Westchester Family - August 2022 by Schneps Media Digital Editions

August 2022

WestchesterFamily.com

Back to School! • Keeping the Family Organized

Fall Education Guide

• Best Afterschool Programs and Activities

Family Care Matters

Lauren Smith Brody of The Fifth Trimester (@thefifthtrimester) shares on postpartum victories and the importance of paid family leave

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100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle, NY | 914.632.8836 I www.td.edu August 2022 | Westchester Family

contents

August 2022

WestchesterFamily.com

pg. 12

pg. 36 pg. 30

pg. 38

pg. 34

FEATURES 12 | Spotlight Marika Frumes shares on founding mysha and creating a community of mothers 24 | 10 Best After-School Programs and Activities A guide as you head back to school 28 | News What New York women need to know about Roe v. Wade 30 | Spaces The best co-working spaces in Westchester for working parents 34 | Cover- Lauren Brody Smith Founder of The Fifth Trimester on why family care matters

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

Stories & columns 6 | Editor’s Letter 8 | Mom Hacks Back-to-school organization tips that help get the family back on a regimented schedule 22 | Education Choosing a Hebrew school 38 | Mom Stories Our editor reflects on her daughter starting middle school — and how neither are ready for it

Family fun 36 | Calendar The best family-friendly events this month

Education 16 | Education Guide/Admission

on the Cover Photo: Michelle Rose | Michelle Rose Photo | michellerosephoto.com Makeup: Buffy Hernandez | buffysaintmarie.com Hair: Oren Lazanski, Shaggy Hair Studio, NYC Cover Story: Cris Pearlstein | crispearlstein.com Produced by: Donna Duarte Ladd

August 2022 | Westchester Family

Editor’s Note

NewYorkFamily.com

Nina Gallo Photography

August — Back to Now Whoah, where did summer go? Maybe it’s that during the height of the pandemic some of us came to appreciate the outdoors, but alas, here we are in Back to School Mode. And really, going BTS is the best. It can be the most opportune time to reset how we would like the school year (and our lives!) to look, such as working on Keeping the Family Organized (page 8). August is also the perfect time to find the Best After School programs or activities for the kids (hint, we got you covered on this— go to page 24). As summer winds down, many moms

(and parents) are preparing to head back to the workforce, work from home, or focus on being home with the kids. Editor-at-Large Cris Pearlstein chatted with the founder of The Fifth Trimester, advocate and all-around fantastic human Lauren Smith Brody (page 34) on postpartum victories, advice for moms returning to paid work and why paid family leave is so important—for everyone. So steal one of your kid’s markers and get ready to highlight (or screenshot) because this issue is full of all the tips for the family!

Publisher: Clifford Luster Executive Director: Donna Duarte-Ladd Associate Publisher: Erin Brof Advertising Director: Stacie Goldberg Deputy Editor: Jeannine Cintron Events Manager: Shara Levine Reporter: Barbara Russo Senior Adviser: Susan Weiss Partnership Managers: Lauren Alperin, Lauren Anchin, Joan Bergman, Mary Cassidy, Lori Falco Shelli Goldberg-Peck, Annene Guertin, LynnMarie Hanley, Lisa Herlihy, Janine Mulé, Cara Roteman, Nina Spiegelman, Gwen Tomaselli Marketing & Strategy Director: Rosalia Bobé Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Mykael Fields Marketing Assistant: Tilejah Gilead Art Director: Leah Mitch Web Developer: Sylvan Migdal Graphic Designers: Arthur Arutyunov, Connie Sulsenti Editor at large: Cris Pearlstein Editorial Contributors: Jana Beauchamp, Jaclyn Griffith, Mia Salas Editorial Interns: Fernanda Cabrera, Sara Frommell, Evelyn Hartman, Bella Kjellen, Campbell Schouten

Contact Information

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New York Family has been awarded the PMA Gold Award for Excellence in Website Design and the Silver Award for Excellence overall.

get in touch Share your feedback and ideas about family life in New York! Email us at editorial@newyorkfamily.com and tag us at #newyorkfamily

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New York Family is published monthly by Queens Family Media, LLC. Reproduction of New York Family Media in whole or part without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. ©2022 Queens Family Media, LLC

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MOM HACKS

Back �� ch��l Or�an�za�i�n Tips BY LAURA KINSELLA

othing says back to school like a laundry list of to-do’s, coupled with the excitement of getting your family back on a regimented schedule. To help ease the back-toschool transition, we’ve got you covered with sure-fire ways to get your family organized and out the door long before that first bell rings! 1. Organize a drop zone Implement kid-level hooks or baskets near your entryway for backpacks, jackets, shoes, and any other item that can come off their little bodies. This will keep your floors clear, while establishing independent routines so you aren’t left picking up the pieces of the after school tornado. This includes designating a spot for water bottles and lunch boxes (if not kept inside their bags), so you can easily

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

detect whether they’ve forgotten their lunch Tupperware before it starts growing another. 2. Address the papers and art work daily Kids come home with a lot of paperwork. And while it’s important to acknowledge their hard work, it’s equally as vital to keep the abundance in check. Clock a few minutes with your kids daily to empty their folders and bags. Finished worksheets or homework can be reviewed and recycled, and current work can go right to their desks or kitchen table for completion. Action papers like permission slips or math tests that need a signature can go to your processing zone or inbox so nothing important slips through the cracks. Special art work or sentimental items can either be displayed, placed in a bin (to evaluate midway or end of the year) or in a portfolio binder where your kids can flip through and

admire their art whenever they want. If you’re tech savvy, Artkive can digitize and organize your kids art by age and year, completely freeing you of the piles and guilt! 3. Prep a lunch box system Stash a bin in the fridge and pantry where you can portion out snack pouches of fruit, veggies, chips, crackers, etc. for the week. While the “main course” may be limited to a sandwich or some semblance of leftovers, kids can have full control over what fun snack they choose, as everything is (secretly) pre-approved by you! 4. Designate a homework station Whether you are purchasing new, or grabbing inventory from your home, create a one stop shop for all of the essentials like sharpened pencils, crayons, scissors, glue, etc. If your kids prefer to do their homework at the kitchen table, carve space in a nearby drawer or cabinet for items they’ll need to utilize or reference. If space is limited, a rolling rack can accommodate everything they need, and can be tucked out of sight at a moment’s notice for mealtime or company. 5. Get ready the night before With everyone having to get dressed and ready, mornings can get hectic fast! Prep as much as you can the night before, like aiding your kids in picking out their clothing, making sure their favorite shoes don’t have a

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mom Hacks

colossal knot to untie, and packing backpacks (with everything from backup clothes, to homework, to stuffed animals for show and tell.) Streamline your mornings with simple breakfast options that your kids can access themselves, and set specific limits with the electronics in advance to avoid arguments or meltdowns when it’s time to go! 6. Establish an after-school routine We all know what time our kids have to be at the bus stop or drop off, but what happens when everyone comes home? Maintaining an afterschool routine is key, so everyone knows their role without having to be told or questioned. Sketch out times to dedicate to homework, eating dinner, playtime, clean up, bath, and bedtime. The more kids feel aware and in control, the less they will resist, so plan a routine based on your families needs, and stick to it! 7. Keep (and reference) a family calendar If you’ve ever gotten your kids ready for school, only to realize it was “Clerical Day” (or another admin-type day off), then you

know how important keeping a calendar is. From birthday parties, to school events, to “dress like a pirate” day, there’s more to keep track of then our brains can handle. Whether you prefer paper or digital, keep a calendar accessible so you can easily plug in important events, deadlines, and to-do’s. This keeps everyone’s activities accounted for, and provides a glance of what’s to come so there are no surprises the night before, or even worse, the morning of!

Laura Kinsella is the founder of Urban OrgaNYze, a New York City based home organizing company dedicated to helping individuals and families declutter, streamline, and style their space. As a born and bred New Yorker, and mom to a growing toddler, she blends principles of organizing and minimalism to transform even the trickiest of NYC homes. She is a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO) and has been featured in A&E’s Hoarders, Apartment Therapy, & realtor.com to name a few. For tips and tricks, follow her on Instagram @urbanorganyze.

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Spotlight

Banding Together Marika Frumes shares on founding mysha and creating a community of mothers By Donna Duarte-LaDD

few years back- I met Community Builder Marika Frumes at a gathering where we were encouraged to visualize and share what we wanted for our future. Many women at this meet-up were at the start of their careers; most were not mothers. For me, it was a group out of my comfort zone, yet it was what I needed at the time, to recall what it felt like to be aspirational again. As many mothers can attest, dreaming can become lost in the fray of motherhood. The women were all super encouraging and now, fast forward, Marika and I are both in the parenting world and what we visualized for ourselves those years back came to fruition (really!). And we know- with dreams, goals, and aspirations, most understand that some growing pains may be part of the process. When Marika was in the throes of postpartum, she found that “the rosy, commercial experience of motherhood” didn’t reverberate with who she was. This is where mysha comes in. Founded by Marika, it is the mom group reimagined where a new mother is connected to an intimate community of modern moms and resources that support mothers in their parenting journey. I recently chatted with Marika on mysha and on how banding together a community of mothers came about. How did mysha come to fruition? Despite being a community builder and having many amazing women in my life, I felt quite isolated in my pregnancy experience. I craved a community of other like valued moms who where also going through similar changes. Pregnancy isn’t an on-demand experience and often, we aren’t going through it at the same time as our friends. I would go to workout classes geared towards pregnant women with the sole intention of connecting with other new moms, but everyone would

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

usually leave after the class ended. I didn’t have “my village” and took matters into my own hands to create one. The first mysha pod was born when I connected 20 women from my extended network virtually via WhatsApp. I facilitated the experience and set some ground rules to ensure the space provided value and little “noise.” Our pod became a place to share resources, information and support. Naturally, deep friendships were formed and word got out to other moms who wanted to join. I kept creating more pods as moms kept sharing their experiences — and new moms wanted to join. We made mysha “official,” and incorporated it last March. It has grown leaps and bounds since then.

How does the community work? After you apply, we start curating your pod by matching you with other moms who are also delivering the same month. We also consider other factors like where you live and your career when creating the pods. While waiting on your pod, you’ll gain immediate access to mysha’s vault of highimpact resources. We’ve personally vetted it all, so no need to spend hours researching. A month before your delivery date, we virtually connect and introduce you to 19 other moms in the same situation as you- say hello to your new BFFs. Each pod is moderated and curated to ensure the mysha experience is high on

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Spotlight

“We see ourselves as matchmakers for new moms, connecting them to the resources and the people that they most need during this vulnerable transition.”

engagement and value. We know each member intimately and help make strategic connections that will bring you value in your motherhood experience and beyond. The pod is your place to ask anything you need and get trusted answers to your questions from moms with similar values. What is the mission statement of mysha? Connection is at the core of the mysha experience. We believe that the right connection can change your life and we see ourselves as matchmakers for new moms, connecting them to the resources and the people that they most need during this vulnerable transition. We carry this ethos to our dinners, where each member is always invited to put out an ask… ensuring we get to know what we need and can support each other. How do you see mysha evolving? We’ve been really happy with the outcomes of our recently launched

neighborhood-specific supplement pods. Those intentions are to give our members an immediate network next door. Imagine texting “anyone out for a walk” and getting immediate location pings. It’s beautiful to see the community come alive IRL in all these neighborhood pods.

We’ll also continue launching supplement pods for unique member needs. Currently, we support solo moms and twin pods. Without a doubt, you can expect a lot more intimate meet-ups and IRL dinners all over the country.

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education Directory Special Advertising Supplement XXX Directory | Special|Advertising Supplement

A Child’s Dream 10 Mill Road, New Rochelle 914-633-4332 achildsdreamnursery.com A secure and structured environment where your child will enjoy socializing and interacting with other children while learning. The curriculum includes Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, and Developing Motor and Social Skills. Morning Sessions are from 9 am-11:30 am for 2 and 3-year-olds and 9 am-12 PM for 4-year-olds. There is also an afternoon session.

Ann and Andy Childcare 2170 Saw Mill River Road Elmsford, NY 914 592 3027 Annandandychildcare.com Each child is considered first as an individual and then as a member of the group. Regularly planned group activities meet the natural, physical, emotional, and cognitive needs of children at play. The staff is carefully trained to promote a positive environment and to keep a balanced routine that

does not stress or overstimulate children.

Ardsley Community Nursery School 21 American Legion Dr., Ardsley 914-693-4932 Acns.us The Ardsley Community Nursery School is proud of its caring staff and dynamic enrichment program. Creative and developmentally appropriate academic activities are based on weekly themes and geared toward recognizing the talents of each child.

The Cedar School 200 Pemberwick Road Greenwich, CT 06831 203- 808-5005 info@thecedarschool.org thecedarschool.org The Cedar School, located in Greenwich, CT, is a co-ed high school for bright students with mild-to-moderate languagebased learning differences. Cedar provides a rich academic setting with researched-based

support. The school’s multisensory approach allows students to pursue a rigorous curriculum while mastering the skills they need for college and beyond.

The Chapel School 172 White Plains Road Bronxville NY 10708 914-337-3202 info@thechapelschool.org thechapelschool.org Since 1947, The Chapel School (TCS) has engaged a diverse community of learners with challenging academics and personalized attention, encouraged explorers to take advantage of thriving extra-curricular activities, and empowered leaders to build character and serve others.

Christian Pre-School At Dobbs Ferry Lutheran Church 43 Ashford Avenue Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522 914-693-0026 dfchristianpreschool@yahoo. com facebook.com/ christianpreschooldfny

Christian Pre-School has been a unique and respected part of the Rivertowns for over four decades. We are a non-denominational Christian preschool for children 2-4 years of age. One of our primary goals for our students is that they develop the skills needed to succeed in kindergarten and beyond.

Early Childhood Center at Shames JCC on the Hudson 371 S. Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591 914-366-7898 info@shamesjcc.org shamesjcc.org/earlychildhood The Shames JCC follows an emergent curriculum and much of the day is spent outdoors. Every day children explore and discover, connect with senses, test theories, and think deeply. They feel it is essential that they make every effort to keep children in touch with the natural world and its beauty and mystery.

Do You Know a Child with Learning Disabilities? The John Cardinal O’Connor School helps children who learn differently thrive. The John Cardinal O’Connor School invites parents to learn about our affordable language-based academic curriculum for children in grades K-8 with learning disabilities, speech or language impairments or other health impairments. Our certified special-education teachers use multi-sensory teaching techniques and blended learning in small classes to help children thrive academically, spiritually, emotionally and socially in our supportive school community. JCOS is a Catholic elementary school that welcomes children of all faiths. Call the school at (914) 591-9330 or email admissions@johncardinaloconnorschool.org to make an appointment today!

Now welcoming Kindergarten and 1st Grade! 16

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

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FRENCH-AMERICAN SCHOOL OF NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AND BILINGUAL SCHOOL

No Knowledge of French Required

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education Directory Special Advertising Supplement XXX Directory | Special|Advertising Supplement

French-American School of New York Harbor Campus (Gr 9-12) 320 E Boston Post Rd. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 914-250-0401 Village Campus (Gr 4-8) 145 New Street. Mamaroneck, NY 10543 914-250-0401 Manor Campus (N-3) 111 Larchmont Avenue. Larchmont, NY 10538 914-250-0401 fasny.org The French-American School of New York (FASNY) offers the best in international and bilingual N-12 education for more than 740 students on three campuses in Mamaroneck and Larchmont, New York; no French required! FASNY nurtures creative, open-minded, critical thinkers to become lifelong learners motivated to lead, contribute and thrive in an ever-changing world.

German International School New York 50 Partridge Road, White Plains, NY 10605 admissions@gisny.org

914- 948-6513 GISNY.ORG For over 40 years, GISNY, an independent, bilingual Pre-K through Grade 12 college preparatory program, has cultivated students to develop into curious, analytical, and conscientious global citizens. GISNY is the only school in the tri-state area where graduates earn the NYS High School Diploma and the German International Abitur. No German is required for entering Pre-K or Kindergarten children.

Hudson Country Montessori School 340 Quaker Ridge Road New Rochelle, NY 10804 914-636-6202 info@hudsoncountry.org hudsoncountry.org This school promotes innate curiosity and a love of learning through its progressive Montessori pedagogy. HCMS also strives to help children grow into respectful, socially-adept and compassionate leaders. Private, co-educational school, toddlers (18 months) through 8th grade. Schedule a private

tour today!

John Cardinal O’Connor School 16 North Broadway, Irvington, NY 10533 914-591-9330 johncardinaloconnorschool.org JCOS is dedicated to providing the benefits of a faith-based education to children who learn differently. The school empowers children to thrive academically, spiritually, emotionally, and socially in their supportive school community. JCOS is dedicated to providing an affordable learning experience backed by a skilled teaching staff. Their commitment to students has made their private Catholic school one of the foremost in Westchester County

The Knox School 541 Long Beach Road, Saint James 631-686-1600 admissions@knoxschool.org knoxschool.org The Knox School is Long Island’s oldest established private school. An inclusive

environment provides students with a broad world perspective and a wide range of skills to prepare them for success after high school. A Knox education unlocks every student’s potential.

Liberty Montessori Schools 155 Beechmont Dr., New Rochelle 914-636-3461 631 W. Boston Post Road,Mamaroneck 914-777-1382 libertymontessorischools.com Programs up to Grade 3, a unique kindergarten enrichment curriculum with a special music program, a unique kindergarten enrichment curriculum that includes their special music program and the Challenger Program for advanced students. They also have special multilingual programs in Chinese, French, German, Spanish and Japanese.

Montessori School of Pelham Manor 1415 Pelhamdale Avenue, Bronx, New York

18 MONTHS - 8TH GRADE

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WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

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Open a world of opportunities for your child with a bilingual education that emphasizes the sciences at German International School New York, a Pre-K to grade 12 college preparatory program. Entering Pre-K or Kindergarten children are not required to speak or understand German and build the foundation of being bilingual by first grade. Join our Open House events and learn how we nurture independent thinkers and develop global citizens.

GISNY.ORG | admissions@gisny.org White Plains, NY 10605 | (914) 948-6513

Larchmont 914-630-2628 • New Rochelle 914-355-2068 • Rye Brook 914-481-4469

Email: info@thenurtury-montessori.com

August 2022 | Westchester Family

education Directory Special Advertising Supplement XXX Directory | Special|Advertising Supplement

914-738-1127 pelhammontessori@gmail. com A school where your child will get the personalized attention he or she needs to learn and grow at their own pace while at their school. The small class sizes make it easy for their instructors to find out how to best cater to your child’s unique learning needs. Developing confidence and a love of learning is the hallmark of Montessori education.

The Nurtury Montessori Schools 431 N. Ridge St., Rye Brook 2097 Palmer Ave., Larchmont 1144 North Ave., New Rochelle 1146 North Ave., New Rochelle 130 Flandreau Ave., New Rochelle 914- 632-6200 thenurtury-montessori.com The Nurtury is committed to promoting quality, full-time Montessori childcare for children ages six weeks to 6 years. The first six years of

FALL PROGRAM

Family Owned & Operated Since 1973 Experienced Teachers

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2170 Saw Mill River Rd, Elmsford, NY

A Child’s Dream, LLC. Where your child’s dreams are discovered Nursery & Pre-K 10 Mill Rd. New Rochelle, NY 10804 (914) 633-4332

Now Registering for 2023! Experienced Teachers and Staff Director: Tiffany Amaya

Curriculum includes: Language Arts, Social Studies, Math, Science, Developing Motor Skills, and Social Skills. Our goal is to create a secure and structured environment where your child enjoys socializing and interacting with other children while learning.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

life are when intelligence and personality are formed. We significantly understand this concept, and as a result, The Nurtury has set the standard for full-time Montessori childcare. Contact bbnanny@gmail. com for more information.

Thornton-Donovan School 100 Overlook Circle, New Rochelle 914-632-8836 td.edu Thornton-Donovan, a boutique-like K - 12 school in a bucolic-like setting, continues to offer education in the oldfashioned way. Its five homes, located on five acres, are all loaded with tech, and its small class size average of 10, makes it very much like home schooling. T-D is a K-12 120 year-old independent and international day school with a tuition of $25,000.00.

Whitby School 969 Lake Ave., Greenwich, CT 203-869-8464 whitbyschool.org Whitby is a co-educational

independent school that provides an education continuum for children 18 months through Grade 8 in the FairfieldWestchester area. Whitby offers a Montessori curriculum in the Whitby Montessori Children’s House and the highly-recognized International Baccalaureate (IB) program in Grades 1-8.

The Windward School 1275 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains - lower school 40 West Red Oak Lane, White Plains - Middle School 914 949 6968 212 E. 93rd St, NYC 212 222 8628 A coeducational, independent day school located in NYC and White Plains for children in grades 1-9 with languagebased learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Their mission is to remediate students’ dyslexia or language-based learning disabilities. Windward is committed to helping students achieve their full potential in preparation for a successful return to a mainstream educational environment.

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DIFFERENCE IS POWER EMPOWERING STUDENTS WITH LANGUAGE-BASED LEARNING DISABILITIES TO SUCCEED As an independent day school for children with dyslexia and language-based learning disabilities, we believe difference is power. Through highly trained educators and research-based strategies, we empower students in Grades 1-9 with the skills and conﬁdence to return to mainstream schools. Committed to making a Windward education accessible for all, we award more than $7.5 million annually in tuition assistance.

L EA R N M ORE AT T H E W IN DWA R DS CH OOL . ORG

WESTCHESTER LOWER SCHOOL 1275 Mamaroneck Avenue White Plains, NY 10605 (914) 949-6968

WESTCHESTER MIDDLE SCHOOL 40 West Red Oak Lane White Plains, NY 10604 (914) 949-6968

MANHATTAN LOWER & MIDDLE SCHOOLS 212 East 93rd Street New York, NY 10128 (212) 222-8628

August 2022 | Westchester Family

Education

Choosing a Hebrew School By Vered Ornstein

n New York City, the options for a Hebrew school program are seemingly endless. Factors such as cost, location, and level of religious observance all play a huge role in determining which Hebrew school is right for your family. It’s important to understand the purpose of a Hebrew school, as well as its known benefits, when scouting for Hebrew schools before the school year starts this fall. Hebrew School vs. Day School It is necessary to note the difference between Hebrew school and Jewish day school. Since the first Jewish people migrated to the United States, educational institutions were founded to provide religious families with full-time education, focusing mainly on biblical and Jewish historical study. As more people from Western and Central Europe moved to the U.S, some saw Jewish day schools as a detriment to assimilation into American culture. Thus, religious after-school and Sunday school programs for Jewish students began to emerge as alternatives to full-time Jewish day schools. Across the country, enrollment in traditional Jewish day schools is down, while enrollment in Hebrew schools and Jewish summer camps seem to be on the rise. Especially amidst rising costs of living and tuition, some families are opting out of private schools, choosing instead to enroll their children in the less costly after-school option. Though Hebrew school education is more limited in what it can teach when compared to full-time day school education, the curriculum integrates many aspects of Jewish religious and cultural learning into a short amount of time. Aspects of the curriculum are wide-ranging and vary from school to school but are often expected to cover Jewish history; Hebrew language comprehension; studying religious and holiday traditions and practices; exploring American Jewish relationships to Israel/ Palestine; and sharing different cultural experiences of Judaism. Preparation for a bar or bat mitzvah is a central focus of Hebrew schools, especially for middle school students.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

Hebrew Schools Today Today, Hebrew school classes are most often held twice a week, once on one weekday afternoon and once on Sunday morning. With the introduction of virtual learning due to COVID-19, many programs have shifted to a hybrid system offering either one or both days virtually rather than in-person. At some schools, Hebrew language classes are being administered one-on-one in person or over Zoom as opposed to in large groups of students. Typically, a child must have at least one parent who identifies as Jewish to be able to attend Hebrew school, but policies vary depending on the school community. While the traditional focus of a Hebrew school is gaining and enriching knowledge of Judaism, being a part of a Hebrew school community has been shown to have great benefits to children’s social and emotional wellbeing as well. A 2015 study submitted to The Jewish Education Project explored the implementation of new, experimental models of congregational Hebrew school teaching. For a period of six years, selected schools implemented alternative methods of Jewish education that included multigenerational learning, blended online classes, Saturday morning programs, and more. The results found that students and parents alike took

away not only educational benefits, but social ones as well. Parents felt their children were learning and grasping new concepts while at the same time building integral relationships to their Jewish community. In this sense, Hebrew schools are at the forefront of progressive and alternative learning models, built to accommodate individual and familial needs. Picking the Right Hebrew School for You Considering the following factors will help you choose the Hebrew school that meets the needs of your family: location, cost, type of learning, and religious observance. Most synagogues with significant membership offer some sort of Hebrew or Sunday school program, so researching Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) and synagogues near you is a good place to start. If finances pose a roadblock for enrolling in a Hebrew school, ask about sliding scale tuition and scholarships, as many programs try to accommodate people from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Especially in New York City, families of any level of religious observance have their pick of traditional or alternative learning environments to choose from, helping to enrich their children’s Jewish education and experience.

Hebrew Schools Directory | Special Advertising Supplement Temple Israel of New Rochelle 1000 Pinebrook Blvd. New Rochelle, NY 10804 914-235-1800, tinr.org Chavaya, the Religious School at Temple Israel in New Rochelle, is a fun, caring, and welcoming Jewish experience for children and families in Kindergarten-12th grade. Children have an engaging outlet to explore Judaism through spirituality, history, holidays, and values. At Temple Israel we live our Jewish values in our worship, celebration, lifelong learning and Tikkun Olam—the repair of the world.

Temple Israel Center 280 Old Mamaroneck Road White Plains, NY 10605 914- 948-2800 ext. 145 templeisraelcenter.org Shorashim at Temple Israel Center offers experiential Jewish education designed to foster exploration, personal relevance and tradition. Through content-rich learning, we apply best social/emotional learning practices and opportunities for meaningful engagement. We are an inclusive community, working closely with families

to accommodate the needs of every learner.

Temple Beth Abraham

Shorashim at Temple Israel Center 3-4 year olds through 6th grade

25 Leroy Avenue Tarrytown, NY 10591 914 631 1770, tba-ny.org At Temple Beth Abraham, there are classes and programming for Pre-K to 12th grade. At TBA, learners develop an understanding of our world through a Jewish lens and their own relationships with Judaism. TBA’s goal is for all learners to grow in their knowledge, pride, and love of Judaism.

Woodlands Community Temple 50 Worthington Road White Plains, NY 10607 914-592-1790, wct.org Through joyful, relevant, and innovative learning experiences, youth and families with diverse backgrounds and learning needs feel valued and connected as we celebrate Jewish living together. For more information, including registration, go to wct. org/hebrew-studies.html or contact Abby, our Director of Congregational Learning, at abby@wct.org.

Shorashim offers content-rich experiential Jewish education designed to foster exploration, personal relevance and tradition in an inclusive environment.

WE HAVE A PROMO THIS YEAR

Non-members whose child/children are attending their first year of Shorashim are eligible for a free year of TIC membership (July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023). https://www.templeisraelcenter.org/learn/shorashim-gesher-limmud/ For more information please contact Michelle Steinhart, Director of Learning and Inclusion at 914-948-2800 ext. 145 or m.steinhart@templeisraelcenter.org.

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REGISTRATION IS OPEN! •

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TO REGISTER:

HTTPS://TEMPLEBETHABRAHAM. SHULCLOUD.COM/REGISTER-RS

Temple Beth Abraham Tarrytown, NY 10591 914 631 1770

August 2022 | Westchester Family

Afterschool | Westchester Family Partners

10 Best Westchester’s

Afterschool Programs & Activities

arents know that finding an afterschool program can be challenging. It is all important. The activity portion, the hours, and most significantly, we want it to be an enriching experience for our kids. There are many reasons, some personal and others obvious (our workload, afterschool stimulation is beneficial for kids), that a parent chooses to place their child in an afterschool program. Thankfully, we live in New York where we have amazing resources. But let’s get uber-focus on Westchester. As you prepare for the upcoming school year, we have the 10 Best Activity and Afterschool programs standouts for you to choose from that not only will you be happy, but most notably, your child will!

Alliance Francaise 280 Dobbs Ferry Road - Suite 302, White Plains, NY 10607 914- 681-8735 afwestchesterny.org, facebook.com/AFWestchester

Central Park Dance 450 Central Ave., Scarsdale 914-723-2940 centralparkdance.com, facebook.com/centralparkdancestudio

Alliance Française of Westchester is the best place for children and teens to learn French in Westchester County. After-school classes are available all year round,and immersive camps provide a great opportunity for children to learn the language with native speakers during school breaks. Lessons are available in-person in AFW’s brand new offices. Children as young as 6 months old can be exposed to a bilingual environment through lessons designed specifically for little ones and their caregivers. Groups are always fairly small to give children more opportunities to practice their speaking skills. For families who cannot attend in-person lessons in White Plains or Mamaroneck, other flexible options are available either online or in-person. As bilingualism is proven to have a positive impact on the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills, French is a great option for children and teens who want to pursue an ambitious academic path in the future. Don’t worry; it doesn’t mean the language is challenging to learn! The key is starting early, participating in a rigorous program, and enjoying it. AFW’s well-trained and highly qualified teaching staff is uniquely positioned to meet those expectations.

Central Park Dance is Westchester’s multi-disciplinary training center committed to cultivating and training the 21stcentury dancer. Now in its 41st season, the studio offers something for every age, ability, and aspiration. For the tiniest dancers, enchanting beginning for children as young as two build a foundation and a love of movement, while more serious students participate in a wide variety of classes and intensive and immersive workshops throughout their training. The Signature and Remixx performing companies rooted in the jazz, contemporary and hip-hop disciplines offer regional performance opportunities. At the same time, the Ballet Academy sets dancers on a classical track of in-depth study. Central Park Dance also offers an extensive adult training program in multiple disciplines, offering chances to train up to seven days a week. All classes are taught by a faculty of the industry’s most celebrated and trusted teachers, who continue to raise the standards of dance education. Additionally, Central Park Dance presents an annual community-wide Nutcracker production each holiday season, company performances throughout the year and a school-wide recital season each Spring. Each school year is punctuated with summer camps and intensive programs for all ages, championing creativity, discipline, and movement exploration across all disciplines.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

Encore Center for Performing Arts 1 Byram Brook Road, Suite 103, Armonk, NY 10504 914-730-1122 info@encorecenterperformingarts.com encorecenterperformingarts.com

Welcome to Encore Center for Performing Arts, the performing arts center you will never want to leave. They offer classes for all ages, skill levels and styles in both dance and musical theatre with a flexible schedule of class days and times for everyone! Looking to do a bit more? They also offer dance competition teams & advanced programs giving the students the chance to take their training & technique further. Their Musical Theatre students get the chance to perform in mainstage productions and to take private voice and piano lessons. It does not end there; the studio offers birthday parties, dance camps and special studio events too! The teachers at Encore Center for Performing Arts have a vast range of experience across dance and performance styles. Their collective approach is to share their love of performing arts while being supportive and encouraging. They strive to create a safe and fun environment for students to foster their passion and thrill for the performing arts. They challenge students to reach their fullest potential and support them every step. Encore is a place students call home. Join them today!

Honest Art, Inc. 708 Saw Mill River Road, Ardsley, NY 10502 914.309.9334 Honestart.com

Treat your little one to something after school with Honest Art. Honest Art is among the Top 10 After School Program providers in Westchester, offering a variety of classes for toddlers and kids aged 18+ months. Simply drop them off as soon as the school bell rings, and the friendly Honest Art team will make sure their homework is completed and they can express their creativity until it’s time for dinner! The studio runs classes Monday-Friday (3pm6pm), with a guarantee to make the afternoons fly by. Kids will rotate into different classes to discover, from Painting and Sculpting to getting Fashion Design and Slime – there’s something for everyone. Honest Art recognizes the importance of education above all else, which is why the light and airy studio provides a quiet zone for students to complete their homework (up to 1 hour). In addition, an experienced tutor will be on-hand to provide support and guidance to the kids, followed by plenty of activities for them to jump into. The friendly, inviting environment makes Honest Art a unique space, with kids and parents returning for more. Pricing starts at just $249 a month; however, Unlimited Members get your first day for free.

Pine Brook Fitness 130 Rhodes Street, New Rochelle, NY 10801 914-636-1019 info@pinebrookfitness.com pinebrookfitness.com/kids-rock-climbing-and-tennis/

NinjaCats Warrior Obstacle Course Equalize Fitness and Wellness 1 Odell Plaza #190, Yonkers, NY 10701 914-751-8668 ncw_information@ninjacatswarriors.com ninjacatswarriors.com, facebook.com/ninjacatswarriors

Make fitness fun; the NINJA WARRIOR Obstacle Course training is a great way to get your child moving and build their confidence. In addition to the many fitness-related benefits, your child will be part of a caring and supportive community. Their dedicated team of coaches will provide your child with a group and individualized instruction as they begin to learn and practice on the course. The obstacles offer many challenges for all levels of ability. No experience is necessary. Powered by Equalize Fitness, the obstacle course is located on the Yonkers/Hastings border. Multiple age group classes are offered weekday afternoons and weekends for ages 3 to 14. For After School Classes for 2022/2023, Visit their website for additional information.

After-school programs at Pine Brook Fitness are an excellent way to learn, experience and get involved in tennis and rock climbing no matter your age or skill level. The Rock Club: Climbers will discover adventure as they scale the walls and learn climbing techniques while building confidence and self-esteem. They offer three different programs during the Fall and Spring season, each program being designed for a specific age and skill level to ensure they get the most out of the program. The New Rochelle Racquet Club: Seasoned players and beginners alike will experience, learn, and excel at the game in a supportive and encouraging environment. They offer two sets of programs; Junior Development and the Tournament Training Program. The Junior Development programs (red, orange, and green ball) works through a progression of smaller to larger courts and racquets while utilizing low pressure balls to improve control. Tournament training program is designed for more advanced players looking to advance their skills, strategies, and techniques in order to excel at the USTA junior circuit and high school and college level. August 2022 | Westchester Family

Afterschool | Westchester Family Partners

Play Group Theatre 1 N Broadway #111, White Plains, NY 10601 playgroup.org/programs 914-946-4433

Shames JCC on the Hudson 371 S. Broadway, Tarrytown, NY 10533 914-366-7898 shamesjcc.org/afterschool-at-the-j, almost@shamesjcc.org

If a fun-filled, non-competitive performing arts program providing actor training at the highest level while fostering friendships and building skills that last a lifetime sounds like a dream, meet The Play Group Theatre. Kids and teens collaborate in a uniquely nurturing yet creatively charged environment at The Play Group Theatre while immersing themselves in a diverse array of performance arts. Choose from PGT’s award-winning MainStage program, which produces a broad range of plays and musicals for all ages during the year; TheatreLab, offering multi-discipline theatre classes for ages 7-16; Design/Tech, for students who wish to study Technical Theatre and Design; Improv and Sketch Comedy, for those who want to be part of a comedy troupe; Community Cabaret, which allows students to bring their love of music out into the local community; Little Theatre, for ages 4-6, and more. All programs are housed in PGT’s vibrant, state-of-the-art performing arts complex with two fully equipped theatres and multiple rehearsal studios - and are taught by the professional PGT Teaching Artist Team. The Play Group Theatre prepares kids for every stage of life while giving them the tools to succeed on stage today!

Everything you need after school is at the J. The Shames JCC on the Hudson, in the heart of the Rivertowns, offers varied, flexible options to meet every family’s unique needs and every child’s passion. Their quality, robust extracurricular programs for school-aged children are taught by specialized and experienced local partners. Options include soccer, visual arts, basketball, gymnastics, STEAM, robotics, coding, dance, music, swim lessons (private and group lessons), competitive swim team (in the Westchester/Fairfield League), karate, performing arts, youth fitness, and more. New this year, JCC members in the Tarrytown/Sleepy Hollow and Irvington school districts have the option to add on to any extracurricular bussing directly from school and childcare through 6 pm through their new Club J program. Families can choose any number of days to participate in Club J. For families in need of a full week’s worth of care, look no further than their Almost Home afterschool program, which provides childcare Monday–Friday that includes socialization, homework help and a weekly enrichment. Almost Home + is available for children with special needs or who require additional support.

Steffi Nossen School of Dance 216 Central Ave., White Plains 914-328-1900 steffinossen.org, info@steffinossen.org

Studio B Dance Center 277 White Plains Rd, Eastchester, NY 10709 914-793-2799 studioboffice@aol.com Studiobdance.com facebook.com/StudioBDanceCenterWestchester

Steffi Nossen School of Dance esteemed dance educators share their joy of dance and its inherent discipline with pre-professional and recreational students. Equal encouragement and enthusiasm stem from the school’s philosophy that dance education is not only about steps; it enriches the mind, body, and soul. The excellence of its programs was recognized by receiving the 2022ArtsWestchester Education Award. Founded in 1937 by dance legend Steffi Nossen, the School offers quality, developmentally appropriate dance instruction and performance opportunities for toddlers -pre-professionals. An Adaptive Dance Program is tailored so all can successfully benefit. Choose from Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Creative Movement, Tap, Hip Hop, Adaptive Dance, Kids Yoga and Theater Dance. A free Parkinson’s class is a joyful, beneficial hour with Mark Morris Dance for PD-trained instructor. The diverse offerings reflect a philosophy that dance is universal; a supportive environment and educationally sound, and the sequential curriculum fosters technical and artistic growth through exploration. The faculty nurtures creativity and emphasizes technique and proper body alignment while focusing on a culturally responsive curriculum promoting diversity and inclusivity. Students are exposed to a complete performance experience, including participation in all aspects of bringing a new piece to life: choreography creation, costuming and staging.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

One of the healthiest activities you can enroll your child in is dance, and one of the best places to develop your child’s physical, mental and emotional well-being is Studio B Dance Center. Dancing is both a team and individual activity that helps children build confidence, make friends, and learn to express themselves, all while developing a positive body image and a strong mind. Studio B is the only studio in Westchester that is YPAD certified with employee background checks, CPR certification, and additional training for staff that no other studio in Westchester provides. The studio offers fun, engaging classes for boys and girls ages 2 and up- taught by experienced, nurturing professionals with college degrees. Dancers as young as six can join non-competitive companies and their award-winning competition team. Older dancers are invited to join the Studio’s National Honor Society of Dance Arts chapter, assistant teacher and mentor program, and a weekly leadership team to empower their dancers to grow into strong, positive leaders in their schools and communities. Voted as a top 5 favorite by Westchester families, their motto is “We don’t teach kids to make great dancers; we teach dance to make great kids.”

Children and Teen Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course

Call to schedule a trial class.

Fall Semester 2022 Registration is Open and Ongoing Classes begin September 10th

August 2022 | Westchester Family

News

Roe v. Wade ReveRsal What NY women need to know By BarBara russo and donna duarte-Ladd

Note from the Editors: The news of Roe v. Wade being reversed has caused a Tsunami of emotions for people worldwide. We know this is a very contentious issue where both sides feel passionate about their view on abortion. Our job is to cover how this will affect women, especially New York women – we will continue to share and post on this issue.

hile the Roe v. Wade leak of a possible overturned was a story in itself, it gave lawmakers here in New York an opportunity to prepare for the likely hood, now a reality of it being reversed. Governor Hochul announced a $35 million fund to help reproductive health clinics in New York for the surge of out-of-state patients that will now head to our state for abortions. Women should know that New York has long been a proponent of the right to choose — this state legalized abortion in 1970— this was before Roe vs Wade. While many states are making no exceptions for cases of rape and incest, what do women in New York need to know about this highly controversial decision? The overturn of Roe v. Wade takes away a woman’s right to abortion from the federal government and gives it to the states to decide. Since the U.S. Supreme Court (on June 24th) overturned the decision and as of July 16th, 44 U.S. states now prohibit some abortions after a certain point in pregnancy. Of those states, seven ban abortion with very limited exceptions, and three states ban abortion at six weeks. New York, where approximately 110,360 abortions were obtained in 2020, is not one of these states. New York is considered a “protected” state, meaning it has strong abortion protections—with restrictions—in place. New York’s current abortion policy includes: • New York women are protected for up to 24 weeks. After 24 weeks this is considered special circumstances. The determination of this special circumstance is not made by the state, it is made by a woman’s medical provider.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

• State Medicaid funds cover abortion • Private health insurance plans are required to cover abortion • Qualified health care professionals, not solely physicians, can provide abortions • Protections for patients and abortion clinic staff Can women come from out of state to New York for an abortion? Yes. And if you wish to support a woman in any way while she is here to have an abortion, you, the doctor, and the facility -are also safe by New York State Laws that were passed in anticipation of Roe vs Wade being overturned. But since there is no longer constitutional protection for abortion rights, state laws can change at any time. For now, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has made it clear that New York abortion access will continue within the state, and American women can come here to safely receive abortion services. The governor has stated. “The Supreme Court has dealt a crushing blow to all who value the ability to make decisions about their own bodies. Let me be clear: the Supreme Court has failed us, but New York State will not.

Our Abortion Access Always campaign builds on efforts to ensure that everyone knows that abortions remain safe, legal, and accessible here. As long as I am Governor, this state will protect you.” While this is good news for women in need of abortion for health, economic and other reasons, Nadia Lopez, founder of Mott Hall Bridges Academy, a STEAM-focused middle school in Brooklyn, is concerned about possible changes in the future. “As we have seen with the Justices, who under oath swore they would respect the precedence that Roe v. Wade presents and would uphold its ruling, should we get a governor with governs based on their personal ideology and not based on a woman’s freedom, there will be individuals whose lives that could be in danger, there will be forced pregnancies, and more tragic is our girls will grow up denied a right that was taken away by conservatives who have abused their power and set this country back 50 years,” Lopez said. Meanwhile, in response to the overturn, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York (PPGNY) increased abortion appointment

availability at all 23 health centers by 20%. “Banning abortion does not take away people’s need to access abortion. We believe all people — no matter where they live — should have the right to control their own bodies, lives and futures,” JoyD. Calloway, interim president and CEO of PPGNY, said. “It is unacceptable that people in some states have been robbed of that right, forced to overcome unjust barriers to access the abortion care they need and deserve. What Medical Experts Say While all states seem to provide protections for the mother’s life, there’s a lot of gray area here. Sometimes, even lawyers have to be involved to provide the necessary clearance for an abortion where the fetus isn’t viable and the mother’s life is in immediate danger—as in the case of ectopic pregnancies. Many legal and medical experts are concerned that anti-abortion legislation language may be vague enough that healthcare professionals may delay care for women with these types of pregnancies.

“The message is clear— politicians can interfere in medical decisionmaking and put women’s lives at risk.” Rebekah Diamond, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia University, is a doctor concerned about political restrictions being inserted into decisions about maternal and pediatric health. Seasoned and evidence-based medical providers, including obstetric and pediatric doctors who are experts in maternal, infant and child health, staunchly affirm the right for individuals to make medical decisions about their body in concert with their own doctor, Diamond explained. “It’s unclear exactly how this will affect care in New York State. New York isn’t

one of the states where abortion access is immediately threatened,” Diamond said. “But the fact that legislators are legally able to insert politics into medical decisions is a devastating precedent. It may not be right now, and it may not be what we typically view under the lens of “abortion access” right now, but the message is clear— politicians can interfere in medical decision-making and put women’s lives at risk.” Andrea Ippolito, a maternal health expert and CEO of SimpliFed, underscores Diamond’s sentiments. “In NYS, we are thankfully not affected yet, but no doubt about it that this will increase maternal mortality in this nation,” Ippolito said. “Abortion is healthcare. Decisions about healthcare should be made by a patient and their clinicians. Those that will be most affected by this decision cannot afford to come up with alternatives to protect their health and safety. Maternal health is already broken in this country and this, unfortunately, will only fuel the maternal mortality crisis plaguing this nation and further increase disparities.”

Soccer, Visual Arts, Basketball, Gymnastics, STEAM, Dance

Your Child’s Passions

And Everything You Need is After School at the J!

Music, Swim, Karate, Performing Arts, Youth Fitness, and More! 371 S Broadway Tarrytown, NY shamesjcc.org As featured in Westchester Family’s “Ten Best Afterschool Programs”! August 2022 | Westchester Family

The Best Coworking Spaces for working parents in Westchester

By Serena Norr

Day Base (Harrison)

Opening next week, Day Base is a hybrid work company that currently has offices Hoboken and Westfield, New Jersey and now in Harrison. Through this network of work stations, Day Base offers flexibility for the modern worker with day passes and regular office space. With the location opening next week in Harrison, you can get a basic, flex, or plus founding membership. Amenities include an on-site concierge, complimentary coffee & tea, free WiFi, use of office supplies, flexible work spaces, external monitors, and more. Rooms are modern and open to a variety of work environments with focus rooms, workstations, open huddles, and meeting rooms.

hese days, parents have many different working roles. Ranging from freelancers to entrepreneurs to part-timer workers to hybrid workers to remote workers and more. These multi-layered roles have created a better “balance” between work and home life; however it can still be tricky to carve out a space that’s all your own, especially with toddlers making cameo appearances on Zoom calls! On top of that, you simply might not have a dedicated area to work where shuffling from coffeeshop to coffeeshop, trying to find the best WiFi might not work for you. Enter coworking spaces in Westchester. This flexible option not only gives you the space you need to work, they also offer a way for you to connect with other parents, network, host meetings, and give you an excuse to leave the house. Check out list of some of the best coworking spaces in Westchester that will give you the space you need in no time.

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

WorkHouse Bedford (Bedford) 2 Depot Plaza, Bedford Hills, NY 10507 212- 257-4477

Located in Midtown and Bedford, WorkHouse offers coworking memberships, private offices,

and private suites. Through their coworking packages, you have access to their work lounge 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as WiFi, discounts for day passes for other team members or friends, access to meeting rooms (in Bedford and NYC), and event invites. Each coworking space has built-in furniture, storage, white boards, event spaces, an on-site kitchen, access to conference rooms, access to common rooms, and more. Yellow Studio Yellow Monkey Village 792 Route 35, 2nd Floor Cross River, NY 10518 914-704-3215

One of the newest coworking spaces, Yellow Studio is a community for women. This space also has an art gallery, a residency program, a shared workspace, events and workshops, offering creative women a way to connect, learn, and find joy. Their coworking membership includes a social membership, shared

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coworking spaces

floating desks or communal tables, and a shared dedicated desk as well as full-day and half-day passes for the ultimate options in flexibility. Yellow Studio also hosts monthly networking and community events and exhibitions as a way to showcase your art/ work and connect with other local women.

throughout the year to connect and network with other members. Additionally, you can use their space to book your own event, musical performance, workshop and more, which supports up to 45 people. The Aligned Center (Irvington) 1 Bridge Street, Suite 64 Irvington, NY 10533

HudCo (Dobbs Ferry) 145 Palisade Street, Suite 200 Dobbs Ferry, New York 10522 914-479-0011

Located in an historic building overlooking the Hudson River, HudCo is a hub for freelancers, entrepreurs, small businesses, and creatives to come together and work. Membership comes with many perks such as discounts, mail services, free fitness classes, member meet-ups, business development workshops, and entertainment and classes for your kids on the weekend. In the past this has included cooking, crafts, dancing, and storytime. Membership ranges from communal seating to options to have your own private office. They even have a family plan where you and your partner can join to share access to the space. Through membership, you will also have all of the office perks you need such as WiFi, access to an on-site community manager, lockers, a kitchen, privacy for nursing moms, quiet space, a bookable office space, rooms for private calls, and more! Serendipity Labs (Rye and White Plains) 44 South Broadway, 1st Floor White Plains, New York 10601 914-222-8511

This coworking company is quickly growing where you can find two locations in Westchester. Both offer dedicated coworking spaces and drop-in options for flexible office space options. Membership includes secure entry 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, WiFi, complimentary coffee, modern furnishings including a desk with ergonomic task chair, a mailing address, and access to their Worklounges, Lab Café, Focus Rooms, Wellness Rooms, and Retreats, and much more. Dedicated workspace options range from one desk to a team room that can accomodate 3+ people, drop-in plans if you need space every now and again. Speak Easy 10562 (Ossining) 127 Main Street, Ossining, NY, 10562

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

HudCo

Speak Easy

914-800-9229

A create workspace, Speak Easy 10562 offers “hot desks” for daily working and zoomrooms for work from home needs. To work at Speak Easy, all prospective members have to take a tour and go through a membership process. Members then book their coworking space through an app where they can access a “hot desk” membership for a month or five visits. They also have a designated desk membership, pricing for access to a conference room, a virtual membership, and private offices. Membership includes free printing and scanning, WiFi, complimentary snacks, tea, and seltzer, community, and more. The Idea Kitchen (Larchmont) 1940 Palmer Avenue Larchmont, NY 10538 914-246-2783

Located steps away from the Larchmont train station, The Idea Kitchen offers single desks, dedicated spaces for teams, and other seating options. This includes memberships for virtual usage, day passes, and long-term memberships. Membership perks include WiFi, complimentary coffee and tea, snacks, printing, access to phone booths for calls, ergonomic workstations, access to conference rooms, and more. They also have events

With beautiful views of the Hudson River, The Aligned Center only offers private offices with a glass wall which can be covered by sliding wooden doors for privacy. Membership also includes access to their waterfront suite with outdoor deck, a video conference room, and a dedicated meditation space where you can start your day or use it for breaks throughout the day. Additionally, you will be working and connected with a community of “positive, conscious, and inspiring individuals,” which aligns with their mission.

Westchester Business Center (Chappaqua and White Plains) 480 Bedford Road, Chappaqua, NY 914-304-4000 75 S. Broadway, 4th fl, White Plains, NY 914-304-4000

Located in Chappaqua and White Plains, the Westchester Business Center offers workspaces with flexible terms on office space and virtual services. Plans include access to conference rooms, high speed internet, mail services, event spaces, and more. You will also have access 24 hours a day, seven days a week, access to printers and scanners, an onsite receptionist, cleaning services, a stocked pantry, and more. This coworking space is home to many therapists, counselors, legal professionals, financial professionals, insurance brokers, agents, real estate sales teams, and recruiters. KOI Creative Space (White Plains) 44 Mamaroneck Ave, White Plains, NY 914-428-3195

Located in Downtown White Plains, KOI Creative Space offers flexible coworking plans, ranging from daily desks to a fully furnished suite. All plans include WiFi, complimentary coffee, access to conference rooms, mail services, a kitchen, and more. They also have a podcast studio where you can record and/or record and edit and episode, or work with one of their podcast consultants.

DEVELOPING POTENTIAL, ENRICHING LIVES AND CREATING COMMUNITY SINCE 1944

Our comprehensive K–12 curriculum for ages 4 through 18 combines six elements of music instruction into one comprehensive package: private lessons, musicianship classes, ensembles, performance opportunities, accompaniment service, and regular progress reports.

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August 2022 | Westchester Family

Family (Care) Matters

Founder of The Fifth Trimester, Lauren Smith Brody, chats postpartum victories, her unique advice for going back to work, and how paid family leave actually benefits us all

By Cris Pearlstein

“S

he was my coach when I returned from maternity leave,” the DM read. “She’s the best!” I had just posted a photo of Lauren Smith Brody and myself from our Zoom meeting where I interviewed her for this cover story—and the responses came fast. See, Lauren’s company, The Fifth Trimester, has quite a loyal following on Instagram. Since her book of the same name was released in 2017, she has tapped into this section of #momlife that not a lot of people were paying much attention to: the return from maternity leave. The company’s homepage says it best, “The first three trimesters are pregnancy. The fourth is the newborn haze. But The Fifth Trimester? It’s when the working mom is born.” But this response in my DM’s caught my eye because it wasn’t from any of the mutual connections I knew Lauren and I shared. Those responses I was expecting. Instead, it was from a high school acquaintance who I hadn’t spoken to in many years. The law firm where she worked was offering Lauren’s coaching services to its new parents and, despite it being her second child and “not my first rodeo”, she decided to take the opportunity and schedule a call. I have to admit I was floored when I read her email detailing how the coaching sessions helped her to find her footing after maternity leave, left her with valuable takeaways, and “provided a sounding board” for how to succeed both at work and at home. I’ve always heard of companies offering services like this, but never knew anyone who actually benefited from them. At that moment I knew Lauren’s work was making a true impact in the lives of real moms in the workforce. And when my acquaintance said she would “wholeheartedly recommend” Lauren’s coaching services to “anyone and everyone”, I also knew she had hit on something I bet so many of us didn’t even know we needed. Because we didn’t even know it existed. Be-

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

cause new parents, especially new moms, are so used to having little to no help that they think it’s normal. Well, if I’ve learned one thing from this assignment it’s that moms—and dads, and caregivers, and anyone whose job it is to take care of someone other than themselves—deserve more than what’s been considered normal up to this point. Keep reading to hear how Lauren is trying to affect change from the inside, the amazing group of women working alongside her, and why offering paid family leave benefits every single one of us. CP: Tell me about your maternity leave journey. LSB: As an editor at Glamour it seemed like I was set up to have the perfect entry into working motherhood, and yet it was devastatingly hard. I just didn’t know how tiny and needy newborns were, and how little they could give back to you in the beginning. And so I had postpartum anxiety during my maternity leave. I was just starting to come out of it when it was time to go back to work, so it was an enormous struggle—even from the privilege of, at that point, being an executive. I felt competent at my job and yet coming back after having my first son, Will, felt like my first day at my first internship when I was 17 years old. It was terrible. What I didn’t understand at the time was that it wasn’t my fault. I think like a lot of new moms I internalized a lot of guilt. Now I completely reject mom guilt, because what I didn’t realize then was that the systems weren’t set up to support me. I knew I had this amazing husband, fancy job, healthy, fairly easy baby, but couldn’t understand why this was still so hard. It must be something that was wrong with me. What I didn’t know then was that all of the studies that I’ve since researched show you need six months of paid leave. That’s the minimum amount to be protective of mom’s mental health, mom’s physical health, baby’s physical

health, partner’s bond with the baby, and your ability to maintain your income. So I struggled through it. CP: Tell me about when you came up with the idea of The Fifth Trimester. LSB: I was a very open and honest manager. I admitted I was slurring my words because I didn’t sleep the night before, which sometimes felt like a radical act. There was a specific moment when I was back from maternity leave when a coworker came into my office with a problem. I fixed it and she was so grateful and told me how much she missed me. I thanked her, but confessed I didn’t always feel like I was succeeding in those days. She said, “No one has shown me what it’s actually like…that it’s hard and yet you can still be good at your job, and it’s worth it.” Motherhood was far in her future, she was in her 20’s with a boyfriend, but she said everyone else was hiding it. She thanked me for showing her that it’s hard but that she can maybe do it one day, too. That was a huge eureka moment for me. As a manager what I had thought was a failure, was not. What I had done was shown this woman, and maybe even some of my other colleagues, that they had longevity in this career and they would be able to do it even if it was hard. That planted a seed. Then I had my second son, Teddy, and a second challenging return. I had read Harvey Karp’s book “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” and his idea of the fourth trimester really rang true to me. It’s this idea that humans are born three months premature compared to other mammals. That’s why the fawn is born walking, but humans don’t really wake up until week 12, which is why he advises all of the shushing, the swaddling, and all the things to recreate the feeling of the womb—and it was all working on my baby. His advice is “mama, just get to 12 weeks,” and I thought ugh that’s when I have to go back to work. At that time I had a good maternity leave compared to most

having some of the most challenging, yet most interesting work of his life while I’m sitting here in my pajamas watching my income fall, watching my kids become somewhat feral, just trying to make everything ok. I knew I had the best of everything in my favor, but I will tell you I was freaking the fuck out. I tried to buy a liferaft. I bought powdered eggs. Within a month I figured out, as we were starting to hear about what was happening with women in the workforce, how inequitable the division of labor was in the homes. I realized it was nobody’s fault. I realized people came into their relationships in a progressive manner, but look at me. My husband was the one with health insurance and he was doing work that had to be done outside the home, so it all fell on me. I became a little more empathetic to couples who were operating in a system that forced them to divide along those lines.

Photo by Michelle Rose/Michelle Rose Photo

women, and I knew it even then, so that was hard to swallow, and it made me realize that there’s actually a whole fifth trimester. I started to think of it as a developmental phase, as a transition to get through. It helped me to find meaning in my work because at that point the actual tasks of my job weren’t exciting to me anymore, but being able to teach and mentor other people started to have a lot more meaning to me. After I left Glamour a year of meetings gave me the foundation I needed to be able to say, “I’m starting a business”.

At that point The Fifth Trimester was me doing a lot of speaking engagements, I was doing some consulting, helping businesses doing a better job of retaining women and moms, and making the economic case. I learned pretty quickly I couldn’t just say, “It’s the right thing to do,” I had to give them the ROI. I knew it would have a ripple effect, but I was seen as “the new mom person.” And then the pandemic hit and every single speaking engagement I had for the year fell off my spreadsheet. My kids were home andmy husband was gone 15 hours a day because he works in a hospital as a doctor. He’s

CP: What advice do you have for moms who are gearing up to go back to paid work after having a baby? LSB: The advice I would give to anyone is to know their impact. Know that for everything they are a little more transparent about, every negotiation they engage in, everything they do that sort of stretches their boundaries a little bit in terms of their comfort and ability to protect their income, is not just for them and their family. Very often the first time women negotiate for something really important at work is in their fifth trimester and they’re doing it with the highest stakes possible: the health, wellness, and safety of their families. That comes with a lot of pressure and one way to diffuse that pressure is to know that it’s not just for you, you’re not being selfish. It is for your colleagues who for one reason or another may be marginalized in a way that you’re not, and may not be able to speak as loudly or directly as you’re able to. So whatever bit of privilege you may have, use it to ask for the thing you need knowing it’s also for your colleagues who also have caregiving needs. When mothers go back to paid work, people like to say they are more efficient. But actually they’re better at saying no. I believe they are better at giving more meaningful yesses because by the time they agree, they've already had to do so much mental math to make it work that it is a very committed and real yes. It’s a lot of reframing. This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. To read the story in its entirety visit newyorkfamily.com August 2022 | Westchester Family

calendar By Shara Levine

WANT TO GO?: 914-963-4550, hrm.org.

Yonkers Waterfront Live Summer Concert Series

Art Class for Children: Back to School

WHEN: June 3- Aug. 26, Fridays, 6:30-8pm WHERE: Yonkers Waterfront Amphitheater, 71 Water Grant Street, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Take in the sounds of the city with the waterfront as the backdrop. WANT TO GO?: eventbrite.com

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 12:302 pm WHERE: The Westchester, 125 Westchester Ave., Savor Food Hall located on Retail Level 4. White Plains AGES: 3-12 WHAT: The Westchester host a free-themed art class for children. This month, create something inspired by starting the new school year. WANT TO GO?: 914-683-8600, simon.com.

Summer Fest 2022 WHEN: June 22- Aug. 13 WHERE: Cross County Center, 8000 Mall Walk, Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Bring the family out for FREE outdoor concerts, food trucks, Zumba classes and kid’s rock and roll shows presented by NYC’s Rock & Roll Playhouse. WANT TO GO?: 914-968-9570, crosscountycenter.com.

Movie Night WHEN: July 11- Aug. 29, Mondays, 7 pm activities. Movies begin at sunset. WHERE: Ridge Hill, 1 Ridge Hill Blvd., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: Spend your Monday evenings participating in family-friendly activities and catching a movie under the stars. WANT TO GO?: 914-207-2900, ridgehill.com.

Cultural Heritage Celebration: India WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 7, 12-6pm WHERE: Kenisco Dam Plaza, 1 Bronx River Parkway, Valhalla AGES: All WHAT: Experience an exciting display of Indian culture featuring music, entertainment, crafts, and food vendors. WANT TO GO?: 914-995-2000. https://parks.westchestergov.

Sheep Meet and Greet at the Jacob Burns Film Center on Aug. 13. com/heritage-festivals.

Make a Sunprint! WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 7, 1-2:30 pm WHERE: Pelham Art Center - Courtyard, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham AGES: 5 and older WHAT: Harness the sun and use plants, florals, leaves and other objects to create something special. WANT TO GO?: $40; $36 Members. 914-738-2525, pelhamartcenter.org.

South Salem Fire Department Annual Carnival & Parade WHEN: Aug. 10-13, Wednesday-Friday, 6-10 pm; Saturday, 5-10 pm WHERE: South Salem Fire Department, 1190 Route 35, South Salem AGES: All WHAT: This annual event is back with rides, games, food, prizes, and more! Be there to kick off this 4-day event with a parade down Route 35. WANT TO GO?: $30 wristbands per person for

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

unlimited rides. 914-763-3706, southsalemfire.com.

SHEEP Meet and Greet WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 9-11 am WHERE: Jacob Burns Film Center, 405 Manville Rd., Pleasantville AGES: All WHAT: Meet real sheep before seeing the Shaun the Sheep Movie and learn about the important role they play in keeping the Rockefeller State Park Preserve pastures beautiful. WANT TO GO?: 914-747-5555, burnsfilmcenter.org.

Getting to Know You: Mind Reading Under the Stars (Amphitheater 2022) WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 13, 8pm WHERE: Hudson River Museum, 511 Warburton Ave., Yonkers AGES: All WHAT: See The Brooklyn Wizard, Andy Gershenzon, shock and amaze with his mind-reading abilities.

Nature Under a Microscope WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 14, 1-2:30 pm WHERE: Rockefeller State Park Preserve, 125 Phelps Way, Pleasantville AGES: 5-12 WHAT: Observe leaves and insects under a microscope, as well as rocks, flower petals, feathers, and more. Ages 6 and older.? WANT TO GO?: $3, eventbrite. com.

Creative Community Fridays: Artful Families WHEN: Friday, Aug. 19, 10:3011:30 am WHERE: Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay Street Route 22, Katonah AGES: 2-5 WHAT: Spark the imagination of your child with Museum games, story time, and artmaking activities related to current exhibitions. WANT TO GO?: Included with admission: $12; $6 for seniors 65 and older, guests with Special Needs, and students 13 and older; free for children younger than 12, Active Military and Veterans. 914-232-9555, katonahmuseum.org.

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info@gymcats.net • www.GymCats.net August 2022 | Westchester Family

mom stories

My Daughter is Starting Middle School and Neither of Us are Ready for It By Jeannine Cintron

y daughter and I have this little thing we have been doing for as long as I can remember. We blow a kiss to each other, then catch the other’s kiss in the air, tilt our heads, and hold it against our hearts while smiling big. It might sound a little cheesy to you, but it’s actually very sweet. It’s like our little silent signal to one another that says “I’m right here and I love you and I always will.” We have done it thousands of times – in crowded rooms, across school auditoriums, in the car while driving away. Sometimes she even texts the exchange to me in emojis (thank goodness for copy-andpaste simplifying the process of sending it back). Last week we were at Six Flags and we did it on a roller coaster! It’s very symbolic of our close relationship, and it’s very special to us both. I cannot picture a day where I will blow her a kiss that goes uncaught or unreturned. But that day might be coming sooner than I think. My little girl just graduated elementary school. While I’m still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I no longer have a child in elementary school (and one starting high school too, but that’s another story), she is about to reach a major milestone in her young life: Middle School. The middle school years are tough. I remember my own junior high experience in a good amount of painful detail. You’re struggling with your own identity while trying desperately to fit in. You’re in a new, bigger place, with new, bigger kids, and new, bigger problems. The teachers don’t want to hear about your recess drama and they certainly won’t be bending down to tie your shoes or letting missing homework assignments slide with a note from Mom. It’s a huge adjustment for a 10-11 year old. There is no other institution in their lives where they will enter and leave as two such completely different people. I don’t know about you, but I’d happily go back to any other time in my young life than those awkward middle school years. While many kids her age seem to be in a

WestchesterFamily.com | August 2022

rush to grow up, my daughter is still playing with fidget toys and watching cartoons and frequently off in her own little lala land of make believe. She’s still very innocent and at times even a little babyish for her age (which I am fine with – I already have one moody teenager and I’m in no rush to have another). I often see other kids her age growing up way too fast. I’m never one to judge, as every child grows at their own pace. But when I see other young girls her age dressed to appear older, going out on dates and making inappropriate TikTok videos, I feel some relief that our biggest fights are usually over her stealing my lotions to make slime. As the first day of school approaches, I am reminded that some of that sweetness, that seemingly angelic innocence, will soon begin to wear away and be replaced by preteen angst. It’s hard to picture in such a sweet kid but it’s literally science. In fact, I watched a Netflix documentary recently about the teenage brain that confirmed all the changes and difficulties she will soon be facing daily. Peer pressure, risk-taking, poor impulse control, to name a few. The combination of hormones and neuroscience pretty much guarantee that someday I will send an air-kiss her way that will go unreturned. If this would to happen- it would break my heart, admittedly. My baby won’t be a baby anymore! The thought is so depressing. What I have to remind myself is that she is still going to be MY baby. The middle

school years will be tricky but I’ll stay strong knowing my baby is still in there somewhere. Someday – maybe at her high school graduation, maybe at her college graduation, maybe not until her wedding day – she will return my kiss in a crowded room again. Or maybe I’ll get lucky and she will never stop in the first place.

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