The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester

‘The Edible Gardenist on How to Bring Joy & Ease into Family Meals

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Hillary Marra, aka The Edible Gardenist

During this back to school time we have an opportunity to bring ease, joy and connection into our family food. As a family food and garden coach, I teach my clients how to shift from trying to solely get their kids to eat healthy and, instead, invite their kids in to participate with the food which fosters the bigger picture, a positive relationship with food.

I always felt welcome in the kitchen. While my mother passed down a family recipe here and there, the gift that she gave me was that she always made me feel as though I belonged in the kitchen. My passion for food continued with my own children. When it came to raising Jess, Jackie, and Jake, I wanted them each to feel at home in the kitchen in their own way, and the kitchen was our playground.

As my kids entered preschool, I began teaching kids cooking classes, coaching moms and speaking on panels about joyful, healthy eating. I was grateful when my kids invited me in to teach in their entire grades! I wanted to do more in the community, met Andrea Garbarini, and we shared the vision of starting an edible school garden at BRS Elementary School. Together with a dedicated team, we created the first edible school garden in the Pleasantville district. I also found a home at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester in Chappaqua, where I continue to partner with Hope Blauner, teaching the early childhood edible school garden.

Inviting our kids in to participate with their food doesn’t have to mean when we’re busy getting dinner on the table. It can be when there’s a natural opening in our week. Tools welcome our kids into the kitchen and say “you belong.” The invitation can be handing them an apron to wear, a grater for cheese, or a spatula while making 3-ingredient, 5-minute quesadillas.

Another way to bring joy and ease into family food is what I like to call ‘parts of a meal.’ By allowing our kids to have their individual food preferences one meal can make everyone happy – there’s something everyone likes to eat. Fajita night can mean rice and beans for one and beans and veggies for another. When we “give up the get” of trying to get our kids to eat healthy, and honor our kids’ own relationship with food, we experience joy in the moment and legacy for the future.

As with anything, know who you are and what’s right for you and your family in this season. Go where it’s easy and keep in mind, changing dinner isn’t the only way to create a positive relationship with food. Each little thing counts – a visit to a farm or farmers market, having our kids toss the salad whether or not they eat it, flipping pancakes or quesadillas, pushing a button on a blender for smoothies. Our kids will remember an invitation into the kitchen and, most importantly, feel at home there.

Find Hillary on Instagram @theediblegardenist and at theediblegardenist.com/

To connect with Hillary for family food and garden coaching and edible school garden workshops, please e-mail her at hillary@theediblegardenist.com.

3-INGREDIENT, 5-MINUTE QUESADILLAS

INGREDIENTS
1 package of corn / flour / almond or other tortillas
1 package or block of Monterey Jack or your favorite cheese
1 can of black beans, rinsed and patted dry

Optional: Be creative with any filling you like! Other filling options include sautéed or grilled veggies or chicken. Serve with salsa or guacamole, if desired.

HHREC and Westchester Jewish Council Countywide Yom Hashoah Commemoration Draws Crowd at Anne Frank Garden of Remembrance in White Plains

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The Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) and Westchester Jewish Council (WJC) hosted the annual Countywide Yom Hashoah Commemoration Keeping the Memory Alive on April 28th at the Anne Frank Garden of Remembrance in White Plains, NY.

PHOTOS by Julie Rothschild

HHREC Chairman Michael Gyory greeted attendees and spoke about the importance of the Westchester community in coming together to commemorate Yom Hashoah, a “Day of Remembrance” amid global developments. An invocation was delivered by Bishop Mary Glasspool, Episcopal Diocese of New York, and the program included remarks by Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who spoke about the need to avoid blaming a single person for the Holocaust or the war in Ukraine, and the importance of being an “upstander” to safeguard against dictators, today and in the future.

A keynote speech was delivered by Rabbinic Pastor Dr. Aliza Erber, a daughter of a Holocaust Survivor and member of the HHREC Speakers Bureau, who shared a story of how her mother had to give her away as a young child to live in an underground bunker and how she survived to ultimately reunite with her after the end of WWII.

Following her speech, the program continued with a candle lighting by a group of Somers High School Holocaust Commission Student Winners, including Jaiden Donovan, Eowyn Keenan, Sarah Cassidy, Olivia Sherman, Sebastian Wissa, Tori Suare and Taylor Luks. The program concluded with remarks by William Schrag, President of the Westchester Jewish Council.

   PHOTOS BY Julie Rothschild

 

News Courtesy of the Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

Editor’s Note: At this event, I was personally thrilled to watch my friend and fellow journalist Stacey Pfeffer of Chappaqua carry one of the rescued Torahs on behalf of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, alongside Temple Beth El’s Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe.  The Torah is number 54 from the Memorial Scrolls Trust. The Torah came from Boskovice and was written in 1853. At that time Boskovice was a part of Germany, but it is now the Czech Republic. —  Grace

Stacey wrote a beautiful essay about her family’s history and her feelings receiving this honor: https://jewishwomenofwords.com.au/my-15-minutes-with-a-rescued-shoah-torah/stacey-pfeffer-and-her-father/

Stacey Pfeffer holding a rescued Torah alongside Rabbi Jonathan Jaffe (right) of Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester in Chappaqua. To Stacey’s left is her uncle, Arthur Korzec.  Photo by Grace Bennett

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 more than 1750 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 

 

 

In Remembrance of Danielle Taylor Leventhal

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Danielle Taylor Leventhal, beautiful ray of sunshine and strong-willed woman, passed away on August 4, 2021 at the age of 27, after four years of outliving terminal cancer. She is survived by her parents, Eric and Jennifer (Hecht) Leventhal of Rye (formerly Chappaqua); brother Alex Leventhal; Cavapoo Hudson; maternal grandparents Kelvin and Carolyn (Robinson) Hecht of Avon, CT; paternal grandparents Dr. Gerald and Judi (Blumenreich) Leventhal of Scarsdale, NY; Aunt Carrie Hecht Trookman (Nate) of Colorado Springs, CO; Uncle Charles Hecht (Robyn) of Needham, MA; Aunt Robyn Leventhal of Portland, OR; cousins across the country and dear friends and Alpha Phi sisters around the world. 

Danielle was born in 1994 and grew up in Chappaqua, NY where she graduated Horace Greeley High School in 2012. In 2016, she graduated from the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis, with a double major in painting and art history. Carrying the school flag as a Grand Marshal during commencement was one of the highlights of her life. 

A gifted artist, Danielle was the recipient of the Jeffrey Frank Wacks Scholarship for Fine Arts, the Mary Cowan Harford Award in Watercolor, and the Scholastic National Silver Medal for Painting. In addition to her commissioned paintings – including one for Hillary Rodham Clinton – she worked for several art institutions, including the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Saint Louis Art Museum, and Matthew Marks Gallery. During her remission, Danielle worked as a Graphic Designer for Makovsky Public Relations and as a Dreamweaver at Eleven Madison Park.

Two charitable organizations added joy and meaning to the last years of Danielle’s life. First Descents empowered her to push herself beyond her diagnosis by “out living it” through outdoor adventures like ice climbing. SOUL RYEDERS taught her to accept the kindness and resources offered by incredible volunteers who support neighbors with cancer. In 2019, she introduced these two groups to one another, and they have collaborated since on programs to change the lives of other young adults battling cancer.

A funeral will be held Friday, August 6th at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Beth El in Chappaqua, NY.

In memory of Danielle, donations can be made to Danielle’s Dreams, via SOUL RYEDERS 

CANTORS COAST TO COAST Presents Songs of Sustenance

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A Virtual Benefit Concert to Fight Hunger from the Worsening COVID Crisis will be held Sunday, January 31, 2021 • 18 Shevat 5781

Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester

Inspired by Jewish values and ideals, and spurred by the worsening COVID crisis, TBE’s Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb is collaborating with an exciting cast of fellow cantors and notable Jewish singer-songwriters across the country to present a virtual benefit concert on Sunday, January 31. Don’t miss this historic event as leading voices representing all five branches of Judaism perform together to fight hunger! Ticket link: www.bethelnw.org/concert

Hosted by Cantor Elizabeth Sternlieb, Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester, Chappaqua, NY

Honoring Cantor Meir Finkelstein, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Houston, TX

Featuring
Rabbi Joe Black, Temple Emanuel, Denver, CO
Cantor Magda Fishman, B’nai Torah Congregation, Boca Raton, FL
Cantor Chayim Frenkel, Kehilat Israel Reconstructionist Congregation, Los Angeles, CA
Cantor Netanel Hershtik, Hampton Synagogue, Westhampton Beach, NY
Cantor Robin Joseph, Temple Beth Shalom, Hastings-on-Hudson, NY
Lisa Jane Lipkin, Singer, Composer, Producer
Beth Schafer, Spiritual Leader, URJ and Cantorial Chair, Temple Sinai, Atlanta, GA
Hazzan Basya Schechter, Music Director, Romemu, New York, NY
Cantor Rosalie Will, Director of Worship and Music, URJ

Admission to the concert will be by ticket only, and funds raised will benefit MAZON, the national advocacy organization working to end hunger among people of all faiths and backgrounds in the US and Israel. The program will feature original music composed by the cantors and singer-songwriters. General admission is $18.00. Premium admission, including “backstage pass” to a special roundtable with the cast following the concert is $180. www.bethelnw.org/concert

 

 

 

 

#CommunityStrong Inspirations

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From embracing a social justice movement to volunteerism and businesses adapting in a pandemic, the many ways New Castle stayed strong!

At a rally in downtown Chappaqua in August. Photo by Grace Bennett/Inside Press

In June, New York protestors told NBC News that they were fighting two pandemics: the coronavirus and racism. During these difficult times, New Castle residents have banded together to stay #CommunityStrong.

At the foot of the Quaker Road Bridge, there have been local peaceful protests and “parades” in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. On June 13, over 100 people committed to sparking change in New Castle attended “A Rally for Change-Stand Up Against Racial Injustice,” an event held by New Castle Against Racism, a group of Horace Greeley students and alumni.

Members of the community created several Facebook pages to combat racism. One, for example, Chappaqua Anti-Racism Dialogue Group: Reconciling Privilege, provides a space for people to educate themselves, their friends and their families, according to the group’s page description.

Additionally, on Monday, August 3, dozens of community members congregated downtown for a peaceful Black Lives Matter march. People marched with such signs as “SAY THEIR NAMES,” “BLACK LIVES MATTER,” and “YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE BLACK TO BE OUTRAGED.”

Also looking to ignite change in New Castle are sisters and former Horace Greeley High School students, Bhavya and Divya Gopinath They collected video accounts from current students and alumni who shared stories about racism they faced within the school district.

They edited the stories into a compilation and sent the video to the Board of Education and Chappaqua Central School District administrators. Said the Gopinath sisters: “It’s easy to turn a blind eye to this and say that racism doesn’t exist in this privileged community, so we made this video, so the stories don’t go unnoticed.”

These efforts to combat racism in New Castle will continue to strengthen this community.

Chappaqua Central School District Superintendent Christine Ackerman sent an email to all members of the district that said, “The events described by our former students are appalling and illustrate why we must continue to take meaningful and deliberate action to effectuate change to address racism in our society. We understand there is a gap between our espoused values and current reality. We are committed to change.”

Bhavya and Divya Gopinath also received an email from Board of Education President Victoria Tipp on behalf of the Board of Education. The Board authorized the formation of a Community Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism, Equity and Social Justice to enact change in the district.

“We believe that these steps will make a significant and positive difference, and we are committed to seeing these actions through as we keep social justice at the center of our work moving forward,” said Ackerman.

Simultaneously, Chappaqua residents have been coping with the coronavirus pandemic and the challenges that the virus presents. However, throughout it, small businesses, families and individuals have found ways to stay strong.

Telehealth Sessions

“In over 13 years of business, we have never faced a more challenging and uncertain time as this past March. What kept us strong was the commitment and passion of our team and the loyalty of our patients. In a matter of days, we were able to pivot the practice to Telehealth,” said Matt Marucci of New Castle Physical Therapy & Personal Training. “This took persistence and ingenuity on the part of therapists and patients alike. We are up and running now with stringent COVID-19 precautions, but we continue to offer the Telehealth sessions we developed back in March. We are deeply grateful for all of the community support we have received during this challenging time.”

Safety First

Another local business trying to provide access to physical activity while also staying safe is Armonk Tennis Club/Armonk Indoor. They modified their protocols with the safety of their clients as their top priority.

“We at Armonk Tennis Club and Armonk Indoor Sports Center realized soon into the quarantine how important sports are to our physical and mental well-being. As summer approached, we knew that people would want to get active again but in a safe manner. The rules and guidelines we implemented showed our tennis players and campers that their safety is our top priority, and the result has been a great summer. We understand that procedures must be modified in the fall as people come indoors, but we’re still excited about providing a safe environment for the community to learn, play, and compete in,” said Armonk Indoor representative Beau Shea.

Ultimately staying safe is a priority for many businesses. Bill Flooks from Beecher Funeral Home said that despite all the special challenges, “We have managed to get this far with Covid-19.”  On behalf of the Flooks Family, he stated: “Keep up the good work, be smart, be prudent, be safe.”

Several area photographers including Donna Mueller, Carolyn Simpson and Randi Childs are still bringing smiles to families’ faces through the acclaimed #TheFrontPorchProject.

Local chambers throughout the area have been sharing news from the county regarding federal and regional grant and loan options, about available personal protective equipment (‘PPE’) and producing e-newsletters to the community in which businesses post their services. The Chappaqua Millwood Chamber most recently launched ‘New Castle Restart’ to fundraise for grants to small businesses impacted.

Reaching Out

Additionally, during the spike in the number of coronavirus cases in Westchester County, community members banded together and rose to the occasion. Individuals and groups made masks for essential workers, those on the frontlines and the immunocompromised. A series of articles for theinsidepress.com spotlighted these extraordinary efforts.

There was also never a shortage of pizza and other welcome meals distributed to front line health care workers at local hospitals and to first responders thanks to an extraordinary response to a Chappaqua Moms fundraiser.

The Food Pantry at the Community Center of Northern Westchester donated over 7,400 pounds of food and necessities to those in need since late March according to Reverend Martha Jacobs, Senior Minister at the First Congregational Church in Chappaqua.

To stay community strong during the thick of the coronavirus pandemic, people searched for ways to help.

“I am deeply grateful to serve such a caring and engaged community as ours.  While we clergy are used to checking in on our congregants, I have been humbled by the number of congregants who have turned the tables and reached out to inquire how we staff members are holding up,” said Senior Rabbi at Temple Beth El of Northern Westchester Jonathan Jaffe. “Similarly, we were overwhelmed with offers by individuals seeking to volunteer and help in any way possible.  Such moments underscore the sense of covenantal relationship within our community.”

Smart, Agile Community

New Castle Town Supervisor Ivy Pool is impressed by the leadership she has seen both at town hall and among the residents.

“New Castle is a smart, agile community that has time and again demonstrated our leadership in a range of areas. The coronavirus cluster that occurred at the HGHS graduation and related events was a wakeup call for all of us. To defeat the outbreak, we needed to come together as a community and double-down on our social distancing efforts and enforcement,” said Pool. “The outbreak didn’t happen just anywhere–it happened in New Castle, a community of leaders and achievers who were determined to do something.”

Determined to stop the spread, Pool and the rest of the town board passed the first local legislation in the state that required people to wear face masks whenever social distancing is not possible.

“With this new law in place, our police officers have a tool to enforce social distancing, and our community has responded beautifully to our calls to “mask up!” said Pool. “Coming together in the face of adversity is who we are; leading by example is what we do. We are #CommunityStrong.”