Welcome to Kveller, Baltimore!

By Deborah Kolben
Editor, Kveller.com

If you’re reading this from Charm City, then Kveller has some great news for you. We’re very excited to announce the launch of the brand new Kveller Baltimore site. It’s got everything that’s made Kveller a hit worldwide, but with some added bonuses just for the Jewish families of Baltimore, Maryland.

So what does this mean? If you live in Baltimore, every time you visit the Kveller homepage you’ll be automatically taken to the Kveller Baltimore site (isn’t the internet magical?). There, you’ll find all the blog posts, recipes, holiday ideas, and updates from actress Mayim Bialik that bring Jewish parents to Kveller every day, but you’ll also find an entire calendar of events for young Jewish kids in the Baltimore area as well as extensive local resources. Whether you’re looking for a mohel, preschool, day school, synagogue, kosher supermarket, or great place to drag your kids on a rainy day, Kveller Baltimore has you covered.

We’re very thankful to the Center for Jewish Education and THE ASSOCIATED: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore for championing this new project. We spend a lot of time reaching out to Jewish families online, but it really makes us kvell when Jewish parents interact with other Jewish parents and organizations in a meaningful way, in real life too.

We’d like to welcome all our new readers coming to us from Baltimore. We’re super excited to have you as part of our Kveller community and hope you make yourself at home. As a bonus, here’s Mayim Bialik with a special welcome message:

What Adam Sandler Didn’t Know

By Esther Apt
Jewish Community Center

Too bad Adam Sandler didn’t live in Baltimore during the holiday season. If he had, I bet he wouldn’t have been so upset to be, “the only kid in town without a x-mas tree.” To quote his well-known Hanukah Song, here are some ideas to help make the season more…“fun-akkah!”

This Dec 25, nix the movies and Chinese food (or maybe just enjoy them later in the day).  From 1:00-4:00 p.m. the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC will be having their annual family event complete with games and entertainment for all ages. At Peace, Love & JCC, families can don their bellbottoms and love beads to have some 60’s style fun. The day will include plenty of arts and crafts projects, a slinky obstacle course, a moonbounce and a GIANT Twister game!

What about the rest of the week when the kids are off of school and you have to work?  Instead of spending their vacation time roaming the malls, teens in grades 6-8 can get a can get a taste of the JCC’s popular TNT summer program. “This is a great opportunity for kids to get in some community service hours while gaining leadership skills,” says Brad Kerxton, JCC Middle School Program Coordinator.

The first installment of TNT for a Day takes place on Wednesday, December 26 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at the Rosenbloom Owings Mills JCC. The morning will be spent working in the preschool and the afternoon will consist of fun group activities.

After all the fun is done, buckle down and resolve to be healthy this year. As we all know, ‘tis the season to make those New Year’s resolutions!
Both JCC’s are offering an eight-week Weight Loss Program from January 6 to March 1, 2013. There are four levels to choose from and the higher the level the more personalized attention and guidance you will get.

For example, if you take charge of your own weigh-ins and weekly measurements but want to receive weekly motivational emails, “On my Own” is the program  for you. For eight personal training sessions and a food journal review, pick the “Crown Me Champ” option.

Check out the different weight loss program options>>

Learn more about Peace, Love & JCC>>

To register for TNT for a Day and for information on additional January and February dates, contact Brad at bkerxton@jcc.org .

Solutions to Elder Care

By Jacqueline Kreinik, R.N., M.S., CMC,
Manager, Elder Care Services
Jewish Community Services

With so many people living longer today, most of us eventually are going to be taking care of an aging relative, whether it’s a parent, spouse or other family member — if we aren’t already doing so. No matter how good our relationships with our loved ones may be, the responsibilities and stresses of care-giving can feel overwhelming, and they’re intensified when we feel we have to handle things alone.

Caregivers say they are most concerned about:

• Safety: Will Dad fall? What if Mom can’t climb the stairs in her house any longer? Will she forget to turn off the tea kettle or oven? Should my spouse still be driving?
• Medication: Who will reliably fill prescriptions? Is Dad managing his medications and taking them on time?
• Navigating the health care system: Who can keep track of so many doctors’ appointments, forms to fill out, and differing advice? How do you get to the person you need to speak to?
• Isolation: If Mom can’t drive any longer, how will she get to important  appointments and see her friends?
• Finding resources: What alternative housing arrangements are available? When is it time to move to a facility that provides support services? How to find a reliable companion or home health care service?

The good news is that you don’t have to deal with these challenges alone. There are resources to help families.

One of the best is Elder Care (or Senior Care) Management. Many people aren’t familiar with this comprehensive service. Simply put, Elder Care Management supports older individuals in their desire to continue living in their own homes or in other settings (assisted living facilities, CCRC’s, or skilled nursing homes) with maximum independence and dignity.

A certified Elder Care Manager can become a caregiver’s best friend. When families first contact an Elder Care Manager (ECM), they learn that this professional, who is also a licensed nurse and social worker with expertise in aging, can visit their elder’s home to assess safety factors, as well as their loved one’s current physical, emotional, cognitive and social health.The ECM can then make recommendations and design a personalized plan of care.

With a wealth of expertise, knowledge and connections, an ECM can cut through red tape, navigate the health care system, coordinate medical care, and get results, saving you time and many headaches. The ECM advocates for your older relative and collaborates with the family, almost like becoming part of a team. The ECM can gather information and resources and help you make informed decisions that are right for your family.

A good Elder Care Manager is someone to lean on, someone who is always there for you. By taking many responsibilities and dilemmas off your shoulders and by helping you plan for the future, the ECM allows you to focus on your relationship with your loved one and ensure him or her the best quality of life.

If you are a caregiver who would like some support, we invite you to call an Elder Care specialist and learn more about how Elder Care Management can help you.

For more information, call Jewish Community Services, 410-466-9200.

Check out “Caring for Elders Leads to New Profession,” a profile on Jacqueline in the December issue of The Beacon>>

Is NOW the Best Time to Buy a New Home?

5 Ways to Prepare for Buying Your Bargain Dream House
By Shelley Weinreb

More and more, we’re hearing reports that the housing market is making a comeback. Ask any realtor and they’ll tell you that people are starting to buy again. And with good reason–prices are still very low and there are plenty of quality, bargain properties on the market.  So could this be the perfect time to shop for your dream home?

If you’re thinking of buying a new home, here are five smart insider tips you can start doing now to maximize your success:

1. Get your credit in shape. Nothing kills a good deal like bad credit. The last thing you want is to lose out on a fantastic home because of “issues” with your credit.  Now is the time to examine and correct any errors or negative items before they sabotage your chances.
2. Study, research, inquire. Thanks to the Internet, information on just about any real estate topic known to man is available in seconds.  Want to know about housing prices, tax rates, schools, shopping and even the lifestyle of a particular neighborhood? It’s all searchable online. Websites like www.trulia.com and www.nabewise.com provide insight into many aspects of a neighborhood’s character.
3. Attend CHAI’s Smart Homebuyer’s Workshop. Every month, CHAI offers its three-hour homebuyer’s workshop packed with no-strings-attached information and advice for first time and seasoned homebuyers alike.  Want to know which credit report website to trust (that’s not trying to sell you something)? How to get homebuyer grants, awards and interest-free loans? What to know what to look out for to avoid common and costly mistakes?  CHAI is your source for unbiased, great information to help you find and afford a home.
4. Stash your cash. Stow away as much as you can for your down payment and closing costs. Even if you think you’ve saved enough, tighten your belt and pile up a few extra pennies. That cash cushion will come in very handy for repairs and those inevitable expenses that pop up once you move into your new home.
5. Get rid of what you don’t need. Lighten your load. Sell, donate, give away what you’ve been holding onto but don’t use. You’ll have less to move and more space to live in.  Plus it’ll feel great to start off in your new home with less clutter.

Perhaps the best advice for the hopeful homebuyer is … patience. Your dream home is out there. Don’t grab the first thing that comes along if it’s not what you really want. It’s still very much a buyer’s market. Also, now’s not the time to make any major financial changes like starting a new business or buying a new car. Hold off on big purchases until after you’re in your new home.

Get more details on CHAI’s next Smart Homebuyer’s Workshop>>

For more information on how CHAI can help make your dream of owning a home come true in northwest Baltimore City, call 410-500-5309.

“It’s Easy Being Green”

By Morris Panitz
Program Director, Kayam Farm

Kermit the Frog has been misquoted! Sure, he said “It’s not easy being green,” but, if you listen to the whole song, you’ll remember that’s not all he said.  After recounting the difficulties of “being green,” he shifted his attitude and sang (or croaked):

But green‘s the color of Spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like an ocean, or important
Like a mountain, or tall like a tree.

Kermit looked himself in the mirror and realized that “being green” can be understood much more broadly than he once imagined. Let’s join Kermit on that journey of self-realization (yes, I realize Kermit is a Muppet) and expand our notion of what it means to live a green life. Here, we can turn to our tradition for insight into how to live an environmentally and socially conscious life.

As Abraham Joshua Heschel famously said, “Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge.”  When we take the time to notice the beauty of nature, the complexity and interconnectedness of the living world and the simple fact that we are living, loving creatures, we create the foundation for a life of awe and amazement, gratitude and awareness. With this foundation, we encounter the world and strive for solutions to the social and environmental issues that threaten our sustainability.

We mistakenly think that environmental and social causes belong in different conversations; whereas, in reality, the interconnectedness of our social and environmental issues demands our full, undivided attention. While pesticides degrade our soil and contaminate our water sources, poisoning vital soil biology and aquatic life, poor communities suffer the health consequences of cheaply produced, processed food and contaminated water. When we advocate for fair distribution of food, we must also ask the fundamental questions of how that food is grown and at what cost to the health of our planet.  Being green and being a social justice advocate are two sides of the same coin.

Our Jewish calendar and the holidays we celebrate throughout are based on the natural cycles of our planet and the agricultural rhythms our ancestors knew so well. Imagine a Judaism that went beyond Tu B’Shvat as the only day of the year in which we examine our connection to the Earth. As we celebrate Sukkot in the upcoming holiday season, let’s reclaim the agricultural roots of the holiday. Known as the Harvest Festival, Sukkot is a time to express our gratitude for the water that animates life, the food that sustains us and the opportunity to gather as community to celebrate our countless blessings.

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why
Wonder, I am green and it’ll do fine, it’s beautiful
And I think it’s what I want to be

Join us at the Pearlstone Center, October 5-7, for our 20’s and 30’s Sukkot Retreat>>

You’re Number One

By Amy Schwartz
Fitness & Wellness Director, Jewish Community Center

Is your life about volunteering for school, cleaning up messes, making snacks, planning meals, driving to school, scheduling play dates, etc.? Do you feel guilty when you do something for yourself?

Making “you” a priority helps the whole family. Having a family is one of the greatest joys in life. But it can also be one of the hardest parts of your life to integrate with your exercise routine. Why? Because people often put their families before themselves – often going so far as to forget their own needs.

Since most of us already know that we should take care of ourselves—but often have trouble figuring out how to do it—here are some guidelines for getting there:

• Protect the “physical” you with adequate sleep, regular exercise, and good nutrition.
• Value the “emotional” you as much as the physical, with a support system of friends.
• Schedule fun activities often—it’s just as important to plan pleasure as it is to plan work.
• Combine family time with exercise—go for a hike, ride bikes, play Frisbee, go to the park.
• And finally, learn to say “No!” Reserve your “yes” for the things that are most important to you.

Just remember – you are as important as your kids. Yes, your family needs your time and energy. Taking care of yourself sets a great example. Positive energy creates more positive energy. The happier and healthier you are, the happier and healthier your kids and spouse will be.

There are so many time efficient ways to get in at least an hour of fitness that will help you be healthy. Group fitness classes provide a social atmosphere, great energy and extra motivation – or hire a personal trainer to help you meet your personal fitness goals.

Want to learn more about group fitness classes or personal training at the JCC? Contact Lynn Rosen-Stone (Owings Mills JCC) 410-559-3535 or Jackie Foreman (Park Heights JCC) 410-500-5919.

The Magic of Outdoor Play

By Sarah Shapiro, LCSW-C
School Consultant, Jewish Community Services

Where are the magical spaces of your childhood? Do your children have such a place?

Last spring, Meredith Jacobs posed these questions during one of her “Connecting Family” broadcasts on WYPR and it really got me thinking. Magical spaces are the places we go for peace and for play.

As a child, my magical space was the big rock in our front yard upon which my siblings and I and the neighborhood kids all climbed and alternatively pretended it was a mountain, a boat or a home. (In later years, when I returned to my childhood home, I was shocked to discover that our “big rock” was in reality not so large.) As an adult, my magical space is on a lake in Maine where I relaxed and swam in years past. I can go there in my mind whenever I need to de-stress.

Today the average American child spends more than eight hours a week in front of a screen, be it TV, computer, phone or gaming system. While our kids are adept at mastering virtual situations, their experiences in the real world of person-to-person contact are diminishing, as is their interaction with the natural world.

Meredith Jacobs talked about the documentary Play Again, which emphasizes the importance of engaging children in creative outdoor activity. The film follows six typical American teenagers on their first wilderness adventure and looks at the consequences of a childhood deprived of nature and the benefits of being in nature.

The outdoors provides children with amazing opportunities for unstructured play, an activity which, sadly, has declined in recent years as families have become overwhelmed with hectic schedules and focused on academic achievement. Play helps children develop physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively, especially when the activities are not overly structured by adults.

Through outdoor physical play, such as climbing trees, jumping rope, building snowmen or skipping stones, children “practice and master physical skills,” including muscle and motor development and coordination, says Rae Pica in “Take It Outside!” By burning calories and letting out energy, they are also less at risk for obesity and heart disease. Imaginative and inventive play, whether in a tree house or by a stream, promotes cognitive development.

Being outdoors gives kids opportunities to use all their senses, to run and yell, and even to get dirty. Outdoor play also nurtures children’s social and emotional development by providing opportunities for them to learn important social skills like taking turns, communicating, negotiating and sharing.

“They feel safe and in control, which promotes autonomy, decision-making and organizational skills,” as well as initiative and competence,” says Pica.

Building in time for outdoor play is harder once the school year begins and the days start to get shorter, but it’s important for children’s physical and mental health. With many schools reducing or eliminating recess, children are spending more hours indoors.  So make time, either right after school or as a break during homework, for your child to unwind outdoors. Don’t forget about the weekends, too.

Throughout the year, remember to provide your child with plenty of opportunities to engage in spontaneous and voluntary outdoor play. Outside activities enable us to absorb fresh air, investigate plant and animal life and engage the imagination. Positive outdoor experiences in early life can help prepare children and whet their appetites for more challenging and independent outdoor experiences in adolescence and adulthood.

Familiarity with the outdoors will also help to ensure that our next generation is invested in protecting their environment so the great outdoors will remain full of magical spaces for years to come.

JCS professional child development experts can help with concerns about your child’s mental and emotional growth and well-being. Call 410-466-9200 or visit www.jcsbaltimore.org.

Watch the “Play Again” documentary>>

Check out these resources from Early Childhood News:
Hug a Tree and Other Things to Do Outdoors with Young Children, by Robert Rockwell, Robert Williams and Elizabeth Sherwood, Gryphon House, 1983
Sharing Nature with Children, by Joseph Bharat Cornell, Ananda Press, 1982

“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall…” A Woman’s View

By Lizbeth Schoen, LCSW-C
Therapy Services
Jewish Community Services in Howard County

We baby boomers are aging.  You may have noticed:  our vision changes, our middles thicken, our faces sag, sleep becomes elusive, joints stiffen, hair thins.  We have hot flashes or we are cold all the time.  We gain weight no matter what.  The list goes on and on.

We are at a time in our lives when our self-image and identity may be shifting as our bodies and our roles in life begin to change.

Children grow up and leave to start their own lives.  We may be caring for our parents or may have become middle-aged orphans.  We become grandmothers, caregivers, widowed or divorced.

As we begin to redefine who we are inside, it can be natural to scrutinize our outer appearance, too, and fixate on the changes and signs of aging.

Every day we face ourselves in the mirror.  Many of us wish we had a different shape or size, a younger complexion, fewer wrinkles, more firmness here, less fat there.  Can we even remember when we last wore a bathing suit in public?  We may struggle to find clothes that fit and that are flattering or stylish.  We try to look more like some ideal image that doesn’t really exist.  It’s hard not to think this way when the media bombards us with pictures (sometimes doctored) of glamorous, young and thin models and celebrities.

How do we value ourselves?  How do we face the challenges to feel good about ourselves as we age in a culture that puts so much value on youthfulness and how women look?

We know the advice and many of us try hard to follow it. Eat healthy food, exercise regularly, learn to meditate, spend time with friends, do something that you find meaningful and purposeful, pursue a hobby, stimulate your brain, practice gratitude.

There are role models for embracing this time in our lives.  Who are the strong, capable women in public life whom you admire because they are making the world a better place?  Look around: what about our own mothers and grandmothers, teachers and older mentors?

But perhaps the most important thing we can do about our body image is, finally, after so many years of resisting it, accept ourselves as we are and as we change. Our wrinkles, jowls, thick waistlines and grey hair are testaments to the lives we lived, the babies we bore, the worries we carried, the million problems we solved, the meals we cooked, the love we gave and the selflessness with which we gave it.
Check out “Women, Websites and Body Image”>>

To learn more about how JCS can help you and your family deal with the changes and challenges of aging, and help you solve life’s puzzles, visit www.jcsbaltimore.org or call 410-466-9200.

Exercising: An Escape and an Opportunity

By Keith Anderle
Administrative Specialist
Access and Volunteer Services
Jewish Community Services

When I was fifteen, I begged my parents to get me a weightlifting bench.  After using the barbells and leg press for the first time, I proceeded to use it daily — as a clothes hamper and homework shelf.

It quickly became apparent that whenever I needed or wanted to exercise, I was much more apt to go outside and run around playing baseball or soccer than I was to sit on an uncomfortable bench. It felt ridiculous pushing or pressing heavy objects that could only be moved with great effort, for what I deemed to be a very minimal reward.  Shortly after that, I began running regularly and I also found a variety of other physical activities that I continue to enjoy to this day.

Many of us view exercising as a chore or something that’s tough to adhere to consistently, what with hectic work and social agendas.  But it doesn’t have to be like this, if you’re able to find an activity that’s both physically enjoyable and that provides an opportunity for you to refresh your mind and outlook.  Exercise is not only good for the body, but it also has been found to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, increase energy and enhance self-esteem.

Figuring out what kind of exercise to do is just as important as performing the exercises themselves.  This process of finding the right physical activity is what often prevents us from exercising regularly. Too often we don’t take the time to explore other possible activities before creating excuses such as finding it impossible to enjoy the form of exercise we’ve chosen, or being too busy.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself to find the right exercise for you.

• Do you have natural movements, habits or hobbies that could be slightly modified into exercise activities?
• Do you prefer exercising on your own or with others?
•  Are you more comfortable with a structured activity (like a class) or one where you can go at your own pace?

Once you’ve found the right set of exercises, you’ll likely find the repetitious practice to be enjoyable and you’ll look forward to the activity.  As a bonus, the new found energy you get from exercising will make handling your day easier than before.   The rewards of the activity aren’t just physical, they’re also mentally beneficial.  As a runner, there’s nothing more helpful to my mindset after a stressful day than a good run.  The exercise is therapeutic and it also enables my body to relax afterwards so that I can be better prepared the rest of my day.

As exercising becomes more habitual, it can yield even more benefits.  Besides the physical and emotional perks, you might be able to save money by walking or biking to work sometimes instead of driving.  Exercise could even accelerate your career by giving you opportunities to network through group classes or activities.

Exercising can be a daunting task, but if you’re committed to finding activities that are the right fit for you, it can become a very rewarding one. Many fitness centers and Jewish Community Centers offer one-time free sample classes and short term free memberships that give you chances to try new activities.  Running has helped me — what kind of exercise inspires you?

Living a healthy life is important for us all.  When you need help, you can turn to Jewish Community Services’ highly trained and experienced mental health professionals.   JCS works with families, children, adolescents, couples and adults to develop solutions for life’s challenges and to maintain a healthy perspective on life.

Learn more about what JCS has to offer>>

Call 410-466-9200 for more information.

It’s Getting’ Hot Outside! Stay Hydrated This Summer

By the Jewish Community Center

Summer is here and with it comes hot air and high temperatures. During this season, it is especially important to stay hydrated.

Here are some easy-to-follow tips to make sure you’re getting enough water:

Follow the 8×8 rule. Drink at least eight 8-oz. glasses of water each day.

Replace lost water. Activity, health status and environmental conditions can affect the rate at which your body loses water, so make sure to consume more than standards recommend.

Keep your skin healthy. Drinking enough water is the key to a healthy complexion. Hydrate it from the inside out and see results like firmer, brighter skin.

Be aware of signs of dehydration. Dry mouth, fatigue, extreme thirst, headache, confusion and feeling dizzy or lightheaded are all signs you may need more water – but don’t wait to for these symptoms to hydrate!

Think about fluids in general. Water exists in forms other than just pure H2O. Increase hydration by consuming things like fruits and veggies, soups and unsweetened flavored teas. Water is a life-changer, so drink up.

For more healthy tips and an exercise of the week, visit www.jcc.org/healthyliving.