Years ago, community member Paulette Cohen’s daughter was diagnosed with a number of allergies. At the time, there was little awareness about food allergies, and Paulette felt like her daughter’s doctors did the bare minimum. They gave her a diagnosis and sent her home. Paulette felt overwhelmed and alone in coping with this serious challenge. However, she realized that  she could educate herself and be proactive instead of just feeling blindsided. Paulette recognized that she would need to get into high gear to change her lifestyle and the lives of her family members. First, she wanted to help her child. Second, she wanted to be the one who others with allergic children could turn to for advice and understanding.   

Mom Turned Mentor 

After years of study, Paulette has become a well-respected food allergy coach and consultant. She has dedicated herself to helping our community, raising allergy awareness and tolerance, and helping families with allergy management and more. Paulette created a blog to document and share her feelings and to show others how she dealt with different situations. The feedback was amazing. Mothers with allergic kids were so thankful to read Paulette’s blog, to find someone who not only understood them, but wanted to help them along their journey. The positive feedback fueled her to keep going. 

Paulette helps others to learn how to manage a home with food allergies. Instagram is her primary platform to spread awareness and to give tips and advice. She works with clients one-on-one in their homes, to give them a detailed medical plan for their family. This includes recipe ideas, pointers on how to talk to your child to minimize anxiety, and more. 

With summer coming up, we reached out to Paulette for advice for community families with allergic children. We asked how they can best prepare for the social gatherings that come along with warmer weather. Another objective here is to raise awareness for parents who do not have food allergic children, to encourage them to be more accommodating for children who do suffer from sometimes life-threatening allergies. Here are some of Paulette’s allergy safety tips.

Paulette’s Summertime Tips  

If you have a child with food allergies, planning ahead is the key to having a fun and safe summer. Summertime is full of excitement and fun, and we may let ourselves slip into relaxation mode. But vigilance is crucial. I advise all of my clients to prepare themselves before summer starts, so they have less to worry about right before camp begins. For example, make sure you have enough EpiPens, that are not expired. I can’t tell you how many people rush to the pharmacy the day before camp to buy more EpiPens and can’t get them because the pharmacy has run out due to high demand! Do not wait until the last minute because that will only add unnecessary stress if the EpiPens are out of stock.  

Day Camp 

Before camp starts, contact the camp director and nurse. Ask about the protocol in the event of an emergency and get a feel for the camp’s policy on food allergies. This is critical information if your child is old enough to go on trips and overnights. Find out if the food will be prepared at camp or will be catered. When my daughter went on her first overnight trip with camp, she packed things like oatmeal packets, instant soups, pita bread, and allergy-free snacks. She thankfully didn’t need the extra food she brought, but she felt much better knowing it was there, just in case. Planning ahead and packing safe foods helped both of us have peace of mind during this new adventure.  

Many parents tell me that their child is not comfortable going on a camp overnight. I think it’s important to validate your child’s feelings, but also do what you can to show them the precautions you and the camp are taking to keep them safe. If you are a client of mine, you know that “communication is key!” is my number one piece of advice. Through open and healthy communication, you and your child together can decide if they are ready and comfortable enough to go on an overnight trip. There is no right or wrong here, so please don’t stress yourself out if your child is not ready. My daughter was not ready to go on an overnight the first year she could, and I knew pushing her to go would not be good for her mental health. She ended up going the next summer when she felt ready. It is completely normal for children with food allergies to have anxiety when it comes to not sleeping in their own home. Home should be their safe place, so it’s understandable. Be patient.  

Sleepaway Camp 

If you’re considering sending your child to sleepaway camp find out exactly what the daily menu will be, and what ingredients are in each dish. Make sure to ask what snacks are available daily and if there are any special events that will have food from different suppliers. It is not impossible for a child with food allergies to go to sleepaway camp, but it will take extra work on your part to ensure your child’s safety. The most important thing is to see how responsible the camp is and if they have strict allergy protocols. If you are unsure, or feel the camp is not taking your concerns seriously, then that camp might not be the best place to send your child. Thankfully, most camps have gotten amazing at understanding the severity of food allergies. 

Summer Parties 

No one wants to feel as if their child is missing out. I know how hard it is to send young kids with allergies to birthday parties when they can’t have a piece of that beautiful birthday cake. Bake or order special cupcakes that are safe for your child and keep them in the freezer so you can send them with your child when they are invited to a birthday party. That way, they won’t feel like they’re missing out so much. Go through party bags together and teach your child the importance of reading the ingredients list on each candy. Everything can and should be used as a teaching moment. So, lovingly teach your allergic child to never eat from a party bag without first going over together with a parent what is safe. 

When your child is older it is harder for them to see their friends eating whatever they want at parties. Summertime is a popular time for bar and bat mitzvah parties. If it’s not ideal or practical for your child to bring their own food or desserts, I recommend feeding them right beforehand so they aren’t hungry! Have conversations with your kids to encourage them to recognize that just because the food wouldn’t be safe for them doesn’t mean they won’t have a great time. When my allergic daughter would go to bat mitzvah parties, I would focus on talking about the dancing and other activities they had. Encourage your children not to focus on the negative and what they can’t do, but rather on all the fun they can take part in. It is an important life lesson to think positively and it will hopefully help your allergic children be happier and more positive in their attitude and mindset.  

Wishing everyone a safe and awesome summer,  

The Nut Job Mom. 

If you, your family members, or anyone you know suffer from food allergies please check out my Instagram @thenutjobmom for some good education and information on allergies! 

ELLEN GELLER KAMARAS  

The April issue of Community featured an article about a potential plan for a Coney Island casino. Coney Island has been chosen as one of the three possible sites for downstate gambling casinos in the NYC area. Now developers and gaming companies are bidding for licenses. 

Residents are divided over the possibility of a casino complex, “The Coney,” in our own backyard. 

Here are some key points of the proposal and the timeline related to the application and review process. 

Background 

The Coney details depend on a request for proposals (RFA) issued by the NYS Gaming Commission in January 2023.  Please see https://nycasinos.ny.gov/2023-request-applications for important updates.   

The RFA approval process opened in January and is anticipated to be lengthy.  Real estate developers and casino operators are preparing their official proposals. 

Joe Sitt, a Coney Island native and real estate developer for Thor Equities, is hoping to be awarded one of three downstate casino licenses.  

Thor’s consortium consists of three partners, Saratoga Casino Holdings, which operates a racino (combination racetrack and casino) in New York’s Saratoga County, the Chickasaw Nation, a Native American Tribe that owns more than 20 gambling establishments, and Legends Global Planning, the proposed entertainment partner.  Sitt’s goal is to turn Coney Island into a year-round destination instead of a summertime hangout, primarily limited to the boardwalk.  If Thor wins the license, it is expected that $3 billion will be spent to redevelop five acres between Stillwell Avenue, West 12th Street, Surf Avenue, and Wonder Wheel Way. The entertainment complex would include a casino, a roller coaster, an indoor water park, hotels, and museums.   

NYS gambling regulators have said no determinations will be made “until sometime later in 2023 at the earliest.” 

Gaming Facility Location Board 

The New York Gaming Commission created and made appointments to a Gaming Facility Location Board, which is tasked to oversee the application process and select three casino sites in the NYC area for licensure. 

The Board’s powers include issuing an RFA, creating criteria for assessing applicants, overseeing investigative hearings regarding the conduct of gaming/gaming operations, setting the license fee price, and promulgating all rules and regulations. 

The Board will start reviewing applications this year.    

After its review, the Board will make recommendations to the Gaming Commission, which has the authority to decide which licenses to award. The Commission has made it clear that it will not overrule the Board’s recommendations unless it finds an issue  with the fitness and character of the applicant. 

The conditions required for the Gaming Commission to approve a casino application include gaining public support from community advisory committees and compliance with state and local zoning laws.  

The process for three brand new licenses is a competitive one.  The law requires that any applicants to this RFA must first be approved by a community advisory committee and they must complete the municipal zoning process before the evaluation of any applications. Therefore, only those projects that have been embraced by the community will ultimately be presented to the Board for consideration.  

Does Local Opposition Matter? 

YES!   The application process has been structured in a way that allows strong community opposition to defeat a casino bid even before state regulators can even review the application. 

For each application, a local Community Advisory Committee will be formed to hold public hearings and to issue formal findings regarding how much community support the proposed casino has. 

For NYC sites, the local committees consists of six members, chosen by the governor, the mayor, the local state senator, the local state assembly member, the borough president, and the local city council member (with each official choosing one member). 

At least two-thirds of the committee members must approve the project before state regulators even begin evaluating the application. 

First Renderings Unveiled 

On March 3, Thor’s consortium released plans for The Coney.   

The Business Improvement District has promoted The Coney as a solution for revitalizing the boardwalk and the surrounding neighborhood with continual jobs and entertainment, drawing visitors to Coney Island year round, and easing its winter financial slump. 

The renderings portray a showy tower off the boardwalk with a casino hotel of approximately 25 stories.  One reporter described the hotel as a “colorfully ribbed, swoopy exterior boxed in by Luna Park, the Cyclone, and the Wonderful Wheel.”   

The Coney’s PR boasts the project will provide economic opportunity, revitalization, and resiliency. 

Mr. Sitt acknowledged that obtaining a Coney Island casino license might be something of a long shot, given the crowded field. 

Community Opinion Divided 

Nearby residents are split on whether The Coney is a jackpot or a bust, causing a distinct rift among Coney Island locals.   

Community leaders and activists weighed in with pros and cons regarding The Coney on Monday night, March 6th.  Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso arranged for two meetings for locals to present their views. 

The United Front Against Displacement, a national tenant organization, hosted a rally outside the community meeting at the local YMCA, protesting the project and holding signs and clashing on Coney Island’s streets before a planned meeting with Reynoso. 

Is Reynoso still on board with the proposal?  He expressed his early support in November 2022 but committed to staying open-minded and keeping the Coney Island residents’ interests first.   

“I don’t know how I feel yet,” said Reynoso. “I want to be honest. Ultimately, what I want is for Coney Island to be taken care of. That’s what I care about more than anything. And whatever decision the state wants to make here, I want the community involved. That’s what I’m doing here.” 

Protests resumed against The Coney on Wednesday, April 19.  Almost 200 residents came to Gargiulo’s Restaurant to weigh in on the proposed casino. They collided over the impact the project could have on their community.   

The Coney’s proponents argue that the project will certainly be a boon to the community, providing increased employment, visitors, and money.  Those who oppose the plan see minimal economic benefits, point to the disappointing outcomes in Atlantic City, and are wary of increased crime and traffic and limited security resources.   

At the April 19th open forum, residents addressed members of the casino development team directly.  

Community Board 13 

The chairperson of Community Board 13, which represents Coney Island, is Lucy Diaz.  Diaz worked on planning the event and explained that residents were allowed to share their views, pro or con, ahead of the event. 

Diaz told the Brooklyn Paper, “The goal and the vision was to hear the residents speak on why they did or did not want the casino.”  

Most of the feedback at the April 19th meeting was negative. 

The local papers reported that each downstate NY casino proposal has been met with an abundance of backlash from community members.  The Coney proposal, however, has received 3,363 signatures as of May 2, 2023, from community members who support the project. 

But how these signatures were obtained?  Robert Cornegy, a former NYC council member is a consultant for The Coney and has knocked on more than 16,300 doors to have face-to-face conversations with residents about the casino proposal and to get physical signatures.  

The Coney consortium is taking a more grassroots approach to community outreach rather than just hosting meetings.  Cornegy knocked on the doors of three groups of people – homeowners, residents living in NYC Housing Authority buildings and apartments, and business owners.  

Community Opposition 

On April 26th, Community Board 13 members voted online on an official resolution that opposes the Coney Island casino.  The resolution passed by an overwhelming vote of 23-8, rejecting the casino proposal.    

The Community Board’s resolution is non-binding, has no legal weight, and cannot singlehandedly stop the casino project.  However, the Board includes many local politicians who will have a legal say on the project in the future and the Board’s vote does not look promising for the project.  

Councilman Ari Kagan, one of these local politicians, backed the Board’s majority vote.  “I completely agree with the overwhelming opposition from the community in Coney Island. The overwhelming majority of people I talk to are against the casino.” 

Kagan cited that The Coney will bring more traffic, crime, and mental health problems. 

Diaz said, “We don’t want what Atlantic City has. We’re already drowning in traffic half the year. Now you want to bring more traffic in?! We don’t want it.” 

The casino consortium continues to push The Coney’s positive selling points.  It believes the Board’s resolution is premature and points to the 3,363 signatures supporting The Coney project. 

The consortium’s position is, “Any judgements about this project – which is going to have enormous benefits – before the full details and community benefits agreement are finalized is premature and shortsighted.” 

Include Sidebar: What Can You Do? 

Contact the officials below to find out who is representing you at the Community Advisory Committee meetings.   

Remember that the Community Advisory Committee is responsible for holding public hearings and issuing a formal finding of how much community support The Coney has. 

Approval of the project by at least 2/3 of the committee members is required before state regulators begin evaluating the application. 

Please send your feedback, questions, and concerns regarding The Coney to: 

1. NY State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton – 718-727-9406.  

1. Assemblyman Michael Novakhov (District 45) – 718-743-4078. 

1. Local City Council Member Ari Kagan (District 47) – 718-307-7151. 

1. Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso – 718-802–3700. 

1. Mayor Eric Adams – Phone: 311. 

1. Governor Kathy Hochul – 518-474-8390.  

Pnina Souid

Feivel was becoming frantic. He was handicapped, lived all alone, and was anxiously waiting for his package of provisions to arrive from a hesed organization on erev Pesach. The hour was getting late. 

That afternoon, the Mitzvah Man was focused on the upcoming holiday when at 4pm his hotline rang. Despite the late hour, on the busiest day of the year, the Mitzvah Man answered the call. 

On the other end of the line was a rabbi who runs a hesed organization. He was distraught.  

“There seems to have been a glitch in the delivery system of the organization that provides the Passover packages for the needy,” the rabbi started. “Their client, Feivel, did not receive the order made for him. He lives in the Mill Basin area, which I know is not around the corner from you, but you are my last resort. 

“He has absolutely no food, no seder meals, no meals at all! All Feivel has is matzah. I tried ten different organizations with no success and now it is only two hours before the holiday. I tried a hesed chat, and several people on the chat suggested that I call the Mitzvah Man hotline.” 

The Mitzvah Man took a breath and asked just what Feivel needed for the holiday. 

The Rabbi replied, “Feivel needs all the items of the seder plate, grape juice, chicken, and gefilte fish. He really is not picky, but he has nothing. And I must tell you something else. Feivel is a religious man, but he is beginning to lose his faith. Especially, after this incident, Feivel is questioning how this could happen. How could Hashem let him down?” 

The Mitzvah Man promised to get back to the rabbi. After hanging up, before putting out the word to his volunteers, he put in a prayer. He asked Hashem to please send help for Feivel. He pleaded Feivel’s case, citing how worried and horrible Feivel felt. The Mitzvah Man beseeched Hashem to act with His eternal kindness, to remember one of His most vulnerable children, and provide a shaliach to bring his Pesach provisions. 

The Mitzvah Man put out a call to his team of volunteers. He knew that they had their own families to care for and their own last-minute errands to run. Even so, he asked them to find a way to also fit into the waning hours before hag this special errand for Feivel, citing that Feivel was unable to get the food package himself, and on top of that he was in a real state of distress and was feeling quite alone. 

By 6pm, Feivel had everything he needed to celebrate this holiday of redemption. In addition, his faith was revived. He was amazed, and so very thankful. He felt that Hashem cared for him after all. And what a kiddush Hashem these selfless volunteers performed! 

PASSOVER WAS SAVED!