JANUARY 2018 | TEVET/SH’VAT 5778
Mental health advocacy in the Lehigh Valley and beyond By Michelle Cohen HAKOL Editor One in every five Americans suffers from a mental illness at this very moment; one in two will at some point in their lifetime. For State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, this is an impetus to act. “I’ve been really involved with mental health my entire career,” Schlossberg said, taking inspiration from his own struggles to help others with policy. “This is a major issue and it’s not covered enough,” he added, noting that this at least partially comes from the stigma against mental illness in modern discourse. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness – Lehigh Valley region (NAMILV), the stigma against mental health is “a cluster of negative attitudes and beliefs that motivate the public to fear, reject, avoid and discriminate against people with mental illness.” Due to the embarrassment stemming from the stigma, many people with mental illness do not seek treatment, and many people find themselves isolated. Schlossberg has joined together with NAMI-LV to enact anti-stigma efforts in the Lehigh Valley. Research has shown that the most effective technique is to present
a personal angle, telling the story of an individual with a mental illness. The story can deal with matters related to the mental illness, such as seeking treatment, as well as showing through the inclusion of unrelated personality characteristics that mental illness alone does not comprise the entirety of a person. Campaigns like these are powerful both for people with mental illness, who see an example to follow and don’t feel like the only person dealing with these issues, and people who may have little or no experience with people with mental illness can get more education about the issues at hand. Schlossberg himself has participated in getting the story of mental health into the public eye, publishing an op-ed in The Morning Call in 2014 about his own battle with depression. Throughout his political career, Schlossberg has worked with NAMI-LV and other organizations, including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. He was recognized last year through their Allies in Action program for his work to pass a bill requiring the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation to consider adding fences or barriers to discourage suicide, a practice that is generally
State Rep. Mike Schlossberg received an “Allies in Action” award from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention last year. only done when a suicide has been completed at the bridge before. “Suicide is an action of opportunity, and if you can get someone through a difficult moment and get them the help they need, you can help them change their life,” he said. Schlossberg has also made other related legislative efforts, including a bill that would set up a mentorship program for first responders, including police, firefighters and paramedics, who are at
an enhanced risk of completing suicide, and another that would require colleges to have a mental health and suicide prevention plan in place that includes how to communicate mental health resources to students. It is these advances, NAMI-LV Executive Director Margaret Murphy believes, that will change the face of mental health in the state, and beyond. Founded in 1983 as a branch of the national NAMI, NAMI-LV “strives to be the
voice of mental illness in the Lehigh Valley,” according to Murphy, and offers free support groups and education courses to help people establish and maintain wellness, as well as anti-stigma materials and education for students, community groups and health professionals. She encourages people with mental illness, as well as friends, family and caregivers, to look into NAMI’s resources by calling 610-882-2102 or www.nami-lv. org.
INTRODUCING THE NEW ST. LUKE’S APP
The new way to access the health care you need, when you need it, where you need it.
stlukesapp.org 2 JANUARY 2018 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Medical clowning through enemy lines By Michal Hallel Abulafia Galilee Medical Center Editor’s Note: The following article takes place at Galilee Medical Center, an innovative Israeli hospital that has had a long-standing relationship with the Lehigh Valley medical community for over 20 years. I'm a "dream doctor" – a medical clown. I skate around Galilee Medical Center with a red nose, a tambourine and a guitar and work as part of the multidisciplinary care teams in a variety of departments helping to improve patient well-being and care. In the mornings I come to the Pediatric Surgery Department, which treats children with all types of injuries and wounds from all over the Galilee region. Not long ago, I arrived at the department and found a wonderful 11-year-old boy who was one of the many casualties of Syrian violence that Galilee Medical Center has treated since March 2013 in accordance with the government of Israel's decision. A rocket had struck the boy's home, causing serious injuries to both of his legs. His mother brought him across the hostile border to Israel, even though Israel and Syria are formally enemy countries, to try to save his life. He survived complicated and difficult treatments, but at the high cost of losing both of his legs. Around the world, people talk about Syrian casualties, but here at the medical center, we see each one as a human being that underwent a tragedy. Every one of them has a story that breaks our hearts, especially the children. When I first saw this boy I got a chill. He was very quiet and introverted, but was inspecting his surroundings with a wide-eyed curiosity. From the moment he saw me, his eyes warmed with love. He sang out about the funny clown and smiled. Over time, and with a lot of energy and compassion, the boy, his mother and I really connected. He loved to sing with me while I strummed a couple of chords on my guitar – “Shukran Allah, v’Allah Ho Akbar” (thanks to the Lord, the Lord is great). His mother, a war widow with strong hope and faith, waited for me to visit. She was smart with a dark cynicism that occasionally overcame her and slipped out. I tried to play songs for her by the Lebanese singer Fairuz. Listening to these songs gave her fleeting moments of happiness that transcended time
and place. I was so moved by the boy's love for my guitar that I decided I wanted to get one for him. I sent text messages to some friends for help and one who had a guitar she wasn't using gave it to me with a music book for beginners. On the eve of the holiday Yom Kippur I brought him the new guitar and froze when I saw him. He had just undergone another operation and he lay in bed in pain and distress. This was really the first time I had seen him truly sad. He was miserable from the pain and felt down and out about his terrible situation. I sat on his bed and whispered into his ear, “I have a present for you.” He lifted his head and his dark curious eyes lit up because he could already guess what it was. He said “you brought me a guitar, right?” I showed him the guitar and laid it in his hands. At first he screamed from pain, “You sing! You play for me, so it won’t hurt me.” Concerned, I turned to his mother for an explanation. She said, "Your voice calms him and helps him heal.” I took the guitar back, tuned the strings and began to sing his favorite song. He began to relax and closed his eyes. He expressed such love for me and the other dream doctors, that we taught him magic tricks, juggling and even some drumming. During his long and difficult rehabilitation he learned many things and of course to strum his guitar. One day I said to his mother that he will be able to juggle and play for his friends from the neighborhood; his mother replied in a trembling voice,
“Are there even any children left in Syria?” When it was time to say goodbye, four medical clowns, the Pediatric Surgery Department staff and all the other hospitalized children and their families threw a going away party for him with music, magic tricks and activities. His guitar was wrapped, along with his music book and bundles of clothes that he and his mother received for the trip back home to Syria.
He said to me, "tomorrow, Michalita will come, and I won't be here.” I, the loud silly clown, cried inside silently. He will stay with me always — in my thoughts, when I play guitar, when I sing and even when I pray. I will always keep the young boy from Syria who already passed through too much hardship and whose journey ahead will be even harder still, in my mind and heart.
HEALTH & WELLNESS | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2018 3
Explore ways to stay fit at the JCC
This water aerobics class is part of Silver Sneakers, an exercise program designed to help older adults stay in shape.
The Early Childhood Education program at the JCC has started a yoga program for the children, which is designed to help with balance and concentration.
Above left, adults play a game of basketball as part of the Ted Glass Adult Basketball League. Above right, a child dribbles the ball as part of the JHoops Youth Basketball Program. Below, a participant prepares to hit the ball in pickleball, a game that combines tennis, badminton and ping pong. The game is played with a paddle and wiffle ball on a short court. Above, chair yoga is a lowimpact exercise that can deliver many of the benefits of traditional forms of yoga. Left, a child practices squash during a lesson. Squash is available for people of all ages, including Squash Academy, an intermediate to advanced program for teenagers looking to play more competitively for college. The JCC also offers sports-specific training for squash players and one-onone and group lessons for children and adults.
4 JANUARY 2018 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Four offbeat ways to get involved in yoga
By Michelle Cohen HAKOL Editor Yoga, a form of exercise combining stretches and poses with meditation practices, has become very popular recently. Initially practiced in India, yoga has made its way to the United States, where it has increased greatly in popularity. Nowadays, innovators around the country are mixing ancient practices with modern themes and new goals, with the result of many new types of yoga being developed. If you are looking for a way to begin or variate your yoga practice, consider one of these new types: CHAIR YOGA Chair yoga moves the exercises that are typically done standing or balanced to a seated position. This is ideal for older adults or people with mobility concerns. Benefits of chair yoga include improved strength and flexibility, reduced stress and pain, improved proprioception (a sense of where the body is that can reduce the likelihood of falls) and the opportunity to meet people and socialize. Chair yoga is offered in the Lehigh Valley Jewish community as well as several external studios: Congregation Brith Sholom hosts a weekly chair yoga class, and the Jewish Community Center offers twice-weekly classes.
HOT YOGA Hot yoga, which developed from a practice by Bikram Choudhury in the 1960s and ‘70s, is intended to be practiced in a hot and humid environment, ideally 104 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% humidity. Originally
imagined as 26 unchanging poses, hot yoga is now practiced in a variety of ways. It is touted to have many benefits, including purging the body of toxins through sweating, easing joint pain, increasing flexibility, losing weight and staying in shape. There are options for hot yoga throughout the Lehigh Valley, including Hot Yoga Hut, Lehigh Valley Yoga, Bikram Yoga Lehigh Valley and West End Yoga. TORAH YOGA Torah yoga is designed to help the practitioner get more in touch with their Jewish roots by using the poses to tell classic Jewish stories and honor traditions. For example, the beginning of the book of Genesis is explained in Diane Bloomfield’s book
JCC launches functional training room
By Terrence Baker & Nolie Schneider JCC of the Lehigh Valley
“Torah Yoga” as a way to look for oneself and find answers from within and outside influences, such as Jewish teachers. The poses correspond to the story by using the muscles on the side of the torso to “open” the body. Many Jewish-inspired variations of Torah yoga exist, including aleph-bet yoga, in which practitioners form the letters of the Hebrew alphabet with their bodies and spell out meaningful words, and parsha yoga, where the poses follow along with the weekly Torah portion read in synagogue.
In October, the Fitness staff of the JCC of the Lehigh Valley unveiled a new functional training room, affectionately known as “the functional training fish bowl,” in the former office space directly across from the Fitness Center. Functional training is a way to help people get a faster, more effective workout by using movements that incorporate multiple muscle groups, in addition to performing exercises that increase or help with everyday functions and movements, like core stability. Functional training is great for everybody: from active older adults who want to stay healthy, to athletes training for high performance, and everyone in between! In the room at the JCC, there are suspension straps, kettle bells, sliding discs, battle ropes, medicine balls, dumbbells and box jumps available for member use, to provide members a chance to experience functional training at its best. All new users get a free 30-minute orientation to learn about the equipment in the functional training room and figure out some ways to vary their regular workouts. Afterward, membership costs $10 per month, or sessions can be purchased in a package. Ten hour-long sessions cost $100, and 10 half-hour sessions cost $70. There will also be small group exercise classes held in the room on Mondays and Saturdays from January through March to begin, with more opportunities in the future. These classes are also paid, but offer discounts for members. Please sign up at the JCC front desk to reserve your time in the functional training room. Functional training is an innovative and new trend which gives people a different way to work out! We are so excited and proud to have a dedicated space in our facility, and we invite all of our members to give it a try.
GOAT YOGA One of the quirkier new types of yoga is goat yoga, in which a class is led in the presence of goats that roam freely through the practitioners, their behavior unhindered. While getting into the poses, you may feel a friendly goat licking your ear, jumping on your back or making itself comfortable on your yoga mat. Originally envisioned in 2016, goat yoga is touted for the effects the presence of the animals is said to have, including decreasing stress and providing comfort; this amplifies the effects of yoga and creates a more fulfilling workout. Although there is no established goat yoga center in the Lehigh Valley, the trend has spread to several major cities across the United States. If you want to try a similar practice at home, consider allowing a pet into your yoga practice. HEALTH & WELLNESS | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2018 5
Hungry much?
Health always the focus for Maimonides
By Mark Pinsley & Ginger Downey, MS, CNS Special to HAKOL When’s the last time you felt hungry, I mean really hungry? Many of us utter the words, “I’m hungry” several times throughout the day to our co-workers and/ or family members as meal times approach. (If you are a mom, you probably hear this quite often!) Most of us don’t actually remember what real physical hunger feels like because we eat for a multitude of other reasons. Habit – it’s lunchtime or dinnertime, so we eat. Boredom – nothing to do, let’s scavenge the kitchen for a snack. Social – you’re at a party and there’s great food being served. Emotional – something makes us feel sad and empty, so we fill the void with food. Food doesn’t really fix anything, but seems to satisfy for a short time. A simple and effective tool to managing your eating habits is the practice of mindfulness. Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Mindfulness involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. Let’s get back to real physical hunger and how we can apply mindful practice to help us curb overeating. When our bodies need fuel, the stomach releases a hormone called ghrelin, which produc-
By Dr. Karen Dacey Maimonides Society President
es the feeling of hunger. Once the stomach is stretched, the opposing hormone, leptin is released which signals us to stop eating. The catch here is that is can take up to 20 minutes for the signals to be received, so many times we eat past our true point of satiety to that feeling of being stuffed. Real hunger starts with a hollow feeling and slight ache in the belly and upper chest area. You might hear some growling and grumbling. Later, a tight feeling in the back of the throat and mouth come, and for many a change in your breath – sort of a sweet smell. In cases of strong hunger some might feel shaky, weak and light headed. If it has been less than two-three hours since your last meal, you are likely not feeling real hunger. When is the last time you actually felt real, physical hunger before
you put some food into your mouth? Understanding your hunger is the key to weight loss and healthy eating habits. In mindful eating practice we take notice of our body cues and eat when hungry. Food is eaten slowly, taking in the smells, textures and visual delights of it. Some even choose pretty dishes and soft lighting and music to increase the true enjoyment of meal times. When eating mindfully, one notices when they have had enough to eat and stop eating. Mindful eating makes eating so much more enjoyable! Why not experiment a little with mindful eating, and try on the feeling of hunger to see how it feels. You might even come to enjoy feeling hungry and find that your food is even more satisfying when you eat when hungry and stop eating when you feel satisfied.
The Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley is committed to the ideals of Jewish philanthropy, social action and education for members of the health care profession and the community since its inception over 30 years ago. The Maimonides Society unifies a diverse group of professionals who all work in the health care community, from direct patient care to healthcare administration and leadership. All members of the Maimonides Society are committed to the ideals of maintaining physical and mental health for our community. These ideals were essential elements in the writings and teachings of Maimonides. The Maimonides Society has been proud to partner with the Jewish Day School, Muhlenberg College Hillel, as well as the community to provide engaging programs. In 2016, we celebrated our 30th Anniversary with former Maimonides President, Dr. Stephen Klasko. The Maimonides Society is proud to continue educational and community programs in the coming year. We will continue to offer our popular Sunday brunches and will make ourselves available as other opportunities arise. The Maimonides Society continues to welcome new members. The members of the Maimonides Society are proud to serve our community and, in return, gain a sense of personal satisfaction from volunteering and philanthropy. Come see what we are all about on Jan. 7 as we have an expert panel discuss diabetes and its systemic effects as well as its effect on the eyes and the feet. The brunch is free to Maimonides members and $10 for community members. If you can’t make the brunch but would like to learn more, please reach out to me through the Federation office.
The Maimonides Society of the Jewish Federation is proud to support HEALTH AND WELLNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY. Visit JEWISHLEHIGHVALLEY.ORG/ MAIMONIDES for a directory of members
6 JANUARY 2018 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HEALTH & WELLNESS
Coloring isn’t just for kids anymore By Michelle Cohen HAKOL Editor Coloring, a staple activity in most early childhood education programs across the country, has found an application for adults through a new phenomenon known as “adult coloring.” Adult coloring came about as a way to practice mindfulness, which is a state of active focusing on the present. With each page filled with complicated designs that take a great deal of concentration to complete, adult coloring books are designed to give adults the opportunity to forget about external stressors in their lives and focus on the little elements of each picture. With such deep concentration, it can be hard to focus on stress about the rest of the world. Although many people understand artistic mindfulness as a component of art therapy, an adult coloring book is completed at home, without a therapist, and focuses on achieving peace in the moment. Taking into consideration the idea that art can be used to help people process their feelings about stressors in their lives in a calm environment, the pages are designed to take a long time to color, thus giving the person more time to process. To start their practice, many people choose to purchase an adult coloring book. Some books contain inspirational messages, while others focus on a theme, such as animals or cities around the world. Others engage the imagination by creating worlds of their own, including “Lost Ocean,” “Magical Jungle,” “Secret Garden,” and “Enchanted Forest” by famed coloring book creator Johanna Basford. There are also many books that tie in to movies, TV shows and other forms of pop culture. Individual pages are also available on Google Images. In terms of adding the color itself, colored pencils are the most commonly used tool to get in-between the fine lines, but people are free to use whatever tools they prefer. A wide variety of adult coloring books are available for purchase through Amazon or major retailers. While any coloring book could technically serve, many are designed specifically with intricate designs too fine for a child’s hand that turn into masterpieces when filled in. Books with more intricate designs can be more conducive to concentration, which is an ideal step to being more mindful in the moment. In addition to the benefits of increased concentration and decreased stress, adult coloring books can offer creative freedom in a way that much of the world does not. Most books, especially those not based on a particular franchise, provide a completely blank slate. There are no rules that say leaves have to be green or armor has to be silver! Even the simple act of doing something “wrong” and not facing any real-world consequences can be very freeing.
How to make rainbow falafel By Aly Miller MyJewishLearning.com
2-3 Tbsp unbleached all-purpose flour or chickpea flour
Editor’s Note: The following recipe was inspired by the “rainbow foods” trend, in which vegetables are added to foods to add some nutritional bonus and a blast of color.
DIRECTIONS The night before you are going to make falafel, soak the dry chickpeas in a bowl with at least 3 inches of water covering them. When you are ready to start making the falafel, drain the chickpeas from the water and ensure they are very dry. Pat them dry with paper towel or dish towel to remove an excess water. To make the classic falafel: Place chickpeas, herbs, garlic and seasoning in a food process fitted with blade attachment. Pulse until they start to bind. To make the yellow falafel: Place chickpeas, parsley, garlic, spices and seasoning in a food process fitted with blade attachment. Pulse until they start to bind. To make the pink falafel: Place chickpeas, beets, cilantro, spices and seasoning in a food process fitted with blade attachment. Pulse until they start to bind. Allow falafel mixture(s) to sit in fridge 15 minutes. While falafel is sitting in fridge, heat vegetable oil in large pot or deep fryer on medium-high heat (around 350 degrees if using a thermometer). Form falafel into approximately tablespoon-sized balls. Balls should be roughly the same size so they cook evenly. Fry until golden all over, around 3-4 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel. If desired, sprinkle lightly with salt while still hot. Serve with pita bread, Israeli salad, pickles, tahini, fresh herbs or French fries if desired.
INGREDIENTS Vegetable oil for frying Pita bread for serving Israeli salad for serving Pickles for serving Tahini for serving For classical (green) falafel: 1 ½ cup dry chickpeas (soaked overnight) ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves ½ cup fresh cilantro leaves ½ cup fresh mint leaves ½ cup scallions, sliced (white and light green parts only) 2 tsp garlic, minced 2 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander For the yellow (turmeric) falafel: 1 1/2 cups garbanzo beans (soaked overnight in water) 1 small bunch fresh parsley 4 cloves garlic 1 tsp salt 2 tsp cumin 1 tsp dried turmeric 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper pinch cayenne pepper (optional) For the pink (beet) falafel: 1 ½ cups garbanzo beans (soaked overnight in water) 2 cups beets, chopped and microwaved for 8 min or steam till slightly cooked 2 tsp paprika 2 Tbsp cilantro finely chopped 2 garlic clove finely chopped
Someone you love lost interest?
Serious mental decline is not a normal part of aging. It could be something more: depression, confusion or memory loss.
Sacred Heart Hospital’s Older Adult Behavioral Medicine Center has programs that offer help and hope. Call 610-776-4620 or visit www.shh.org/behavioral-health
HEALTH & WELLNESS | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | JANUARY 2018 7