Head back to school in style with these up-to-the-minute hi-tech beauties.    

Tile Pro 

This handy tracker is a lifesaver when you can’t remember where you left your keys or  tote bag. It lets you easily keep tabs on your belongings from up to 400 feet away. It works with Android and Apple devices and is Smart Home compatible – with Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. 

kSafe Time Locking Container 

Low on willpower when it comes to staying off your phone and buckling down to study? The kSafe Time Locking Container, made by Kitchen Safe, is here to help. Just toss in your phone – or any other small distraction – and set a timer for however long you need something locked away. No overrides. 

Fjällräven Kånken Mini Cooler 

Packing your lunch? Then the Fjällräven Kånken Mini Cooler is for you! It is a soft, insulated box that keeps your food fresh and drinks cool for hours.  The colorful bag is also good for toting drinks and snacks anywhere! 

Oxford Book Tote 

The Oxford Book Tote is a stylish alternative to a backpack that features heavyweight canvas and a durable, water-resistant exterior. Plenty of pockets allow for stowing notebooks, textbooks, your wallet, and phone, and it accommodates most 13-inch laptops. A detachable strap that allows you to use it as a crossbody bag. 

Yamazaki Tower Deskbar Organizer  

Banish the clutter at your desk. Create a designated spot for small items that make for a messy environment. This simple organizer has a base tray for odds and ends, an arm for easily looping watches, bracelets, or rubber bands, and two compartments for propping up larger items.  

Sunbeam Orion Blue Ultralush Heated Blanket 

Keep your toes warm this winter with this plush heated blanket. It comes with an easy-to-use detachable controller with 12 heat settings and a 12-hour auto shut-off for safety. Sweet dreams!  

OXO Sweep & Swipe Laptop Cleaner 

This device is handy for removing smudges from the screens of laptops, tablets, smartphones, or any other gadget. The brush makes cleaning a keyboard fast and effortless. 

Hatch Restore Alarm Clock 

Get ready to fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up with serenity.   Relaxing ambient sounds alongside a sunset-like glow help you to fall asleep. To help you stay asleep, pink noise, light rain, and other background sounds help tune out potential distractions. The clock’s built-in light can simulate a sunrise for gentle wake ups. Integrated touch controls allow browsing a rich selection of lighting and sound experiences.  

Anker AnkerMake M5 3D Printer 

The AnkerMake M5 is a top-ranked 3D printer because it can crank out complex objects at best-in-class speed, including elaborate designs that use multiple filament materials. This 3D printer is elegant and easy to operate via a touchscreen and a companion app. 

The AnkerMake M5 includes a built-in camera for keeping an eye on the progress of your prints and a die-cast aluminum structure that’s both sleek and sturdy. 

Pnina Souid 

Summer is behind us and Jews the world over are preparing for school and the holidays. A very special woman who runs a children’s clothing gemach recently found herself unable to provide for the needy families who count on her. On a recent Monday she turned to the Mitzvah Man. 

A Caller Reaches Out 

“This year our donors’ contributions were not enough to cover the costs of new clothing for the 200 families we help. I know that you have connections with clothing manufacturers and I am hoping you could please help me to get me children’s clothing. Even a few dozen outfits would help.” 

The Mitzvah Man thought carefully, but responded that he did not have contacts who manufacture kids clothing. So sorry!  

Clothing Min Hashamayim 

The following erev Shabbat the Mitzvah Man received a call from Mrs. Hersh, the owner of a wholesale children’s clothing company. Thirty cartons of children’s clothing had just been delivered to her home, which, due to the lateness of the delivery, she was unable to sell. She did not want the hassle of returning all those boxes, she wanted to donate them all to tzedaka, to help needy children. The boxes were literally boxing her in! They were stacked in her house, on the porch, and in the driveway. The boxes contained over 500 pieces of clothing. She asked if there was any way possible for the boxes to be collected before the start of Shabbat.  It was already noontime.  

Mitzvah Man looked Heavenwards and offered a thanks to the One Above. He told Mrs. Hersh about the children’s gemach in desperate need of children’s clothing for the upcoming holidays. He assured her that they will be delighted to send vans to collect all the boxes before Shabbat.  

Here is another example of how Hashem takes care of His children, and how the Mitzvah Man serves as the conduit for His kindness. 

Ellen Geller Kamaras 

“Our students are our biggest fans. Sara Schenirer appeals to an expansive range of students: Ashkenaz, Sephardic, Chabad, Modern Orthodox, and even Jewish public-school students. Every student finds a place.”  ~ Faigy Barth, Development Director ~  

“You can’t imagine how “held” I feel in Sara Schenirer! Everyone wants the best for me! ~ Rachel, a Psychology undergraduate student ~ 

In 1981, a Brooklyn-based high school and seminary formed its first college partnership, allowing students to earn a degree in a Jewish environment without compromising their education or Jewish values.      

“We enrolled our first class in 1981,” shares Dean Elazar Meisels, “and have been registering and educating students in record numbers since then. Currently we have more than 1,500 undergraduate and 400 graduate students earning more than twenty different degrees. We were once considered a niche program for the religious community in Boro Park, but that’s changed. We now serve students from across the Jewish spectrum and our fastest growing demographic is the Sephardic community. They are an excellent match for our institution because they value quality education and appreciate the cultural sensitivity that underpins each of our programs.” 

Humble Beginnings      

In 1967, the Sara Schenirer High School and Teacher’s Seminary opened its doors in Boro Park, NY. Sara Schenirer was a typical religious girls’ high school and seminary, but it distinguished itself with its warmth and support. Teachers were religious, devoted, and invested in providing quality education. 

Rabbi Yehuda Michoel Meisels, the Dean, had a vision. Having watched so many Jewish teachers struggling to meet the needs of students with disabilities, he partnered with the College of Staten Island and offered degrees in education and special education. Upon the advice of his rabbis, with whom he consulted at each step along the way, he chose only professors who were experts in their fields as well as observant Jews.                                                                                                                                                                                                       

“Rabbi Michoel was determined to prove that one could earn a well-respected college degree, yet still remain a committed Jew,” shares Batsheva Shonek, Director of Sara Schenirer’s program. 

Program Expansion                                    

Rabbi Michoel retired in 2008, and in 2009, his son, Rabbi Elazar Meisels, assumed the role of Dean. Rabbi Elazar is a dynamic educator and leader who also has a global following on TorahAnytime, featuring his many weekly shiurim. Rabbi Elazar credits his father for having the vision to create such an institution. Although the school has grown in leaps and bounds since he assumed the reins, he maintains that they’ve faithfully kept to their original goals. “Sure, we’ve added many more degree options, additional locations, and we’re fully online too, but we still treat every student with the care and dignity that you won’t find anywhere else,” he explains. 

Sara Schenirer’s Partners 

Sara Schenirer is not a college or university and does not grant degrees. Instead, they partner with respected local colleges to offer degree programs. They feature partnerships with Wurzweiler School of Social Work, Manhattanville College, Yeshivah University, and many more.  

All undergraduate degrees are conferred through The College of Mount St. Vincent (#11 out of 54 in ranking as Regional North in the 2022-2023 Best Colleges) and Saint Peter’s University (#58 out of 181 Regional Universities North), affording Sara Schenirer the prestige associated with these respected institutions.   

According to Dean Meisels, this last point is very important. 

“Our students have gone on to Cardozo Law School, Columbia, Hofstra, Rutgers, and many other well-known universities for graduate school. Having such respected college partners makes this a reality.” 

While each degree is awarded by the college partner, not by Sara Schenirer, the student’s experience is shaped by Sara Schenirer. Fellow classmates and instructors are observant Jews and are thrilled to be in a religious environment where they can earn a stellar secular education. The class schedule follows the Jewish calendar and all hagim are off, including the days leading up to the hagim. 

Sara Schenirer Today 

I met with Faigy Barth, the vibrant Outreach Director, and with two young women from our own community who graduated from Sara Schenirer. 

Hearing about the robust support the graduates received from start to finish was especially impactful. It begins with help registering and choosing a career track and continues throughout the entire program and beyond. As a life and career coach, I am in awe of the fact that each student receives such valuable and consistent accountability support and coaching. This is especially unusual in higher education, where students can remain nameless for their four years of college.      

Faigy herself attended Sara Schenirer for her master’s in education and special education and has experienced the very benefits that she speaks so passionately about.           

Faigy emphasizes:  A real relationship is created with each student. We want every student to succeed, and we give them honest feedback about their career choices and academic performance. We understand that they are grappling with life decisions and want to support them so that they make sound choices. There’s a reason that our students pass NYS certification and licensing board exams at such incredibly high rates. The support and academic rigor prepare them so well that they can’t help but succeed!”       

Programs and Campuses 

In keeping with its namesake’s dream, Sara Schenirer’s mission is to offer degrees in fields that are lucrative, yet practical and flexible.  The goal is for women to be given the opportunity to be mothers and professionals with rewarding and satisfying careers. 

To that end, they feature programs in classic areas such as education, accounting, business, and speech therapy, but also in cutting edge fields such as data science, ABA, occupational therapy, MBA, and more. 

Altogether, Sara Schenirer offers ten undergraduate and six graduate programs for women. The Men’s Division currently includes two popular undergraduate programs in business and psychology and five graduate options, including cybersecurity, ABA, MBA, education and special education, and social work. “We’re always adding new programs to fit our students’ needs and to ensure that they have the opportunities they deserve,” added Faigy.  

Unique Features – Acceleration and Convenience  

A unique feature of the program is its accelerated nature. Almost every undergraduate degree can be completed in just three semesters because Sara Schenirer allows students to transfer in college-level credits earned in high school and seminary.  Tuition is extremely affordable with most undergraduate programs coming in below $20,000.  Eligible students can receive the full array of financial aid grants and loans from FAFSA (Pell, TAP, and TAG).  

Faigy explains, “We have a goal-oriented approach where students can focus on the core subjects and their majors. That’s why they can graduate in three semesters at such an affordable price without compromising on their education.” 

The fact that classes are offered wherever students are located makes it especially practical for post-high school and seminary students who often need to relocate during their degree program.  

“We have in-class locations all over the tri-state area and all our programs are entirely online, as well. No student needs to worry about not being able to finish her degree because it can transfer to wherever she is located,” adds Faigy.      

Another attractive perk is that students can work during the day since classes are held in the evenings and on Sundays, outside of working hours. “This allows them to gain valuable real-world experience and gives them a real foot in the door of the working world,” says Faigy. 

What the Graduates Say 

Meet Sarah S., who attended Orot Sara, a Sephardic Bet Yaakov school.  After high school, she studied for a year in Bais Yaakov Intensive Seminary.  Sarah knew that she wanted to become a teacher and had heard of many people who had received their graduate degrees from Sara Schenirer and had a fabulous experience.  She worked very hard while in school but says it was worth it!  Sarah joined the program and especially enjoyed her fieldwork experience at the Pathways Study Center. “I learned a lot from observing the teachers and worked as a paid assistant teacher helping students with learning disabilities on a one-on-one basis.” Sarah plans on attending Sara Schenirer’s master’s degree program in special education and is confident that she’ll be supported in finding a position when she graduates. “I strongly recommend Sara Schenirer. They are there for their students in every way. I came early for my interview, and they told me exactly which Coopersmith tests I needed to take to get college credits. I was able to complete the tests even before starting the program.”      

Rachel, a Psychology undergraduate student, added:           

“You can’t imagine how ‘held’ I feel in Sara Schenirer! Everyone wants the best for me! I struggled in school, and you can imagine what that did to my sense of self. I love the warmth, the dedication, and the positive energy from the staff and professors! There is always an extension to dial and a caring person on the other end!”    
 

Sarah S.G. completed both her undergraduate and graduate degrees through Sara Schenirer with a bachelor’s in psychology, and master’s in special education.  A Brooklyn native who attended Magen David Yeshiva and Ilan High School, she refers to herself as a walking advertisement for Sara Schenirer.  “I found out about their programs at an Ilan College Fair.  Five of my friends joined me. I recommend Sara Schenirer to everyone. The staff supported me throughout and helped me figure out how to get a job!”      

Sara Schenirer’s graduates fare exceptionally well in the job market. “Employers seek out our graduates because they are so well-trained,” Faigy explained. “Many of our education graduates become Board of Education employees, and our ABA graduates are opening and staffing agencies.  When you are well-educated and accustomed to working hard, finding a good job will never be a problem.”  

To learn more about Sara Schenirer and whether any of their programs are right for you, their online open houses are a great source of valuable information.  “At our Open House, we inform rather than sell.  We support each person through their decision,” Faigy explained. “If we don’t think Sara Schenirer is the best option for someone, we’ll let them know that.  Many of our programs have strict admissions requirements and we discuss them openly and honestly.” 

To find out more and register for an upcoming Open House, please reach out to Sara Schenirer’s friendly admissions counselors through their website, www.sarasch.com, by telephone, 718-633-8557 ext. 37, or through email, information@sarasch.com. 

_________________________________________ 

Ellen Geller Kamaras, CPA/MBA, is an International Coach Federation (ICF) Associate Certified Coach.  Her coaching specialties include life, career, and dating coaching.  Ellen is active in her community and is currently the Vice-President of Congregation Bnai Avraham in Brooklyn Heights.  She can be contacted at ellen@lifecoachellen.com(www.lifecoachellen.com).  

Menuchat hanefesh is not just about peace of mind. The term choli hanefesh refers to someone whose soul is sick, a term for mental illness. Menuchat hanefesh is the ultimate mental wellness. So. let us discuss the concept of tolerating as it refers to mental illness, and how this trait of savlanus (savlanut), tolerance, will help us in this area, as well. 

How Anxiety Works 

One of the most common mental challenges of our time is anxiety. If we call someone near and dear to us on their cell phone three times and they don’t answer, we grow concerned and begin to worry. What happened? Were they kidnapped? Were they in a car accident? Every possible frightening scenario flits through our mind. 

That’s anxiety. 

In truth, Gd gave us anxiety for a good reason, so that we should be concerned in dangerous situations. Otherwise, we’d just run into the street, befriend bears and bees, or walk down dark alleyways in crime-ridden neighborhoods. So we need anxiety to help keep us safe. The problem is when it becomes blown out of proportion, when an innocent pussycat looks like a ferocious tiger.  

Nowadays, many people are afflicted with anxiety disorders.  How did this come to be? 

An anxiety disorder stems from the struggle to tolerate uncertainty. The uncertainty is there, but can we tolerate it? That niggling feeling has wormed its way into our heart. Can we just hold it? If we can, then we are able to overcome the natural anxiety before it turns into a disorder. If not… 

Two Approaches to Alleviate Anxiety 

Two of the many approaches to working with anxiety in therapy are CBT and ACT.  In CBT, cognitive behavioral therapy, we initiate change in either cognition, behavior, or emotion by attempting to change one or more of these three elements. Another form of therapy, which is gaining in popularity among mental health professionals, is ACT, acceptance and commitment therapy. 

The most obvious difference, in one sentence, is that CBT aims to help identify and change negative or destructive thoughts, whereas ACT maintains that pain and discomfort are a fact of life, and one would benefit more by accepting the feelings of uncertainty. In fact, Dr. Steven Hayes, the developer of ACT, posits that fighting the anxiety will often serve to reinforce it, as we are giving it an excessive amount of attention and thereby keeping these fearful thoughts in our minds rather than allowing them to fade away, out of our consciousness. 

One method to accomplish this is to add the clause I’m having a thought that… to a thought that causes anxiety.  For example, if one finds that he is thinking along the lines of: I will never be successful, and then amends it to: I’m having a thought that I will never be successful, the anxiety itself can be decreased. We are not attempting to change the thought (I will be successful), but we are merely identifying what is taking place in real time. And what is truly taking place is not that we won’t be successful (as we don’t know the future), it’s that we are having a thought that we won’t be. 

With the average human brain processing about 70,000 thoughts per day, we don’t need to address most of these thoughts; it’s just that anxiety tricks our brains into thinking we must do so – particularly the thoughts that are negative or frightening.  If we have thoughts akin to: There is an army of elephants invading Brooklyn, we are (hopefully) unlikely to board our windows and doors, as we know it is just a silly thought. We accept the thought as is: a thought. 

Hence, tolerance and acceptance are at the core of alleviating anxiety. 

 TAKEAWAY 

If negative thoughts are seeping into your brain and bringing anxiety in their wake, tolerate and accept them as thoughts, while telling yourself, “The chances of these thoughts coming true are as unlikely as a herd of elephants raiding my neighborhood.” 

The world is full of therapy skeptics. 

What can a therapist tell me about myself that I don’t already know? What’s the point? Why should I spend years on a couch talking about my childhood? How did some schooling give therapists all the answers? I’m not crazy, therapy isn’t for me. 

Those are excellent questions – and legitimate ones – that keep people from seeking help and living their best lives. In fact, it takes the average person a whopping 11 years to reach out to a therapist after noticing an issue. 

Nobody should have to suffer for so long when the solution to their suffering is so accessible. Let’s address and clear up some of the most common misconceptions that prevent too many people from achieving healthy and satisfying lives, relationships, and futures. 

Why Bother with Therapy? 

Myth: I already know that I have a problem, and I know myself better than any therapist possibly can. Why should I bother with therapy? 

Fact: The majority of people who receive therapy already know what the problem is. Many, if not most, therapy clients are well-acquainted with their troubles: I know I shouldn’t be afraid to ask my boss for a raise, but the thought of it makes me break out in a cold sweat. I know I shouldn’t get angry at my wife and kids, but I find myself yelling every day. I know that I need to stop binging if I want to lose weight, but I can’t help myself. I know I shouldn’t be depressed; my life is so good. Why can’t I get out of this funk? 

The point of therapy is not to uncover new, earth-shattering revelations about you and your personality. The point is to help you learn how to deal with your issue and stop it from interfering with your potential. A therapist won’t tell you what you already know, but he or she will help you get unstuck from your rut and progress with your life. 

Myth: I struggle with legitimate concerns about things that can realistically happen. What can a therapist tell me that will allay my anxiety? He can’t promise that there’s nothing to worry about. 

Fact: Most concerns are rooted in reality. Worrying about something that can realistically happen – I’ll get in legal trouble for a financial error at work, my kid may drop out of high school and start using drugs, my parents will die – is normal, and a therapist will never discount or try to eliminate real thoughts. Having concerns like this can be prudent as they may spur you to take necessary precautions, like looking both ways before you cross the street. 

What can be harmful to your wellbeing is when these thoughts become intrusive or disruptive in some way; if they’re constant, last too long, or have physical, emotional, or otherwise severe repercussions. A therapist will work with you to reduce the frequency, intensity, and/or duration of the thought or feeling so that it doesn’t hinder your quality of life. 

How Can Therapists Know All? And What About Meds?! 

Myth: How can a therapist profess to have all the answers when she can’t know everything about me? 

Fact: Therapists certainly don’t have all the answers. Therapy isn’t to hand you answers – because you probably know the answers already – but rather therapy can empower you to learn more about yourself and the forces that drive you.  

Often, clients are unaware of the impact of the automatic thoughts and feelings that shape their responses and reactions. Therapy, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, helps clients to explore and work with those thoughts and feelings, which will decrease one’s pain and help them live quality lives. It’s not complicated or scary. It’s simply helping you access what you already know. 

Myth: Therapy and medication is only for people with real issues, like schizophrenia or bipolar or severe mental illness. Why should I go to a therapist who will try to keep me in therapy and on meds for the rest of my life? 

Fact: Therapy and medication can help anyone. It is not reserved for “crazy” people. Quite the opposite! For many common conditions and for people who don’t progress with therapy alone, medication is a vital (and temporary) tool that can and does help countless people overcome their difficulties with minimal side effects (depending on one’s diagnoses – speak to your medical care provider). Additionally, therapists don’t intend to keep you on as lifelong clients. Our goal is to help you work through your problem and emerge stronger and more confident in your ability to navigate your life and its challenges. 

Dr. Yossi Shafer, PhD is the clinical director and a clinical psychologist at Empower Health Center, a private practice of multispecialty psychotherapists. They have offices in Deal/Long Branch and Lakewood and can be reached at (732) 666-9898 or office@empowerhealthcenter.net