Message from the Simha Health Organization

As the lazy days of summer wind down, a familiar mix of excitement and anticipation, perhaps with a touch of dread, starts to bubble up. Back-to-school season is almost here! Getting our kids ready for academic and social success involves more than just new backpacks; it requires preparation, communication, and a strong partnership between home and school.

Isaac Setton of the SIMHA Organization hosted a valuable discussion with esteemed school psychologists Mrs. Rose Lee Pifko of Magen David Yeshivah, Dr. Nicole Yossef formerly of Yeshivah of Flatbush and now of Yeshivah Prep Elementary School, and Dr. Simone Hidary of Barkai Yeshivah, who shared their expert insights on navigating this critical transition.

Embrace Challenges and Learn from Mistakes

A powerful takeaway was the importance of shifting from being “fixers and protectors” to “empowerers.” As Mrs. Rose Lee Pifko noted, allowing children to tackle challenges and even make mistakes is crucial for development.

“The growth zone, just outside their comfort area, is where real learning happens,” Mrs. Pifko explained. When children tolerate discomfort and push through challenges, they build skills like grit and resilience. This means gently nudging them to try new things, whether it’s a new club or a tricky social situation.

The experts highlighted the value of teaching children how to fail. By reframing failure as “just one possible outcome,” parents can alleviate the pressure. Share your own experiences with mistakes and challenges, show empathy, and use these moments as opportunities to teach problem-solving. This approach cultivates a crucial life skill: learning from setbacks.

Re-establishing Routine: The Foundation for Success

After summer’s relaxed schedule, getting back into routine can feel daunting. Dr. Nicole Yossef provided practical, actionable steps to ease this transition, emphasizing that consistency is key for children of all ages. The goal isn’t perfection, but consistent effort. The more regulated parents are, the more children will mirror that behavior.

The Power of Partnership: Home and School as a Unified Front

“When parents and schools work as a unified team, children receive consistent messaging,” Dr. Simone Hidary explained. This reinforces that they are supported and believed in. Parents offer invaluable insights into their child’s personality, while school staff provide expertise in child development and education. This synergy creates an “unbelievable partnership.”

Tips for a strong parent-school partnership include communicating with teachers and staff about any concerns, and approaching the school with the intention to collaborate with them respectfully.

Isaac Setton emphasized that the goal is “school plus parents,” not “school versus parents.” When children see that parents and school are on the same page, they receive consistent messages, understand expectations, and recognize that everyone is on their side.

Finally, the experts discussed balancing support with parental boundaries. Dr. Hidary highlighted that effective parenting involves both love and limits. Providing love and support while setting clear boundaries is essential for a child’s self-regulation and success. Children understand that rules are for their best interest, even if they don’t like them. As September approaches, let’s embrace these insights to empower our children and ourselves for a successful, fulfilling, and well-supported school year. By fostering open communication, building strong routines, and strengthening the vital partnership between home and school, we can set our children on a path to thrive.

Dr. Yossef’s Top Tips for a Smooth Gear Shift

Adjust Sleep Schedules: Gradually shift bedtimes and wake-up times earlier (20-30 minutes each day) to reset internal clocks.

Foster Independence: Involve children in choosing outfits the night before and packing healthy snacks. This gives them control and streamlines mornings.

Promote Healthy Eating: A balanced diet impacts mood and focus. Involve children in snack preparation for easier healthy choices.

Encourage Physical Activity: Aim for at least 20-60 minutes daily. Walking to school, playing outdoors, or joining a team improves focus and reduces stress.

Manage Screen Time: Set clear boundaries for screen use, explaining these rules are for their well-being. Encourage alternatives like reading.

Ellen Geller Kamaras

“My motto is ‘show your story.’ I show people their vision of themselves, reflect it back onto them, who they are, what their brand is, what the event they created felt like in the moment. Everyone has a unique feel and vibe, meant to be cultivated through video and music.”  ~~ Nancy Mizrahi ~~

Please meet Nancy Mizrahi, a passionate and creative Gen Z storyteller, videographer, and film producer.  Throughout her young life, she has worked on her personal development, growing her business, and making her vision a reality.

Let’s explore Nancy’s story and understand her personal, spiritual, and career trajectory. Nancy possesses a keen self-awareness, a goal-oriented focus, and a continual desire to learn and grow. 

Origins

Nancy’s parents, Sabrina Benzaken and Roger Mizrahi were both born in Egypt and left with their parents due to the rise in anti-Semitism.  Sabrina’s family moved to France when she was a year old and then to the U.S.   Nancy’s father Felix was a tough and smart man who had a jewelry business on 86^th street in Brooklyn.

Nona Fortune, Roger’s mother, took her family to Italy for a short time and then to Israel. Roger greatly enjoyed his childhood in Israel, going to the beach and playing soccer, before moving to the States as a teenager.

Nancy is named after her grandmother Nona, who unfortunately passed away before Nancy was born.  “I learned about her through stories and pictures: she was passionate about photography and fashion.”

Nancy has three older brothers, Mikey, Steven, and Solly, all of whom she admires. 

The Early Years

Nancy became a storyteller in elementary school.

Nancy attended the Yeshiva of Flatbush from pre-school through eighth grade. Nancy especially enjoyed her  English and history classes, “the storytelling classes.”

Nancy did well academically, particularly in elementary school.  After graduating from Middle School at the Yeshiva of Flatbush she attended Lincoln High School. In high school all she wanted to do was explore the world. She did not like being confined to a classroom.

Nancy was a very creative child and enjoyed being in her own world.  While she was on the shy side through high school, afterwards Nancy began to embrace her full self, and her extroverted nature. Her self-assuredness blossomed. This was primarily due to her spiritual growth  and to her venturing into her own film business.

A pivotal moment occurred in Nancy’s eighth-grade science class.  Nancy made a video for a group astronomy project. Her teacher, Mr. Schwartz, was silent when she presented the video in class. He then said it was the best one he had seen in his teaching career and he would show it as an example to future classes.  “I’ll never forget that moment when I recognized my talent and skill.  Before that, I had only made fun music videos and sketches with friends.”

Nancy took a film class with Mrs. Kaplowitz in high school with just two other students.  They watched old films and discussed the themes and subliminal messaging, comparing them to modern films.  It was her most enjoyable class.

Nancy’s Special Spark

Nancy describes herself as real, deep, spiritual, religious, adventurous, cultured, and outgoing. 

She is passionate about life and sees every single day as a gift and new adventure.  “I love to create, I have so many passions, my business is one of them.  So much to do in this life and so little time.”

Mentors

Nancy’s family and other role models helped to shape her values, life and professional skills, and aspirations.

Nancy’s parents imbued her and her siblings with a love for life and allowed them to be themselves, guiding them lovingly.

Nancy attributes her work ethic and her open-mindedness to her mother.  Sabrina worked in her husband’s business as a young girl and continued after she got married.  Sabrina rises early and is a do-it-yourself person.  A worldly woman, she enjoys traveling, learning about culture, and music. “My mom inspired me to be as real as possible and to always strive for more.”

Nancy’s brothers were all in musical bands. Solly can pick up any instrument and play it on the spot.  Steven had his friends over to play guitar and sing.  Mikey inspired Nancy’s creative side by showing her films.   All three brothers helped Nancy to develop a keen interest in music and film, and nurtured her creative spark.  Religiously, Mikey was a huge inspiration, and Nancy learned to grow slowly at her own pace.

Nancy is moved by the friends she grows with, who have their businesses and passions; some are wives, some are mothers, and some are single.

Nancy’s Film Career Trajectory

Outside of her family, Shifra Hanon, the creator of Flatbush Yeshiva’s High School Pathfinders Program, was her #1 muse. From Nancy’s early years in high school, Mrs. Hanon helped Nancy to find her rhythm. After graduation, Nancy worked as a Pathfinders administrative assistant, organizing student trips and facilitating exploration of potential careers.  “If it wasn’t for Mrs. Hanon and her encouragement, I wouldn’t have my career today.”

Nancy’s other incredible mentors are Esther Sarway and Mazal Mizrahi, her Torah teachers, and Joy Dushey, her healing coach and friend.

At one of her first jobs for a fashion company, Nancy was assigned to organize a photoshoot. On a whim, she created a recap video of the day with clips from her iPhone. All the buyers loved the video, and her boss later hired her to create a slideshow for a birthday celebration.  This small job was Nancy’s “aha” moment: she realized she could take her skill set further into a business.

Never having picked up a camera before, that same year Nancy asked a friend to help her film three videos for small businesses owned by community women.  Nancy opened up a business account on Instagram and posted the videos one after the other.

The videos blew up and  NMizrahi Productions was born. Shortly afterwards, Nancy secured her first real gig with POPBOX NYC. 

Nancy’s Career Takes Off

About two years later, Nancy decided she needed to ramp up her business professionally.  She learned more about pro-lighting, pro-audio, and pro-video and even spent the day at B&H Photo, endlessly asking questions.  Nancy invested a large sum and was determined to pay it off through booking jobs, and with Hashem’s guidance she did.

During the pandemic, Nancy was busy with Covid weddings and promotional gigs.  Nancy was also part of a giveaway trip in Paris, organized by Shelly Schmool of ByShelly.  Shelly saw Nancy’s talents early and took a chance on her.  She was a huge help in kickstarting Nancy’s career, for which Nancy is eternally grateful.

It was time to hire a main camera person and then professional drone people and graphic editors.

Since 2017, Nancy markets her business through Instagram and word of mouth.  “There is something I gain from every job.”  Her remarkable clients include life coaches, “Simply Traditional,” an amazing culinary project spearheaded by Rochelle Hanon Dweck, the powerful women at PROPEL Network, SAFE, Flatbush Yeshiva, Barkai, and Magen David.

Her female entrepreneurial clients include Jenny Braha Mizrahi, Jennifer Nissan, Randi Tamir, Sari Dana, and Heleyne Tamir. 

Appreciation

“There is nothing comparable to the high of finishing a project. When all the pieces are finally put together, each scene in its place, and the song is perfect. You and your client have created something beautiful together, and there’s nothing like the smile on your client’s face.” 

Nancy is immensely grateful for all the experiences she has had and the connections she has made with creative and impassioned people.  Nancy is always looking forward to who she will meet next and future opportunities.  “Every day in this business is a new adventure.”

To unwind, Nancy goes for coffee, prays, learns Torah, travels, meditates, cooks, and lives life in her best element. 

What’s Next

Nancy seeks to cultivate presence and calmness in her life.  She has many future goals and would like to motivate others through her business and spirituality.  One goal is to produce her own podcast and another is to make a short film based on an inspiring story.

Nancy is not yet married and is looking forward to meeting her naseeb, being a mother, and giving her children a life where they can find their purpose.

Her advice to students: Focus on self-development.  Enjoy and be present in school: absorb the knowledge you’re receiving.  Take small steps to get closer to your goals.

Nancy would love to connect and hear from Community readers. You can DM her on Instagram – @NMPRODUCTIONS_INC or text her at 917-538-7810.  Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.  Ellen can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com (www.lifecoachellen.com).