Dear Community Magazine readers,

We welcome you back to the City of Long Branch for another great season at the Jersey Shore! Whether you are here for the summer or just for a day, Long Branch has something for you to enjoy.

Our city offers rich variety of activities and events over the summer. Located in West End Park is our Farmers Market on Thursdays from 9:00am-2:00pm with a wide variety of local products, fresh produce, and tasty treats.

Long Branch has four miles of beautifully maintained beaches to enjoy. Two beaches are fully accessible. There are several restaurants and shops right along the boardwalk, just a few steps off the sand.

As you walk along our boardwalk, you will notice that our new pier is under construction. We are excited that this long-anticipated project is progressing, and it will be open for you to enjoy in 2027.

We have many options available for recreation. Manahasset Creek Park has fields and courts, a walking path, and fitness stations. Our revitalized Jackson Woods park is a peaceful place to enjoy nature, outdoor sculptures, and a weekly nature drawing session in conjunction with our Arts & Cultural Center. You may also notice that we are building a new Health & Technology Center on Bath Ave. that includes a wellness park, complete with pickleball courts, playground, band shell, and walking paths. Our Recreation Department offers a variety of programs including five family-friendly Fun Days in various neighborhoods throughout the City. Our Arts & Cultural Center on Broadway has interesting exhibits and programs. Our new Senior Center offers evening programs open to everyone, and our Fire and History Museum recognizes city’s proud past. Oceanfest features one of the best fireworks displays along the shore with fun for the whole family.

Stop in to our beautiful, historic Elberon Library, which has been completely renovated. If you don’t have a library card, be sure to pick one up to make the most of both our Elberon and main libraries. They offer so much more than books. Check out all the programs and special exhibits they have to share.

We also offer daily passes for Long Branch residents at our refreshing community pool on Atlantic Avenue, and both residents and non-residents may purchase season passes.

Visit our longbranch.org website for more details and to sign up for our helpful weekly “e-blast” notices to stay informed about all the latest happenings.

I wish everyone a safe and enjoyable summer!

Sincerely,

John Pallone

Mayor

The human tongue prefers salty, sweet, and fatty flavors to the more subtle tastes of whole grains, vegetables, and other healthy foods. Fatty, deep-fried foods, such as hot dogs and French fries, are simply much tastier than bland foods, so we develop a liking for them easily. Also, the body craves salt, because it needs it to survive (salt helps tissues stay hydrated, and serves other vital functions). And sweets, fatty meats, and other high-calorie foods pack a lot of energy, so our bodies crave them, too.  

Another reason why we like fatty foods is because they cause the brain to release oxytocin, a powerful hormone that has a calming and relaxing influence, into the bloodstream. That’s actually why they are called “comfort foods.”

Food manufacturers that make breakfast cereals, potato chips, candy bars, and other junk food are well aware of our cravings, and they tailor the tastes of their foods to trigger our addiction to sweets, salts, and fats. They also present and display their products in brightly colored packaging, which attracts buyers’ attention – and especially that of children.

Buyer, Beware!

Many food manufacturers include color additives in their foods, as bright, vibrant colors look more appealing to consumers. Additionally, additives make foods taste better and last longer on the shelves.

However, research has shown that many of these additives are unhealthy. Although some additives have been shown to be safe, many have not been tested. An increasing number of studies suggests that some food additives can interfere with a child’s hormones, growth, and development, and are responsible in part for a rise in child obesity and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

Feed Me More!

Fats from junk food trigger the brain to want more food. This effect can last for several days!

Designer Packaging

Rabbi Avigdor Miller, zt”l, was famous for constantly finding examples of the kindness of Hashem. One example he often gave was how Hashem created fruits in such attractive colors.

A key to survival in the olden times was the ability to recognize foods that contained usable energy or nutrition. Many such foods appear in bright colors, such as apples, oranges, bananas, carrots, grapes, and berries. Back then, color was a reliable indicator of a healthy food, and indeed, it still is today. That is why, when apples, bananas, or berries spoil, they lose their bright colors.

Food manufacturers picked up on this fact and, as mentioned before, they use brightly colored packaging as a marketing tool to attract customers. Incredibly, they are exploiting the well-based notion that colorful foods are healthy foods!

Fact or Fiction??

Sugar makes kids hyper.

Believe it or not, this is false! In every study that’s been done, no link has been found between sugar consumption and behavior. So where does this myth come from? Sugar intake increases at birthday parties and other happy occasions, but it is the excitement associated with the event that causes the wild behavior, not the sugar. 

How Does My Tongue Taste Food?

The tongue is a muscular organ that helps you speak, chew, swallow, and taste. It is also the main sensory organ of the sense of taste.

The upper surface of the tongue is coated with hundreds of tiny lumps and bumps, called papillae (puh-PILL-ee). There are up to 10,000 taste buds on top of these papillae. Although you can look in the mirror and see the papillae on your tongue, taste buds can only be seen under a microscope. More than four-fifths of the taste buds lie on the tongue’s upper surface, sides, and tips. The rest are scattered on the inner lips, inside the cheeks, on the roof of the mouth, and in the throat.

Taste buds are made up of taste receptor cells, which contain tiny hairs called microvilli. When something touches the hairs, the taste receptor cells are able to detect the chemicals in the food that give it a certain taste. They then send a message to the brain that tells it whether the taste is sweet, salty, bitter, sour, or a savory taste called umami (examples of umami foods are broths and meat). Everything you eat is a mixture of these five tastes.

You use your sense of smell to taste food, too. Your brain receives messages about the food from your tongue and your nose — and usually your eyes, as well!

Senior Citizen Discount?

The number of taste buds decreases as one ages. Also, each remaining taste bud begins to shrink, and sensitivity to the five tastes often declines after age sixty. In addition, aging causes the mouth to produce less saliva, which causes a condition known as dry mouth. This also can affect one’s sense of taste.

Just Joking

Q: What do tongues call their friends with whom they go out to eat?

A: Taste Buds!

Tongue Twister

The tongue is the most flexible muscular organ in the body! It also contains eight muscles. Four of them aren’t attached to bones. These muscles let you change the shape of your tongue. The other four muscles are attached to bones; they allow you to change your tongue’s position.

Ellen Geller Kamaras            

“My proudest accomplishments? Raising children with good values according to who they each are individually.   Creating a home where ideas become real and everyone’s voice matters.   Professionally, crafting environments where kids can build and think creatively. Teaching STEM, robotics, engineering, and 3D printing while giving students a space to invent, problem-solve, and see themselves as capable creators.” –  Betti Missry                                                          

Please meet Betti Missry, a respected community member and teacher. She teaches robotics at Hillel Yeshiva from fourth grade through high school, and also teaches at Bet Yaakov of the Jersey Shore. There she mentors their science teachers and teaching lab staff and she teaches engineering and robotics to elementary and middle school students. Betti tutors all high school science subjects and gives private lessons in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and 3D printing. Betti operates a Summer STEM Academy program for kids after camp and is a private nutrition consultant. Additionally, she has taught crocheting to a great many young students. 

Betti exudes positive and vibrant energy.  Her warmth, vitality, drive, resourcefulness, and kindness are hallmarks of her character.               

Let’s follow Betti’s journey from childhood to the woman she is today and discover the experiences that shaped her.                            

Roots                                                

Betti, born to Laurie and Leon Beda, is their second child. She has two brothers and a sister. Her parents are both Sephardic and are American born.       

Betti attended Yeshivah of Flatbush from kindergarten through 12th grade. She was an outgoing child and had a fun group of friends.  “I always loved people and socializing.”  In high school Betti chatted during classes and received detention for being late and for missing classes. To pay for her detention fines at $20 each, she resourcefully found a job on Sundays.         

Betti enjoyed  extracurricular activities. She sang in the school choir and participated in plays.                                     

After high school, Betti enrolled in Brooklyn College.  Her parents had said no to the gap year in Israel.  But Betti was intent on pursuing her dream of learning in Israel and tackled every obstacle.  She contacted her high school Israel advisor and secured the one spot available at Machon Gold Seminary for January.  How would she pay?  Betti was told the tuition would be billed later. Next, she needed airfare.  Her solution was to register for Birthright.  Finally, she found a cell phone with deferred billing.       

Betti packed her bags. She had to confess to her parents that she was staying in Israel until June, beyond the Birthright trip. After three hours of arguing, her father agreed to let her go. He said to Betti’s mother, “She’s so determined and worked hard to make it happen. She deserves to go.” Betti learned that if you work hard, you can achieve anything.   This growth mindset continues to inspire Betti throughout her life and career.                                 

Returning from six months in Israel, Betti buckled down in college and began to thrive academically.  “I couldn’t get enough of the lectures and wrote down every single word that the professors said. My favorite class was Medical Nutrition Therapy.”        

Betti received a B.S. in Health and Nutrition from Brooklyn College and interned at various New York Presbyterian hospitals for one year. Graduating at the top of her class, Betti was offered a full-time management position. She declined due to the 12-hour shifts, Sunday stints, and the long commute. Betti holds Registered Dietitian (RD) and Certified Dietician Nutritionist (CDN) credentials. 

A Pivot to Teaching                                    

Betti’s teaching career began when she was a camp counselor. When she crocheted during downtime, her campers would surround her, wanting to learn. Betti started with a class of six students and within a year she was teaching 100 kids weekly. She received phone calls from parents whose daughters were bullied or excluded in school. Betti secretly and creatively helped these girls create friendships and boosted their self-confidence.                      .    

Betti prepared handouts on healthy eating for her students and distributed different fruits and vegetables, exposing the students to healthy foods.                   

Her official teaching career was launched when her college professor, Penina Karp, asked her to take over an eleventh-grade nutrition class at Shulamith High School.  Her initial response was, “I don’t know how to teach!” but Mrs. Karp convinced her she could.

Betti’s teaching philosophy centers on making learning fun and engaging while building student confidence.

After four years at Shulamith, Betti moved to Magen David Yeshiva High School.  She taught Nutritional Science, Biology, Health Science, and STEM.   Her friend and assistant principal, Audrey Abade, talked Betti into teaching STEM, affirming that she had the personality and science background for it. 

Betti didn’t know what STEM stood for!  She brought the textbook and supplies home and practiced for hours to prepare for a lesson, becoming an expert. “If a 14-year-old kid could learn this in high school, I can.”  Betti learned about lights, LEDs, circuits, motors, sensors, and various electronic components through self-study and hands-on experimentation.

 “Working at MDY changed my life. We were one big happy family. Their professional development really shaped me and left me wanting more.”

CIJE, the Center for Initiatives in Jewish Education, plays an integral role in Betti’s professional goals.  Its mission is to unlock the potential within every U.S. Jewish student.  It brings hands-on STEM learning to more than 200 Jewish day schools and yeshivot.    

Betti also worked at YDE Girls High School and taught human anatomy, nutrition, elective courses, and applied engineering and principles.

 A Match Is Made                                                   

Three different people tried to arrange a match between Betti and Alex E. Missry.  Such hashgahat pratit!  Alex’s grandfather, Eli Dweck, had been a matchmaker and one of the shadchanits who proposed the match had been set up with her husband by Eli. She wanted to repay the mitzvah.

When Alex and Betti finally met they immediately clicked.  “We are very much alike and have that ‘doers’ personality.,” Betti stated. The couple has children aged three to thirteen. They encourage non-tech activities and cultivate independence in their children from a young age     .

Betti proudly shared that Alex is a giver. He works in the wholesale sector and is the President of Ilan High School. Alex took over for his father, Eddie Missry, a”h, in fundraising for both Ilan High School and for a widows and orphans hesed fund.  Alex also started a youth program in the Lawrence Avenue Shul.

The family moved to Deal from Brooklyn during the pandemic, looking for more space and a backyard.  They were still in lockdown when Alex returned to his office.  Betti was zooming with her children for their classes and for her MDY and YDE students.     

“I was on Zoom, cooking all the time, nursing a newborn, and we were grieving my father-in-law’s passing after Pesach. To keep my kids stimulated, I arranged fun and educational activities. They included an art room with supplies, a garden and seeds for planting, and art and gymnastics online classes.  The kids played sports outside, too.”

Betti’s Essence and Influencers

Betti describes herself as fun, high energy, loyal, creative, growth-oriented, and resilient. She also generates warmth, caring, and vivacity.  Her commitment to her family and her students is unsurpassed.                                                              

Grandma Norma and Grandma Betty were strong educational role models. Norma Shrem returned to college in her late 50s and earned a master’s degree in social work. Grandma Betty (for whom Betti was named), was born in England and deeply valued education. She had a lifelong love of learning, She remained curious and eager to expand her knowledge even in her later years.  

Betti gets her high energy and fun-loving nature from her mother.  Betti has wonderful memories of family trips and strives to provide the same types of experiences and happy memories for her children. 

Betti’s cousin and best friend, Mariel Hidary, a”h, inspired her to teach crocheting.  Before she died, Mariel was studying dance therapy with the goal of improving girls’ self-esteem and confidence through dance.  “I hope I am carrying on her mission through a different method.”   

Rewards and Challenges

Betti loves seeing kids light up about learning.  Engaging children came naturally to her, and she treats her students like her own kids.  “Watching my students’ growth in self-esteem from September to June and [from] year to year is incredible. I thrive on building children and shaping confidence and curiosity.”

Robotics competitions are intense, yet Betti’s students remain calm and composed, even amid tournament-day chaos.  Betti credits the classroom culture she has built, where mistakes are looked at as learning opportunities and challenges are met with determination. Students gain confidence and learn to treat setbacks as problems to solve. When difficulties arise, they don’t panic, they get to work.

Betti’s oldest son, Ezra, won first place in a nationwide robotics competition, competing against 140 robots. Betti’s teams have consistently won first place for several consecutive years, demonstrating the effectiveness of her teaching methods and program development.

Her challenges? Time is number one.  Organization is central to Betti’s ability to manage her busy life. She creates detailed color-coded schedules for each child and coordinates carpools for all activities. For her personal and work commitments, Betti maintains a separate handwritten planner.

What’s Next

Betti has two book ideas for hands-on guides for nutrition and STEM.                                         

Connect with Betti at Bbmissry@gmail.com.  Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach. Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching. She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com.

Rabbi Hayim Asher Arking & Rabbi Ezra Ghodsi

The gradual entry into the most reflective day in our history starts with the Fast of the 17^th of Tammuz and continues for the following three weeks. During this time period, we slowly add to our mourning and refrain from more and more pleasures until we reach Tisha B’Av itself.

On the eve of Tisha B’Av we intensify our seriousness as we enter into the actual day of mourning. The Se’udat Hamafseket is the point where we segue into the Fast as we are still eating, however sitting on the floor and creating the mood of Tisha B’Av.

What do we eat for the Se’udah Hamafseket?

The Se’udat Hamafseket is the last meal prior to the fast. It should consist of the bare minimum, essentially just bread and water. The custom is to also eat something round, either an egg or lentils, as these are things eaten by mourners since they represent the circle/cycle of life. It is important not to eat a big meal too late in the day so that one will be at least a little hungry for the Se’udat Hamafseket, and it can actually be considered a meal.

Are rice and lentils considered one or two foods?

It is forbidden to eat more than one cooked food at the Se’udat Hamafseket, so as to demonstrate our mourning by restricting what we eat. Even one type of food that is prepared in two different ways is not allowed (e.g. a hard-boiled egg and a soft-boiled egg). However, if the two foods are normally cooked together in one pot and eaten together as one dish (such as rice and lentils), then it can be served at the Se’udat Hamafseket as it is considered one food.

How do we sit at the Se’udah Hamafseket?

The custom is to sit on the floor. Everyone should sit separate from each other with a solemn attitude, mourning the Bet Hamikdash. If three adult men are present, they should sit in separate corners of the room, to avoid the requirement to do zimun.

How high may my chair be?

At the Se’udat Hamafseket, one should sit on the floor (or anything less than a tefah high – 3 to 3.2 inches). An elderly person or a pregnant woman who finds this too difficult may sit on a cushion or stool that is lower than 3 tefahim high (9 to 9.6 inches). In regards to Tisha B’Avitself, it is permitted for everyone to sit on a low cushion or pillow, and many also permit a stool of lower than three tefahim.

When sitting on the floor, one should still stand for a parent, rabbi, or elderly person.

May I drink tea or coffee at the Se’udat Hamafseket?

Tea and coffee are not considered “cooked foods,” and are therefore halachically permitted. However, it is praiseworthy to be stringent and refrain from extra enjoyment at the time that we start mourning the Bet Hamikdash.

May I still eat after Birkat Hamazon before the fast starts?

According to some, it is preferable to have in mind to not accept the fast before reciting Birkat Hamazon. If one did not, he may still eat or drink, even if he planned on accepting the fast. However, if one verbalized his acceptance of the fast, then he may not eat or drink and all the other restrictions of the fast apply at that time.

After slowly increasing our mourning over the past three weeks, we finally reach the pinnacle on Tisha B’Av. On this day, there is: 1) no eating or drinking; 2) no washing; 3) no applying creams or oils to one’s skin; 4) no leather shoes; 5) no marital relations. We also sit on the floor, not on regular chairs, similar to mourners.

When does the fast start?

The fast begins at sunset (approximately 8:19pm in the NY/NJ area). At this point all the laws of Tisha B’Av take effect, including sitting on the floor. One should stop eating a few minutes before sunset and make sure no food particles are left in his mouth.

May I clean the house?

One should not sweep, wash the floors, wash dishes, or engage in any extended clean-up on Tisha B’Av until after midday, hatsot, on Thursday (approximately 1:03pm in the NY/NJ area). Dirty dishes, however, may be placed in the dishwasher and it may be turned on. If leaving dirty dishes in the sink will cause the house to smell or will attract flies, one may wash them even by hand (and it is not necessary to wear gloves).

May I brush my teeth?

Tisha B’Av is more stringent than regular fasts, and it is not permitted to rinse out one’s mouth or brush one’s teeth. If one is very uncomfortable or has bad breath, he can use mouthwash (without rinsing with water afterward), but he should tilt his head downward to avoid swallowing it.

May I take medicine for a headache?

If one has a headache, he may swallow a pill without water, provided that it does not have a flavored coating. Other medications are also permitted; however, vitamins and health items should not be taken. If one is unable to swallow the pill without water, a rabbi should be consulted.

How do I wash my hands?

In the morning, one should wash his fingers up to the third knuckle three times. One who has the custom during the year to wash their hands three times after entering a restroom may do so, but only up to the knuckles.

One who is sick and washing for bread should wash his hands like he does throughout the year – up to the wrist. Similarly, the Kohanim should also wash up to the wrist, but they should only wash each hand one time. When a Levi washes his hands prior to washing the Kohanim’s hands, he may only wash up to the knuckles.

My hands got dirty, may I wash them?

Any washing for cleanliness (such as for unclean hands or even to remove gunk around the eyes in the morning) is permitted. However, only the dirty area may be washed, and not the rest of the hand. If one touches his shoe, only the part of the hand that touched the shoe should be washed. An exception is when someone touches a covered part of their body, requiring washing before reciting a beracha or praying. In this case, the hand should be washed up to the knuckles.

Is it permitted to wash my hands with soap?

Applying creams, oils, etc., is only prohibited if done for pleasure or enjoyment. However, when done for cleanliness, such as if one’s hands are dirty and they need soap to clean them, it is permitted. It is also permitted to use Purell to disinfect, if necessary.

May I use deodorant?

Deodorant (even with a good smell) may be used, as it is for cleanliness and not for pleasure.

What if only part of the shoe is leather?

Shoes with even a leather sole or leather top may not be worn. However, if there is a small strip of leather intended for decorative purposes only, the shoes may be worn. Similarly, a pair of flip-flops that has only a thin strap to hold the foot in place and does not protect the foot is also permitted.

What if I don’t have any non-leather shoes?

If one is worried that he will get hurt or dirty, then he may wear leather footwear outside if he has no other option. For example, if it is pouring rain or muddy, one may wear appropriate shoes or boots outdoors to remain dry and clean. However, they should be removed immediately when entering the house, shul, or car.

May children wear leather shoes?

Being that young children generally have a non-leather option, they should not wear leather shoes.

May I read Tehillim?

On Tisha B’Av, the regular study of Torah is not permitted, as Torah brings a person joy. However, one should study the Gemarot and Midrashim that discuss the destruction of the Bet Hamikdash. One may also study the laws of Tisha B’Av or the laws of avelut. It is also permitted to study sefarim that encourage a person to reflect on his sins and do teshuva.

Reading Tehillim is also like studying Torah, and should not be done unless one is praying for something specific, such as for a sick person. Therefore, one who is unable to study the parts of Torah permitted on Tisha B’Av and wants to read his set amount of Tehillim should read the Tehillim as prayer for a sick person or for another need.

May I wish someone good morning?

Due to the somber mood of the day, one should not greet their friend with common greetings such as, “hello,” “good morning,” “how are you?” and the like. If one was greeted by somebody who is unaware of this halacha, he should respond in a soft and serious tone.

What type of work is prohibited on Tisha B’Av?

One may not conduct any form of business, or buy/sell anything, including online purchases. (If there is potential for a loss, or if it is a rare opportunity, a rabbi should be consulted). Even before hatsot, it is permitted to buy food that will be needed for after the fast.

May one smell besamim?

One should not smell besamim on Tisha B’Av. In order to recite the required 100 berachot, one should listen to the berachot on keriat HaTorah and have in mind to fulfill his obligation with that.

What else should we do or not do?

One should not engage in fun activities or socialize, as the mood of the day should be one of mourning and solitude, to enable us to reflect on how we can rebuild the Bet Hamikdash. One should even refrain from sitting with a child on his lap for no reason, so he won’t end up playing with them. However, it is permitted to do so for a specific purpose, such as to calm the child.

What may be done after hatsot?

After hatsot (approximately 1:03pm in the NY/NJ area), one may sit on a regular chair. At that point, it is also permitted to start preparing food, cleaning up the house, or washing the dishes. All other restrictions are still in place until the fast is over.

What activities are permitted after the fast is over?

After the fast, it is permitted to shower, shave, or wear freshly laundered clothes. Many have the custom not to eat meat or drink wine until the end of the 10^th of Av. This is because, although the Bet Hamikdash was set on fire on Tisha B’Av, most of the burning occurred on the 10^th. For this reason, the beracha shehehianu should not be recited on this day either.

May we merit to see the building of the Bet Hamikdash speedily in our days! Amen.

Connect with Ohr Halacha

To read the full Tisha B’av FAQs, including the laws of the three weeks and nine days, or to see the footnotes for this article, please visit the website of Ohr Halacha: ohroftheshore.com. For further questions on this topic, or for other halacha questions, you can call/text/WhatsApp the Ohr Halacha Hotline: (732) 359-3080.