Frieda Schweky

Spring has sprung and I have a pep in my step. Do I credit that to the sun finally shining, or my ability to leave the house without a ski mask? Possibly. But honestly, I think the real reason is that I spent all winter going to the gym two to four times a week and lifting heavy weights – and it shows. Not just physically, but mentally, too. For the first time since I was a child, I don’t feel the need to take stimulants to manage my ADHD, and I really think I have working out to thank for that.

Here’s the thing about exercise that doesn’t get talked about enough: it’s not just about how you look. Consistently moving your body has real, measurable benefits that kick in almost immediately. In the short term, even a single workout can boost your mood, sharpen your focus, and reduce stress thanks to a flood of endorphins. Long term, regular physical activity lowers your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers, strengthens your bones and joints, improves sleep quality, and has been shown to significantly reduce anxiety and depression.

When I’m on my game, I find it hard to imagine people who think physical exertion just isn’t for them. And I get it, I really do, because I used to be one of those people.

I was a full-on couch potato when I was younger. Then, one day my friend Jeanette invited me to a kickboxing class. Thinking nothing of it, I tagged along.  And I was shocked to discover it was actually fun. I signed up for a membership and started working out for the first time in my life. Am I still into kickboxing? No. But that class lit a bulb in my head that’s never gone out. Working out can be enjoyable if you just find what’s right for you.

Over the years I went through plenty of phases – yoga, Orangetheory [a fitness program that combines full-body strength training with heart-pumping cardio], I even tried spin because my dad has been obsessed with spinning my whole life and still is (it was not for me, sorry Dad). These days my thing is CrossFit. I love lifting heavy weights. It’s satisfying in a way that’s hard to explain, and it’s pretty cool that I’m essentially learning an Olympic sport in the process. Plus, I can carry all my groceries in one trip, which might be the greatest practical benefit of all.

Through all those phases I figured out two things. One: you have to love what you do, or you will quit. Two: you need to give something at least a month of consistent effort before you decide whether it’s for you. Your body needs time to adjust. Once the initial soreness fades and you stop dreading it, that’s when you can actually tell if something clicks for you.

I wanted to inspire other members of our community to get moving, so I asked my Instagram followers what they enjoy doing for exercise. Here’s what they had to say.

Natalie Habaz

Natalie has always been active, but her relationship with movement has evolved beautifully over the decades. She started dance training at 16, doing intensives at Broadway Dance Center through her twenties, then shifted to cardio and light weights, then yoga and weights as she got older. Today she teaches dance, choreography, and restorative somatic work, focused on nervous system regulation. And she still takes choreography classes herself.

“The benefits I focus on are more mental than physical – pushing through limits, resilience techniques and regulation. I think the way to look at consistency is: baby steps into often steps into consistency, which then just becomes routine. Also, work out for the feeling it gives you – empowerment, not looks.”

Violet Bernknopf

Violet found her groove with reformer Pilates – five days a week for the past few years, at 5:30am.

“I sneak out and I’m back before my kids even miss me! It keeps me sane. It’s my version of self-care.”

Violet has a bad back with herniated discs, so the low-impact nature of Pilates was a major draw, but the results have been anything but low-impact: toning, strength, and flexibility all over. Her tip? Go early. First she tried nights, but between the kids and general exhaustion, it wasn’t sticking. Now it’s just her routine – and she genuinely misses it when she can’t go.

Melissa Mora

Melissa loves yoga, and she’s the first to admit she came into it as a skeptic.

“In the beginning I kind of mocked it and didn’t think it would help me or even be considered exercise. And then I saw it transform my life.”

Melissa says yoga tones her more than free weights ever did, while simultaneously de-stressing and energizing her.

“It [yoga] forces optimal breathing, resilience, flexibility, and positivity. But most importantly it fosters grace within yourself. I can’t think of any other exercise, activity, or sport that does ALL of that.”

Jacklyn Gabbay

Jacklyn doesn’t follow a set routine – she follows her gut.

“I go based off my mood,” she says. When she wants something grounding and a little challenging, she goes for a hike, which is good for her mind, body, and soul. And it gives her some time to talk to Hashem. When she wants high energy, she does dance cardio. When she wants to slow down and get out of her head, she turns to yoga. And sometimes, like during the two week Pesach break, she mixes it up entirely – dance one day, aerial yoga the next (yes, aerial yoga, where you can do flips in the air, which sounds like an absolute blast).

But Jacklyn’s fitness journey didn’t start from a place of fun. It started from a place of pain. Around 2020, her close friend was diagnosed with cancer, and Jacklyn was devastated. She was so distraught she couldn’t even eat. She needed somewhere to put all of that emotion, so she threw herself into physical activity, starting with weight training.

“Instead of being depressed on the couch, I found this beneficial outlet. I felt more connected to my body.” Jacklyn began losing weight without even realizing it, because she wasn’t focused on her appearance, she was focused on taking charge of her life. And that shift turned out to be more important than she knew, because it was around this time that she discovered she was dealing with a health issue herself.

So, what’s the takeaway?

Movement looks different for everyone. It can be hikes and heavy lifts, reformer Pilates early in the morning, or aerial yoga on a whim. It’s kickboxing classes you stumble into and yoga practices you initially roll your eyes at. It’s dancing since you were two years old and weight training through one of the hardest seasons of your life. There is no single right answer – just the one that works for you.

What all of these women have in common isn’t a specific workout or a perfect schedule. It’s that they found something that made them feel good, and they kept showing up. Some days that means discipline, and some days that’s just listening to your body and doing what it needs. Both are valid.

If you’ve been on the fence about getting moving, let this be your nudge. You don’t have to love it on day one. Give it a month. Try the weird class your friend invites you to. Go for the hike. Sign up for the thing that intimidates you a little. The shift for your mind, your body, and your whole life might surprise you.

And if all else fails – at the very least, you’ll be able to carry all your groceries in one trip. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Signing off until next time,

Frieda Schweky!

Frieda is an event and portrait photographer. Check Frieda out on Instagram @friedaschwekyphoto. For photography inquiries or article topic suggestions email her at friedaschweky@gmail.com.

 Jack Gindi

Many of us think appreciation is something we give because someone did something for us. They helped. They supported. They solved a problem.

So we say thank you.

But over time, I’ve learned that real appreciation is not about what someone does. It’s about who they are. It’s about recognizing the quiet, consistent presence of someone who showed up – especially when it mattered most.

Fifty Years of Presence

I met my wife, Meredith, when I was a teenager, and we got married young. She has been by my side for over 50 years. When I think about appreciation, I don’t think about a list of things she’s done. I think about something much simpler.

She stayed.

Through the highs and the lows… through seasons of growth and seasons of challenge… she stood beside me. The truth is, we don’t always stop to acknowledge that kind of presence. We get used to it. We assume it. We move past it.

But presence is not a small thing. It may be the greatest gift a person can give.

The People Who See Us

I’ve experienced this in other relationships as well. My oldest brother has been one of those people in my life. Not because of one big moment, but because of how he consistently showed up.

When I struggled, he stepped in. When I needed direction, he guided me. When I doubted myself, he believed in me.

Looking back, what I appreciate most isn’t what he did. It’s that he saw me. He stood beside me.
He was there. And that kind of presence shapes a life.

The Moments That Stay

A friend shared a story with me that sits with me today.

When she was in third grade, she struggled in class while the other children seemed to understand everything easily. One day, a little girl leaned over and quietly helped her.

She was not looking for anything in return – not attention, tot a reward, with no expectation. She  just performed a simple act of kindness.

Years later, they crossed paths again. My friend stopped her and said, “I want you to know, I’ve never forgotten that moment. You saw me when I needed it most.”

One small moment. One person taking the time to see another. And it stayed with her for a lifetime.

What We Often Miss

That’s the part we overlook. We think appreciation has to be tied to something big or measurable. But often, it’s the smallest things that matter most.

People show up every day. They carry more than we see. They give in ways that are quiet, consistent, and easy to overlook.

And because it’s consistent, we begin to expect it. Because we expect it, we stop acknowledging it.

What Our Children Learn

Our children are always watching, not just what we say, but what we notice.

When we take the time to appreciate someone out loud… when we acknowledge who a person is, not just what they’ve done… we teach something deeper than manners.

We teach awareness. We teach respect. We teach them how to truly see people. And when that’s missing, something important is lost.

A Simple Practice

Try this for the next 30 days.

Each day, reach out to one person in your life. A parent. A friend. A sibling. A teacher. Anyone. Tell them something you appreciate about who they are, not just what they’ve done. Don’t expect anything back.

Just notice what happens.

Notice how it feels to say it. Notice how it changes the way you see people. Notice how it shifts your day.

The Gift That Remains

In the end, appreciation isn’t about the moment. It’s about what remains. The gift of being seen may be the greatest gift we can give another person.

Don’t wait for the perfect time. Don’t wait for the right words.

Just say it. Onwards together – with love and gratitude.

Jenna Ashkenazie

In a world where fashion often moves fast, Anna Augusta has built something rare – an experience that feels truly personal. For over a decade in New York, she has been creating gowns with care, precision, and a deep understanding of each woman – where every dress becomes a true reflection of the client.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Anna is inspired by the rich history of the ancient Silk Road – a place where cultures, styles, and traditions came together. This influence can be felt in her designs, which combines timeless beauty with a modern, elegant touch. Her journey to New York began in an international environment, arriving in the United States as the spouse of a representative at her country’s mission to the United Nations. Being surrounded by different cultures and perspectives helped shape her unique approach to design – one that feels both global and deeply personal. 

One-on-One Personal and Expert Guidance

What makes Anna Augusta truly special is the experience she offers her clients. In today’s world, it is very rare to work directly with a couture-level designer. At Anna Augusta, every bride is personally guided through the entire process, with Anna acting not only as a designer, but also as a trusted fashion consultant. Each gown begins with a thoughtful conversation – not just about measurements, but about personality, style, lifestyle, and the overall vision for the wedding day.

From there, the bride becomes part of the creative journey, actively participating in shaping her gown. Together, they refine every detail, ensuring the final design feels authentic, personal, and perfectly aligned with the woman who will wear it. This personal attention makes all the difference. Every gown becomes more than just a dress – it becomes a statement of the woman wearing it. The result is something truly unique, created with care, intention, and artistry. For Anna’s clients, this is not just a service – it is a seamless, stress-free experience and a truly memorable journey. 

This approach is what has made Anna Augusta so loved and trusted among her clients. Her gowns stand out not because they follow trends, but because they reflect real women and real stories.

Future Expansion

With the opening of BUY GOWN, Anna Augusta made her designs more accessible for women who need a beautiful dress right away. Clients can choose from a curated collection of wedding and evening gowns available for purchase or rent – while still enjoying high quality and thoughtful design. As demand continues to grow, Anna is preparing to expand into New Jersey, making it easier for clients across New Jersey and Pennsylvania to experience her work. At the same time, there is an influx of retail stores that are showing interest in carrying Anna Augusta designs, recognizing the uniqueness and craftsmanship behind each piece.

 Looking ahead, Anna Augusta plans to grow into a leading designer and manufacturer of modest and plus-size gowns, bringing elegance and attention to detail to a wider range of women. She is also expanding her evening wear collections, offering both one-of-a-kind couture pieces and ready-to-wear designs – so her clients can always feel stylish and confident.  In a time when everything moves at a rapid pace, Anna Augusta offers something truly special: personal attention, true craftsmanship, a seamless, stress-free experience, and gowns that are not just worn – but deeply felt.

On March 17, Allenhurst held its monthly town hall meeting. What unfolded was not routine civic discussion, but something more revealing: a series of firsthand accounts from Jewish residents describing experiences of exclusion, hostility, and discrimination that, until now, had largely gone unspoken.

For years, many in the community have described carrying quieter versions of these moments – interactions that felt off, or a sense of being unwelcome without a clear cause. At the town hall, those experiences were articulated.

One of the clearest accounts came from a woman who has lived in Allenhurst for ten years. When she first moved to town, neighbors did not realize she was Jewish and, she said, she encountered no issues. Once her Jewish identity became known, her experience changed. She described being asked where her horns were, facing assumptions that large numbers of people would live in her home, and being refused business outright by residents who told her they “don’t do business with Jews.” She also noted she had not experienced anti-Semitism before moving to Allenhurst.

Political Context and Public Scrutiny

These accounts did not emerge in a vacuum.

In May 2024, Frieda Adjmi, a Syrian Jewish resident and longtime Planning Board member, became Allenhurst’s first female mayor. Her election was followed almost immediately by an investigation into alleged voter irregularities, centered on a sharp increase in registrations. Critics suggested members of the Syrian Jewish community had improperly registered at seasonal homes.

The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office ultimately closed the investigation without charges or findings of wrongdoing. However, the scrutiny and the tone of its coverage left a lasting impression on many residents, who saw it as part of a broader pattern where Jewish civic participation was treated with suspicion.

The Graffiti Incident

Weeks later, in June 2024, a local grocery store transitioning to a kosher establishment was vandalized. Jewish stars were painted across the property, alongside the words “go home.”

The response raised further concern. Rather than preserving the scene for investigation, the public works department removed the graffiti before evidence could be fully examined. Although Mayor Adjmi directed that the incident be referred to the bias crime unit, she said she never received confirmation that such a referral occurred. The incident was not covered in the press.

By the time of the March town hall meeting, these and other episodes had escalated into Jewish residents feeling an increasing sense of unease.

As the meeting progressed, tensions in the room rose. Speakers who shared experiences of anti-Semitism were at times interrupted or dismissed. When Mayor Adjmi rose to close the evening, she addressed not only the incidents themselves but the reaction to them. She said that dismissing or mocking someone’s account of discrimination is itself a form of harm.

She then shared her own history.

Since the 1990s, Mayor Adjimi has experienced anti-Semitism in Allenhurst. As a young woman, she found her beach club locker repeatedly filled with garbage, with the phrase “Syrian Free in ’93” written inside. She recalled being advised not to confront the behavior, but to accept that some residents were resistant to change.

Long-Term Engagement

Instead, she became more involved in the community – raising funds for local services, leading projects, and working to build shared spaces. In the early 2000s, she helped create a public playground intended to bring children of different backgrounds together. More recently, she led the development of pickleball courts, despite opposition from residents concerned about the courts attracting outsiders.

On the first day of Passover, those courts were vandalized.

No single incident defines a town. Each can be explained, disputed, or minimized on its own. But taken together – the testimonies, the graffiti, the vandalism, the patterns of opposition described by residents – a broader picture begins to emerge.

The Broader Question

The central issue is not only whether anti-Semitic acts have occurred. It is whether they are being taken seriously when they do.

When incidents are not fully investigated, when public accounts are dismissed, and when patterns are treated as isolated disputes, the result is not neutrality, it causes erosion of trust. For those experiencing it, the message is not ambiguous.

Mayor Adjmi’s Closing Message

Mayor Adjmi ended the evening not with accusation, but with intent.

“I ran because I wanted to heal the pain, heal the hate,” she said. Her closing message was simple: a hope for mutual recognition and respect in a community that is still struggling to define both.

That may be the real test facing towns like Allenhurst. Not whether conflict exists, it always will, but whether a community is willing to confront uncomfortable patterns honestly, or allow them to remain just below the surface, where they are easier to dismiss, and are harder to resolve.