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New Board Members Ziporah Janowski and Debby Ziering Join the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

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The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center  (HHREC) of White Plains, NY has announced their Board of Directors has elected Ziporah Janowski  and Debby Ziering to join their board. Janowski and Ziering will serve three-year terms effective January 1, 2021.

“We are very pleased that Ziporah and  Debby will be joining our board,” said Millie Jasper, Executive Director at the HHREC. “They have each been very supportive and engaged with HHREC over the years as speakers in our community, and we look forward to working with them to promote and support key initiatives we have planned for 2021 and beyond.”

Ziporah Janowski is the daughter of two Holocaust survivors and is a member of the HHREC Generation Forward Speakers Bureau, a group of second and third generation individuals sponsored by the HHREC. Her speeches have described what life was like as the American child of Polish Holocaust survivors and the lasting imprint being Holocaust survivors left upon her parents. She works with her husband David as Co-Owner and Director of Shane Fit Camps, a group of weight loss and wellness camps that operate throughout the United States. Previously she was a litigation attorney and worked with Marsh & McLennan Inc. and with Mercer Consulting, and she is a board member of Teatown Lake Reservation.

Debby Ziering is also the daughter of two Holocaust survivors and member of the HHREC Generation Forward Speakers Bureau. Her speeches recount her father’s story from the perspective of a young teen and discusses how her father’s story has impacted her life. The Ziering family story is recounted in the Herman and Lea Ziering Archive Center at the Manhattan College Genocide and Multicultural Center in Riverdale, New York. Ziering co-teaches 8th grader at SAR Academy in the Names Not Numbers© Program, an oral history film project which enables students to interview Holocaust survivors to learn about World War II and create a documentary.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Ziporah Janowski  and  Debby Ziering  to our board at HHREC” said Michael Gyory, HHREC Board Chairperson. “They already play a very important role in our mission, and we are very excited to have them join our board to help us develop our plans to grow awareness of the important work we are doing, here in Westchester County, and, increasingly, across the country and around the world.”

About The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center

The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center is a not-for-profit organization based in White Plains New York that serves Westchester, Fairfield and neighboring counties. Their Mission is to enhance the teaching and learning of the lessons of the Holocaust and the right of all people to be treated with dignity and respect. We encourage students to speak up and act against all forms of bigotry and prejudice. Their work with students and teachers helps schools fulfill the New York State mandate that the Holocaust and other human rights abuses be included in their curriculum. Since 1994, they have brought the lessons of the Holocaust, genocide and human rights crimes to over 1,500 teachers, and through them to thousands of middle and high school students. Through their volunteer Educators Program Committee, the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center gives teachers the unique opportunity to develop programs for themselves and others. These programs not only enrich teachers’ knowledge about the Holocaust and related issues, but they also provide the lens through which to view all other human rights violations. For more information call 914.696.0738 email info@hhrecny.org .

 

MENTOR NEW YORK Virtually Hosts the 18th Annual MENTORING MATTERS Conference for New York State

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Amidst the Country’s Increased Awareness of Racial Disparities, this Year’s Conference Focuses on Creating a Future of Racial Equity and Finding Spaces of Joy for Youth

The mentoring movement is facing unprecedented challenges, during the changing landscape of a global pandemic and deepening divides rooted in racial inequity. MENTOR New York, a leader in the statewide Mentoring Movement, will convene New York’s youth development and mentoring professionals virtually for the 18th Annual Mentoring Matters Conference on Friday, April 16, 2021, to address increasing racial equity and creating spaces of joy for young people.

In the Mid-Hudson region, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Family Services of Westchester, Her Honor Mentoring, Team Tuskers, Family Service Society, and My Brother’s Keeper Success Mentorship Program will gain new tools and techniques to learn, reflect, reassess and redirect their work with young people in ways that ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion are the driving force. The conference is open to the public and is ideally suited for youth development professionals and mentors.  Others looking to participate can purchase tickets here.

“As we have seen in the past 10 months, it is no longer enough to state your organization’s commitment to increasing racial equity,” said Brenda Jimenez, CEO of MENTOR New York.  “Now is the time for courageous action. We need to come together as a movement and take definitive and collective action creating anti-racist spaces. This is hard work that no one can do on their own, which is why MENTOR New York has partnered with Adelphi University, Niagara University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission.”

“As a thought leader in the Mentoring Movement, Adelphi University knows the role mentoring can play in increasing equity through human connection, which is why its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion oversees the University’s Mentoring Program, and is also why it will be a community partner co-host for the Mentoring Matters Conference,” said Chotsani Williams West, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Adelphi. “This conference will address the dimensions of mentoring for diverse populations in educational spaces, a topic of great interest to mentoring leaders, school supervisors and those interested in starting mentoring programs or serving as mentors.”

Over 400 experts, organization leaders, and educators are expected to attend the conference virtually to engage in interactive workshops providing concrete skills and new knowledge that lead to direct action. Large-group sessions including the keynote and plenaries will tackle large-scale challenges from multiple perspectives and provoke new ways to think about the work that professionals are doing with young people.

The conference will include expert presenters and panelists immersed in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the mentoring movement, such as:

  • Nisha Sachdev, DrPh, PsyD, President, Premnas Partners
  • Chotsani Williams West, Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and Adjunct Professor, College of Arts & Sciences / College of Education and Health Sciences, Adelphi University
  • Roland Ward, Associate Professor of Social Work at Niagara University and Endowed Faculty Director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission
  • Laura Quiros, Ph.D, LMSW, Author/Associate Professor/Trauma Informed DEI Consultant
  • Brooks Frederick, Professor of Studio Art/ Freelance Artist
  • Ashely Watson, Marriage & Family Therapist, Founder of #RealTalk
  • Sekia Turner, Assistant Professor of Social Work
  • Tommy McClam, Senior Director of Boys and Men of Color Initiative, Say Yes Buffalo
  • Marisa Hattab, Training and Partnership Development Manager, MENTOR Nebraska
  • Brenda Jimenez, CEO, MENTOR New York
  • Ivette Maza Cabrera, Student, Queens College

“Niagara University is thrilled to partner with MENTOR New York. MENTOR New York works tirelessly to train adult partners who seek to build strong relationships with young people. This year, MENTOR New York’s efforts have been needed more than ever,” said Dr. Roland Ward, Associate Professor of Social Work at Niagara University and Endowed Faculty Director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission. “Like Niagara University, MENTOR New York is working to dismantle racism and elevate the voices of BIPOC youth. When BIPOC youth have safe spaces to develop and grow capacity, mentors are engaging in life-changing work.”

MENTOR New York is at the center of the NY Mentoring Movement partnering with adults who want to make a difference in the lives of young people and elevate their voices. By providing them with cutting-edge tools and resources, MENTOR New York is fueling mentoring relationship and fostering mentoring cultures that will give our young people the confidence to take on tomorrow’s leadership roles or even develop their own. 

Above info made available via a News Release from MENTOR New York

Worrisome Stats Point to Need to Discuss Cancer Screenings with Your Doctor

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MOUNT KISCO, NY– In conjunction with National Cancer Prevention Month this February and with declines in cancer screenings during the coronavirus pandemic, Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH), urges patients to discuss cancer screening with their physicians.       

Dr. Lev Davidson, director of Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH)

“Patients are putting off screenings until it’s potentially too late for effective treatment because the disease has advanced so far,” says Dr. Davidson. “This is an unnecessary tragedy.  While no two people have the same cancer risk, those at high risk due to heredity or other factors, should not delay screening.”

The downward trend in cancer screenings is worrisome. In 2020, the American Cancer Society’s statistics report noted a 29% decline in the cancer death rate between 1991 and 2017. Findings released in May by the Epic Health Research Network showed that preventive screenings for cervical, colon and breast cancer from a data set of 2.7 million patients declined between 86 and 94% in March 2020 compared with average volumes in the prior three years. As of summer of 2020, the National Cancer Institute predicted that declines in screenings for colon and breast cancer could result in 10,000 lives lost.

“Many people have postponed cancer screenings due to fears of contracting Coronavirus during a visit to a hospital or physician office,” says Dr. Davidson. “Certain cancers require in-person diagnostic tests, while others, such as colon cancer, may have an at home test kit option for people who are at low risk. There are now alternatives to screening that are better than not screening at all, and telehealth is an excellent option for having that discussion with your physician.

“The availability of virtual resources permits patients to talk to their physician to assess whether they need a cancer screening, or can safely postpone a screening and reassess later,” he adds, “Much of this depends on whether the screening is routine or whether there are symptoms and the nature of the symptoms. It is very important to have these discussions with your physician to assess the situation.”

Dr. Davidson advises that, “When you come to Northern Westchester Hospital for a screening, we have measures in place to assess your health before you arrive and to monitor you when you are here, as well as strict protocols that make patient visits safe.” 

NWH’s safety measures include thermal cameras for temperature checks, pre-screenings, social distancing, mask mandates, limited visitation, strict cleaning protocols, and spreading out patient appointments to limit waiting room traffic.

           For more information on the Northwell Health Cancer Institute at Northern Westchester Hospital, visit https://nwh.northwell.edu/cancer-institute

This News is Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

 

Westchester Jewish Community Services Awarded $4 Million Grant

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Geared to Aid WJCS in its Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services in Peekskill & Mount Vernon

WJCS (Westchester Jewish Community Services), the largest provider of outpatient licensed community-based services in Westchester county, was awarded a $4 million Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) grant–$2 million a year for two years–from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The funding will be used to broaden and deepen WJCS substance abuse and mental health services in Peekskill and Mt.Vernon, two of Westchester’s most under resourced communities.

 “The SAMHSA grant will provide integrated care, combining behavioral health, physical health, and substance use services, to low-income individuals who face major emotional and social challenges, including lack of employment, inadequate housing conditions, poor access to health services and substance use and opioid use prevention, treatment, and recovery support,” said WJCS CEO Seth Diamond. “COVID has only enhanced the challenges the residents of these communities face.WJCS is committed to providing an integrated, coordinated, and trauma-informed response to care for the people of Peekskill and Mt.Vernon.”

 According to national data, only 10% of people who need mental health or substance use disorder care receive treatment. In Peekskill and Mt.Vernon, six of the eight zip codes experience a disproportionate number of deaths, emergency room visits, and hospital stays due to opioid use. Many individuals living there face significant barriers to care, including low availability of timely appointments after 3pm and during the weekend; a shortage of psychiatric staff across all agencies resulting in frustration for hospital discharge planners, and the only mobile crisis team in the county not operating on weeknights after 10pm and weekend nights after 5 p.m. With SAMHSA funding WJCS will leverage its clinics, community programs, and relationships with community partners to increase access, and improve mental health and health outcomes through enhanced integration of services and meaningful engagement.  Visit www.wjcs.com

News courtesy of Westchester Jewish Community Services

Getting a Good Night’s Sleep in Troubled Times

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Mount Kisco, NY–On Sunday, November 1st, at 2 a.m., clocks will be turned one hour back for Daylight Savings Time, so when the clock reads 10 am on Sunday morning, your brain and body will insist that it is really 11 a.m.

“Gaining’ an hour in the fall is much easier for our bodies than ‘losing’ an hour in the spring,” says Dr. Praveen Rudraraju, medical director of the Center for Sleep Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital. “For many, sleep has become more elusive in these uncertain times.

“Sleep specialists are seeing an unprecedented numbers of patients suffering from insomnia and other sleep disturbances due to the pandemic, which presents a unique set of multiple stressors,” he adds. “There’s no quick fix for the anxiety that’s keeping people awake as they worry about their jobs, income, the health and safety of loved ones, social isolation and an uncertain future. There is actually a hormonal basis for this kind of insomnia. Anxiety triggers the production of stimulating chemicals in the body that keep people awake.

To get the most out of sleep, Dr. Rudraraju says that both the quality and quantity are important. Most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep in order to feel refreshed and alert.  Sleeping less than five hours a night can raise the risk of cardiovascular disease by 40 percent, while chronic insomnia quadruples the risk of stroke. Numerous studies have linked poor-quality sleep to weight gain. Ghrelin, a hormone linked to hunger, increases when people sleep poorly. 

Dr. Rudraraju advises people to practice good sleep hygiene:

  • Do not drink caffeinated beverages after noon, and eat dinner at least three to five hours before bedtime to give your gut time to relax before you turn off the lights.
  • Limit alcohol to one drink with dinner.
  • Eliminate all food and beverages with caffeine, including soda and chocolate, before bedtime.
  • Bedrooms are for sleeping and intimacy. If possible, do not work in your bedroom.
  • Turn off devices, including the computer, television and phone an hour before bedtime because the bright light from the screen and the brain activity these devices require prevent the body from winding down for the evening and may delay sleep. Instead, relax by reading or listening to quiet music.
  • Regular workouts have been linked to better sleep, but avoid any strenuous activity within four to five hours of hitting the sack.

If you often wake up groggy, have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, feel sleepy all day long or snore, you may need a sleep study to assess the possibility of a sleep disorder. An at-home sleep study can find out if you do have a sleep issue, but an in-hospital sleep study can diagnose whether it is caused by an underlying medical condition.

One of the most common disorders is sleep apnea, typically characterized by loud snoring and feelings of constant tiredness. The condition interrupts a person’s breathing hundreds of

times a night, depriving the brain and heart of oxygen. Untreated sleep apnea increases the risk of high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obesity, diabetes and mental illness. It also puts people at increased risk of heart failure, arrhythmias or irregular heartbeats, and increases the risk of driving accidents.

For more information or to make an appointment for a sleep center study, visit nwh.northwell.edu/sleep-center or call 914-666-1114.

News Courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital and Northwell,edu