OurChildren

About

Useful Information
for
the Next Generation
of Jewish Families

Summer Is for Kids

Special Section

Here Comes the Sun

Project of Love

Supplement to The Jewish Standard • July 2018

 THE CHILDREN’S CENTER
Now Open
AT CHILTON MEDICAL CENTER

We’re Taking Pediatric ER and Hospital Care to the Next Level

Atlantic Health System has introduced an innovative approach to pediatric care at Chilton Medical Center, the
only one of its kind in the northern NJ region. The Children’s Center offers an exceptional level of care to our
most precious patients, combining pediatric emergency services and hospital care within a brand-new, family-
friendly environment.

With sleeping accommodations for parents, a kids playroom and a family lounge, our team of experienced
and compassionate pediatric physicians and nurses will put your family’s needs first. And, because we are part
of Atlantic Health System, there is ready access to more than 100 pediatric specialists who provide advanced
expertise at Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Medical Center.

Where You Go For Pediatric Care Matters

Chilton Medical Center · 97 West Parkway, Pompton Plains, NJ · atlantichealth.org

CMC-7208-17 ChildrensCtr_JewishStd.indd 1 10/23/17 12:54 PM

2 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018
 OurChildren
About

JULY 2018

5 Blessing of Enough 12 Honorable Menschen REGISTER NOW

Fostering a gratitude attitude Bat mitzvah girl searches HEBREW SCHOOL STARTS SUNDAY, SEPT. 16
for kidney SHUL MEMBERSHIP NOT REQUIRED
6 Summer is for Kids
Special advertising section 13 We Love Mistakes • Creative curriculum
Learning to get up after a fall
• Computer lab • Bar/Bat Mitzvah preparation
7 Local Dentist, Global Roots • Family programming
Dr. Eytan Chen’s exotic story 14 Beddy Bye • Social events/holiday celebrations
Coaxing the child to sleep
• Nurturing environment • Dedicated faculty
8 Here Comes the Sun
Protecting your skin 16 Gallery OPEN HOUSE
Pictures of our children
Shabbat dinner for families with children 4 to 13
8 The Eyes Have It Friday, June 29, 6 pm · Call for reservations
Sunglasses for now, for always 17 Top Choices
Great picks for July JCC of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah
10 Generation G 304 East Midland Avenue, Paramus · www.jccparamus.org
Dressing up thespian children 18 Calendar Marcia Kagedan, Educational Director
Things to do this month
201-262-7733 edudirector@jccparamus.org

!
11 Sweetest Shabbat
Perek in the Park hits 13 19 Simchas
Marking our milestones
All new
! On cover: Fun at Neil Klatskin Summer Camps, which offers youngsters 3 years old through sixth experience!
grade a variety of activities and outdoor aquatics complex. Camps are all-inclusive, and campers

Newer, Better, More Spectacular!

have access to transportation and extended care services. Campers aged 3-7 enjoy the JCC’s
renowned day camp, while children in grades three-plus mix-n-match or focus on their passion in
one of the JCC’s specialty camp options. For information, www.jccotp.org/camps.

MissionStatement
About Our Children is designed to help Jewish families in our area live healthy, positive lives that make the most of the
resources available to them. By providing useful, current, accurate information, this publication aims to guide parents to
Thrilling New Rides!
essential information on faith, education, the arts, events, and child-raising — in short, everything that today’s Jewish fam- • Giant Slides • Giant Spider
ily, babies to grandparents, needs to live life to the fullest in North Jersey and Rockland County. • Obstacle Course Mountain
• Air Cannon Alley and Slide
• Sports Arena • And More!
AdvisoryBoard
Dr. Annette Berger, Psy.D.
Psychologist, Teaneck
Jane Calem Rosen
Marketing and Communications Specialist
Birthday Parties!
Michelle Brauntuch, MS,CCLS Barry Weissman, M.D. • Giant indoor inflatables
• Private bounce and party rooms Spider Mountain
Child Life Specialist, Englewood Hospital, Englewood Pediatrician, Hackensack and Wyckoff
Hope Eliasof Cheryl Wylen • Hassle-free, easy to plan!
Marriage and Family Therapist, Midland Park Director of Adult Programs and Cultural Arts • Dedicated party pros
Howard Prager, DC, DACBSP YM-YWHA of North Jersey, Wayne
• Clean, safe and secure
Holistic Chiropractor, Oakland
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FIRST

OurChildren Beyond Birthdays! PLACE

PLACE
About FOR A Air Cannon Al
ley
KID’S PARTY
• Open Bounce KID’S FUN Obstacle Course
James L. Janoff Natalie Jay Slovie Jungreis-Wolff • Create & Bounce Art Camps PLACE
Publisher Advertising Director Ed Silberfarb • Field Trips
Heidi Mae Bratt Peggy Elias Adina Soclof • Class and Team Parties
Editor Contributing Writers Kosher
Janice Rosen • Fundraisers and more! Available
Deborah Herman Brenda Sutcliffe
Art Director Account Executives Paramus · (201)
us Paramus • 843-5880
(201) 843-5880 Nanuet · (845) 623-5400
/BounceUofParamus
www.BounceU.com/paramus-nj www.BounceU.com/nanuet-ny
BounceU.com/paramus
70 Eisenhower Dr. · Paramus, NJ 07652 424 Market St. · Nanuet, NY 10954
About Our Children is published 11 times a year by the New Jersey/Rockland Jewish Media Group, 70 Eisenhower Drive • Paramus, NJ
www.Facebook.com/BounceUParamus/ 07652
www.Facebook.com/BounceUNanuet/
1086 Teaneck Road, Teaneck, NJ 07666; telephone: 201-837-8818; fax: 201-833-4959.; e-mail: AboutOC@aol.com.

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 3

OurChildren
About

Musings from the Editor

A
fter many years, I recently had
lunch with a friend. We met de-
cades ago while we were both
“stationed” in the Midwest. I was a re-
porter for a major daily newspaper. She
was living there, brought out by her hus-
band’s research. Once upon a time, she
worked as a network news producer in
New York. Now she was raising three
children and religiously observant, but
still used her deeply etched journalism
skills whenever needed.
We bonded. Big time. First, as jour-
nalists. Then, as “New Yorkers in exile,”
lamenting our distance from the Big Ap-
ple whenever we got the chance.
That recent lunch might just about
have slid into dinner, as it was hours
long. Sure, there was the catch-up and
the reminiscence of our past, but it was
the fire in her personality, and her chal-
lenging me, that kept the reunion going.
I would say that our friendship is a
bit like a cactus.
Not prickly exactly (although some-
times) but definitely long lasting. It is a
friendship that is durable. It is
not in need of constant water-
ing. And every now and again,
there is a beautiful blossom.
In college, I had a very
dear friend. We met in a He-
brew language class. She was
a serious student, very smart,
very kind, and she had an ex-
otic beauty.
We bonded. Big time. First, as class-
mates. Then as very close friends, who
shared our lives outside of the classroom.
I would say that our friendship was a
bit like a hothouse orchid.
It was lovely and fresh. We were
young and starting our adult lives, or at
least transitioning into them. But sadly,
the friendship didn’t last. It wasn’t any-
thing that really fractured it in a dra-
matic way. But the drift of our moving in
new directions impacted our friendship.
The hothouse orchid needed constant
attention to stay alive. For one reason
or another, that attention wasn’t given
to the friendship, and it disappeared. I
would not expect to pick up
where we left off and have a
lunch that lingered into din-
nertime. I wonder about her
life, and hope that it’s full and
happy, but it’s a friendship of
the past.
Since grade school, I’ve
had two friends who one could
pick out of our first-grade class photo-
graph. We went through all of our ele-
mentary, middle and high school classes
together. We grew up in the same neigh-
borhood. Went to the same bar and bat
mitzvahs and Sweet 16s, and coincidently
all wound up in the same professional
field. We even shared an assignment
once, in which one was the editor, one
the writer, and one the photographer!
We bonded. Big time. Maybe be-
cause we were just little kids. But we are
still friends today.
I would say that our friendship is a
bit like an evergreen.
The friendship is long lasting. Con-
stant. Always there in the garden. Old re-
liable. It’s quite a wonderful thing to have
friends who knew you way back when.
I think about these friendships, and
that I am so fortunate to have, and think
about why some made it through major
milestone changes and some have not.
Was it me? Was it them? Was it both
of us? How many friends from grade
school or high school do we still have?
It’s something I think about as Ye-
huda ventures forth onto his next step
after graduating high school. Where will
the gang all be as they make their own
ways out into their young adult lives? He
made very good friends. He shared very
good times. I know he will make more
good friends. And that he will share
more good times.
It is my hope that one day he will see
and appreciate his own garden that will
be filled with abundance.

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4 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018


‘Blessing of Enough’
Starts with Gaining Gratitude Attitude
Slovie Jungreis-Wolff
D
id you ever notice how so many
children seem unhappy today?
No matter how much they
have, no matter how hard you try to give
them, they never seem content. They
should be the happiest kids who ever
lived. They have traveled to islands, gone
jeeping through the deserts of Israel,
swam with dolphins, but still, there is a
sense of discontent.
There are children who have iPhones,
iPads, American girl dolls, and basements
filled with toys. Summer brings talk of
sleep away camp, shopping with long lists
in hand or planning trips to faraway plac-
es. Even with the difficult economic situa-
tion, the reality is that we would rather do
without ourselves than have our children
feel as if they are lacking.
I spoke to a father recently. He said
that each summer he rents a home for
his family in beautiful surroundings. It is
a neighborhood where some people buy
lavish homes, others rent. Even though he
has always enjoyed their summer place,
his13-year-old daughter made it clear that
she was unhappy.
At 2 a.m. she decided to have
a meltdown.
“I am ashamed of the house we stay in
every summer,” she cried. “All my friends
have much better houses. Why can’t we?
If we take this same house as always I
don’t want any of my friends coming over.
Don’t even think about inviting them!”
She stomped to her room and
slammed the door, leaving her father hurt
and perplexed.
“I try so hard,” he said to me. “What is
she thinking? Doesn’t she see how much I
sweat to make a buck?”
How do we combat the unhappiness?
Of course there are many reasons our
children act miserably. You can say it is
awful chutzpah, too much stuff, absence
of parental involvement, or deficient dis-
cipline. Others will say there is not enough
one-on-one time, children who do not feel
really accepted, a lack of self-esteem or
just plain arrogance.
We mistakenly believe that the more
we give, the happier they’ll be. Wrong.
But at the root of the misery lies a
basic glaring lack of gratitude. When chil-
dren are not cognizant of their blessings,
they do not begin to recognize how much
they have. They overlook the good, both
the big and the small, and they grow more
entitled with each day.
We mistakenly believe that the more
we give, the happier they will be.
Wrong. Instead, it is the more they
appreciate, the happier they will grow.
I explained to this father that it is
time he sat down with his daughter and
introduces her to the concept of ‘Dayenu.’
On Passover we recount all of God’s many
kindnesses. After each kindness we pause
and say: “Dayenu — it would have been
enough for us!” We are encouraged to
recognize each gracious act of giving and
realize that every deed deserves thought-
ful appreciation. We don’t take anything
for granted. We stop and contemplate the
blessing of enough.
I received an incredibly long list that
had been drawn up for this 13 year old.
Here’s part of the list:
• We have a beautiful home.
• We rent a lovely summerhouse in a
gorgeous neighborhood.
• We have traveled to Israel.
• We have traveled to Paris.
• We have traveled to Italy.
• We have gone skiing in Utah.
• We eat in delicious restaurants.
• We have gone to Miami every Chanu-
kah vacation since you were a baby.
• We have celebrated your bat mitzvah
with an amazing party.
• We have sent you to sleep away camp
since fourth grade.
• We have a loving family.
• We have grandparents who cherish us.
• We have good health.
After each line, the father wrote Day-
enu. And then he explained to this child
who had been blessed with more than she
had ever understood (and more than most
could ever imagine) that it was time to
appreciate the blessings of that which we
have, instead of focusing on that which
we think that we are missing in life.
There is one more missing link
OurChildren
About
here — the presence of parents who live
with the motto of Dayenu in their own
lives. When children hear their mother or
father constantly commenting on other
people’s homes, enviously recounting the
way others vacation, or having conversa-
tions about the expensive clothing and fur-
niture that their friends seem to have, we
are implanting the ugly roots of discontent
and unhappiness in our children’s hearts.
How can we teach the blessing of
enough when our days are spent wanting
more and more?
Unfortunately, these parents spent
many hours bickering. But it is not only
financially that we come up short in our
minds. Somehow, in every conflict, this
husband and wife each felt unappreciat-
ed. Both expressed frustration that their
spouse was not doing their share.
If I am always concentrating on what
my spouse does not do instead of recog-
nizing the good that he does, I end up de-
stroying any potential for joy that I may
have. My life becomes filled with nega-
tives and I grow bitter and unhappy.
Let us take the lesson of Dayenu to
heart. It is time for us all to contemplate
the blessing of enough.
Slovie Jungreis-Wolff is a teacher, author, rela-
tionships, and parenting lecturer. She is daughter
of the late Rebbetzen Esther Jungreis. She is also
the author of “Raising A Child With Soul”
(St. Martin’s Press).
Aish.com
ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 5
OurChildren
About

Cresskill Performing Arts
300 Knickerbocker Road #1100
Cresskill, NJ 07626, 201-390-7513
www.cresskillperformingarts.com
Cresskill Performing Arts is offering a fun-
filled, skill-filled creative camp for young-
sters. The Born to Perform Camp, June 25 to
Aug. 24, has tracks for all ages with a maxi-
mum of 12 students per age group: Preschool
Performers Summer Camp for 3 to 5 year
olds offers jazz and ballet, basic gymnas-
tics, creative movement, and music, rhythm
instruments, and art projects. Creative Chil-
dren Summer Camp for 6 to 8 year olds fea-
tures jazz, ballet, tap, hip-hop, acting/theater
games, improv workshop, arts & crafts, fenc-
ing, silks & hammocks, gymnastics and more.
Preteen/Teen Exploring Artists for 9 to teens
offers jazz, ballet, acting/theater games, im-
provisation workshop, modern, tap, hip-hop.
silks & hammocks, lyra, gymnastics, musi-
cal theater, choreography, fencing, on-cam-
era technique, and designer arts and crafts.
Guest artists from NYC will offer special
workshops. Parents can sign up for one, two
or more weeks. New this year, there is a mod-
ern ballet summer intensive Aug. 13 to Aug.
17. Register or get more information through
the “summer” button on the home page.
Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
105 N. Dean Street
Englewood, NJ 07631, 201-608-5114
www.growingsmilesnj.com
We are a state-of-the-art pediatric dental
practice. Dr. Eytan Chen, our awesome pedi-
atric dentist, is a graduate of Harvard Dental
School. Our office is a lot of fun with iPads
and magna tiles to play with. Our practice
serves infants through adolescents, and wel-
comes children with special needs. Dr. Eytan
and the entire staff are warm and caring.
Both you and your children will be happy you
came to Growing Smiles Pediatric Dentistry.
Parking is easy and right in front of our door.
Mathnasium of Teaneck
1374 Queen Anne Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666, 201-862-1600
www.mathnasium.com/teaneck
Mathnasium is the area’s premier math-only
learning center. When math makes sense,
kids leap way ahead — whether they started
out far behind or are looking for enrichment.
Mathnasium has transformed the way kids
have leaned math for over a decade.
NJ Eye and Ear Pediatrics
71 Grand Avenue
Englewood, NJ 07631, 201-408-4441
1016 Main Avenue, Unit 2B
Clifton, NJ 07011, 973-546-5700
www.njeyeandear.com
NJ Eye and Ear is a modern, multi-specialty
eye care provider with offices in Clifton and
Englewood, NJ. We strive to provide an un-
paralleled eye care experience to each of our
patients. Our passionate team comprises
medical and administrative professionals who
seek innovative ways to ensure functional-
ity and efficiency com-bined with thorough
and compassionate care. Our organization is
progressive and learning-oriented. Our phy-
sicians and staff are continually improving
their knowledge of the eye care field. This
allows us to pro vide the most advanced and
cost-effective care to our patients. Dr. Steg-
man is honored to have been selected as one
of New Jersey’s top doctors of 2018.
The Therapy Gym
205 W. Englewood Avenue
Teaneck, NJ 07666, 201-357-0417
www.thetherapygym.com
The Therapy Gym is a comprehensive pedi-
atric facility offering physical, occupational,
speech, aquatic, and behavioral therapy to
ages 0-21 years old. All of the therapists at
The Therapy Gym specialize in pediatrics and
treat children with neurologic, chromosomal,
and genetic disorders. Our physical therapists
specialize in global developmental delay, tor-
ticollis, hypotonia, hypertonia, balance dis-
orders, gait abnormalities, and orthopedic
injuries. Our occupational therapists special-
ize in sensory integrations disorder, reflex in-
tegration, vestibular and visual motor disor-
ders, fine motor strengthening, handwriting,
and social-emotional difficulties. Our speech
therapists specialize in oral motor weakness,
articulation and language processing delays,
and feeding difficulties. We bill insurance di-
rectly and process all claims to insurance. We
also offer classes for kids that compliment
our therapies.

Eye exams
for summer
camp and
back to
school

Call today to make

an appointment!
Dr. Daniel Stegman & Associates
71 Grand Avenue · Englewood
201-408-4441
1016 Main Avenue, Unit 1 · Clifton
973-546-5700
njeyeandear.com

6 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018

 OurChildren
About

Local Dentist: From Israel to Africa to Teaneck,

with a Few Stops In Between
Heidi Mae Bratt World Bank, became the de facto What seems so exotic in the
“shochet” or ritual slaughterer, as telling now was quite ordinary

D
r. Eytan Chen, the warm and gen-
tle pediatric dentist and owner
of Growing Smiles in Englewood,
has more than his Harvard credentials
that are impressive. Dr. Chen (his name is
an anglicized version of the Hebrew word
“chein” meaning grace) spent his forma-
tive years growing up in the country of Li-
beria.
Now a resident of Teaneck, a com-
munity rich with Jewish life, Jewish ame-
nities, and many Jewish options, when
he and his family lived in the Liberian
capital of Monrovia, their home became
the de facto “shul” on Shabbat, as there
was no synagogue. And his late father,
David Chen, who brought the family to
the West African County from Israel be-
cause of his work as an economist for The
there was no market to buy ko-
sher chicken.
When the Chens wanted chick-
en for Shabbat for instance, the
family would go to a local farm and
buy live chickens. His father, who
had been a rabbi before becoming
an economist, would “schecht” the
chicken in their backyard. Kosher
beef was not an option.
“My dad knew how to schecht a
chicken, so once a month we would
get chickens and he would schect Dr. Eytan Chen and his family.
them in the backyard. We had a
very big backyard. It wasn’t like here in
Teaneck,” Dr. Chen said. “The chickens
would be cleaned and kashered. He would
do it for anyone else who brought a chick-
en to him.”
for Dr. Chen, who remembered
his house was filled with Jews of
all affiliations and nonaffiliations
during the Passover seders that his
family hosted.
“When you’re outside of a place
like New York or New Jersey, and
you live in a place like Liberia, and
you’re a Jew, the Jews find each oth-
er and become one cohesive group,”
said Dr. Chen, who lives with his
wife, Rebecca, a neuropsychologist,
and daughters, Hana, 17, Maya, 14,
Noa, 10, and Tal, 5.
Dr. Chen, the youngest of three boys, For middle and high school, his fam-
attended secular private school in Libe- ily decided it was best to move to the
ria, and his mother, Miriam, who is a sixth United States where Dr. Chen would have
generation Sabra, supplemented his Jew- easy access to formal, Jewish education.
ish education at home. See Dentist on page 19

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ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 7

OurChildren
About

Here Comes the Sun — Watch Out!

Heidi Mae Bratt which can be helpful in choosing protec- In addition to looking for broad-spec- compresses, she said.
tive wear.” trum sun block, water resistant products “Some find relief in cool milk com-

S
ummertime and the living is easy,
breezy and sunny. It is common
knowledge that excessive exposure
to UV radiation from the sun can create
serious problems later, such as skin cancer.
It is best to be vigilant when it comes to
sun protection, and it’s never too early to
start good habits.
According to Dr. Tamar Zapolanski,
a dermatologist with the Valley Medical
Group in Park Ridge, the most important
thing a parent can do first is avoid sun ex-
posure during the peak hours of 10 a.m.
and 4 p.m.
“Seeking shade when outdoors, wear-
ing protective clothing and using sun-
screen correctly are the next lines of de-
fense,” said Dr. Zapolanski. “Sun protective
clothing should cover as much skin as pos-
sible. Hats should have a wide brim, and
sunglasses help protect the eyes. Some
clothing lines and products are labeled
as having a UV protection factor (UPF),
When choosing a protective factor,
she said, look for products that have a la-
bel UPF 30 or UPF 50. UV protection for
sunglasses is not regulated, so look for
products with the most specific word-
ing possible on the label, for example,
“98 percent UVA and UVB protection,”
or “blocks all UV radiation up to 400
nanometers.” Vague labels such as “UV
absorbing” should be avoided. Sunscreen
should be applied liberally. Sun Protec-
tion Factor (SPF) should be at least 30,
and the product should be labeled as
“broad spectrum.”
For swimming or sweating, use a
product that is also labeled as “water
resistant.” Water resistant products are
further classified as being effective for 40
minutes or 80 minutes. Sunscreen should
be reapplied every two hours when
spending time outdoors, after toweling
off, after swimming/sweating, and should
be applied on cloudy days as well.
with an SPF of 30 or higher, looking at
the specific sunscreen ingredients can be
helpful. The chemical sunscreens can be
irritating to some skin types. Look for
physical blockers, which are “titanium
dioxide” and “zinc oxide.” Both of these
ingredients are broad spectrum. Most
products labeled as being for sensitive
skin contain these physical blockers.
Dr. Zapolanski said that sunscreen
could be used on babies 6 months and
older. Prior to 6 months of age, babies
should be kept covered and out of the sun.
“Beware of sitting under an umbrella
on a sunny beach or near a pool, as UV
rays can reflect from sand/water onto the
skin even while sitting in the shade. When
using sunscreen on babies and toddlers,
look for products with the physical block-
ers, as they are less likely to irritate sensi-
tive skin,” she said.
If a child does get sunburned it should
be treated symptomatically with cool
presses. If blisters form on the skin, leave
them intact as long as possible. If age
appropriate, anti-inflammatory medica-
tions such as ibuprofen can be used for
relief — consult with your child’s doc-
tor. If a burn is extensive or severe, seek
medical attention as more aggressive
supportive care may be indicated. Of
course, avoiding further sun exposure
is important.”
“Teaching young children about the
importance of sun protection, and instill-
ing good sun protective habits when chil-
dren are young results in the best chance
of them maintaining these habits in-de-
pendently in the future. It is also very im-
portant for parents to practice what they
preach. Modeling healthy sun protective
behaviors helps children be compliant
as well.”
Heidi Mae Bratt is the editor of About Our
Children.

Sunglasses Are Protection

for More Than the Sunny Days
Heidi Mae Bratt “I have t hem wel l t rained ,” miss something,” she said, recalling one
she quipped. case where a 2-year-old had a white

E
ven when they were just one
month old, Dr. Adria Burrows, a
pediatric ophthalmologist with
NJ Eye and Ear Pediatrics, had her two
sons wearing sunglasses as they were
lying down in their strollers when she
took them outside for a walk.
“People would stop me and ask
about it,” said Dr. Burrows, who
practices in offices in Englewood
and Clifton.
The baby boys may have looked
pretty cool in their shades, but the
doctor-mom said she donned them in
sunglasses to protect their eyes from
maladies such as cataracts and macular
degeneration, eye diseases associated
with older adults, but which have their
roots early on.
“Wearing sunglasses is very impor-
tant and not just on sunny days, but on
cloudy days as well,” said Dr. Burrows,
whose sons, now 24 and 21, never leave
the house without sunglasses.
Sunglasses — ones that specify
that they protect against UV rays, not
the cheap flea market finds — are so
protective to the eye that Dr. Burrows
recommends children wear them even
in the winter, especially if children are
outdoors during play or sports.
“The fallacy is that because it is
winter and it is cold that sunglasses are
not necessary,” said Dr. Burrows. “But
the sun is still out and there is potential
damage to the eyes’ lenses and retina.
“The sun is a major cause of cata-
racts and macular degeneration,”
she said.
For youngsters who wear prescrip-
tion eyeglasses, there is always the
option of getting transitional lenses,
which darken with the sunlight.
In terms of eye care, Dr. Bur-
rows recommends that children as
young as 4 begin annual visits to
the ophthalmologist.
“Sometimes the pediatrician can
pupil that was dismissed by the pe-
diatrician. The parent persisted and it
turned out that the child had a malig-
nant tumor.
“The parent often knows when
something is wrong,” she said.
Dr. Burrows said she is seeing more
glaucoma and ocular hypertension in
children these days, unexplained condi-
tions that are becoming more prevalent
in a younger population.
She also is seeing more myopia,
near-sightedness, likely from all the
computer, tablet and cell phone use.
There is new technology for eye-
glass lenses, BluTech lenses that help
protect the eyes from harmful high-
energy blue light, such as harsh fluo-
rescent lighting, computer screens, and
personal electronics, which can be an
option, she said.
Heidi Mae Bratt is the editor of
About Our Children. Dr. Adria Burrows with a patient.

8 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018

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ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 9

OurChildren
About
If the Suit Makes the Man,
the Costume Makes the Actor
Ed Silberfarb
W
e had two grade
school sons at-
tending an af-
ter-school Hebrew program.
The aleph bet and the holi-
day stories were the heart
of the curriculum, but then
came enrichment.
“They’re going to do
the Wizard of Oz,” my
wife announced.
In my mind’s eye I
tried to place this story in
the Chumash.
“In Hebrew.”
“I wish them luck. We’ll
cheer from the sidelines.”
“Not quite,” she said. “I’m
doing the costumes and the
make-up.”
“Funny, I thought I heard
you say you’re doing cos-
tumes and make-up for ‘The
Wizard of Oz.’”
“Yes, and you’re going
to help.”
So began our careers in
the theater. We awaited the One of the “actors” made to look the part.
casting announcement. Of
course, one of the 12-year-old girls would
be Dorothy, but I assumed our boys, ages
8 and 6, would also have key roles The
Tin Man? Scarecrow? Cowardly Lion? Or
perhaps the Wizard, himself? I wondered
how they would deliver those crucial lines
in Hebrew since they had just learned the
alphabet. Oh well, that’s why we were
paying tuition.
The cast assignments were posted. I
scanned the list and found the names of
our boys. They weren’t lead characters,
but they had vital roles nevertheless. They
were munchkins.
The costumer went to work. My wife
ransacked our old clothes, and called
upon other parents to search their poten-
tial give-away wardrobes. The result was
a beautiful costumed Dorothy enhanced
with make-up from my wife’s early days
as a dancer.
Dorothy’s three companions were a
challenge — some clown-white on his face
and aluminum foil for the Tin Man; rag-
gedy clothes for the Scarecrow; and a Hal-
10 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018
Generation G
loween costume for the Cowardly Lion.
The munchkins required a distinctive look
that was achieved with rabbit-style ears
and pointed hats. Indeed, they all weren’t
in Kansas anymore.
The trip to the Emerald City was just
the beginning of an annual event for the
pre-teen Hebrew classes. The next year
it was “Fiddler on the Roof,” again in He-
brew, with my wife doing costumes and
make-up, and our sons in a chorus of
shtetl dwellers and Cossacks. The Jews
were adorned with payot made from
crepe hair and attached with spirit gum.
They wore peaked caps. Some had wispy
beards, but the rabbi had a luxurious one.
A call went out for knee-high rain boots,
into which the hostile Cossacks tucked
the bottoms of their pants.
The next year the young thespians
brought the bible to the stage with a
Hebrew language version of “Joseph and
the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.”
The lead was a demanding role, ably per-
formed by the rabbi’s son, supported by
the stalwart chorus, again bolstered by
our two sons. We came to appreciate
the theatrical axiom, “There are no small
parts, only small actors.”
Of course, the backstage team led by
my wife organizing costumes and make-
up was critical to success, but not with-
out pitfalls.
Joseph’s jealous brothers sell him to
some traveling merchants, which leads
to a lively bit of stage business. The mer-
chants set up a flea market with a stand
to sell blue jeans. The jeans were contrib-
uted by members of the chorus, and as
they buy their own pants they pull them
on, but one chorus member selected the
wrong pair much too small. As he strug-
gled to get the pants on, the audience
bursts into laughter. It was a wonderful
sight gag that the youngster with the ill-
fitting trousers didn’t appreciate.
Hebrew School was not the only
childhood stage. Our children’s public
school had a lively program for music
and dance. Saint-Saens’ “Carnival of the
Animals” was to be per-
formed in dance mode,
but who would be the
animals? Our younger
son, a first grader, age
7, a fan of the New York
Yankees and Star Wars,
was picked for the un-
likely role of a swan
along with his best
friend. Their perfor-
mance was so memora-
ble that many years later
when my wife and I met
the dance teacher at a
benefit for a dance com-
pany, she asked, “How
are my swans?”
Music and drama
in public school can
lead Jewish students to
the unexpected, like a
non-sectarian “Christ-
mas Carol” in which our
other son landed the
part of Scrooge. Some
of his friends said it was
type casting.
Of course, the holi-
day t hat makes t he
greatest demands on the
skilled make-up artist and costumer is
Purim. One of my wife’s most successful
ventures into make-believe was a Purim
costume for our 10-year-old son. With a
skirt, wig and high-heel wedges, he was
“Tootsie.”
Purim costuming continues as a lively
art through the generations. In a recent
gathering of grandchildren and friends,
Hamen in the form of a masked bandit
was popular, while Esther and Vashti ap-
peared in various incarnations. One young
lady was a Mona Lisa look-alike. Alas,
Mordecai was too righteous for mock
portrayal. And my wife still delighted in
applying her skills in bringing stage char-
acters to life.
Ed Silberfarb was a reporter for the Bergen
Record in New Jersey, then the New York Herald
Tribune where he was City Hall bureau chief.
Later, he was a public information officer for the
New York City Transit Authority and editor of
one of its employee publications.
 OurChildren
About

Shabbat Ices
and Torah The Garb family, from left, nephew
Zalman Weisman, Shneur, Mendy,
Kayla, Ziggy and Rachi.

Mark 13 Years
Heidi Mae Bratt

I
t’s Shabbat. It’s around 4ish in the afternoon. And
you happen to be near Sagamore Park on Windsor in
Teaneck. There you probably will see nearly 200 chil-
dren, parents, and friends gathered for what has become
more than just a big Shabbat get-together. It’s Perek in
the Park.
Started 13 years ago by Teaneck resident Shneur
Garb as a tribute to his firstborn son, Zalmi, who died 23
years ago at four weeks old from a RSV, a rare virus, the
gathering of babies through 12 year olds has become a
convivial “In” place for many enjoying the long Shabbat
afternoon during the summer.
“I couldn’t believe it when I recently got an email
from someone in the community making a bar mitzvah
who listed our Perek in the Park as an activity for their
guests on Shabbos,” said Mr. Garb, who owns The Garb
IT Consulting, which does, among other things, educa-
tional networks.
“That was a very big compliment,” he said.
Perhaps some may know the gathering as “Ices in
the Park” because Mr. Garb buys and brings 200 ice pop-
sicles to distribute to the children.
Starting at 5 p.m. sharp, a speaker addresses the
crowd. Speakers have included community rabbis of all

watershed
affiliations, members of the Bergen County Sheriff’s De-
partment, local doctors, and others. The only caveat for
the speaker is that their talk must be delivered in about
eight minutes.

recreation
“We start at 5 p.m. sharp and then the speaker talks

See Shabbat Ices on page 19

program
The Watershed Recreation Program is now open from April 1 to
November 30, 2018.

Participants can fish, walk, bird watch, hike, or simply enjoy nature.
Access to 4 reservoirs – Old Tappan, Oradell and Woodcliff Lake in
New Jersey and Lake Deforest in Rockland County, New York.

For an online application visit:

www.SUEZWatershed.com

mysuezwater.com
The Macklin family, from left, Danit, Garron, Tuvya, Temima and
Amitai.

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 11

OurChildren
About
Heidi Mae Bratt
D
ina Lebovic has a lot of heart,
especially when it comes to her
cousin, who she hopes to help
find a desperately needed kidney.
For her bat mitzvah project, Dina, 12,
created a rap video to the tune of “Amish
Paradise” by Weird Al Yankovic, which is a
parody of the classic 1990s rap hit “Gangs-
ta’s Paradise.” At its center, the video, which
was filmed at school and at home, tells of
the plight of her cousin, Michelle Tarczy, a
41-year-old mother of two young children
who suffers from polycystic kidney disease.
Ms. Tarczy, who is the first cousin
of Dina’s mother, Chaya, had received a
transplant from her husband to head off
the hereditary disease. But after a week,
the kidney failed, and because she had
both kidneys removed, Ms. Tarczy is left
with no kidneys. She needs to have dialy-
sis three times a week, said Chaya.
“We wanted to bring some kind of
spirituality and meaning to Dina’s bat
mitzvah,” said Chaya, who lives with her
family, husband Yossie, and Dina’s sib-
lings, Avi, 16, Esti, 14, and Tova, 5, in Fair
Lawn. “There’s such an emphasis on DJs
and giveaways, but there is so much more
to becoming a bat mitzvah. What’s really
important is family. Michelle is our fam-
ily and we want to help her so she can be
there for her own family.”
Michelle has publicized her medical
story and her urgent need for a kidney
on her own Facebook page, but Chaya
thought that her story and a possible
donor could be found if it reached a wid-
er audience.
12 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018
Honorable Menschen
Project of Love
Bat mitzvah seeks kidney for cousin
So with a little bit of creativity as
well as some iMovie acumen, Dina, who
attends the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North
Jersey and who celebrated her bat mitz-
vah on May 27, created the video, which
was posted on a YouTube channel. The
clever video is clear, concise, and made
with love for Michelle, who lives with
her family in Hudson, Ohio, a suburb
of Cleveland.
For Dina, who plays the ukulele and
loves gym, her goal is singular.
“I hope that people will watch this
video and this will get a match for Mi-
chelle,” Dina said.
Said Michelle on her Facebook page:
“The physical effects from dialysis are
numerous. While I am on the machine
I get extremely dizzy, exhausted, nau-
seous and brain fog. When I get home
from dialysis I go straight to sleep for a
few hours. When I wake up I am still ex-
hausted and I am not able to take care
of my young kids, my husband has to do Above, the Lebovic family at Dina’s bat mitzvah.
everything. On the days that I don’t have Right, cousin Michelle Tarczy and her family.
dialysis I am mainly just exhausted and
have brain fog. It is hard to function on a made me harder to match. My doctors
day-to-day basis. have informed me that my best bet for a
“Dialysis has also been hard on my successful transplant is a live donor.”
body, causing me to go into heart failure. There are a few requirements for
After the heart failure diagnosis, I was interested donors. A donor has to be
given numerous medications and have between the ages of 21 and 70; blood
now been told that my heart function type must be A+, A-, O+ or O-, and in
is back to normal. Now that my heart is good general health (as determined by
back to normal I was recently approved the Cleveland Clinic). If one meets all
to be eligible for a transplant. Due to my of these requirements and is willing to
previous transplant, I needed to receive donate, one can contact the live donor
numerous blood transfusions. After I office at the Cleveland Clinic (216) 445-
received the transfusions it changed the 3150 or (800) 223-2273, ext. 53150. Tell
antibodies in my blood, which has now them it is for Michelle Tarczy.
OurChildren
About
Let Your Kids
Make Mistakes and Grow from Them
Adina Soclof
I
n our home when someone
makes a mistake — spills the
juice, breaks a glass, or over-
sleeps — we often jokingly say, “It’s a
good thing we celebrate mistakes in
our family...” It sounds silly but it usu-
ally works to break the tension of the
minor (and sometimes major) oops
that come along with family life.
Adults need to let children make
mistakes and learn from them. We
need to watch them struggle with
and settle their own problems. We
also need to let them do as much as
they can for themselves and treat
children responsibly so they can
function on their own.
It is hard to let children make
their own mistakes. We feel, “If they
would just listen to us then they
would not have to suffer from their
mistakes.” Allowing them to do for themselves sometimes
makes more work for us. “If I pour the juice it won’t spill.”
But learning to recognize our mistakes, repair them
and grow from them is essential for kids. We want to
protect our kids, but if they aren’t allowed to make mis-
takes they can become fearful of making the smallest
decisions, hesitant to solve problems and afraid to try
new experiences.
We want to promote resilience in our children. Re-
silient children make mistakes, get up, brush themselves
off and move on.
Here are five ways to help children celebrate mistakes:
Embrace mistakes
Remind kids often: “No one is perfect” and “Everyone
makes mistakes. It is part of how we learn.” This teaches
children to keep a good attitude about their errors, and
they’ll be less fearful of making mistakes.
Remind children of what they’ve
already accomplished
Children should take note of their accomplishments so
that can see how far they have come, without focusing on
the mistakes they may have made on the way. “When you
were a baby, you couldn’t walk. And look at you now! You
run so fast, I can hardly keep up with you.”
Encourage inventiveness
Last summer, my son rode his bike to his job. He com-
plained that his backpack kept on banging against the
wheel of his bike. It was driving him crazy. He took an old
backpack and tried to refashion the straps so that his bag
wouldn’t hang down so low and reach the wheels of his
bike. He was using scissors. It seemed to me that he was
ruining this backpack but I kept my mouth shut. After a
few unsuccessful attempts, he came to the same conclu-
sion. “I think I made it worse.”
posed to read two books and I
only read one. Today I am go-
ing to make that up to you.” “I
thought that you were coming
out of bed just because, but
you were trying to let me know
that Sara was hurt. That was
my mistake.”
Teaching kids to celebrate
mistakes goes a long way in
promoting resilience in kids
and helping them celebrate life
to its fullest.
Adina Soclof is a parent educa-
tor, professional development
instructor, and speech pathologist
working with children in a school
setting. She is also the founder of
parentingsimply.com.
Instead of berating him for his attempt, I knew that
this was the perfect opportunity to applaud his efforts in
trying to find a solution to his problem. I said, “I am glad
you tried. You know it took Thomas Edison over 1,000
attempts to make the light bulb. I’m also glad that you
used an old back pack and not your new one.”
A Reason to Smile
It is so hard to keep ourselves from butting in with
criticism and advice. But we need to hang back and think
of ways to respond that promote resilience in our kids.
We can teach children that little failures are opportunities
for growth and that effort should be celebrated.
Tell stories of failures that were
really successes
Many successful people relate that their mistakes and
failures were valuable lessons. Their difficult and often-
times painful experiences shaped their future in powerful
ways. This is a worthy attitude to adopt. Collect stories
about failures that were the impetus for great achieve-
ments and share them with your clients and students.
One teacher I know enjoys telling children the story
of the invention of the telephone. She has her class read
TEANECK DENTIST
the following story:
Bell enjoyed the work of the German physicist Her-
We put the Care
mann Von Helmholtz. In his book, written in German,
Von Helmholtz stated that, vowel sounds could be pro- into Dental Care!
duced using electrical tuning forks and resonators. Bell Richard S. Gertler, DMD, FAGD
could not read German very well so he thought that Von
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Helmholtz had said that vowel sounds could be transmit-
Sami Solaimanzadeh, DMD
ted over wire. This misunderstanding changed the world.
Alexander Graham Bell said, “It gave me confidence. If I
had been able to read German, I might never have begun
1008 Teaneck Road • Teaneck
my experiments in electricity.” 201.837.3000
www.teaneckdentist.com
Be honest about your own mistakes Visit us on Facebook
Parents can share their mistakes with children and what
they learned from those errors. “Yesterday we were sup- Convenient Morning, Evening & Sunday Hours
ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 13
OurChildren
About

Beddy Bye: Making the Goodnight Good

Adina Soclof happy and we so badly want them to like
us and be happy. Or we feel like we are

“H
ow do I get my children to
sleep at night? They won’t
stay in bed!”
“Bedtime in my house is a nightmare!
I dread it.”
“My kids are whiny and cranky in the
morning because they are not getting
enough sleep. What can I do?”
These are complaints that I hear
often from parents. Bedtime can be
quite challenging.
Many times when children don’t lis-
ten to us it is because they are testing
us to see if we mean what we say. And
many times we don’t mean what we say
because we are so unsure about our par-
enting. We feel bad or mean when we try
to get our kids to sleep, eat their vegeta-
bles, be polite, all the things parents are
responsible for so that their children will
grow up civilized and productive mem-
bers of society. Not only that, if we make
them do the things they don’t want to do
they might not like us or they will be un-
traumatizing our children and they will
grow up emotionally stilted. And there
are times where we are so tired that we
don’t have the energy to do all that needs
to be done. We cannot enforce anything;
let alone bedtime.
But kids need us to be strong, firm
and even unyielding when we set our
limits and rules. Even though they might
fight against us they don’t want us to lose
the battle. Surprisingly kids feel more se-
cure and are happier when their parents
set limits and stick to them. This even in-
cludes going to bed on time.
Here are 6 ways to get your child to
bed on time. bedtime helps brain development. Kids Knowing the benefits, we can rest
who have consistent bedtimes scored easy that enforcing bedtime is good for
Know in your heart that bedtime is better on cognitive tests in reading, math kids. We will not traumatize or hurt our
important for your kids and spatial relations. Not only that, early children in any way when we are strict
We all know that kids who have gotten bedtimes can prevent obesity in children. about getting them the rest they need.
the sleep they need are less likely to be I also think that families that have regular We can feel confident that we truly have
whiny and cranky. But science goes even bedtimes are calmer and happier. It is eas- our child’s welfare at heart. When our
further. All the latest studies have touted ier to run a household when both adults children balk, instead of saying to our-
the importance of bedtime. A regular and kids are getting the rest they need. selves, “I am being so mean to them by

YOUR CHILD needs special education.

You want her to have a Jewish education.
You want him to be included.

“
INGENIOUS
BUBBLE WIZARDRY.”
-THE NEW YORKER

INCLUSION by DESIGN
®

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14 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018

 OurChildren
About

making them go to sleep when they don’t want to…” We
should say: “My kids need me to get them into bed on
time. They need me to be firm and enforce their bedtime
for their physical growth, cognitive development, their
sanity and mine!”
Use the voice of authority
Oftentimes kids would rather be doing anything than go-
ing to sleep. They have FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). Their
room could be dark and boring, while the rest of the house
is full of light and potential for fun. This should not deter
us; we can be firm when we are putting our kids to bed.
Kids need to know that you mean business. We want
to avoid using wishy-washy language or phrases that
might highlight our uncertainty:
“Can you get into bed already! Please?”
“Stop jumping on the bed, okay?”
Instead we need to be more authoritative and sure:
“Time for bed.”
“We have time to read one story.”
“Cups of water are to be gotten now, not later.”
“Heads on the pillow.”
“Bedtime for 5 year olds is 7:30 p.m.”
Repeat as needed.
Put in place bedtime rituals
Children thrive on routines and rituals. Have a set one for
bedtime that you can enforce with your voice of authori-
ty. When my kids were young our routine looked like this:
Snack, brush teeth, bath, pajamas, two books, Shema
prayer and some snuggles and kisses.
Whatever you decide, try to be consistent. They will
start to move more naturally from one to the other.
You can even make a picture chart showing what
your routine is. That way when your child is not following
the routine, lets say he doesn’t want to brush his teeth,
you can just point to the picture. You can be forceful
without saying a word.
If your children are a bit older, it is helpful if you de-
velop a routine with your child’s input. Make some time
to sit with your child/ren and ask some of the follow-
ing questions.
How can we make bedtime go smoothly?
What can we do to make sure that you are in bed
on time?
How can we make bedtime better and calmer?
on how to solve it:
Parent: I see that you are having trouble staying in
bed. Lets put our heads together and see if we can come
up with any solutions?
When I have done this with my kids we have come
up with a variety of options to help them stay in bed.
Some ideas were:
• Nightlight
• Lamp by the bed
• Listening to quiet music
• Books on tape
• Mommy staying for five minutes after Shema
• Coloring with Color Wonder (no mess crayons and col-
oring book)
But sometimes we just need to be firm, especially
with younger children. Parenting is hard work. You often
have to do things over and over again until your child
understands that you mean business.
That might mean that every time your child comes
out of his room take him back in without fanfare, talk-
ing as little as possible (or use the short phrases that we
outline in our use your voice of authority sections).
Soon your child will get the picture that you mean
what you say and will not be rewarded by any extra at-
tention, negative or otherwise.
One last thing:
Children can get us with their creative last minute
requests, one more hug, one more drink of water, one
more book, or one more bathroom trip. Try to fit this all
into your bedtime routine. You can say:
“Last call for the bathroom is right now!”
“Waters are being given out now. Last call for water
next to your bed!”
You can also give them choices:
“It is almost time for sleep, do you want 5 or ten
kisses before I leave?”
“You get to choose the book, do you want one or 2
books tonight?”
Let them know that they can only come out if there
is an emergency.
It also fair to say, “After 8 p.m., Mommy/Daddy needs
to take care of other things around the house, or I need
some quiet time to myself. This will help me be a better
mommy tomorrow.
If your child tries to get you to fall into his “just one
more thing” trap don’t get pulled into an argument with
him or give in to his requests. If you do, you are giving
him exactly what he wants, a delayed bedtime and ex-
tra attention. It will also be harder to get back into your
bedtime routine.
Bedtime can be a tough time for parents, knowing
it’s good for your kids, using the voice of authority, using
routine and rituals, and being firm about that one last
thing can all help to make bedtime more pleasurable.
Adina Soclof is a parent educator, professional development
instructor, and speech pathologist working with children in a
school setting. She is also the founder of parentingsimply.com.

Be silly but not too silly

You do want bedtime to be playful, but still low key.
Roughhousing, wrestling or tickling can give your child
a second wind. Instead, you can read a funny book while
using funny voices or have a ritual where you kiss and say
good night to all your child’s stuffed animals.
Another silly activity and a great way to help your
child cooperate and get into bed is to give them sil-
ly choices:
Do you want to wear your pajamas inside out or right
side up?
Do you want to hop or skip into bed?
Do you want to sleep with your feet on the pillow
and head under the covers?

It can take some time and patience, be strong

A common question (or complaint) is “But what if my
child comes out of his room?”
It is helpful to brainstorm with your child to come
up with some solutions on how he can stay in bed. Kids
are more likely to comply if they have had a say in what
needs to be done.
You can name the problem and ask if he has any ideas

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 15


The Andrew Friedland Early Childhood Learning Center at Temple Beth
Rishon in Wyckoff recently had a visit from the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire
Department. The children were able to sit in the fire truck and take
pictures at the wheel and learn what the fire department does to keep
the community safe.
The FLIPPER chapter of USY involves teens from Fair Lawn Jewish
Center, Temple Beth Sholom Fair Lawn, Jewish Community Center
of Paramus/Congregation Beth Tikvah and Temple Israel of
Ridgewood. Pictured Laurence Fine of Temple Israel in Ridgewood,
Joshua Bank of Fair Lawn Jewish Center, Marcia Kagedan, USY
advisor, Julia Hozsager of Beth Sholom Fair Lawn, President
Brianna Leopold and Marisa Shapiro of JCCP/CBT and Isabel
Kossoy of the Fair Lawn Jewish Center.
16 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018
AOC-16
Gallery
Rabbi Yitzchok Cohen’s 4th grade class
of 16 students from the Gottesman RTW
Academy in Randolph visited the Jewish
Center of Teaneck and the Cedar Lane
business district to see highlights of the
large Teaneck Jewish community. They
visited Cedar Market, Butterflake Bakery,
Judaica House, PizzaLicious, and Rabbi
Teicher (the sofer).
Yehuda Davis, Ben Shanblatt and Shoshana
Fishman were among the 155 seniors who
graduated from The Frisch School. More than
100 students are heading for Israel to study in
yeshivas and seminaries before going to college.
Students, parents, and faculty at the Fair
Lawn Jewish Center/Cong. B’nai Israel
gathered to honor its outgoing Religious
School principal Judy Gutin.
Third- to fifth-graders from Academies at Gerrard
Berman Day School traveled to Carnegie Hall to
perform at a concert with the orchestra. Music
teacher Dassi Rosenkrantz-Cabo, who headed the
trip, works with Carnegie Hall’s Weill Institute of
Music.
The Friendship Circle of Passaic County held its 13th annual
Evening of Appreciation and Awards. More than 100 teens from
Wayne, Clifton and Passaic area were recognized for their dedica-
tion to special friends at the Friendship Circle Passaic County.
 OurChildren
About

TopChoices JULY 2018

Compiled by Heidi Mae Bratt

An Af-fair to Remember State Fair Meadowlands

State Fair Meadowlands, New Jersey’s
largest family event, is in full swing
through July 8. Rides galore, free enter-
tainment, and lots of food, there is
something for everyone. Entertainment
includes: Cycle Circus Live, Extreme
Illusions & Escapes Show, Sea Lion
Splash, Steve Bayner Hypnotist Show,
Belmont Festival of Magic Show, Racing
Pigs, Arctic Olympic Games High Dive
Show, and Educational Petting Zoo. A
fireworks show will be held on July 3
and 4. The fair also will feature heart-
pounding rides and attractions, including
the largest Kiddy Land in New Jersey,
the Original Batcopter from the 1960s
Batman television series and movie, and
the area’s only Sky Ride.
June 21–July 8
Monday–Thursday, 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.,
Friday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.,
Saturday, 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.,
Sunday, 2 p.m. to 12 a.m.
MetLife Stadium
1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford
www.njfair.com
Purchase admission tickets at the MetLife
Stadium Box Office at the Main Gate

Drama and Laughs at the JCC this Summer

Thespians and comedians take the
stage and screen this summer at
the JCC on the Palisades’ drama
and comedy summer camp. The
three-week Center-Stage Camp
for 4th through 9th graders (June
25-July 13) will be performing “Alice
in Wonderland” and “Through the
Looking Glass;” a new two-week
Broadway Showtime Camp for inter- JCC on the Palisades
mediate and advanced 5th though 411 E. Clinton Ave., Tenafly
11th grade students (July 16–July 27) For more information,
will do “Fiddler on the Roof;” and 201-408-1493
a three-part comedy camp for 3rd www.jccotp.org.
through 6th graders (July 30–Aug.
17) taught by comic Actor Adam
Sietz, will focus on playmaking and
performing, theater, and movies.

Arthur and Friends At Liberty Science

The lovable and bespectacled aardvark
Arthur Read, who teaches kids how to deal
with childhood challenges like homework,
teachers, and bullies, is now at the Liberty
Science Center. “Arthur’s World,” is a
national exhibition based on the PBS
television series and popular Marc Brown
books about Arthur and his friends. Visitors Liberty Science Center
are invited to build a love of reading and Liberty State Park
learning through activities set within classic 222 Jersey City Boulevard, Jersey City. 201-
Arthur locations, such as the Read family 2000-1000
kitchen, Mr. Ratburn’s classroom, and the www.lsc.org.
Elwood City Library.

Art-Filled Mondays At The Jewish Museum

Families are invited to explore a vari-
ety of materials and ideas through
weekly Monday drop-in sessions
during July at The Jewish Museum.
Inspired by works on view, visitors
can paint a still life, design whim-
sical sculptures within diorama,
create one-of-a-kind patterns
through printmaking techniques, and
more. This season, the art of Marc
Camille Chaimowicz offers families
the chance to see beautiful design Mondays, 1 to 4 p.m.
objects, unique furniture, colorful The Jewish Museum
wallpapers, and collages — along 1109 Fifth Ave., Manhattan
with patterns and pathways that 212-423-3200
evoke the natural landscape of www.thejewishmuseum.org.
Central Park. Families may also
discover the expressive paintings
of Chaim Soutine, and explore the
world he observed and depicted in
his still life images.

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 17

 The Good Life With Kids
This calendar is a day-by-day schedule of events. Although all information is as timely as we can make it, it’s a good idea to call to verify details before you go.
Friday, June 22
Family Value Day at the Fair: Discount tickets
are available at the State Fair Meadowlands. Gate
admission tickets are $10 for all ages. Parking,
food, game, and ride tickets cost $2. Select food
and drink items are $2. Unlimited Ride Hand
Stamps will not be available. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.
MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East
Rutherford. www.njfair.com.
Saturday, June 23
Story Time in Teaneck: Enjoy old and new favor-
ites at this family story event at 11 a.m. Teaneck
Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road, Teaneck. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Tuesday, June 26
Libraries Rock: Musical instrument workshop
for youngsters 4 and older. Make your own musi-
cal instruments to rock out all summer. From
3 to 5 p.m. Paramus Public Library, 116 East
Century Road, Paramus, 201-599-1300, www.
paramuslibrary.org.
Free Kids Night at the State Fair: Gate admission
is free for 12 and younger and a child unlimited
hand stamp is $20 at the State Fair Meadowlands.
Admission for 13 and up is $11. There is a combo
admission/unlimited ride hand stamp ticket for
$30. Parking is free. 5 p.m. to midnight. MetLife
Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford.
www.njfair.com.
Friday, June 29
Shabbat in Closter: Temple Beth El in Closter
invites the community to join a Summer Kabbalat
Shabbat Service at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome.
Temple Beth El, 221 Schraalenburgh Road, Closter.
201-768-5112.
Sunday, July 1
Family Fireworks in Paramus: Come celebrate
July 4 early in Paramus. The event features food,
live entertainment, and a fireworks display at dusk.
Bring a blanket or chair. Cliff Gennarelli Sports
Complex, Garden State Plaza Parkway, Paramus.
Tuesday, July 3
Fireworks at the State Fair: Celebrate
summer fun and patriotic pride with fire-
works displays that can be seen anywhere
on the fairgrounds for just the cost of
admission; parking is $5. 2 p.m. to 1 a.m.
MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive,
East Rutherford. www.njfair.com.
Wednesday, July 4
Fireworks in Jersey City: Jersey City
Freedom & Fireworks Festival includes live
music, children’s entertainment, amuse-
ment rides, food and drink, and a fireworks
display highlighting the Statue of Liberty
and Ellis Island. Noon to 10 p.m. Liberty
State Park, Jersey City.
Fireworks at the State Fair: Celebrate
summer fun and patriotic pride with
breathtaking fireworks displays that can
be seen anywhere on the Fairgrounds for
just the cost of admission; parking is $5. 2
p.m. to 1 a.m. MetLife Stadium, 1 MetLife
Stadium Drive, East Rutherford. www.njfair.
com.
Stuffed Toy Sleepover, see July 20, July 27.
18 ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018
J U LY
Ridgewood Celebrates July 4: Come for sum-
mer fun and patriotic pride. Wilsey Square
Associates, 20 Wilsey Square. Flag raising starts
at 9 a.m. Parade begins at 10 a.m. Gates open at
Veterans Field, Ridgewood at 6 p.m.
Monday, July 5
Cheap, Cheap Night at the State Fair:
Admission for all ages costs $5. Unlimited ride
hand stamp is available for $25 for all ages.
Parking is free. 5 p.m. to midnight. MetLife
Stadium, 1 MetLife Stadium Drive, East
Rutherford. www.njfair.com.
Saturday, July 7
Bagels and Biscuits: Temple Beth Tikvah invites
you and your loving furry companion to a unique
and spiritual experience Bagels and Biscuits at 10
a.m. Share Bagels, coffee, biscuits and water in a
bowl at our outdoor gathering for your leashed
pet and their human. Bring a mitzvah pet food
or toy or accessory for a cat or dog for Project
Rescue Foundation of the No-Kill Animal Shelter
of Bergen County. Temple Beth Tikvah, 950
Preakness Ave., Wayne. 973-595-6565, www.
templebethtikvahnj.org. For more information
about the shelter, email rescueme@bcrescues.
org or 201-945-0649.
Family Story Time: Family story time meets
at 11 a.m. For age 4 and older. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Monday, July 9
Read to a Dog: Children can read to a new
canine friend at the library. Appointments with
the therapy dogs for 20 minutes. For grade 1 and
older. Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road.
201-837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Tuesday, July 10
Mother Goose Story Time: Listen to a story
for 2K to 3 years old. Meets at 10 a.m. Teaneck
Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Thursday, July 12
Storytime and Craft: Children and caregivers
meet in the Children’s Reading Garden, weather
and noise permitting for stories and a simple
craft. Ages 3K to 6 years old. 10 a.m. Teaneck
Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Toddler Time at Teaneck Library: Story time
for walkers up to 2K years old. Participants can
attend sessions at 10 or 11 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Filmstrip Story Time: Classic picture books come
to life on the big screen. 10:30 a.m. Age 3 and
up. No registration required. Groups welcomed.
Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Lap Time at the Library: Story time for infants
who are not yet walking 11 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Summer Blood Drive: Young Israel will be hold-
ing its annual summer blood drive from 3 to 9
p.m. Sign up tinyurl.com/youngisraelblooddrive,
or just show up. If you have any questions, or are
looking to get involved in another way, contact
Sara Schatz at saraschatz01@gmail.com or 201-
708-5249.
Saturday, July 14
Family Story Time: Family story time meets
at 11 a.m. For age 4 and older. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Monday, July 16
Read to a Dog: Children can read to a new canine
friend at the library. Appointments with the
therapy dogs for 20 minutes. For grade 1 and older.
Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Tuesday, July 17
Mother Goose Story Time: Listen to a story for
2K to 3 years old. Meets at 10 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Thursday, July 19
Storytime and Craft: Children and care-
givers meet in the Children’s Reading
Garden, weather and noise permitting
for stories and a simple craft. Ages 3K
to 6 years old. 10 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Mother Goose Story Time: Listen to a
story for 2K to 3 years old. Meets at 10
a.m. Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck
Road. 201-837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Filmstrip Story Time: Classic picture
books come to life on the big screen.
10:30 a.m. Age 3 and up. No registration
required. Groups welcomed. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Toddler Time at Teaneck Library: Story
time for walkers up to 2K years old.
Participants can attend sessions at 10 or 11
a.m. Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck
Road. 201-837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
To Add Your Event
to Our Calendar
Send it to:
Calendar Editor
About Our Children
New Jersey/Rockland Jewish Media Group
1086 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666 AboutOC@aol.com
or fax it to: 201-833-4959
Deadline for March issue:
published February 23, Tuesday, February 13
Lap Time at the Library: Story time for infants
who are not yet walking 11 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Friday, July 20
Stuffed Toy Sleepover: Escort your favorite
stuffed toy to a toys only sleepover. Following a
story time, the stuffed toy will sleep over and then
children can pick them up the next day. Photos
of the event. Noon. Teaneck Public Library, 840
Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Saturday, July 21
Family Story Time: Family story time meets
at 11 a.m. For age 4 and older. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Monday, July 23
Read to a Dog: Children can read to a new canine
friend at the library. Appointments with the
therapy dogs for 20 minutes. For grade 1 and older.
Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Thursday, July 26
Storytime and Craft: Children and caregivers
meet in the Children’s Reading Garden, weather
and noise permitting for stories and a simple
craft. Ages 3K to 6 years old. 10 a.m. Teaneck
Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Mother Goose Story Time: Listen to a story
for 2K to 3 years old. Meets at 10 a.m. Teaneck
Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Filmstrip Story Time: Classic picture books come
to life on the big screen. 10:30 a.m. Age 3 and
up. No registration required. Groups welcomed.
Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Toddler Time at Teaneck Library: Story time
for walkers up to 2K years old. Participants can
attend sessions at 10 or 11 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Lap Time at the Library: Story time for infants
who are not yet walking 11 a.m. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Friday, July 27
Stuffed Toy Sleepover: Escort your favorite
stuffed toy to a toys only sleepover. Following a
story time, the stuffed toy will sleep over and then
children can pick them up the next day. Photos
of the event. Noon. Teaneck Public Library, 840
Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
Saturday, July 28
Family Story Time: Family story time meets
at 11 a.m. For age 4 and older. Teaneck Public
Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-837-4171,
www.teaneck.org.
Monday, July 30
Read to a Dog: Children can read to a new canine
friend at the library. Appointments with the
therapy dogs for 20 minutes. For grade 1 and older.
Teaneck Public Library, 840 Teaneck Road. 201-
837-4171, www.teaneck.org.
 OurChildren
About

Shabbat Ices from page 11 Perek in the Park also was intended as

B’nei mitzvah
GABRIEL HEXTER
Gabriel Hexter, son of
Jenifer Hexter of Oakland
and David Hexter of
Garfield, and brother of
Elizabeth, 17, celebrated
becoming a bar mitzvah on
Simchas
LOGAN ROSNER
Logan Rosner, daughter
of Kim and Scott Rosner
of Allendale and sister
of Harrison, celebrated
becoming a bat mitzvah
on June 16 at Temple Beth
Rishon in Wyckoff.
LINDAY SASS
Linday Sass, daughter
of Erica and Bruce Sass
of Wyckoff and sister of
Garrett, celebrated becom-
ing a bat mitzvah on June
9 at Temple Beth Rishon in
Wyckoff.
Schmidt, celebrated
becoming a bat mitzvah
on June 2 at the Glen Rock
Jewish Center. Madelyn
is the granddaughter of
Carol and Bob Berliner of
Paramus.
ABIGAIL SCHWARTZ
Abigail Schwartz, daugh-
ter of Randy and David
Schwartz of Ramsey and
sister of Matthew, celebrat-
ed becoming a bat mitzvah
on June 2 at Temple Beth
Rishon in Wyckoff.
JACOB STEIN
until about 5:08 — just about as long as it
takes for the kids to eat and finish their
ices,” Mr. Garb said.
On any given Shabbat there might be
150 to 200 children and their families who
come. Any other park-goers, Jewish or not,
are invited into the circle as well.
“We really got involved in doing this
because we want to make children happy,”
said Mr. Garb. Perek in the Park is a Garb
family affair, which includes his wife,
Rachi, and his children, Kayla, 20, Mendy,
18, and Ziggy, 13.
Garb had a partner in the launch, his
friend Garron Macklin, who helped initi-
ate the Perek in the Park, an idea that not
only makes Shabbat fun, but also sweet.
Mr. Garb said that the afternoon talk,
schmooze, and snack-fest also gives peo-
ple who don’t ever have an experience of
Shabbat, a taste of what Shabbat can be,
and a positive association with the day.
a memorial for his late son.
“We thought it important to have a
living memorial to Zalmi and to keep his
memory alive by sharing this with the
community,” Mr. Garb said. “It is some-
thing that other communities and shuls
can do as well.”
It was also important for him to
demonstrate how things can just “get
done” by committing to something and
just doing it.
“It’s ten dollars a week to buy these
ices,” he said. “It’s great to be able to make
200 kids happy and to give them a chance
to hear a little Torah. This really has been
our pleasure.”
For anyone wanting to start a Perek in
the Park, Mr. Garb is available at shneur@
garbcg.com.
Heidi Mae Bratt is the editor of
About Our Children.

PARTY
May 12 at Barnert Temple Jacob Stein, son of Steven
in Franklin Lakes. Stein and Milissa Finkel
and brother of Sam Stein,
AIMEE HOFFMAN celebrated becoming a
Aimee Hoffman, daugh- bar mitzvah on June 2 at
ter of Karen and Richard Congregation Beth Sholom
Hoffman of River Vale, in Teaneck.
celebrated becoming a
bat mitzvah on June 16 at SKYE TAYLOR
Temple Beth El of Northern Skye Taylor, daughter of
Valley in Closter. Corey and Tallie Taylor
MADELYN SCHMIDT of Haworth, celebrated
Madelyn Schmidt, daugh- becoming a bat mitzvah on
ter of Mindy Schmidt June 9 at Temple Beth El of
of Paramus and Joseph Northern Valley in Closter.

Send us your simchas!

We welcome simcha announcements for
births and b’nai mitzvah. Announcements
are subject to editing. There is a $10
charge for photos. Photos must be high
resolution jpg files.
Call (201) 837-8818 for information.
Dentist from page 7
Dr. Chen, his mother and brothers lived
in Brooklyn, New York, while his father
stayed in Africa. His father eventually
changed jobs to one at the United Nations
and moved to Zaire, now known as The
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Israel-born Dr. Chen and his fam-
ily would spend summers in Africa with
his father. His parents had a commuter
marriage until Dr. Chen went to Yeshiva
University in New York for college, and his
mother returned to Africa to be with her
husband. Eventually, his parents moved
back to Israel.
973-661-9368
Send to pr@jewishmediagroup.com
or mail to NJ Jewish Media Group,
ATT: Simchas
1086 Teaneck Road
Teaneck, NJ 07666
If a photograph is to be returned, include
a SASE. Include:
1 hours of skating (during public session)
Private decorated party room
Off ice party attendant
Skate rental
Invitations for party guests
Pizza and soda
“It is only in hindsight that I realize Personalized Carvel ice cream cake
Favors and candy
how different my upbringing was,” said FREE skating pass for future use
Dr. Chen. Birthday child receives FREE Ice Vault T shirt
If there is any take-away, he said, it is
that he sees the Jewish world as one.
“We try to teach our own kids to be
open-minded and as inclusive as possible,
in every aspect. No matter where people
daven or go to school, everyone is Jewish,”
More than 410,000 likes.
he said. That perspective of inclusive-
ness, he added, “might be one of the take
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homes from my experience in Africa.”
Heidi Mae Bratt is the editor of About Our
Children.

facebook.com/jewishstandard

ABOUT OUR CHILDREN • JULY 2018 19

 Valley Health System, the healthcare provider you know and
trust, is proud to announce the expansion of its partnership
with the Mount Sinai Health System, the world-renowned
New York academic medical center. Our powerful alliance
now brings cancer care innovation and access to clinical
trials to the communities of northern New Jersey.
For all your health care needs, Valley provides highly
personalized, comprehensive care close to home. And with
Mount Sinai as our partner, we’re bringing advanced clinical
research to cancer care for you and your loved ones.

Now patients can see Mount Sinai specialists for treatment

of pancreatic, head and neck, lung and skin cancers at
Valley’s Cancer Center in northern New Jersey. Valley’s
cancer specialists all have academic appointments at the
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, fostering close
collaboration between colleagues from both organizations.

ADVANCING CANCER CARE

TOGETHER
THROUGH RESEARCH

To reach a Valley cancer care specialist

today, please call 201-634-5339.