallof@aol.com if you would like to participate or know someone who would like to participate.  Following are the details of my event:

When: Wednesday, March 18, 4:30-6 p.m..

What: Dancing, singing, artwork and guest speakers on the topic of depression

Who: Students in  Grades 6-12

Where: CBY in Armonk/ Social Hall

* Pizza and dessert will be served following the performances

Our guest speakers include:

Dr. Jennifer Powell-Lunder: a clinical psychologist specializing in work with tweens, teens, young adults, and their families. She is co-author of the book, “Teenage as a Second Language” (Adams Media 2010), and the creator of www.itsatweenslife.com and co-creator of www.talkingteenage.com.   Dr. Powell-Lunder is a published researcher, writer, accomplished speaker and consultant on tween, teen and young adult issues. She is a contributor to Parenting Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Huffington Post, Huffington Post Live, among many others.   She was profiled in Westchester Magazine’s January 2012 feature on ‘People to Watch.’

CBY’s Caring Committee: caring about and caring for our fellow human beings is a passion as well as a mitzvah. Our Caring and Social Action Committee provides direction and resources for people in need.  Their work encompasses the community here in Armonk, as well as our wider Westchester community and throughout the world.

Shari Applebaum: Shari will speak from personal experience and a mom’s perspective.

I sincerely hope you’ll join us for what is sure to be a special afternoon,

Isabella Yallof

Pulitzer Prize Winners and Bestselling Authors Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn to Speak at Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk

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A Path Appears

Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, Pulitzer Prize winners and authors of the #1 bestseller Half of the Sky will discuss their new book, A Path Appears: Transforming Lives, Creating Opportunities on Monday, October 27, 2014 at 7pm at Congregation B’nai Yisrael (CBY) of Armonk, New York. Tickets are $45 per person and include a signed copy of A Path Appears.

In their new book together, the husband-wife team focus on how each of us can play a role in making the world a better place and offers concrete advice on how we can give back responsibly and effectively.

“Nobody clarifies the social challenges of our time, or the moral imperative to help meet them, better than Nick Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn,” said former President Bill Clinton. “Their latest book, A Path Appears, offers an important reminder that just because we can’t do everything doesn’t mean we shouldn’t do something.”

“We are excited to host Sheryl WuDunn and Nicholas Kristof, whose work challenges all of us to consider our commitment to the broader community,” says Lisa Broomer, President of Congregation B’nai Yisrael.

In 1990, Kristof and WuDunn were the first husband-wife team to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism for their coverage of China’s Tiananmen Square democracy movement. A columnist for The New York Times, Kristof is often called a “reporter’s reporter” for his activism and was the subject of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival documentary Reporter. He has lived on four continents, reported on six, and traveled to 140 countries, all 50 states, every Chinese province, and every main Japanese island in order to offer a compassionate glimpse into global health, poverty, and gender in the developing world. Kristof won a second Pulitzer in 2006 for his columns on the genocide in Darfur and has won innumerous awards including the Dayton Literacy Peace Prize and the Anne Frank Award.

The first Asian American to win a Pulitzer Prize, WuDunn is a business executive, entrepreneur, and best-selling author. She has special expertise in Asia entrepreneurship, global women’s issues, and philanthropy. As an investment banker, she currently helps growth companies, including those operating in the fields of new media technology, entertainment, social media, healthcare, and the emerging markets, particularly China.

Kristof and WuDunn also coauthored the bestselling books Thunder from the East: Portrait of a Rising Asia and China Wakes: The Struggle for the Soul of a Rising Power.

Founded in 1970, Congregation B’nai Yisrael of Armonk is a Reform congregation with nearly 400 family members.