Wellspring Issue #110

APRIL 2025 // NISSAN 5785 // ISSUE 110

Letting the Ego Go Permanent Eradication of Chametz

The Unheard Heart A Diabetic's Story of Silent Symptoms

More or Less: Juice We Give You the Full Squeeze

Cup of Tea Malka Arons, M.S. Ed On Forest Bathing and More

FOUR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ON PESACH FOUR QUESTIONS, YOUR ANSWERS

Rejection and Projection Vichna Belsky, BS, CLC Responds

US $9.99 // CALIFORNIA $12.50 CANADA $13.00 // UK £9.00 // ISRAEL ₪36.0

Kitchen Cures Simple Solutions for Supple Skin

HEALTH NEWS

Kids Kvetching Aside,

Nothing Beats Heimish!

When it comes to the strictest standards of Kashrus — especially on Pesach—there’s no room for compromise.

And should you reach beyond your own kitchen, know that Gefen is proud to uphold those same high standards.

ur family to your o m o s Fr

,‫א כשר'ן‬ !‫לוסטיגע פסח‬

2

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Heart.Works

‫בס״ד‬

For those with higher standards.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

3

HEALTH NEWS

4

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

5

HEALTH NEWS

The best nature has to offer

Harvested directly Re tions Suppor ts hormonal fu nc Supports energy & endurance

maca plan t

d n le B d o o F le o h W trient s. nu l ra tu na ch ri e es th th wi ze gi er charge & en

New spir ulina s wheat gr as s ba rley g r as chlor ella

new look sa met gr eat pr oduc

new look sa met gr eat pr oduc

maxihealth.com | 718.787.1235 | info@maxihealth.com

6

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Organic Barley Grass

These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any diseases.

from the earth.

Natural Plant Based

al bypr oducts of im an no th wi n he lic ed st ve ar -h om wild Vega n D3 is sust ainabl y sourced fr boos t s immu nity

New

New

an y kind.

Supports calcium absorption

New

New

D3 F o r bet t er

heal t h a nd

all

WELLSPRING MAGAZINE APRIL 2025 | NISSAN 5785

| ISSUE #110

68

THE UNHEARD HEART

By Mattie Steinberg She was educated on the subject, yet unaware of the silent storm in her heart. A lifelong diabetic, she knew the risks, yet missed the symptoms. She shares her experience—a story of Divine grace, as a cautionary tale for others.

62

CUP OF TEA WITH MALKA ARONS

By Devorah Levitz Malka Arons, M.S. Ed., introduces us to shinrin-yoku, a.k.a. forest bathing, an opportunity for our brain to sigh in relief as it steps away from the spotlight, and to simply be present with something that asks absolutely nothing of us.

Malka explains how in that quiet space, the brain finds peace and happiness.

90

MIND AND YOU Wellspring Staff Brain games aren't just fun; they're vital for brain health. Discover how, like hikers forging trails in a forest, these games build and strengthen neural pathways, in a process called neuroplasticity. This month, Wellspring introduces Futoshiki, a wonderful game that can, be’ezras Hashem, help stave off cognitive decline.

8

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

718.635.1673

‫שב ָכל‬ ְּ ‫ילות‬ ֹ ‫ַה ֵּל‬

‫חג כשר ושמח‬ On all other nights and all other days WE’RE HERE TO PROVIDE TRUSTED CARE.

779 East New York Ave. 718.260.4670

WELLSPRING MAGAZINE APRIL 2025 | NISSAN 5785

| ISSUE #110

WELL INFORMED 18 Springboard 24 Spiritual Eating 26 Torah Wellspring 32 Health News

LIVING WELL

WELLBEING

40 Feature

78

48 Cover Feature

82 Seasonal Stumpers

54 Sleep Smarts

84 Well Answered

56 More or Less

86 Marriage Secrets

58 Second Opinion

88 Wallet Wellness

60 Community

90 Mind and You

62 Fitness

EAT WELL

64 Cup of Tea

Editor In Chief Tziri Hershkovitz Deputy Editor Libby Silberman Feature Editors Vichna Belsky, Devorah Levitz Copy Editors Gitti Feldinger, Meira Lawrence

WELLSPRING MAGAZINE

FAREWELL

74 Gut Reaction

114 Holistic

Nutrition Contributors Tanya Rosen, MS CAI CPT, Shani Taub, CDC

Fitness Advisory Board Syma Kranz, PFC, Esther Fried, PFC Health Advisory Board Dr. Chayala Englard, Chaya Tilla Brachfeld, RN

70 Medical Saga

Health Advisory Board Dr. Rachael Schindler, Laura Shammah, MS, RDN, Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE, Bashy Halberstam, INHC, Shaindy Oberlander, INHC, Dr. Adina Mintz, PA-C Esti Asher, MS, RDN, LD

EDITORIAL

Editorial Contributors Rabbi Yehoshua Belsky LMSW, Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS, Rabbi Y.Y. Rubinstein, Baruch Niebloom, Rabbanit Orit Esther Riter

FOOD & CONTENT Food Editor Aviva Emek Recipe Creators Yossi & Malky Levine Food Styling Malky Levine

718-437-0761

Hakol Beseder

info@wellspringmagazine.com www.wellspringmagazine.com

ART & PRODUCTION Design Director Rivky Schwartz Illustrator Malkee Gluck Digital Media Director Rivkah Shanowitz

ADVERTISING 718-437-0761 ads@wellspringmagazine.com

SUBSCRIPTION 718-437-0761 subscribe@wellspringmagazine.com

DISTRIBUTION Weekly Publications INC. • 347-782-5588 670 Myrtle Ave. Suite 389, Brooklyn, NY 11205

The Wellspring Magazine is published monthly by Wellspring Magazine Inc. All rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part or in any form without prior written permission from the publisher is prohibited. The publisher reserves the right to edit all articles for clarity, space and editorial sensitivities. The Wellspring Magazine assumes no responsibility for the content or kashrus of advertisements in the publication, nor for the content of books that are referred to or excerpted herein. The contents of The Wellspring Magazine, such as text, graphics and other material (content) are intended for educational purposes only. The content is not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you have regarding your medical condition.

‫בס"ד‬

LIFE HAS NO

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

11

‫בס"ד‬ pivotgroup.nyc

12

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

13

DISCOVERING THE SWEETNESS WITHIN

HEALTH NEWS

your

Working from home.

Not every hero wears scrubs in a hospital hallway.

Some carry a medical bag up the stairs of a brownstone.

Some knock gently on the door of their neighbor’s apartment.

Some sit beside a child, listening, reassuring, comforting.

We step into your home.

And we don't take that lightly.

Care cares differently when it's personal.

14

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

New York City

Orange, Rockland, & Sullivan

718-218-3010

845-213-3700

Central Jersey

North Jersey

732-292-5665 201-771-1222 Info@theritecare.com • www.theritecare.com Servicing all over the tri-state area Sunday-Thursday 8am - 10pm Friday 8am - 4pm Motzai Shabbos From the Zman - 12am

‫בברכת חג פסח בריא ושמח‬

Quality urgent care–right to your home.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

15

MEDICAL SAGA

1-888-68-KETER KETER JUDAICA .COM

16

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

17

CENTER OF HEALTH. CENTER OF CARE.

Primary care Urgent Care Pediatric OBGYN Endocrinology Gastroenterology Optometry Cardiology Urology Nephrology Dermatology Podiatry Lyme Mental Health

‫חג כשר ושמח‬

18

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

WILLIAMSBURG

BORO PARK

445 Park Avenue | 718.963.0800 Between Kent & Franklin Avenues

4714 16th Avenue | 718.840.3535 Entrance on 48th St

KIRYAS YOEL

BENSONHURST

ParCare Rambam Forest Cor Strelisk | 845.783.1234

ParCare Quality First 6010 Bay Parkway | 718.475.1700

WOODBOURNE

MONTICELLO

SUMMER LOCATION

SUMMER LOCATION

ParCare Maimon 432 Rt 52 | 845.436.6666

ParCare Ichud 240 Forestburgh Rd | 718.500.0369

Pain Management Physical Therapy Healthy Lifestyle

EDITOR'S NOTE

often find our hishtadlus laced with a sense of resignation. Who knows how much longer until our efforts bear fruit?

Even though this wait is interminable, we must never lose our faith and never doubt our imminent redemption.

“Are you ready?”

The Yom Tov of Pesach seems to inspire the question more than any of the other important dates on our calendar. Considering that preparations like cooking, wardrobe shopping, ironing, and even general cleaning, are really not that different from other Yomim Tovim, what is it about Pesach that has us feeling so pressured?

I’ll put it to you that besides ridding our homes of chametz, the Yom Tov isn’t very different at all. Granted— ridding our homes of chametz can be quite the ordeal! Now imagine those areas in your home—where you don't cook food or eat meals— were kept free of chametz throughout the year. Or, at the very least, that you started the Hakol Beseder chametz-cleaning schedule two months before. In those scenarios, preparing for the actual Yom Tov would be a few-day ordeal—at most.

Being ready is always wise, and it’s infinitely easier when we know our deadline. When the date isn’t staring us so clearly in the face, we sometimes lose sight of the goal and our motivation wanes.

And this is where I’ll veer off into a more meaningful direction. Because although there are goals and deadlines in everyday life, some have greater significance than others. There is the ultimate goal and deadline we are all waiting for. And though we know the true purpose of our other endeavors ought to be to bring this deadline closer, we too

platform, waiting for his mother.

“How did you know I would come?” his bewildered mother asked.

“Az du Mama hut gezugt az zu vet kumen, hub ich gevust az zu vet kumen,” Yankele explained plainly.

“If Mother said she’ll come, I knew she’d come.”

I heard a beautiful story from the indomitable Mrs. Miriam Swerdlov.

She told of a family in a small forsaken town in Russia, where the father had passed away and the mother was raising her sons on her own.

With no Jewish education to speak of, the poor mother knew her children were but a few years from looking like their uncouth and uneducated neighbors. When a meshulach passing through the town offered to take her two young bachurim to a yeshivah, the widow jumped at the opportunity. Fully aware she might never see them again, she said, “Endersh keinmul mehr zein, uber a Yid zol men zein—I’d rather never see them again, if it means they’ll remain a Yid.”

In her inimitable style, Mrs. Miriam Swerdlow finished her story with poignant words: “If we would all wait for Mashiach the way Yankele waited for Mama, Mashiach would long be here!”

Two years later, the meshulach was back, and this time the mother sent along her 13-year-old. A short while later she saw the man again and begged him to take her youngest son, nine-year-old Yankele.

Although there doesn't seem to be one definitive reason for the grand name for our Shabbos, there is a beautiful pshat that really spoke to me. On Shabbos Hagadol we read the haftarah that discusses Eliyahu HaNavi’s heralding of Mashiach’s arrival. The connection is obvious.

She tried to remain stoic as Yankele cried bitterly at their parting. “Du Mama vet kumen,” she assured him.

She didn’t have enough fare for her own ticket. Still, she tearfully gave her son her word.

For a few years she scrimped and saved, buying nothing more than the absolute necessities needed to survive, until finally, she was able to procure a seat on the next train. The train pulled into the big city station, as it always did, in the early evening hours. And there was Yankele on the

(As a postscript, she also shared that today, Reb Yankel has generations of ehrliche doros in Toronto, bli ayin hara. And we recognize what a mother’s sacrifice can accomplish…)

We're approaching the great Shabbos, Shabbos Hagadol. The meaning behind the other specially named Shabbosim are self-evident and also have lots of beautiful interpretations attached. What is so great about this Shabbos for it to have earned the most prestigious title of any Shabbos in our calendar?

Shabbos Hagadol was the final Shabbos in galus Mitzrayim. It was great then, and it is still great today, as the haftarah reminds us; in fact, it may well be the final Shabbos of our current galus. On Pesach, Eliyahu HaNavi will grace every Jewish home. It is an auspicious time, as he’s already made the trek and is prepared to make the announcement.

Are we ready?

tz i v o k h s r e H i r i Tz

tziri@wellspringmagazine.com

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

19

SPRINGBOARD

Not Feeling Like a Failure Issue #108: The Midnight Money Trap Thank you for your wonderful magazine, and especially for the relatable and beautifully written Wallet Wellness column, by Baruch Niebloom.

I appreciate the way Mr. Niebloom is focused on everyday reality. His common sense approach makes me feel like I can actually be in control.

I admire the way he addresses relatable issues without making the reader feel like they've failed. The Wallet Wellness series brings encouragement into the life of financial stress. Each time I read his column I have the same reassuring realization: despite the financial hardships I find myself in, I can come through it. Managing our finances is something we all need to learn and grow in. It’s normal to struggle, it’s healthy to learn, and be’ezras Hashem, we are going to be okay.

I've noticed Mr. Niebloom’s nonjudgemental style repeatedly, but was especially impressed by The Midnight Trap, where he explained my propensity for overspending late at night.

There was no judgment in his tone. I came away understanding the behav-

ior without feeling like a failure. And with an actionable plan going forward!

The topic is so important to discuss and is absolutely related to our mental wellbeing. I want to express my thanks to Mr. Niebloom and tell him what a huge mitzvah he is doing by helping people in this respect.

C. Berger, Brooklyn, New York

Information for the Family Issue #108: Bone of Contention I’d like to thank the writers and editors at Wellspring for another stellar issue. The medical story about the little boy with knee pain was incredibly informative—and even graphic—but it didn’t scare me. I make this point because I think it’s important to address medical issues and for the public to read about them, so they know what they must—but without undue anxiety.

I’ve noticed this about Wellspring, in general. I appreciate that the articles inform the reader, without

causing hysteria. The information is related for education and not sensation. Reading frum magazines should be inspirational and uplifting—especially since the magazines are predominantly read on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Instead of getting the adrenaline racing, or anxiety induced by stories that scare, upset, or anger the reader, I find myself nodding and smiling, and best of all—thinking!

I so look forward to my Wellspring every month. I believe it should be encouraged reading in every home, since Wellspring is the only magazine of its kind which is filled with everything relevant to Yiddishe life—and nothing that isn’t.

Hatzlachah on your holy work, Malka Lebovic, Woodbury, New York

Thriving Through Thrush Issue #109: Quick Question I am writing about the question Miriam Schweid addressed, regarding the cracked nipples of the nursing mother, and the Nystatin

GET IN TOUCH Wellspring invites readers to submit letters and comments via email to info@wellspringmagazine.com. We reserve the right to edit all submissions and will withhold your name upon request. We will honor requests for anonymity, but we cannot consider letters that arrive without contact information.

20

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Any health information, advice, or suggestions published here are the opinion of the letter writer and are not independently investigated, endorsed, or validated by Wellspring. Always seek the advice of a qualified health professional or medical practitioner regarding any medical advice, condition, or treatment.

SPRINGBOARD

Quick Question Question: My allergies have been acting up; my eyes are watery and I’ve been sneezing more often than usual. The weather has been slow to warm up and I don’t even feel spring in the air, so why am I feeling this way and what can I do to help my situation? For context, I am nursing a baby and would appreciate a recommendation that is safe for both me and the baby.

Answer: We are finally having lovely, warmer weather and starting to see tiny buds on the trees—especially in the morning after a rainfall. As the day wears on, the buds will continue to develop into leaves or flowers. Although rain can temporarily reduce airborne pollen by washing it down, the relief for allergy sufferers is short-lived, at best. The “April showers” also break down pollen clumps and increase pollen exposure, potentially worsening allergies.

In addition to the weather, if you’ve been busy with Pesach cleaning and are dusting corners you haven’t tackled in months, those dust mites might aggravate your allergies as well.

Recommended remedies include supplements that contain vitamin C and quercetin. If you are nursing a baby, do not take Panto C, as in addition to clearing nasal passages and drying up secretion, pantothenic acid may dry up your milk.

Allium cepa and pulsatilla are homeopathic remedies for seasonal allergies, both of which are readily available and very effective and safe for allergies. If you feel very congested, Sinus Clear is a good idea as well.

For more practical tips: Staying hydrated will alleviate allergy symptoms by keeping your nasal passages moist.

Keeping your windows closed, especially on windy days, will minimize your pollen exposure.

Your COVID masks might finally come in handy: use them while working on dusty spaces or when using strong detergents.

Wishing you an easy, breezy spring season.

Miriam Schweid, Health Consultant

doctors often recommend. She is correct in saying that most doctors will recommend washing it off so that the baby should not ingest it.

Indeed they would; Nystatin is a strong drug and not entirely safe for little ones. She failed to mention that washing off the cream is by itself an excruciating experience. I was further surprised that vitamin E oil wasn’t recommended. This natural oil, known for healing skin, is soothing for the mom, and perfectly safe— even healthy—for the baby.

In my experience (although it has been many years since I nursed my youngest), nipple shields are helpful for cracked nipples in general, but

22

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

especially necessary when the baby has thrush, as that can be transferred to the mother, which is inordinately painful too. I’ve guided my children, and now grandchildren, through their experience, and the information is so important. There is no need to suffer in silence when there are safe and effective options available.

Yehudis Ginsberg, Lakewood, New Jersey

Hashem’s Creations Issue #108: Holistic Emotional Health I always begin reading the magazine with Tziri Hershkovitz’s Editor’s Note.

Her insights are a refreshing breath of fresh air.

Every page of the magazine is rich with insights and information, and reading through it slowly, is not unlike enjoying a delectable piece of chocolate.

Holistic, the final compilation at the end of the magazine, is always food for thought. This month, Tziri Hershkovitz so vividly brings to our attention the importance of being proud of our

Seed BARS uniqueness. Hashem in his infinite wisdom gave each of us different tools to become the best version of who we can be, and the ability to reach our highest potential. It would be foolish to try to “outsmart the system” and be like everyone else.

The only nutritious seed bars made with clean ingredients. Its an amazing source of fiber and is great for satiety and digestion. Order yours today or ask for it in you local grocery or health food store.

Tziri’s article reminds us of the need to have complete trust in Hashem, to realize that He alone is perfect, and He runs the world with perfect precision. Accepting that, instead of working so hard to be someone we aren’t, is the secret to happiness.

Devora Feiger, Monsey, New York

Still in Stitches Issue #109: Laughter; It’s Not a Joke Thank you for the many laughs in the Purim issue. I found myself chuckling quite a few times while reading the magazine, and after reading about the health benefits from laughter, I was actually glad for it!

I always knew laughter was nice and fun, but was very surprised to learn that it is so good for us. I heard a beautiful vort from Reb Yankel Miller, that the reason we are mesame’ach chassan and kallah is not entirely for their happiness. They are (hopefully) already in the happiest week of their lives. The reason for the comedy at the chasunah (and sheva brochos) is to give them the zechus of making other Yidden, who may be going through hard times, laugh on their big day.

May we all be zocheh to laugh with only joy in our hearts.

T: 201.614.7080 E: info@monbarusa.com W: monbarusa.com

B. Goldfinger, Linden, New Jersey

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

23

SPIRITUAL EATING

By Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS

Where’s the Freedom?

The Shelah Hakadosh teaches that the mitzvah to enjoy special delicacies on Shabbos and Yom Tov should not contradict our obligation to keep our bodies healthy and therefore avoid overeating.

Pesach presents perhaps one of the most challenging tests we face in this regard. Some of us will abandon our homes for hotels to partake in one of the Jewish community’s largest industries—the Pesach retreat. The resources devoted to kashrus, Torah personalities, and daily entertainment at these hotels is often paralleled by the surplus and sophistication of non-stop food being offered: “Elegant, gourmet cuisine. Buffets and lavish Viennese tables. Scrumptious 24-hour tearoom.” These advertisements have become part and parcel of our lingo.

However, at this zeman cheiruseinu, time of our freedom, we need to honestly ask ourselves whether we are fulfilling the mitzvah of experiencing freedom or whether we are enslaved to our desires—incapable of stopping at reasonable

amounts in the face of such a spread? Doesn’t the emphasis on excess run completely contrary to one of the primary lessons of Pesach?

The simplicity of matzah teaches us to reduce our focus on physical desires, understanding that we are a spiritual people, birthed from open miracles and rooted in a unique relationship with the Creator of the Universe. We are unlike the other nations of the world, who sprint after their taivos and glorify gluttony.

The Torah approach is antithetical to those activities. But can we objectively look at our eating behaviors—think tearoom at midnight—and say we are pursuing ruchniyus?

Appropriate socializing with friends and family is a fine thing. But does it have to revolve around food?

Pesach is a time of gratitude, says Rav Noach Orlowek, shlita. The Haggadah, he says, is a classic textbook for developing appreciation as we pinpoint detail after detail of the goodness

Can we objectively look at our eating behaviors— think tearoom at midnight— and say we are pursuing ruchniyus?

Hashem did for us, contrast slavery with freedom, and understand that the redemption was an unwarranted gift— dayeinu.

A lack of appreciation, says Rav Orlowek, is a fundamental flaw in any relationship, especially with G-d. And improper eating habits that harm our bodies are no exception. Are we not engaging in an open contradiction if we fress on flanken while fulfilling ve’higadeta l’vincha (teaching our children)?

Whether we are spending the holiday at home or going away, we still have the opportunity to properly prepare ourselves and focus on the directives Chazal provided to maximize this time of year. May we use this occasion to achieve true freedom from the challenges holding us back individually, as well as for Klal Yisrael. Maybe, just maybe, we can have a geshmak holiday without overindulging in kosher-for-Passover pizza, pancakes, bagels, or brownies.

Give it a try—and experience true freedom.

Rabbi Eli Glaser, CNWC, CWMS, is the founder and director of Soveya and the author of the best-selling book Enough Is Enough—How the Soveya Solution Is Revolutionizing the Diet and Weight-Loss World, available on Amazon and at Barnes & Nobles and Judaica Plaza in Lakewood. He has worked with thousands of clients around the world and has maintained a 130-pound weight loss for the last 19 years. For more information about Soveya’s programs call 732-578-8800, email info@soveya.com, or visit www.soveya.com.

24

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

TORAH WELLSPRING

By Rabbi YY Rubinstein

You, Me…And a “Cast” of Thousands

There is a good chance that Jewish women reading the title of this Pesach column will smile when they read the word “cast.”

Many who attended a Bais Yakov or other heimishe girls school will know exactly what it is referring to in that context.

As girls, they may have worked hard to gain a part in a play that for many, was the high point of their year. They got to wear makeup, put on exotic costumes, and play a role in a story that drove home a Torah message to the audience.

Jewish men will probably not share the same degree of familiarity with and recognition of the word “cast” in the same way. Yeshiva bochurim often do take part in plays, or more accurately, “shpiels,” but they tend to be a very different kind of production, and they happen at only one time of the year.

That time, of course, is Purim, and as bochurim traditionally take the mitzvah of “ad de’lo yada” very seriously, there is a very good chance that neither the cast on stage nor the young men sitting in the audience retain any memory of what those shpiels were about or how well the performers played their parts.

That is a pity. Performing a few times in a drama onstage is the perfect mashal for performing our roles in the dramas that happen to us in real life.

26

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

There are, of course, “oneman” shows, but these don’t generate the same interest as those in which the main character interacts with other performers. Hashem did tell Adam Harishon, after all, “It’s not good for a man to be alone.”

The first thing that makes a show really interesting is the variety of different characters.

You are likely to meet mothers and fathers, and the inevitable clichéd ones like shviggers and shvers, and scoundrels and saints.

A good play will contain scenes of high drama and tragedy, with tears of sadness as well as tears of laughter. The better the script, the more vividly the actors will be able to bring it to life.

And as any Bais Yaakov girl will recall from her school days, the better the performance of the other players, the better your own performance will be, and you may find yourself playing your part better than you

believed yourself capable of.

Chazal say that every single drama Klal Yisrael has ever played a part in is based on the one in which we played our first leading role: yetzias Mitzrayim.

The Producer and Writer of the story appointed the perfect director, who would also take the leading role.

Performing a few times in a drama onstage is the perfect mashal for performing our roles in the dramas that happen to us in real life.

There were many other parts, leaving room for every possible kind of player. There were roles for those who could take the part of Leviim and those who could be Kohanim. There were roles for Reuvenites and Shimonites and all the other different and distinct roles.

Sadly, though, the rigors of work and the preparation required meant that fully fourfifths “skipped” the audition altogether.

In yetzias Mitzrayim, there were parts played by mothers and fathers, as well as their children. Appearing too were scoundrels and saints, and there were countless “extras”

‫ונרא״ה‬

‫ונזכה‬

SELECTION + CUSTOMER SERVICE

BP: 16TH AVE COR. 48TH ST.

WILLIAMSBURG: 433 PARK AVE.

KJ: 1 PRESHBURG BLVD

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

27

TORAH WELLSPRING

mixed up with the cast, and even animals.

As the “director” made clear, “With our young and our old we will go, with our sons and daughters and our flocks and cattle.”

It was that varied cast, each playing a very different part, that would bring the whole point of the story to life and make it one worth telling. It was also the point with which we would struggle over and over again, as different versions of the original drama played out across the centuries and millennia.

Rabbi Dessler writes about this in the first volume of Michtav Mi’Eliyahu, in an essay called “Digleh Hamidbar.”

Each of the shevatim of Klal Yisrael had their own flag featuring a specific color and a symbol of the blessings that shevet had received from Yaakov Avinu. Yaakov knew that each of his sons had a role that was unique and different, and when each one played his part—a part that only he could play—that created Klal Yisrael and made them whole.

Rabbi Dessler observes that Klal Yisrael was never meant to be one homogeneous nation. We were designed to be made from different parts. Each would work together to create something much bigger than any one part could ever create alone. The unity of the Jewish people would then be expressed when all 13 players—including the subdivision of Yosef into Efraim and Menasheh—combined together.

The word in lashon hakodesh

28

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

for “one” is echad, the gematria of which is aleph (1), ches (8), and daled (4), which equals 13.

Our oneness is meant to arrive through our differentness.

Each time we have forgotten that message throughout Jewish history, the terrible part of the Mitzrayim story has repeated itself.

The Second Beis Hamikdash was destroyed because Yidden forgot that every Jew has a part to play without which we are incomplete. Sinas chinam kindled the flames that started a conflagration. The Aruch Hashulchan in his Haggadah Leil Shimurim points out that the first Beis Hamikdash also fell due to sinah between Jews—in this case, between the rabbanim, and that we only went to galus Mitzrayim in the first place because of the hatred between Yosef and his brothers.

It is strange how soon we forget even the most dramatic times we have endured, even when we convince ourselves

It is strange how soon we forget even the most dramatic times we have endured, even when we convince ourselves that we will never forget them.

that we will never forget them or the lessons we learned from them.

I now have to struggle to remember the world-stopping events of the COVID epidemic of only a few years ago. Many of us lost friends to this virus.

We had to stay at home, wear masks, and practice social distancing.

As I write these words, I recall a rebbetzin who called me from Yerushalayim to invite me to write part of a special Haggadah that was being produced.

It was for the many elderly Yidden who, due to COVID, would be heartbreakingly alone for both Seder nights. This Haggadah was to let them know that they had not been forgotten or abandoned by Klal Yisrael.

I also recall a friend telling me what happened to him when his shul was at last able to gather again for tefillah b’tzibbur after the COVID restrictions were lifted.

“Well, the only way he seemed to feel he could get everyone sitting around him to see the error of their ways was to pronounce the daled in echad when he said Shema, “ECHATHHHHH” at the top of his lungs, and it drove me nuts!”

I could certainly see his point of view but then he added the following:

AS SOON AS 72 HOURS

We often have to go through terrible times, like a shibud Mitzrayim, churban haBayis, a global pandemic, or as now—the months of pain in which we hope and daven for the Yidden who were taken hostage by a foe more cruel than Pharaoh—to remember the essential message of yetzias Mitzrayim.

UK born, Rabbi YY Rubinstein learned in the famous Gateshead Yeshiva for ten years where he received semicha. He is an international speaker and the author of fourteen books. His latest, "Never Alone,” for teens and young adults who've lost a parent, arrived in bookstores this year.

1

The 600,000 Yidden: you, me, and a “cast” of thousands, all different, with our young and our old…our sons and daughters, playing different parts, but playing them together, echad…as one.

UR

NOW ONLY

24.99

$

REG. $36.99

AL & E F

CTIVE FE

“But when we were at last able to daven together after COVID, when we came to Shema and he shouted out as usual, “ECHATHHHHH,” my face lit up with delight! I realized I had actually been waiting and looking forward to this. It was like meeting a long-lost friend!”

YOUR FACE CLEAR UP FROM ACNE

% NAT

I was intrigued to learn about the Yemenite pronunciation as he continued.

SEE REAL RESULTS FAST 00

“He insisted that every Ashkenazi Yid—and most Sephardim too—pronounces lashon hakodesh wrong. He claimed that a daled should be pronounced as a “th” as in “this,” not a “d” as in “did.” He said that this is the way Yemenite Jews pronounce it, and that’s the correct way.”

Before

My friend conceded that almost everyone has a meshugas and cited one of his own before returning to his story.

After

He said, “I’m not proud to admit to you that there is someone who davened very near me who used to drive me mad because he always davened way too loud. But the real problem was that he had a meshugas.”

Head-turning is something.

30

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Heart-stirring is everything.

We don’t just get attention.

We make people feel.

With our work we strive to spark deeper resonance: a smile, a memory, a heartbeat. Because when people feel something, they don’t simply see it.

They act.

They share.

They believe.

They follow their heart.

For Branding & Marketing inquiries: accounts@heart.works

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS ROUNDUP

By Pnina Schoss

Brewed is Better Good news for tea lovers: That daily brew might be purifying the water, too.

In a new study, Northwestern University Illinois researchers demonstrated that brewing tea naturally absorbs heavy metals like lead and cadmium, effectively filtering dangerous contaminants out of drinks. Heavy metal ions stick to the surface of the tea leaves, where they stay trapped until the used tea bag is disposed of. "For this study, our goal was to measure the tea's ability to absorb heavy metals. By quantifying this effect, our work highlights the unrecognized potential for tea consumption to passively contribute to reduced heavy metal exposure in populations worldwide," said Northwestern's Vinayak Dravid, the study's senior author. To conduct the study, the Northwestern team explored how different types of tea, tea bags and brewing methods affect heavy metal absorption. The various varieties tested included teas such as black, green, oolong, and white, as well as chamomile and rooibos teas. They also examined the differences between loose-leaf and commercially bagged tea. After steeping, the team measured how much of the metal content remained in the water. By comparing metal levels before and after adding the tea leaves, they were able to calculate how much was effectively removed.

Simple Solution To Break Down “Forever” Researchers have discovered a new method to remove so-called “forever chemicals” from drinking water. As previously mentioned in this column, PFAS are industrial chemicals used in the manufacturing of thousands of products. Studies have shown that exposure to PFAS may lead to decreased fertility, developmental delays in children, and increased risk of some cancers. For roughly the past decade, researchers have been looking for ways to remove PFAS from the environment or at least degrade them into harmless compounds. Now, Feng Xiao, an associate professor in Mizzou’s College of Engineering in Missouri, and his team have found a simple solution using common tools and materials. Just heat the PFAS with granular activated carbon (GAC). GAC is composed of granules of coal, wood, or other carbon-rich materials that have been heated. It is already commonly used to filter a wide range of harmful chemicals from contaminated water or air. Consumers use it to clean household aquariums or filter drinking water, and it can be purchased online for just a few dollars per pound. In a paper recently published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology, Xiao and his team describe how they heated PFAS with common GAC at 572 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, the researchers achieved 90 percent mineralization of the PFAS, breaking the forever chemicals down into a harmless compound.

32

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS ROUNDUP

Light Therapy for Alzheimer’s

Scientists Uncover Cancer’s Earliest Warning Signs A groundbreaking study, by Van Andel Research Institute scientists, suggests that a person’s risk of developing cancer may be influenced before birth. Published in Nature Cancer, the research identifies two distinct epigenetic states that emerge during early development and are linked to lifetime cancer risk. One state is associated with a lower risk, while the other corresponds to a higher risk. If cancer occurs in individuals with the lower-risk state, it is more likely to be a liquid tumor (such as leukemia or lymphoma). In contrast, those with the higher-risk state are more likely to develop solid tumors (such as lung or prostate cancer). “Everyone has some level of risk but, when cancer does arise, we tend to think of it just as bad luck,” said Ilaria Panzeri, Ph.D., a research scientist in the Pospisilik Lab and the study’s first and co-corresponding author. “However, bad luck doesn’t fully explain why some people develop cancer and others don’t. Most importantly, bad luck cannot be targeted for treatment. Epigenetics, on the other hand, can be targeted. Our findings show that cancer’s roots may start during the sensitive period of development, offering a new perspective to study the disease and potential new options for diagnosis and treatment.”

34

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

A study published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Qinghui Meng and colleagues from Weifang Medical University in China suggests that light therapy can significantly improve sleep and psycho-behavioral symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease not only affects memory and cognitive abilities, but also often leads to sleep disturbances and behavioral challenges, such as apathy, depression, agitation, and aggression. Photobiomodulation, a non-drug therapy that uses light to stimulate the brain’s sleep-regulating center has gained attention as a possible treatment.

Recent research has found that light therapy significantly improved sleep efficiency, increased interdaily stability (a measure of the strength of circadian rhythms), and reduced intradaily variability (a measure of how frequently someone transitions between rest and activity during the day). In patients with Alzheimer’s disease, light therapy also alleviated depression and reduced patient agitation and caregiver burden. Given the limited sample sizes in studies included in this meta-analysis, the authors advocate for larger future studies, which could also explore if bright light exposure could cause any adverse behavior in patients. They conclude that light therapy is a promising treatment option for some symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

BE PREPARED, WITH ALMOST NO PREPARATION. If warm tuna isn’t your thing, how about a nice hot meal, double wrapped and ready to go wherever you do this Chol Hamoed. Sure it might seem like a miracle, but amazingly it’s just MealMart.

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS ROUNDUP

SSRIs May Speed Up Cognitive Decline A new study based on data from 18,740 dementia patients suggests that antidepressants may accelerate cognitive decline. Researchers found that patients taking antidepressants, particularly SSRIs like escitalopram, citalopram, and sertraline, experienced faster deterioration compared to those not on medication. While depression itself can worsen dementia symptoms, the findings highlight the need for more tailored antidepressant choices in dementia care. Future research will explore whether specific dementia types influence how patients respond to different antidepressants. Antidepressants are often used to relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, and sleep disturbances in dementia sufferers. However, a new observational study based on data from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem) shows that patients with dementia who are treated with antidepressants experience an increased cognitive decline compared to patients who do not receive this medication. “Depressive symptoms can both worsen cognitive decline and impair quality of life, so it is important to treat them. Our results can help doctors and other healthcare professionals choose antidepressants that are better adapted for patients with dementia,” says Sara Garcia Ptacek, researcher at the Department of Neurobiology of Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm and the study’s author. Although it is not currently possible to determine whether the cognitive impairment is due to the drugs or to the depressive symptoms themselves, the researchers were able to see that antidepressants were associated with increased cognitive decline.

Low B12 Linked to Slower Brain Processing A new study, led by San Francisco researchers of University of California, found that older, healthy volunteers, with lower concentrations of B12, but still in the normal range, showed signs of neurological and cognitive deficiency. These levels were associated with more damage to the brain’s white matter—the nerve fibers that enable communication between areas of the brain—and test scores associated with slower cognitive and visual processing speeds, compared to those with higher B12. The researchers led by senior author Ari J. Green, MD, of the UCSF Departments of Neurology and Ophthalmology and the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, said that the results raise questions about current B12 requirements and suggest the recommendations need updating. “Previous studies which defined healthy amounts of B12 may have missed subtle functional manifestations of high or low levels that can affect people without causing overt symptoms,” said Green, noting that clear deficiencies of the vitamin are commonly associated with a type of anemia. “Revisiting the definition of B12 deficiency to incorporate functional biomarkers could lead to earlier intervention and prevention of cognitive decline.” While the study volunteers were older adults, who may have a specific vulnerability to lower levels of B12, researchers said that these lower levels could “impact cognition to a greater extent than what we previously thought, and may affect a much larger proportion of the population than we realize.”

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

37

HEALTH NEWS

HEALTH NEWS ROUNDUP

The Probiotic Breakthrough for Anxiety Relief Researchers have discovered that naturally occurring gut microbes produce indoles—compounds that play a key role in regulating anxiety-related brain activity. This finding paves the way for next-generation therapies that use probiotic microbes to support mental health and potentially reduce anxiety symptoms. Their newly published study in EMBO Molecular Medicine reveals that microbial metabolites—specifically indoles—directly influence brain activity associated with anxiety. The research team thus set out to investigate the role microbes play in anxious behavior. In preclinical studies, the scientists observed that in a germfree environment, those who were not exposed to live microbes, showed significantly more anxiety-related behavior than those with typical resident live microbes. Further investigation revealed that the increased anxiety was associated with heightened activity in a brain region involved in processing emotions such as fear and anxiety—the basolateral amygdala.

This was further identified to be related to specialized proteins within brain cells known as the calcium-dependent SK2 channels, associated with anxiety behavior. In conditions when the body and brain are exposed to live microbe metabolites, the SK2 channels act like a clutch, thus preventing neurons from becoming overly excited and firing too frequently.

“Our findings reveal the specific and intricate neural process which links microbes to mental health. Those without any live microbes showed higher levels of anxious behavior than those with live bacteria. Essentially, the lack of these microbes disrupted the way their brains functioned, particularly in areas that control fear and anxiety, leading to anxious behavior.”

“Grape”ful A study from Western New England University found that daily grape consumption significantly alters muscle gene expression, boosting genes linked to lean muscle mass and reducing those associated with degeneration—with a more pronounced effect in females. These findings suggest that including grapes in the diet could be a novel strategy to improve muscle health and counteract age-related muscle loss. The study, published in the journal Foods, highlights the significant impact of long-term grape consumption on muscle health in both men and women. The findings suggest that incorporating grapes into the diet can influence gene expression in muscle, potentially supporting muscle mass and function. Each year, approximately 30 million tons of grapes are consumed worldwide, offering health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Research has linked grape consumption to improvements in heart, kidney, skin, eye, and gastrointestinal health, among other areas.“This study provides compelling evidence that grapes have the potential to enhance muscle health at the genetic level,” said Dr. John Pezzuto, senior investigator of the study and professor and dean of pharmacy and health sciences at Western New England University. “Given their safety profile and widespread availability, it will be exciting to explore how quickly these changes can be observed in human trials.”

38

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Heart.Works

W H E N T H E C LO C K STRIKES COFFEE TIME Mellow mornings. After-dark retreats.

Slip into the elegance of dark Italian chocolate — and let the world melt away.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

39

FEATURE

40

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Letting THE

Ego Go

“Did you see the kallah’s gown?” the girls asked each other in wonder. “It’s from the local gemach!”

Every element of the lavish event was exquisite, from the flowers to the music and much more. At the center of it all was the young, glowing kallah, charming her guests with warmth and sweetness. And each time she was asked about the beautiful gown she was wearing, she freely mentioned the wonderful selection and service at the priceless, price-less neighborhood gemach.

By Tziri Hershkovitz

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

41

FEATURE

It had all started three months prior, when Blimie, a newly engaged kallah, received a call with an unusual request.

“I volunteer at the local kallah gown gemach,” the caller said by way of introduction. “Lately we’ve been finding that girls who would most benefit from our beautiful free-of-charge dresses are embarrassed to take their gowns from us.

Would you help us out?”

“How can I possibly help?”

Blimie had asked. Her mother already had her eye on the perfect gown for her, and like most girls, Blimie had dreamed of her wedding day and knew just what she wanted to look like.

“If your friends would hear that you got your gown from our gemach, it would remove the stigma,” the woman explained. “You’d be making so many of your friends more comfortable with the decision—and bringing tremendous relief to their overtaxed parents. We know it’s a huge ask, but we just received the most perfect gown that has been worn only once before.

Would you check it out?”

Blimie watched her visions of the perfect dress fade away as the reality of what was being asked of her set in. The thought of telling all her friends that her gown was from a gemach stung her pride at first, but then she realized she was being given the opportunity to enhance the day she began married life by turning it into a day of chessed—and genuinely helping many of her friends.

42

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Adults many times her age marveled at the confidence the act demanded. But the discerning mind will recognize this as the antithesis of a puffed-up ego—stemming from a healthy self-esteem that understood that her inherent value wasn’t defined by exterior trappings or others’ perception of her.

Arrogance or Healthy Confidence?

Self-esteem is defined as the esteem in which one holds their self, but that might be a misnomer. Healthy self-esteem is the antithesis of an enlarged ego. Recognizing that we all have value simply by virtue of being Divine creations demands that we love ourselves. At the same time, it necessitates a strong element of gratitude—and gratitude requires humility, which is the polar opposite of the ego.

Even more, it has been argued rather successfully that there’s nothing more damaging than low self-esteem.

When a person feels as if their life lacks value, they have little reason to try and prove otherwise. In contrast, one who loves themselves will love those in whom they invest their time—it’s human nature to love what we invest in. That is because those “investments” become part of who we are.

A person who has no recognition of their own self-worth, however, won’t be able to care about those around them.

When one despises their own handiwork or their own family, it usually stems from

self-loathing: If everything about me is rotten, then everything I’ve invested in or created is rotten as well.

When a person feels as if their life lacks value, they have little reason to try and prove otherwise.

And so, we’re left with the conundrum: Since a lack of self-esteem is so damaging to our lives, how can an ego be a bad thing?

When is our confidence based on gaavah—arrogance—and when is it dictated by healthy self-esteem?

The distinction between the two is discussed by Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski zt”l in Let Us Make Man. Rabbi Twerski explains that while the

ego looks back at its past and feels proud of its accomplishments, a healthy self-esteem will look toward the future, confident in its capabilities.

Looking forward has an element of hope and can allow for the presence of—and prayer to—a Higher Power.

In contrast, by letting one’s past successes go to one’s head, one does not acknowledge Divine involvement.

This can create the belief that one is truly capable on his own. That ego-induced feeling of omnipotence can become obsessive and even turn into a religion—an avodah

zarah—in and of itself.

The True Meaning of Pesach Cleaning Pesach cleaning and spring cleaning arrive on the scene at the same time. While quite convenient, it is also somewhat of a pity, because it can make this massive overhaul in our homes seem downright sensible. We look forward to the “freshening up” of our humble abodes, and even with the faint awareness that there must be more to the cleaning than the welcoming of spring, we may fail to give

The intensity and specificity of the cleaning process should leave us stumped.

the activity the consideration it deserves.

It’s lovely to get the entire house clean, but beyond the wonderful homemaking tool that Pesach cleaning seems to be, the intensity and specificity of the cleaning process should still leave us stumped.

In our lives dictated by Torah, even at those times that specific items are forbidden to us, we are never required to get rid of them entirely. Prior to a taanis, for instance, we aren’t asked to dispose of all food and drink. Prior to Shabbos, we aren’t told to destroy all muktzeh or sell it to a non-Jew.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

43

FEATURE

What is it about chametz that necessitates that it be entirely obliterated and removed from our homes?

The question isn’t new. Neither are the answers. While the Zohar likens holding onto chametz to avodah zarah, our mefarshim compare it to the yetzer hara and the chassidishe sefarim equate chametz, that puffed up piece of bread, with the inflated ego.

Matzah is flat and unassuming, with simple ingredients at their most basic, while chametz is the ego, full of hot air and empty fluff. Avodah zarah, the yetzer hara, and the inflated ego are all interconnected. We need to deflate that ego because the larger our ego, the less room we have for Hashem and, le’havdil, others in our lives.

But why isn’t simply ignoring our attention-craving ego enough? Why are we commanded to eradicate it entirely?

Fresh Start Former convicts out on probation can be reincarcerated solely for mingling with a criminal element. The reason behind this rule is rather simple: to prove that they have, in fact, turned over a new leaf, they need to be ready to cut ties with their former activities and comrades in crime.

After all, if a supposedly reformed robber were to hold onto his lock-pick set and ski mask, we would naturally wonder whether he had really changed. Similarly, if an alcoholic who swore off all forms

44

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

of the addictive beverage was found with a stash in his bottom drawer, we’d be likely to doubt his commitment to his new lifestyle.

This might explain why we eradicate chametz by such drastic means. By disposing of—and yes, even burning— forbidden foods, we are publicly declaring our rejection of chametz and all it symbolizes.

Simply putting the chametz on the side for one week wouldn’t cut it. When we abstain from food or work at specific times, it isn’t because they

Simply putting the chametz on the side for one week wouldn’t cut it.

are bad for us; it is because the agenda on that day is about something different. With chametz, though, the eradication of those “puffs” is the entire purpose of Pesach. We are cautioned to get rid of the leavened dough, the spiritual chametz, eradicating all remnants entirely. This Yom Tov isn’t about token recognition of potential danger—it’s about internalizing the overarching message.

Check Your Ego The ego removes Hashem’s

presence from one’s life.

That skinny, little “I” seems too small a word to have such potent power. And yet, the damage wrought by this unimpressive letter is actually quite impressive.

The egotist credits himself for all he has attained, needing to believe that his accomplishments are due to his superior intellect, talents, or powers.

He can’t acknowledge that anyone else helped him, not even Hashem. It must be a very lonely life not feeling the Divine love evident in one’s success.

There’s a beautiful story told about a talmid who listened in as the Chafetz Chaim made a cheshbon hanefesh. Ear pressed to the door, the talmid heard the tzaddik recounting his accomplishments: “I have dedicated my life to Your children and have taught them the importance and power of speech. I have written over twenty sefarim, inspired soldiers in the Russian army, opened a large yeshivah where kol Torah is loudly heard night and day.”

The talmid listened, aghast, at the odd form of cheshbon hanefesh, when he suddenly heard the Chafetz Chaim’s sob, “Ribbono shel Olam, what have I done to deserve such chessed from You? How will I ever repay Your kindness?”

Overflowing with thankfulness to the One on High, the Chafetz Chaim continued with his day.

With the correct perspective, recognizing our accomplishments can be the ultimate

humbler—an opportunity to realize how indebted we are to our Creator.

Reb Moshe Margaretten is known for his tremendous success in pidyon shevuyim— from prison reform to aiding Afghani refugees and, more recently, those crossing the Ukrainian border. Those who know this unassuming individual are likely also aware of his adamant insistence that the credit is not due him.

In his youth, Reb Moshe never saw himself as a potential askan. He was so timid, in fact, that even once he devoted his life to prison reform, he never fully expected success—and at no point was success a given.

Still, he knew he had to try. “If Hashem sees that we try and we want something truly, He will assist. It has nothing to do with our efforts,” he says.

When one truly desires to do good, the Ribbono shel Olam is at his side. Just like when Basya, Pharaoh’s daughter reached for the basket that wasn’t within reach—Hashem rewards our genuine efforts.

Involved as ever in his admirable endeavors, Reb Moshe still attempts to avoid publicity whenever possible. Whatever he has accomplished, he insists, is not from him and not about him.

Looking the I in the Eye The egotist will be threatened by the success of others.

An inflated ego is usually accompanied by the crippling fear that one isn’t good enough; the egotist will automatically feel weakened by

It must be a very lonely life not feeling the Divine love evident in one’s success.

others’ successes. His need to be at the very top is threatened by anyone else climbing the ladder.

Mrs. Penina Porges* was new at her job as vice principal in a reputable high school, when a challenging case came her way. “A young lady, let’s call her Mindel, had been accepted into the school even though she was a poor fit from the start,” Penina shares.

“During my seventh month on the job, the principal told me that Mindel would need to be asked to leave. They wanted to be gentle about it, but I knew a step like this was bound to break her already vulnerable spirit.

“I reached out to Mindel and we settled on some changes until the end of the term that she felt capable of making.

I had several conversations with the principal where I was adamant that the high school has a responsibility to every student accepted, and because Mindel was not intentionally bad, I insisted she deserved to finish the school year when we could get her situated elsewhere with her pride intact.

After an intense back and forth, the principal ceded to my arguments.”

Around the same time, some of Mindel’s classmates got wind of the issue and rallied a favorite teacher to get a petition—with all the students’ signatures—passed, demanding that Mindel remain in school. By the time the signed document came across the principal’s desk, the matter had already been settled in Mindel’s favor. Still, the as-

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

45

FEATURE

sumption all around campus was that the seasoned teacher and her students had pulled off this impressive feat. Penina’s difficult work was not even noted.

“At first,” Penina shares, “it stung. Not because I needed recognition, but because I knew a win at the beginning would have given me creditability, both with the staff and with the students.

“I discussed it with my father, a long-time mechanech who understood even the details I wasn’t sharing. He told me, ‘If you truly mean the Ribbono shel Olam, this won’t bother you.’ I asked him whether I can’t possibly mean the Ribbono shel Olam and still be bothered, but he assured me I couldn't. When we mean Hashem, when we do truly do things le’shem Shamayim, our own ego has no place in the story.”

Self-Absorption vs. Selfless Giving The ego stifles conversation and limits friendships.

The egotist likes to think of himself as the smartest or most talented person in the room, and he fears being proven wrong. This makes friendship—and even mere conversation—difficult.

An egocentric person doesn’t listen to understand. Rather, he listens with the intent of getting the last word in. This isn’t entirely because his ego has convinced him that he truly knows more; rather, it’s because his inflated ego would suffer from taking another’s

46

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

perspective into consideration, or worse, from them ultimately being right. Communication skills go out the window when one converses to be heard rather than to understand the other. Winning an argument might be a temporary boost to his sense of self, but those around are bound to find him unpleasant company. But that’s a moot concern. The egotist is too self-absorbed to worry about others’ comfort.

He sees the world as his buffet, where all that matters is what he gets—or doesn’t get.

The egotist won’t be quick in forgiving any perceived slights. Certain that the world owes him everything, and oddly, in the same vein, worried that he might lose it all at any moment, he holds on to grudges as if they are currency to cash in. He never considers the further damage the festering resentment does to his psyche, and his health.

It is said that “People who know they’re important think about others; people who think they are important think about themselves.” This might explain some of the time-consuming and effusive acts of kindness we see from busy and recognized public figures.

“Fame is a strange thing,” my friend Chani observes, “where otherwise normal individuals are suddenly accorded honor and adulation for what is usually a singular talent. I’m not one to comment on famous people who have allowed fame to go to their heads, but I do want to share my up-close view of the incredible chessed some of these people so read-

The egotist thinks of himself as the smartest person in the room—and he fears being proven wrong.

ily do.

“For over a dozen years, I’ve witnessed many encounters in which my special-needs brother has been entertained endlessly by people in the limelight who so sweetly and generously give of their time and themselves each time they warmly interact with Yanky.

“Klal Yisrael is full of amazing, talented individuals and though some might view their status in a cynical light, my family is repeatedly humbled and amazed as time and again these ‘stars’ will show up without any entourage, just to entertain and uplift. With genuine warmth and sweetness, they spend time and make these children—or adults—feel special and loved. These aren’t publicity stunts,” she adds. “I know, because they are adamant about the family not sharing any photos or videos.

These joyous performances are entirely about the special neshamah who may or may not remember the event.”

A Swelled Head vs. A Helping Hand The egotist wants success, fame, money. Everything.

And with God shoved aside, and no one worth respecting, what’s to keep his behavior ethical, legal, or halachically kosher?

On the other hand, when one consistently has Hashem front and center, behavior that seems unfair or perhaps even targeted isn’t likely to get a rise out of him.

After establishing her successful children’s clothing

store, Mrs. Schwartz saw a similar shop announcing a grand opening across the street. Some argued it was impertinent, or at the very least imprudent, but Mrs. Schwartz just saw a new store owner struggling to figure things out. And so she reached out to help, sharing her contacts and advice to enable her to succeed.

“Every dime Hashem has planned for me is still going to come my way,” she reminded her surprised friends.

Arrested Growth Growth Mindset

vs.

The only thing growing is their head.

Egotistical people fear nothing more than failure. The last thing they want to do is learn something new, which invites the possibility that they may not succeed. In any case, egotists see no point in growing or discovering who they really are because they want to go on thinking that there is nothing to improve upon—after all, one can’t improve upon perfection.

Of course, there can’t be betterment if there is no interest in it. Growth requires humility.

Ultimately, egotists have less of a connection on High, partly because they know there won’t be any material gains from forming that connection, but more tragically, their warped sense of self-worship doesn’t allow them to feel the need for it.

On the other hand, for those of the right mindset, the eradication of chametz it-

self, and with it the ego, can lead to vanquishing the ego and climbing to ever loftier heights. My smart friend Raizy shares, “When I am busy scraping the soles of my shoes on the chance that I walked into chametz, I feel that I’m strengthening my connection with my Creator. It is very effectively anti-ego, the realization that I don’t necessarily get closer to Hashem by doing things to prove, externally, that I am so learned, so smart, or wearing the right garb. It’s a humbling reality check to sit on the floor—and it’s oddly an exalting experience at the same time! Because the same ego that makes me consider myself too smart, too talented, and my time too valuable to bother with something so lowly and ordinary is facing the reality that this is what Hashem wants from me now.

“It also awakens me to the fact that any contributions I may have made to this world, which had me feeling so good

about myself, are likely not worth a bit more than humbler and perhaps more sincere efforts.”

Egotists see no point in growing because they want to go on thinking that there is nothing to improve upon.

While I’ll confess to never having given the bottom of my shoes a second glance, or first thought, I found I was somewhat envious of the connected state she described. I was grateful when I was finally able to relate, as I steam-machined the woodwork around the rooms that never saw chametz in the first place. It was meditative. It was boring. It was also therapeutic—and refreshing.

Engaging in this repetitive activity, where I was eradicating even the possibility of chametz, allowed me to contemplate the true reason for our activity.

How lucky are we to be given this annual, loving reminder to eliminate all remnants of chametz, including chametz she’ba’lev, so that we can make more room for Hashem in our hearts.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

47

COVER FEATURE

FOUR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ON PESACH FOUR QUESTIONS, YOUR ANSWERS

48

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Mah nishtanah haleilah hazeh…

At the Seder, our children are urged to ask the four questions. The emphasis on the kashiyos is greater than on the answer, because our children’s curiosity, involvement, and connection to the Yom Tov are an underlying purpose of the entire night.

More than any date on the Jewish calendar, Pesach is when we transmit our mesorah to future generations. It should be when we share our minhagim with love, and show our children the meaning and beauty of Yiddishkeit. So, why does it feel like we're battling more stress than at any other time of the year? Are we allowing the Satan to steal the joy from this special Yom Tov? Our children are our future, and the future of Yiddishkeit. We don’t, chas v’shalom, want them to have a negative association with Zeman Cheiroseinu, or with any aspect of Yiddishkeit. How can we make their Pesach beautiful, meaningful and memorable?

Following are questions loosely based on the original—more purposeful and profound—Four Questions from the Haggadah. Our intention with these questions is to provide food for thought and to shine a light on how we can pass down our love of Yiddishkeit, our pride in our identity and our minhagim, while remembering our priorities.

This year, let’s make Pesach feel truly meaningful and liberating. With siyata di'Shmaya, let’s ensure our children think back to the Pesachs of their youth with a smile on their lips and joy in their hearts.

Compiled by Tziri Hershkovitz

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

49

WELLBEING FEATURE COVER FEATURE

THE FIRST QUESTION IS: AL ACHILAS…

WHAT TRADITIONAL FOOD OR MINHAGIM DOES YOUR FAMILY DO THAT IS QUINTESSENTIAL “PESACH” TO YOU?

When I think of Pesach food, I think about buttered matzah sprinkled with kosher salt. We don’t eat gebrokts, but because butter is an oil, we do smear it on our matzos. We eat very limited ingredients and almost no storebought products, so this is a family favorite for breakfast. Oh, and let’s not forget the cantaloupe with cottage cheese for lunch. Just thinking about it makes me miss eating at my parent’s Formica-covered table. -Y.B.

Knowing that we can’t use all products has a certain comforting familiarity to it. We don’t use any spices or vanilla sugar. We don’t even use black pepper! Limits can set us free. It allows us to go as far as we can go, without thinking we’ll get lost. With limits, we know where we stand; we know who we are. If the line keeps shifting as the years go by… was there ever really a line? -S.S.

We make all of our foods, most of them super traditional, all the way from scratch. It always surprises me how despite being so limited with ingredients, we still get such yummy dishes.

Schmaltz-fried potato kugel. There’s no kugel that can beat that taste! -I.J.

The juicing of the oranges, lemons, and grapefruits—and the laughter that accompanied it; that’s what comes to mind when I think of the pre-Pesach late nights. The entire family was up late, overtired, with a frenzied Erev Yom Tov spirit! And an honorable mention to the homemade mayonnaise which made its appearance—a million times better than store bought; I waited all year for it. -M.K.

In our home, we know Pesach is coming when we start baking the cheesecake. It is literally the first thing we do when we open the Pesach kitchen. The recipe is from the Nitra cookbook and involves whipped cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, vanilla sugar, lemon juice and eggs. Simple, basic ingredients. The crumbs are ladyfingers, walnuts and butter. And though this “tradition” began less than twenty years ago in my own home, it is Pesach-personified around these parts. -R.A.

50

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

The most famous Pesach “minhag” in our house is my mother repeating the same story over the years—regarding a miracle that happened to her parents—because she didn't remember if she’d told us yet. We have come to expect it.

In fact, for the last fifteen years we ask her to tell the story at every Seder, especially if a new member had joined the family, and they hadn’t heard it. Another fun tradition is my brother-in-law saying the entire Chad Gadyah in under one minute in English—absolutely hysterical to hear! -C.R.F.

It’s strange, but I’m so disappointed each Pesach to find more new products on the grocery store shelves. Pesach used to be about cooking mostly at home and using simple ingredients. I feel like with the availability of so many kosher-for-Pesach products, we’ve lost that.

I know some people still don’t buy everything, just because there’s a reliable hechsher, but we do. And I sometimes wish we didn’t. -R.S.

Growing up, my mother often made mashed potatoes with fried eggs. I was surprised that not everyone knows about this delicacy.

My kids love it and sometimes try to recreate it mid-year, it just hits differently on Pesach. Basically I cook and mash potatoes, add salt and fry them in a pan, and when the potatoes are nice and crispy, I pour the scrambled raw eggs right on top of it and it becomes scrambled eggs with mashed potatoes in it. It’s totally addictive. -V.B.

THE SECOND QUESTION IS: MAROR

DO YOU OR YOUR KIDS ASSOCIATE PESACH WITH STRESS OR DO THEY EXPERIENCE IT AS A TIME OF JOY?

At a shiur recently the Rebbetzin reminded us that the purpose of Pesach is “V'higadeta l'vincha bayom hahu—On this day you shall tell your son…” We need to remember that the day is about teaching our children the beauty of Yiddishkeit. She explained that if our kids do not enjoy the Seder, then we’re doing it wrong! She urged us to think ahead. If we know a child will be hungry with the long Haggadah reading, then we can feed them a full meal before the Seder. If a teenage daughter will feel bored or ignored, we need to think of ways of involving her. The goal ought to be to make the Seder entertaining for the children. That is the true purpose of all we do. -L.S.

My intention was always to have a 80/20 fun/labor ratio. I was so pleased when my daughter insisted the ratio is 90/10. I have evolved a lot over the years; the desire for perfection has waned and I am a lot more “chillaxed.” My goal is happy children and simchas Yom Tov. -H.W.

Pesach of my childhood was incredibly stressful and I promised myself that in my own home Pesach will be both kasher and freilich. Nothing gives me greater joy than seeing the kids’ excitement when we start cleaning for Pesach.

Recently when my daughter expressed joy at the sight of the “chametz-box”— something that still gives me so much anxiety—I was inexplicably giddy. I’ve done it, baruch Hashem! My children love Pesach. -M.F.

I don’t stress about Pesach work, other than hoping no one makes my kitchen chametz’dik, from when I change over until Erev Pesach. I have special toys that come out for Pesach, and Bubby’s Pesach toy collection is always fun for the grandkids! Mostly, I thank Hashem for the opportunity to watch my grandchildren spend time together. -C.R.F.

There’s such joy in taking down the Pesach boxes each year and turning over our kitchen. So much nostalgia in each box! Sure, there’s hard work, but it’s fun for all and so worth it. -V.B.

In order for my kids to have a positive perspective on the chag, we talk about Pesach a lot. It says, "Shloshim yom kodem hachag,” and we’ve taken that literally. Thirty days before the Yom Tov, immediately after Purim, we start discussing Pesach with the children so they can look forward—and we can get the feel of what they like and what they don't like. It has been delightfully eye-opening and rewarding to actively work on getting them to enjoy the season. -G.G.

My grandmother would wish us, “Ah kasheren Purim un a freilichen Pesach!” She’d say “Don’t make Purim so freilich that it’s no longer kosher. And don’t make Pesach so kosher, it’s no longer freilich.” I bear that in mind when I’m overwhelmed with the desire to do things perfectly. -Y.B.

My kids associate Pesach with a new Yom Tov’dig wardrobe. On the first night, everything is brand new, even the pajamas.

I recall the thrill from when I was growing up; the anticipation and joy at the thought of everything being fresh and new. I’m glad my children also associate Pesach with this sweet, simple pleasure. -S.O.

I think my kids just see it as an exciting but overwhelming time; not necessarily hard work, nor joy. I believe it is the parent's responsibility to set the tone with lighthearted banter and funny jokes for the kids to have positive memories, like I do, of Pesach of my childhood. -M.K.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

51

WELLBEING FEATURE COVER FEATURE

THE THIRD QUESTION IS: DIPPING

WHICH PESACH "PRIORITIES" DO YOU BELIEVE ARE EXTRANEOUS TRAPPINGS THAT TAKE AWAY FROM THE ESSENCE OF THE YOM TOV? The tension surrounding reorganizing cabinets and closets is excessive. Don’t get me wrong, it’s wonderful to have neat closets, but it’s not related to Pesach and there’s no reason to add it to our pre-Yom Tov workload! -S.O.

I don’t think we need to clean behind the fridge with a fine tooth comb to bring in Pesach. We need to know the halachos and recognize where to draw the line. -C.R.F.

I believe the shopping for Yom Tov, specifically the wardrobe obsession, is so far removed from what Yom Tov is supposed to be. But to play devil’s advocate—isn’t it a mitzvah to buy new clothing for Yom Tov? I guess we need to remember our priorities and not go overboard.

Still, the hyperfocus on clothes and other fashion, and the primacy it’s given, just takes away from the true spirit of the Yom Tov. -R.L.I.

I think the cleaning is sometimes overdone.

When I get stressed, I remind myself that it’s okay if I don't get around to cleaning or organizing a specific area that isn't chametz. Obviously, I will still do a basic chametz check, but the closet will still be there after Yom tov! Just like when marrying off a child, I’d remind myself the stores aren't closing after the wedding. I can still purchase anything we might have forgotten. -M.W.

The expectations for perfection is the antithesis of what oneg Yom Tov needs to be. I always have guests at my Seder, and so I would put a lot of emphasis on making each meal perfect—the decor, keeping the kids quiet and the table spotless throughout the meal… And I finally realized I was missing the point entirely. We need to stop the expectations that the meals will be perfect. They don't need to be; they need to be happy and relaxed so that Yiddishkeit doesn't feel stressful. -L.S.

I’ve heard people remarking that fancy tablescapes and matching wardrobes are shallow and gashmiyus. But I beg to differ. It is a direct mitzvah to purchase new clothing and cook good food for Yom Tov. Clearly our rabbanim knew something about human nature and how these elements enhance our Yamim Tovim. It might not be meaningful for everyone, but for some people this is the definition of simchas Yom Tov. And the focus on what some would consider extra, that’s just hiddur mitzvah. -Y.B.

I don’t feed into the pressure… except my table, which has to be up to my party-planner standards! -C.R.F.

I think this is one Yom Tov where there are no extras. The kitchen isn’t at its most beautiful and that is wonderful in its own way! -V.B.

52

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

My mother recently discussed the upcoming Yom Tov with the grandkids and she made a powerful observation which I think is worthy of sharing.

She said that the way kids primarily focus on the Chol Hamoed trips, their afikomen “presents,” and new wardrobes, are a “plastic version” of Pesach.

It isn’t teaching them much about the true meaning of the Yom Tov. She then expounded, “If the kids only get the plastic version, the ‘trappings’ and ‘wrappings’ of our Yamim Tovim, if they don’t experience the substance and meaning, they might be tempted by the secular world’s ‘trappings’ that can easily rival our own.” We have truth and a deeper beauty on our side, it is our responsibility to make sure our kids feel and know that. -L.S.

THE FOURTH QUESTION IS: RECLINING

HOW DO YOU TAKE THE TIME TO EXPERIENCE JOY AND FREEDOM ON THIS HECTIC YOM TOV?

I try to listen to Pesach shiurim before the chag, so when we get there I should be able to tap into its essence and not just the technicalities. -S.O.

It’s spring in the Northern hemisphere, and I don’t think that is by accident.

We get out together as a family and enjoy Hashem’s reawakening world. -V.B.

I try to go to shul on Pesach. It’s not always easy to get out of the kitchen and away from the family, but for me, when I do get to go daven, it’s bliss. It’s my little reprieve; a time to center myself and connect with Hashem. -R.L.I.

I used to make sure I'd get my nails done and would treat myself to a massage a day before Pesach. That has fallen by the wayside, but I am very religious about taking cleaning help for the dishes and such on Yom Tov, so I can spend time playing with my grandchildren and not working too hard. -C.R.F.

I host most of my kids and grandchildren on Yom Tov. Some sleep over, others just come for meals. It is hectic, lovely…and a lot of work.

I’ve learned to delegate. My daughters make some sides or desserts, and everyone takes turns serving and helping clear away. As the grandkids get older, they also step up and help. Their assistance allows me to take a nap each day of Yom Tov—something I greatly anticipate and appreciate. -S.B.

Ten years ago, when I had a newborn with a medical issue, I learned how to let go of the stress, most of which is manmade. Pesach was approaching, and there was absolutely nothing I could do in terms of cleaning or cooking—so we got ourselves invited out to family and friends for all the meals.

I spoke to our rav about priorities and they are a lot less than I’d thought. I simply washed all the linens, swept and washed all floors and that was it. In the kitchen, we got rid of the chametz, taped our cabinets and oven shut, and marked them as “sold.” The fridge was cleaned and lined. We then purchased all the basic foods that didn’t need cooking. We didn’t kasher our counters; we simply covered them with silver foil and only used cold food.

That year, I discovered that while it’s nice to make good food for Yom Tov, it’s more important to have simchas Yom Tov; to be relaxed, and have the family together and happy. That awareness is liberating. In the years since, even as I’ve gone back to regular cleaning, knowing how little has to be done has stayed with me and keeps me calm. -D.L.

For my Yom Tov seudos I use pretty paper goods. I’m so grateful to whoever invented these beautiful conveniences. I do try to buy them for less, and yes, they are still expensive, but they enhance my Yom Tov and are therefore absolutely worth it! -Y.B.

Although I'm surrounded by my kids, the married kids and my grandkids, I still try to take a few minutes to sit outside and read or just relax. -M.W.

I always promise myself a trip to the spa before Yom Tov. It has yet to happen, but just having it in mind as I physically exert myself, does lighten my workload.

And who knows? This year might be the year. -R.A.

I find I experience joy when I connect to the why more than the what. It is something along the lines of loving what you do and not working hard. When the work is meaningful, it isn’t strenuous. When I remember it is a blessing and has purpose, I feel genuine joy! -T.H.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

53

SLEEP SMARTS

UNDERSTANDING MELATONIN

By Doron Lazarus

Q

I’ve been giving my 8- and 10-year-old kids melatonin every night for a few months. It helps them fall asleep quicker, but I’m not sure it’s the right thing. What do you think?

A

First, take any guilt or shame out of the equation. Parenting is tough, and you were simply trying to help your kids (and yourself!) get better sleep. The fact that you’re asking this question shows that you care, and that’s what matters most.

That said, in my opinion, oral melatonin is usually not the best long-term option for kids. While it may seem like an easy fix, it comes with a few downsides: • Dependence: Kids begin to feel like they need a pill to sleep instead of learning to regulate their own sleep naturally.

• Reduced effectiveness: The body may adjust, making melatonin less effective over time.

• Missed opportunity: Kids are prevented from developing a natural, lifelong ability to fall asleep on their own.

Instead of relying on melatonin, focus on the following two key areas:

1. Supporting Natural Melatonin Production Melatonin isn’t just a supplement; it’s a hormone the body produces naturally. The best way to boost it is by aligning with the body’s rhythms.

• Light exposure: Bright light in the morning and natural light throughout the day help regulate melatonin.

• Screen time: Blue light from screens at night suppresses melatonin, so consider dimming screens or limiting them before bed.

• Food choices: Tart cherries, bananas, almonds, and warm milk can support melatonin production, while sugar and caffeine can disrupt it.

2. Removing Stress from Bedtime Adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) are melatonin’s biggest enemies. Here are some ways to help your kids wind down naturally: • Let them have some control by helping them pick a bedtime that feels right for their body.

• Create a calming pre-bed routine including reading, quiet time, or even simple relaxation exercises.

• Teach them to recognize their own tiredness cues rather than forcing a set schedule.

• Remember that different kids need different amounts of sleep; there’s no one-size-fits-all.

• By supporting your children’s natural sleep process instead of relying on melatonin, you’ll be giving them the tools to sleep well for life—without needing a pill.

Doron Lazarus is a former insomniac turned integrative sleep coach and the founder of the Sleep Coach Academy. He combines his background in psychobiology with tailor-made sleep coaching, hypnotherapy, and functional nutrition to help clients around the world sleep better for life. He can be reached for a free sleep consultation online at sleepcoachacademy.org or by phone/text to 347.201.0384, WhatsApp at 574.406.3008, or email doron@sleepcoachacademy.org.

54

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Heart.Works

sweetness meets sophistication

Available in Sweet White Wine and Sweet Rose Wine .‫יין מיוחד למהדרין‬ .‫מיוצר ע״י שומרי תורה ומצוות‬

WELLSPRING / ADAR 5785

55

MORE OR LESS

by Sheindy Unger, CDC

More or Less:

JUICE

The Full Squeeze on Juice What is juice? Juice is liquid pressed or extracted from fruits or vegetables. Grape juice, orange juice, spinach juice; are they good for your health or not? Natural juices contain vitamins and nutrients, however they have a high concentration of sugar and are lacking in fiber.

Different than Whole Fruit Although juices are 100 percent natural, since they are missing fiber, they do cause a sugar spike. Sugar spikes lead to a sugar crash. Nutrition in a nutshell is all about having even sugar levels. Vegetable juice blends are lower in sugar, but often, the main ingredient is apple juice. Pure vegetable juice is definitely loaded with nutrients, but it’s pretty pricey.

Moderation is Key Yes, juice in moderation has its place. Vegetable juice can be beneficial from time to time as an immune boost. Some juices, such as prune juice, are great for digestion. Adding a bit of juice to a cup of water can lead to more water being drunk—which we can all do with. Juice can also be used as an ingredient in cooking. For example, add a cup of orange juice to a pan of paprikash chicken for added flavor.

Is it Real Juice?

Juice made from concentrate is similar to sugar water. Concentrate is the pure sugar removed from the plant. It is mixed with water to mimic juice. Have you ever wondered why homemade grape juice is much lighter than store-bought? The answer is in the ingredients—added concentrate. Added concentrate in juice is no different than added sugar.

Don’t Believe the Hype Small amounts of juice can be part of a healthy diet. On the other hand, juice is not a cure-all, despite what the marketing suggests. Reduce the risk of consuming too much sugar by simply eating fruits and vegetables instead. Whole fruits are healthier because they can’t be eaten as quickly as juice. Another reason is because the fiber in whole fruits slows the sugar digestion. Eat smart and avoid a sugar avalanche, regardless of its source.

Sheindy Unger is a certified nutritionist and founder of Weight Loss by Sheindy. Her debut cookbook, Nourished by Nature, is available in better Judaica stores. Sheindy hosts the Nourished by Nature podcast, available on your favorite listening app. She is also a popular speaker on the Akeres Habayis hotline and can be contacted via email: sheindelunger@gmail.com or WhatsApp 646.498.6696. More info on her program is available on her website: weightlossbysheindy.com and on Instagram @weightlossbysheindy.

56

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

WELLSPRING / ADAR 5785

57

SECOND OPINION

SECOND OPINION Compiled by Mimi Schweid

“For Hashem gives wisdom; from His Mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” (Mishlei 2:6) Hashem is the ultimate Healer. Invariably, human doctors will at times be stumped, leaving us searching for alternate answers.

Problems with Pimples Both my teenagers, my daughter and son, have aggravated acne on their forehead.

I listened to all the well-meaning advice and tried every cream from the pharmacy, but nothing helped. We went to a dermatologist and his recommendation was Accutane.

When I expressed my misgivings about my children taking an oral medication for acne, he assured me it was something he prescribed daily. I took the prescription, but when I read the side effects, even though they’re rare, I couldn’t bring myself to give it to my kids.

There was one friend whose

58

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

advice I hadn’t yet tried. She told me her kids had gone to a holistic nutritionist who also does homeopathy, they’d seen impressive results, so I finally made the appointment. The nutritionist recommended a diet that limited sugar, nuts, and corn snacks. She also limited oil in general, but fried food specifically. She also combined a homeopathic remedy that contained graphites, thuja, and silicea. I’m not sure how it works exactly, but I don’t have to; I’m just glad it does.

The results are slow, but more importantly, they are safe and steady.

I listened to all the wellmeaning advice, but nothing helped.

I knew from the start that my baby would be formula fed.

I take medication to treat an emotional condition and both my obstetrician and pediatrician felt I should avoid nursing an infant. I wasn’t devastated about this choice as I know formula can provide excellent nutrition, so when my fourth baby was born, we started her on a dairy formula.

I didn’t immediately associate her nonstop crying with the formula, but the poor baby was shrieking from feeding to feeding.

I took her to the pediatrician and he prescribed a pediatric

form of Pepcid. I also gave her gripe water, but despite the assistance, there was no change whatsoever.

I consulted with a nutritionist/kinesiologist who recommended a diet based on applied kinesiology, or energetic testing. I brought her several cans of formula to test. Surprisingly, dairy did not seem to be my daughter’s issue; it was the added soy in the formula that was too heavy on her digestive system. What was there to do?

We were considering Neocate, a very expensive formula that has neither dairy nor soy, but the nutritionist determined

The poor baby was shrieking from feeding to feeding.

through testing that my baby would do well on Enfamil’s formula for sensitive stomachs, Gentlease. After only 24 hours on the new formula, my baby stopped her constant screaming. I also began adding an infant probiotic to her formula to help soothe her irritated stomach, and b'chasdei Hashem, my baby is happy, well fed, and sleeping—and so am I. Note: Enfamil NeuroPro Gentlease, and its generic versions, Gentle Premium, are not chalav Yisrael. Ask your personal posek before making any changes.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

Disclaimer: Always consult with a trusted licensed professional prior to discontinuing any medication.

Finding the Right Formula

59

COMMUNITY 101 In this space, we feature a health-related question or predicament submitted by a Wellspring reader. Fellow readers are invited to participate in the conversation by sharing their tried-and-true advice and suggestions. Join the community!

FREEDOM FROM PAIN I’ve been dealing with sciatica for a while. It’s been five months since the onset and I’m still in pain. I’ve tried so many modalities, including cortisone shots, acupuncture, physical therapy, yoga stretches and Sarno—all to no avail. I’m getting a bit desperate. I’m wondering if the Wellspring community would have any tips for me. Any leads would be most appreciated. Many thanks.

I’m curious to know whether you are in my age bracket. I recently entered my seventh decade and almost as if on cue, sciatica appeared in my life. I hear from friends and family that this is par for the course for people in my age range.

I want to enjoy these years, and reap some nachas from the family I’ve been zocheh to build. So, I set out to find some home remedies for this excruciating pain. I’ve found that alternating between heat and ice therapy is incredibly helpful. I especially consider this when I know I have a big event coming up, such as a wedding or if I am hosting a big Shabbos. I’ll do a heat pack for a significant amount of time right beforehand, and then have an ice pack ready for as soon as the action dies down. This method has been helping the shooting pain settle somewhat. I find that just the fact that I know some good, cold relief is coming my way helps ease the pain . I hope this method helps you.

Sciatica is not easy. You are physically fit, yet the painful sensations almost knock you out, making you feel weak at best and incapacitated at worst. It’s important to incorporate gentle constant stretches in your day. This helps your muscles strengthen, and be soothed, too. Be kind to yourself. Rub your legs warmly and offer your body constant gentle massages and soothing. The massages also encourage stronger blood flow, which will help reduce the inflammation causing the pain.

I’ve also heard that maintaining good posture is important for someone dealing with sciatica. Good posture distributes weight from around the body more evenly which will help the affected nerves handle the pain better. Going for body massages on a regular basis is a great idea.

Fraidel W., Boro Park, New York

Sara T., Los Angeles, California

Mindy T., Chicago, Illinois

My mother had a long bout with sciatica. Myself and my siblings were all at our wits’ end trying to help her find a solution that would ease her pain. Just like you, she tried so many different avenues yet none helped her much. That is, until she became really well-versed in different physical exercises. My mom was never into physical movement or fitness; she never visited a gym. Much to her consternation, she had to push herself hard to learn how to work the body and complete an intense workout. This included cardio options and some nice yoga stretches too. Perhaps you can hire a personal fitness instructor to teach you targeted moves which best strengthen the affected areas.

As a gym instructor, I’ve been asked such questions before. Not all exercises—yoga or otherwise—are created equal. The best exercises I can recommend to deal with sciatic pain would be the Reclined Pigeon Pose and Supine Twist. For the first one, lie on your back, cross one ankle over the opposite knee, and gently pull the crossed leg towards your chest. And in the second, lie on your back, bring your knees towards your chest, spread your arms, and gently lower both legs to one side while turning your head in the opposite direction. Try doing these poses multiple times a day. It will increase the blood flow in the leg area and hopefully lower the frequency and intensity of the pain.

Tziporah R., Monsey, New York

60

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Golda S., Lakewood

Stress can worsen sciatica pain, so practicing relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing can be helpful. You say that you tried Sarno without success. Perhaps you can explore why that is so. Sarno is known to really assist with these kinds of ailments, so I’d be curious if it’d be effective to try another similar approach before ruling it out.

More often than not, autoimmune diseases are just our body’s way of crying out for attention.

There is something within our soul wanting to be seen. Surprisingly, when we attend to that part within us, the physical symptoms immediately go away.

I wish you much success!

Pnina S., Jackson, New Jersey

I can completely identify with your question. Sciatic nerve pain can be so excruciating and debilitating that you don’t even want to get off the couch. I experienced this pain last winter right around the time my youngest child got married. It was not easy! Over time, I’ve found that any stretch that can externally rotate the hip will provide some relief. So, keep to your exercises. It will really help tone down the pain. Always monitor the pain. If you find that any specific exercise alleviates the pain, keep at that one. A physical therapist may be the right address for this, too. I found that no matter what home exercises I did, a qualified physical therapist can really tune in on how to help you best. A qualified practitioner can develop a personalized exercise plan and teach you proper techniques for stretching and strengthening your back and core muscles. Good luck.

Chevy G., Brooklyn, New York

I’m so sorry to hear about your predicament. Sciatica can be excruciatingly painful and disrupt your life. Unfortunately, many people find their sciatica pain is particularly bad when they’re trying to sleep at night. This can be a vicious cycle because sleep helps healing, and sciatica can disrupt sleep. If you can break this cycle and start getting some decent sleep, your sciatica may begin to improve. A warm bath prior to sleeping can go a long way. Play around with different sleeping positions until you feel most comfortable and help avoid pain flare-ups. Proper movement during the day will help you sleep better at night. Gentle walking can be good for sciatica, or try some light swimming, too. Of course, if nothing helps, your doctor may recommend diagnostic imaging to rule out anything serious.

Tova R., Yerushalayim

This question is coming in during the busiest season in the Jewish calendar. I wonder how many late nights you had recently! Be sure to rest. Give your body a break from activities that aggravate your pain, allowing your body to heal. Create spaces of time that are pain-free. (Even a few minutes where you pause and release the tension can be helpful.) I know that there is a lot to do, the to-do seems to have no end! But, remember: your comfort comes first. As simple as that.

Sometimes, we need an outside party to remind us of that truth. Have some herbal teas like chamomile and ginger, which have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce nerve pain.

Please note: These suggestions should not be implemented in place of guidance from a medical practitioner.

Are you sleeping with a good mattress? Your mattress should support your spine. Perhaps an orthopedic mattress can be helpful. Sleeping on your back with a pillow under your knees or on your side with a pillow between your legs can help, too. I’m sorry to hear that yoga moves didn’t work for you. Did you try working with a different instructor? As with all alternative healing modalities, it’s really all about the practitioner.

Perhaps switching to another practice will bring you more success.

A warm bath can help relax muscles and ease pain, too. Take it easy!

Ahuva T., Deal, New Jersey

Next Up: Over the past year, I’ve been dealing with acid reflux which is causing me to wake up with a dry mouth and bad breath. It also affects my teeth, making them brittle and prone to cavities. Short of making massive dietary changes—which I am not sure I’m ready for—is there any other advice on how to protect my oral health?

Want to share what worked for you with a fellow Wellspring Community member? Send your response to info@wellspringmagazine.com.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

61

FITNESS

FOUR CUPS, FOUR QUESTIONS, AND ON ALL FOURS

By Chaya Tziry Retter, RDN, BS, CPT As the Yom Tov season commences, yawns and naps seem to follow. The pull to be horizontal is strong! Just the vision of a cozy bed after a long day of hard work (or play!) brings a sigh of relief. I figured we could make that prone position into our inspiration for this sequence.

We’ll start strong in our plank and work from there. Here’s a quick reminder of the plank position: palms on the ground aligned with the shoulders, legs extended backward and knees locked, supporting your legs on the balls of your feet.

Mountain Climber From the plank position, bring the knees in toward the heart one at a time, as if running, with a quick pace.

8 reps

62

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Downward Dog Tap

Plank Lunge

From plank position, lift hips up to sky as you bring your head inward between your arms, and tap one hand to the opposite toes. Drop back down into the plank, and once you’ve gotten into the plank, start again: Lift the hips to bring you close to the toes and tap with the opposite hand.

From plank position, bring one leg forward until the sole of the foot is aligned with the palm and the knee is bent next to the arm on the same side, the legs now being in lunge position. Bring the leg back into plank and repeat on the other side.

Alternate for 8 reps on each side

8 reps

Flutter Floater

Plank Jack

Lying flat on the stomach on the ground, lift arms and legs above the ground and “flutter” them—just moving arms and legs up and down, without touching the ground.

From plank position, open and close legs in jumping jack style.

8 reps

16 reps Repeat this sequence three times for a killer core and arm workout. If you need some motivation halfway through, think of all the potato kugel you’ve already eaten or will be eating. A gut Yom Tov! Chaya Tziry Retter, RDN, BS, CPT, is a Monsey-based Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and ACE Certified Personal Trainer. In addition to her private practice, she recently launched “RESET Nutrition: The Workshop Series” to explore popular and often confusing topics in nutrition. She also developed a nutrition curriculum that she teaches in high schools. To get in touch and to find out about upcoming virtual workshops, reach out at 845.540.4487 or resetbyctretter@gmail.com.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

63

CUP OF TEA

A nature walk with Malka Arons is far more than a hike in the woods. It is an experience with oneself and one’s inner relationship with Hashem. With Malka, participants join in a deep exploration of the natural world while entering a quieter, healing state of mind.

For an hour and a half, people stretch, make tea from gathered plants, journal, and practice mindfulness among trees, flowers, and streams along their way.

64

“Being immersed in nature enlivens and heightens a person’s senses,” says Malka. “During my walk, participants experience their surroundings becoming more vivid, more alive.

of fight-or-flight—constantly checking the phone, driving through traffic, managing mini-family crises, etc. This state of chronic stress has negative effects on a person’s health and wellbeing in a myriad of ways, from anxiety to reduced immunity, to chas ve’shalom much worse.” Malka pauses before continuing. “But that is not how Hashem wanted us to live. On our walks, we have an opportunity to return to the state that is most basic and healthy for the human soul—one that is relaxed, grounded, and open, in which we are breathing deeply and are full of gratitude and awe.”

“Most of us are in a constant state

Malka is fortunate to live within 15

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

minutes of the immense Harriman State Park, with its numerous and beautiful places to explore. She also leads walks in smaller local parks depending on the weather, the amount of time, and the needs of the group.

Some walks are more informative, others slower, while other walks combine rigorous exercise with mindfulness. While participants are learning the names of the plants, the historical uses and functions of trees, or inhaling some magnificent aromas, Malka encourages women to find some lesson to be learned from what they are observing, just like Shlomo Hamelech taught that we can learn how to live from na-

Cup of Tea with Malka Arons, M.S. Ed., AGE: 57 LOCATION: Spring Valley, New York FAMILY: 3 children over 18 OCCUPATION: Forest mindfulness and nature therapy guide; English language arts teacher

PASSION: Appreciating and learning from Hashem’s beautiful world and helping others do so in their own unique way.

SHE WISHES PEOPLE WOULD KNOW: “Quiet time in nature—time to observe, connect, daven, and introspect—is essential for a person’s growth and wellbeing.”

By Devorah Levitz

ture: “Go to the ant…see her ways and become wise” (Mishlei 6:6).

and to Hashem, the mind and body become alive and integrated.

Malka also points out edible and medicinal plants along the way—as well as teaching which plants to avoid— and the participants experiment with smelling, tasting, and feeling them.

At the end of the hike, Malka brews a tea with some of the leaves they have collected, and the women enjoy it together with some healthy homemade treats she brings along. The group then shares their experiences, thoughts, and emotions, which can be powerful and transformative. With all five primary senses engaged, combined with the experience of connecting to the group

When asked how she came to practicing forest therapy, Malka smiles and takes a deep breath. “My whole life could be described as ‘the time I was healed by being in nature.’ Since I was a little girl, I played and ran and lay in the fields and woods around our house. I grew up literally in the woods in Vermont,” she shares. “Part of the time was on an active dairy farm, while some of the time in a little cabin without running water. When I wasn’t busy with chores or school, I was exploring the woods and the fields riding on my horse, Nibbles. My parents are both

nature lovers. My mother is a master gardener and knows the Latin names of countless trees and plants. My father, like me and my siblings, is happiest when he is working outside or walking in the woods.

“There was almost nothing in the way of Jewish knowledge or community. I didn’t even know I was Jewish until I was around 11, when I watched Fiddler on the Roof and asked my mother who these fascinating people were. Both my parents always expressed gratitude for the beauty around us, which led me to wonder and ask questions: Where did this all come from? Is there Something that makes it all work? Why are we

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

65

CUP OF TEA

here in this world? And what does that have to do with the fact that my ancestors were Jewish? Ultimately, and that is a book unto itself, my search led me to Israel and baruch Hashem, to Torah and mitzvos.

“One particularly dramatic event occurred many years ago, when I was around 25. I had recently become observant and was living in Jerusalem. Even though I was madly in love with Eretz Yisrael, I felt so lost and alone. I had no frum or Israeli relatives. I couldn’t go home because how could I live a frum life in the sticks of Vermont?

I wasn’t ready to marry. I was a teacher, but I hated my job teaching unruly teens. I felt utterly stuck. And on top of it all, I was living in the city for the first time in my life, completely overwhelmed by the foreignness and bustle; I had no idea how to adjust. Every day was drudgery, pulling myself forward in the noise and heat from one teaching job to the next.

“One day, I told my roommates I couldn’t take it anymore; I was getting out of the city and going to the desert. I had no plan at all.

I packed water and crackers and smothered myself in sunscreen, then hopped on a random bus heading south. I got off the bus in the middle of nowhere in the blazing heat of summer. Obviously, this was an incredibly foolhardy thing to do, especially as this was before the days of cell phones and the country also happened to be in the middle of an intifada.

“I wandered out into the desert, and as I did so, I felt my frozen heart thawing. I watched the swallows swooping overhead and followed them to their nests in the walls of a white cliff. I climbed as high as I could and lay in a carved-out part of

66

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

the sandy wall, feeling the cool, shady ground on my back, staring at the brilliant blue sky.

“Hours passed. I napped and ate, and I wrote in my journal about what I wanted and what I was struggling with. Gradually, I remembered that G-d Who created me is my friend and ally, and He loves me. I davened.

And slowly, I felt myself wanting to smile again. I climbed down when the sun began to descend and ran like a child on the hard ground, laughing with relief. At some point on the way back to the bus stop, I saw helicopters overhead, and in the blurry desert heat saw two soldiers walking toward me, their devices beeping. They caught up with me and questioned me, and when I told them I was just walking by myself, they rightfully scolded me for my stupidity.

“But I didn’t care at the time. I finally felt myself again.

“They pointed out the direction to the road and the bus stop and I walked there happily. By the time the bus arrived, it was nighttime, and I sat on the bus to the city filled with joy. I came back to my apartment and suddenly everything felt hopeful. I was me again—strong, capable, resilient. The heavy depression had completely faded.

“It didn’t take me long to find a new job that I loved and to slowly acclimate to my life in Jerusalem.

“Since then, I have always felt a personal miracle happened somewhere deep in the cliffs of the Negev Desert.

“But what frustrated me about the experience in hindsight was how hard it was to replicate something like that.

First, I knew then and believe firmly now that women should not be hiking alone—ever. Un-

I saw helicopters overhead, and in the blurry desert heat saw two soldiers walking toward me, their devices beeping.

fortunately, the world is not a safe place, and until Moshiach comes, may it be soon, bad things can happen. Second, is there a way to achieve this type of real introspection when you are among other people? It just doesn’t happen with a friend or spouse.

“Often, when a person goes for a walk with a friend or spouse, they spend the whole time shmoozing about random, sometimes stressful, topics or checking their phones.

They barely notice the millions of magnificent things around them or the changes and wisdom inside of them. That is what I am trying to provide for others, and baruch Hashem, it’s working. People come home with more space in their lives, profound insights, and sometimes even life-changing shifts like the one I experienced in the Negev.”

Going back to her story, Malka explains, “When I moved back to the States, I married and began working as an English teacher. I always tried to incorporate nature in my lessons. I marveled at how kids relaxed and were able to focus immediately after stepping outside; their writing opened up completely. I developed a curriculum that included a weekly ‘sit-spot,’ in which students sit silently in the same spot for 15 minutes, tune in to the senses, and write their observations.

Meanwhile, I was still always hiking, exploring nature, and collecting nature books. In the back of my mind, my dream of leading walks was brewing. One day, some women approached me and asked if I would guide a hike. And that was it; I knew I had to do this, so I began doing some research.”

Eventually, Malka stumbled

‘Better’ just got good!

•

oice -fri

ch

rt

FO R Y

OU

ER TT

• A hea

BE

Heart.Works

choose from: Penne, Fusilli, Elbows, Spaghetti, Lasagna, Orzo, and Pearled Couscous

You know those “better-for-you” foods — typically high in compromise and low in flavor? Well, it’s time to try grain-free pasta from Heaven & Earth, now available in three great new shapes.

Still gluten-free, still perfectly al dente, and great with any sauce you throw at it. Seriously, it’s surprisingly good!

e n d ly

GLUTEN FREE

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

67

CUP OF TEA

upon “forest bathing” or shinrin yoku—a Japanese technique of immersing oneself in nature.

Shinrin yoku was developed in the 1980s when Japanese corporations were suffering from tremendous burnout among their employees caused by stress-related illness. The Japanese government researched different ways to help people reduce their stress. Interestingly, what they found extremely effective was having their workers slow down and spend focused time in nature.

Today, offices all over Japan require their workers to do forest bathing weekly in dedicated “forest bathing spaces.” They have guides leading the immersion, and doctors and nurses checking blood pressure and other vitals.

Malka began looking for a certification program that did not contain any avodah zarah. She stresses that it is very important to be wary of this because there are practitioners who veer into dangerous pseudo-mystical ideas. After many hours of combing the web and speaking to trainers, she found a program that fit her needs perfectly and continued with more training in mindfulness, somatic work, and edible plants.

“Walking with a trained leader in a focused group means you have a greater opportunity to let go and just observe and be. You don’t have to worry about getting lost or traversing a dangerous area or stumbling into poison ivy. The group leader keeps everyone focused. You learn so much more when somebody trained can explain what you are seeing, hearing, and touching.

And you have the advantage of the exercises, which allow you to look inward and connect to yourself and Hashem.”

68

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Malka describes a walk she led recently. After collecting wild herbs for a tea, she told her participants, “Go off on your own, keeping within sight of the group. Whichever direction talks to you, follow it. Connect to your child self. Run, play, cartwheel, skip, roll, or walk… whatever you can do. Make sure you are not listening to your analytical self. That part of you is put away for now. Nobody’s watching you. Relax. Be yourself! After 10 to 15 minutes, choose a tree at the base of the hill, and start making your way toward the tree. That tree will represent your wise self. Now that you’ve let your child self out a bit, you’re going to meet your wise self. When you reach your tree, have a dialogue with your wise self. See what it has to say.

Then, when you are ready, you can sit leaning against your tree on the mat provided, and write in your journal.”

Malka explains that it is remarkable to hear or read the beauty of what people write.

Their expression is free, open, and rich with insights. The safety and calm of being in nature allows participants to access a deeper voice that rarely has an opportunity to be heard. Often, this leads to unexpected growth.

“Nature is a shaliach of Hashem,” Malka tells me. “Hashem sends his healing in many ways,

and this is just one of them.

When people draw pictures of themselves healed or they draw pictures of what they yearn for, they almost always include pictures of flowers, trees, or the sun. Nature is an expression of a person’s health, and it brings people to health. Everybody knows this.”

“Tehillim is a vital part of every walk,” Malka concludes.

“We discuss excerpts that are relevant to what we are experiencing. Tehillim is immensely powerful and it always has relevance for every person, in every moment. It is full of pesukim that discuss nature as a metaphor for our own connection to Hashem.

The safety and calm of being in nature allows participants to access a deeper voice that rarely has an opportunity to be heard.

“When I take women on a nature walk, I help them connect to the power that Dovid Hamelech left as a legacy for us. So many of our leaders— Avraham, Moshe, Dovid, and others—were shepherds. They used that time well, to work on themselves and to grow in their understanding, love, and service of Hashem. We are resting on their great shoulders. Why don’t we learn from their ways?

There is nothing that compares to immersion in nature as a means to connect to Hashem and find wholeness and wholesomeness in one’s life.”

Malka Arons can be contacted through Wellspring.

‫ חלב ישראל‬. ‫כשר לפסח‬ ‫בהשגחה מתחילת חליבה‬

PROTEIN ON-THE-GO

Traditionally Made

Fine English Cheese

Heart.Works

NEW!

Try the Chevington range of delicious English cheeses this Pesach.

Melts beautifully in any cooked dish, or enjoy a slice straight from the pack.

Some flavours now available in convenient snack size portion — ideal for Chol Hamoed trips!

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

69

MEDICAL SAGA

THE UNHEARD HEART A DIABETIC’S STORY OF SILENT SYMPTOMS As told to Mattie Steinberg

70

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

G

Given my medical history, it shouldn’t have come as such a surprise. One would think that with my experience I’d know better, but I’ll ask the readers to hold their judgement on what might appear as a careless attitude. Until one has been through it themselves, they can’t understand how easy it is to ignore the threat, even when it’s real. B’chasdei Hashem, I was spared and I’d like to express my gratitude to Hakadosh Baruch Hu for this tremendous miracle, by sharing my story.

I’m an older type 1 diabetic, who has had the disease for a while. I can’t count the times I’ve been cautioned that a heart attack can hide itself such that no one will recognize it—least of all the patients themselves.

While those with type 2 diabetes are prone to cardiac issues in general, making heart attacks a greater concern, the issue is relevant to all diabetics.

The reason for the concern is due to the neuropathy, or nerve damage, diabetics experience.

The nerves that signal pain are often numbed, which can lead to “silent” or painless heart attacks. What’s worse, the few symptoms which might present, can closely resemble other issues long-term diabetics may already suffer from. It’s therefore easy to reject the notion that an emergency is brewing.

This story happened a couple of years ago, and it began on a routine Wednesday evening.

I had come back early from a simchah because I had some work to finish. My desk at home is in a cramped corner in

a spare bedroom, and because I spend hours working there, I had finally splurged on an ergonomic chair which touted all sorts of benefits in matters of comfort, including improved posture, enhanced blood circulation, and reduced back and neck pain. It sounded exactly like what I needed.

went out to my office, a short ride from home.

As soon as I arrived at work, I realized I wasn’t feeling very well—beyond the typical. My blood glucose kept spiking; I was feeling sicker and also very tired. Incidentally, the pain in my neck and shoulder was still there, but surprisingly, it had mostly faded.

As a diabetic of almost forty years, I have a number of health issues. Most pertinent to my story are the “frozen” shoulder, and gastroparesis, a condition where the stomach muscles do not work properly.

That evening, I came home at 9:00 p.m. and spent the next four hours at my computer, sitting in my new chair. Sometime during the evening, I felt a pain in my neck and shoulder, which I assumed was due to my new chair. I figured it wasn’t all it was promised to be. When my husband came to check on me and asked me when I’ll be turning in, I told him something about having to return the chair because it wasn’t comfortable, but at no point did I think to mention the discomfort in my shoulder. Absolutely nothing felt wrong with my chest. Other than the aches in my neck and shoulder, and later, down my arm, I felt fine.

So, I went to bed thinking I'll have to send the chair back and get another one.

When I woke up, I felt sick and vomited. But as I said earlier, I suffer from gastroparesis, so I just assumed more of the same. It had unfortunately happened in the past. I cleaned up the mess, got myself ready, and

I know that any diabetic who would experience my symptoms would think the same— apart from the neck discomfort, everything else pointed to typical diabetic symptoms, especially when dealing with a virus or other illness.

I went into full-diabetes mode; I phoned my doctor. I did not mention my shoulder pain.

There was an explanation for that, so I did not think it mattered. What was concerning me, somewhat, was that I found myself dozing off and having recurring issues with my blood glucose. I was calling my medical team just as a precaution, and mostly to confirm what I already knew—that I was under the weather.

So, I went to bed thinking I'll have to send the chair back and get another one.

In my conversation with my doctor, there was no alarm on either end. We discussed making an appointment for the following Monday to do a blood test. She was somewhat uncomfortable about my falling asleep midday, but not enough to consider it an emergency. If she did not deem it as such, neither would I. I had a busy Shabbos coming up. My son and his wife were planning to come and stay with us so they could attend a Shabbos sheva brachos,

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

71

MEDICAL SAGA

doctor. My blood pressure was 83/60. Although my numbers were usually elevated and I had in the past been working hard to get it down, these numbers were worryingly low.

The doctor said she wanted to do an ECG immediately. An electrocardiogram is a 5–10 minute test, where the patient lies flat and small electrodes are placed on the chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes are connected to a machine that records the electrical signals from the heart. An ECG can detect any heart rhythm disorders (arrhythmias) and identify possible heart muscle damage, among other issues.

nearby.

Having read the preface to this story, where I explained the diabetics’ complicated relationship with heart attacks, I imagine the astute reader is getting really worried right about now.

For good reason. I know I am very lucky to be able to tell my story today.

In any case, although I didn’t think anything was majorly amiss, my Shabbos plans changed as soon as I told my husband about my “virus.” He insisted my son be rerouted so that I could rest up and recover.

I was quietly grateful for his insistence. I felt too tired to host.

Shabbos morning I made the effort to go to the kiddush which was near my home. I stayed for all of five minutes. I was feeling awful, but not worried. Viruses tend to knock me out. Over Shabbos, I napped a

72

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

After the ECG, things started to happen fast. Within minutes, I was advised that Hatzolah was outside, waiting to take me to the hospital. I called my husband and, in retrospect, the conversation that ensued was almost comical. He knew I had gone to the doctor because I likely had a virus. I informed him I was having a heart attack.

lot, ate very little, and spent the day attempting to recuperate and get my energy back.

Sunday was just more of the same and I was frustrated with the virus’s slow departure.

Monday morning finally arrived, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary, or any worse.

But since there hadn’t been any improvement either, I took a cab to the doctor’s office; I just didn’t feel like making the twenty-minute walk.

In the car, I reassessed what I was feeling. The pain was explainable and mild. My blood glucose levels kept creeping up and I had to correct it multiple times a day. I still had no desire to eat and was so exhausted, to the point that I kept dozing off. So overall…a virus—I presumed.

At the doctor’s office, the nurse took my vitals and ran to get the

My heart attack had apparently started on Wednesday evening, but all symptoms were either masked by the numbed muscles and nerves or hidden by the familiar diabetes symptoms.

I called my husband and, in retrospect, the conversation that ensued was almost comical.

By the time I arrived at the hospital midday on Monday, I was rushed right into surgery for a contrast coronary angiogram. The procedure involves a special dye being injected through a catheter to provide contrast imaging of the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. The angiogram revealed significant blockages, and the cardiologist proceeded to perform an emergency angioplasty, in which he placed stents in

the arteries to open them and keep them open.

Our hearts have two main coronary arteries, each branching off into many smaller arteries as they supply blood to our atriums and ventricles. Both of my main arteries had ischemia, or restricted blood flow, with my left artery being almost totally blocked at the bottom for four days.

Ischaemias lead to a myocardial infarction, which is a fancy way of saying a heart attack.

That happens when an area of heart muscle dies due to ischemia.

I was later told that cardiac surgeons typically prefer doing open chest procedures on diabetics rather than have a cardiologist perform angioplasty, but with what the angiogram had revealed, the doctors felt the stents couldn’t wait.

In total I had four stents put in.

During my recovery, I was reminded no less than six times that I was incredibly lucky to be alive. I truly didn’t need the reminders; I couldn’t stop thanking Hashem. My friend had almost lost her mother,

also a diabetic, to a heart attack.

The symptoms had been similarly mild and therefore missed.

She’d had terrible jaw pain, but her dentist assured her it was TMJ. It got worse over two days, during which time she was very sleepy and nauseous.

Still, she hadn’t wanted to bother Hatzolah. When the pain got really bad on the second night, she took ibuprofen and went to bed. She passed out before she hit the pillow. Be’chasdei Hashem, her husband was there. He called an ambulance and—sure enough—it was a heart attack.

Even with a family history of heart disease, she hadn’t seen it coming.

Women, in general, often don’t exhibit the classic crushing chest pain and left arm pain that are typically expected.

And even knowing that story, I missed it too.

Although type 2 diabetics are more likely to have cardiac issues, even type 1 diabetics need to be cautious. I’ve always had “good blood work” and my cholesterol levels never raised any alarms, but just having type 1 diabetes made me more prone to high blood pressure, which increases the risk greatly. As diabetics, we experience huge jumps in blood glucose levels

While classic heart attack symptoms like crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm are common in men, women are more likely to experience subtle or atypical symptoms.

• Pain: Women may experience pain in the neck, jaw, back, or between the shoulder blades, rather than the classic left arm pain.

• Dizziness: They might also experience fatigue, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness.

• Indigestion or heartburn: Some women might mistake heart attack symptoms for indigestion or heartburn.

Because some heart attacks, particularly in women, can be "silent," it's crucial to be aware of these potential heart attack symptoms and seek medical attention promptly if one experiences any concerning signs.

which mess with our blood viscosity arteries, thereby impacting our blood pressure in a way that is usually not of concern for non-diabetics.

Word of Caution While diabetics have almost symptom-less heart attacks, women in general, often don’t exhibit the classic crushing chest pain and left arm pain that are typically expected. For example, women are more likely to experience pain between the shoulder blades, jaw pain, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, and nausea (see sidebar).

There is no need to panic and start assuming that every ache and pain might be something serious. By being educated on the subject, I hope Wellspring readers will know to seek help when something feels wrong.

It can feel awkward to call Hatzolah, only to be told that all is well. Let’s remember, our lives are worth a few moments of awkwardness.

I spoke to a Hatzolah paramedic and asked about the organization’s attitude towards calls which don’t amount to anything. “Every Hatzolah member would much rather show up on a call and realize that the patient is healthy, rather than to hear that a patient was afraid to call and chas ve’shalom didn’t make it,” he insisted. “I think Hatzolah members are the only service providers who wish our time would be ‘wasted’ and we worked for nothing. There is nothing sadder than being told that a patient didn’t want to bother us, and had a catastrophic outcome. By all means, bother us! Never hesitate to call. We don’t mind. Rather be safe than sorry.”

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

73

GUT REACTION

By Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE

PCOS PENTAGON

MY FIVE-FACETED APPROACH TO TREATING PCOS lin, which regulates blood sugar. Insulin resistance is caused and impacted by many factors, including genetic predisposition, inflammation due to poor diet, high cortisol (stress) levels, and toxin exposure.

When Penina came to see me two years ago, I was most impressed by her determination and spunky personality. She was emotionally upbeat, but her apparent energy level revealed the truth. Penina was feeling physically depleted.

Penina was a classic PCOS case, presenting with symptoms of difficulty conceiving, anovulation, excess facial hair, difficulty losing weight, and acne. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age, manifesting as a hormonal imbalance which is a common and treatable cause of infertility. While many medical professionals treat PCOS using medications and/or a hormonal therapy approach, dietary and lifestyle solutions are just as vital in conjunction with, or as a first step prior to, medical intervention.

Penina had tried metformin, the commonly prescribed dia-

74

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

betes drug which is often also used in PCOS, with minimal improvement, and her doctor was now recommending a three-to-four month course of hormonal treatment—but Penina was hesitant. The suggested month-long hormonal treatment would involve a combination of oral contraceptives (COCs) containing both estrogen and progestin, which help regulate cycles, reduce androgen levels, and address the related symptoms like hirsutism (excessive growth of dark, coarse hair in a male-like pattern) and acne. But it wouldn’t resolve anything long term.

It also would not improve her chances at conceiving.

Penina had a history of difficulty losing weight, with a tendency to store fat in her belly area.

At our first meeting, I explained to her that both the struggle with the weight, and the location of the excess points, were a consequence of her body’s resistance to the hormone insu-

Penina had made the appointment with the conviction that she would commit to an intensive dietary and lifestyle intervention to see if her PCOS could be improved naturally.

As I explained to her at that first session, while there are no guarantees, the following principles are what I consider the core focus of PCOS nutritional and lifestyle treatment:

It wouldn’t resolve anything long term.

It also would not improve her chances at conceiving.

Carb Counting: Every individual with PCOS needs to be taught basic carbohydrate counting. While many foods contain labels, it is also important to know the approximate carb content of non-labeled starches—even whole grains and fruits—as every carb counts. Because PCOS involves resistance to insulin, blood sugar control is especially vital in order to reverse the hormonal imbalance. Carbohydrates have the greatest impact on blood sugar levels, and being educated on how to count them properly and stick to predetermined target goals is vital to successfully treat the condition.

How many grams of carbs should be the target per meal? I

individualize this based on the severity of the case and the length of time the individual has been unsuccessfully trying to manage the condition. The usual recommendations are a max of 15-20 grams of carbs at each of the three meals per day, with one snack of 15 grams spaced two hours from a meal for blood sugar regulation. However, there are situations where it may be warranted to set the target goal even lower than this, depending on the individual’s motivation and ability to comply.

Glycemic Control: Combining naturally low glycemic carbs with fat and fiber can decrease blood sugar levels to a greater degree and improve treatment prospects. Many individuals erroneously believe that adding protein to a carbohydrate meal will slow down blood sugar rise, but fat packs a more powerful punch in slowing down the emptying of carbohydrates from the stomach into the bloodstream. As little as 5-7 g of fat per 15 g of carbs can do the trick. Keep in mind that many “protein” foods such as eggs or cheese also include fat, which is the more likely reason for improved glycemic response with their addition to a snack or meal.

Exercise! All of my PCOS clients are highly encouraged (and nagged!) to make sure to reach a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise 5x per week, with about 1/₃–½ of that time spent on resistance training to build up muscle. While there is little hard scientific research on ideal types of exercise specifically for PCOS, we know that increased muscle mass from weight training improves overall insulin resistance. Like I always say, muscle cells love glucose! Every additional pound of muscle added to a body will increase the sugar uptake from the blood. The result is lower blood sugars and insulin levels, critically important in PCOS. Weight Loss: While this is definitely harder for PCOS women, in combina-

Like I always say, muscle cells love glucose!

Every additional pound of muscle added to a body will increase the sugar uptake from the blood. The result is lower blood sugars and insulin levels, critically important in PCOS. tion with all of the other recommendations, and an overall calorie-restricted diet, most women can lose some weight at a reasonable pace once the insulin resistance issue is improved. Even a modest weight loss will further increase insulin sensitivity and help reduce the high androgen hormones (i.e. testosterone) associated with PCOS. Micronutrient Supplementation: This is the component that is unfortunately often sorely missed. I recommend specific supplementation in all women who are having difficulty conceiving, specifically women with PCOS. In one study conducted in a fertility center, women receiving a supplement comparable to a prenatal vitamin, combined with a few additional micronutrients, had a conception rate double that of the group receiving folic acid only! My standard nutrient recommendation for women with PCOS trying to conceive is: • Prenatal vitamin with 800 mcg of methylfolate, and an additional 2000 IU of vitamin D daily • Alpha Lipoic Acid 200 mg; a potent antioxidant • Selenium from 1-2 Brazil nuts eaten daily; lowers inflammation and oxidation and improves insulin sensitivity • Myo-Inositol, 2000 mg twice daily; this supplement is one of the most researched, often recommended in fertility clinics • Melatonin, 1 mg at bedtime; sup-

porting research demonstrates its effectiveness in lowering testosterone levels • NAC, 600 mg per day for 3 months; shown in research to be comparative to metformin in lowering insulin and testosterone • Berberine, 500 mg 3x per day; for blood sugar regulation In Penina’s case, being a very determined and compliant client, she adopted a diet with intake of only 15–25 g of low glycemic carbs (balanced with fat) 3x–4x per day, exercised 6 days per week for 30–45 minutes, including twice weekly muscle training with a personal trainer, and took all of the above supplements. She lost 12 pounds over the course of a three- month period, keeping her calorie level at my recommendation of 1500/day (and no lower!) based on her body size. After four months, we were both surprised and thrilled to learn that she was expecting naturally, and, baruch Hashem, she delivered a healthy full term baby that summer.

Tamar Feldman, RDN, CDE, is a dietitian whose mission is to improve lives by empowering individuals to use nutrition to improve their gut health and hormone balance. She is a recognized expert on IBS/SIBO and has developed the Gut Dietitian training protocols on IBS and IBD for Registered Dietitian education. She writes, lectures, and counsels extensively on IBD, IBS, PCOS/fertility, and thyroid health, and is the founder of www. thegutdietitian.com virtual practice and co-founder of the app Belly.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

75

76

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Wellbeing

WALLET WELLNESS

WELL ASKED—WELL ANSWERED

HAKOL BESEDER

Escaping Yesterday's Dreams: Finding Financial Freedom

Rejection and Projection Vichna Belsky, BS, CLC Responds

Listless?

These Will Add Pep to Your Step

HAKOL BESEDER

A Happy and Healthy Haven As we prepare to celebrate our Yom Tov of liberation, let’s explore a practical way we can lighten our mental load and experience emotional freedom.

Lists, a key component of efficient time management, has the ability to put our busy minds at ease. Lists allow us to let go of the myriad of details clamoring for our attention.

EnLISTing Lists I’ve always been an admirer of the way words can be coalesced to form elegant prose, yet I seldom appreciated words for their more clinical use—information. Words can be incredibly useful when written in a sensible sequence and given attention on a sheet.

By Tziri Hershkovitz

Listless?

This will add pep to your step!

78

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

There are various types of lists; each one serves a distinct purpose and has the ability to make a different aspect of our housework much simpler. At this time, I want to address checklists, todo lists, inventory, and packing lists.

(Shopping lists and menus are rich topics deserving of their own column.)

Each of these comes in handy, repeatedly, throughout the year.

Checklists Checklists come in many variations.

A morning or evening routine could be considered a checklist; so too can Erev Shabbos and Yom Tov lists. A checklist is a list for any specific purpose that is likely to be referred to more than once and is therefore kept safely in a sheet protector in our list binder.

For example, one can write a checklist before a bar mitzvah, wedding, or upsherin. Keeping these lists from year to year, or event to event, ensures that we

the process.

A good list gives us the luxury of forgetting so that we can focus on matters which truly deserve our attention.

don’t have to think from scratch when we are already busy.

each drawer, closet section, bed, etc., separately.

For Pesach, we do an Erev Pesach and Seder checklist, but for illustrative purposes, and practicality, let’s discuss the Pesach cleaning checklist.

It is easy to feel daunted by the (purposefully) long list, but our being overly specific will have each item require very little time. As an added bonus, there now are more opportunities to cross things off.

Crossing items off our list is one of life’s sweetest pleasures.

The Pesach-cleaning checklist actually consists of multiple lists, one for each room in the home.

On each list, we enumerate every single chore that can be done in that particular room. Next to each item on the list, we give ourselves a minute amount. The time frame next to the task makes the project seem smaller and more doable. It is helpful to be detailed and list

StyLISTic Word Structure Writing lists is an art, and like most other talents, it can be acquired with the appropriate focus and effort. The resulting freedom will justify all effort expended in

A short list about lists: Write lists on full-sized sheets of paper. Don’t just scribble whatever comes to mind; write neatly and clearly. (If you are a fan of the brain-dump method, you can do that and then compose a neat list.)

Keep lists in plastic sheet protectors so they aren’t limited to onetime use. Cross off accomplishments with a dry erase marker on the plastic, instead of a pen on paper.

Keep the lists in a binder and store them in a handy location for easy additions and convenient reference. And you might as well make the binder a favorite color or design. It’s worth it; you’ll be looking at it a lot.

In our workshops, the skill of list writing has been taught for two decades, and the process has evolved along the way. When I first began researching the utility of lists, I recognized the importance of keeping a notebook or pad handy at all times. An item that belongs on our to-do list will weigh on our minds and crowd our thinking until it hits paper. A good list gives us the luxury of forgetting so that we can focus on matters which truly deserve our attention.

Once we write something down, we give our brain permission to relax and forget. Though hugely beneficial, freeing up our minds won’t serve us well if the list isn’t one we refer to again.

To-Do List: 1. Write only one to-do list at a time, and always keep it in the same handy binder or daily planner. If we keep multiples, jotting down whatever comes to mind— whenever, wherever—we’re less likely to refer back to it.

2. Keep it short. We’re more likely to notice and get to everything on our lists if our words are precise.

3. Highlight or otherwise mark priorities.

4. If we find ourselves procrastinating on complicated, lengthier tasks, it might be necessary to create a separate to-do list/checklist by dividing that task into many smaller, more manageable parts.

5. Writing the verb with the task can help us get it done. For example: Instead of writing “Verizon;” write “Call Verizon,” “Pay Verizon,” or “Dispute Verizon.”

6. Categorize the to-do list. Categories might include: Errands to Run, Things to Buy, Calls to Make, etc. Having our errands in one

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

79

HAKOL BESEDER

Never is an inventory list as important as before Pesach. Having a handy inventory list—what was packed away the previous year, what we ran out of and what we'll need for this year—is incredibly helpful for when we do our Pesach shopping.

me to your grocery list, or in this instance, your Pesach Shopping List—where you write what you need to buy for a beautiful Pesach.

When you save your list for the coming year, specifying how much was actually consumed, it will take much of the guesswork out of Pesach shopping. (Even if you have to tweak it because the company is different, Chol Hamoed falls out differently, etc. you'll have a solid list to start with.)

LISTen Up

place will save time and money by consolidating trips. It is also easier to keep an eye out for sales and recognize what items we need.

7. Although it sounds obvious, it bears repeating: it’s more convenient to work off a neat list.

Packing Lists Packing lists are essential at different occasions throughout the year. For instance, having a weekend packing list will allow for spontaneous getaways, without mini panic attacks. Creating an individual list for each child, allows us to pack their stuff with ease, for any destination, whenever the unexpected arises.

Aside from the packing lists for a week or night away, create packing lists for the kids’ school bags, baby’s diaper bag, your gym bag, etc. These packing lists should ideally be written on little index cards, so they can be reviewed prior to leaving home. It really is unpleasant—and unnecessary—to find

ourselves out of the house without cash, fresh wipes, or a phone.

Inventory Lists and Shopping List Inventory lists are usually written once a year and are the greatest gift to you from the future, whether it’s an end-of-summer list, where we take note of what was left in the summer home, or an end-of-school-year list, written as we put away good supplies, so we know what not to purchase again in September. It’s also relevant for Purim, as we pack away the cellophane, extra containers, graggers, costumes and makeup pastels; writing it down ensures we don’t buy next year that which we already have.

But never is an inventory list as important as before Pesach. Having a handy inventory list—what was packed away the previous year, what we ran out of and what we'll need for this year—is incredibly helpful for when we do our Pesach shopping. Which brings

Lists are grounders. They serve as a baseline, the tried-and-true trail we are loosely tethered to, so we can run and explore—and still never lose our way.

In their myriad forms, they are designed to allow us to be spontaneous; to grab life by the horns and just go for the exciting opportunities as they present themselves. They also serve as that rigid structure we sometimes need to maximize efficiency.

Pesach, the season of “seder,” is well suited for lists. In preparation for this Yom Tov, we utilize all of the lists discussed: checklists, to-do lists, packing and inventory lists, shopping lists…and then there are the menus, which I haven’t even broached yet. There’s a lot more to be said on each list type in particular, and all lists, in general. But if I keep going much longer, I’m afraid you’ll stop listening.

This Pesach season, be smart and give your brain a break. Do the work once so you can gratefully refer to your cheat sheets in the future.

Tziri Hershkovitz is founder of Hakol Beseder and author of the book by the same name. She is passionate in her belief that Hashem designed this beautiful world to be enjoyed. Discover more on the free hotline, 347.772.1188, or visit www.HakolBeseder.org to sign up for the monthly newsletter, purchase the popular book, or register for Tziri’s life-altering workshops. Every woman is more than just a homemaker—and with the right tools and skills, she’ll discover the bliss that awaits.

80

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

ZISSY KNOWS YOU DON'T WANT TO OVERPAY FOR YOUR NEW WIG. SO SHE FOUND A WAY TO KEEP THE PRICE LOW.

RY 718.431.0444 1823 62nd St. Brooklyn

Beautiful Wigs. Better Prices.

• • FACTO

@zissywigs

• •

info@zissywigs.com

• •

•

APRIL 27-28

•

-D

Let’s be honest. Those salon markups are getting out of hand.

Zissy sees it. You see it. Your wallet definitely sees it. That’s why she said, “Enough!” No more middlemen hiking up the fees. No more tariff-style price padding. Just factory-direct pricing, and up to $2,000 in savings per wig—without giving up an inch of quality or style. Because Zissy WIG SALE believes beautiful wigs should make you feel T EC good, not broke. And she wouldn’t want you R SUN & MON I spending more than you have to.

11AM-4PM

AT OUR BROOKLYN SALON 1823 62ND ST. BROOKLYN

10"

all new stock!

14"

$2,800 $

1,200

18"

$3,250

1,400

$

$3,900

1,800

$

Sale items range from 10" - 22" length wigs and include both premium and Israeli lines

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

81

SEASONAL STUMPERS

By Draizy Israel

h c a Pes s r e t n Poi Paper Trail Working with shelf paper is unnecessarily complicated.

Make your job easier by lining your shelves and drawers with regular printing paper. This hack is especially useful for smaller spaces. Grab a stack of paper and a roll of paper tape and have fun! By removing the hassle of getting the paper in place, you’re more likely to have the younger kids offer to do this job.

This Is Not a Drill Use a drill to peel apples (or potatoes!) speedily. Assemble the drill with a new clean bit, preferably a spade bit, although a flathead will do in a pinch. Mount the apple on the drill by placing it on the counter, and pushing the drill bit in. You’ll need a relatively sharp Y peeler for this task. Keep the base of the drill firmly against the table, tilt the head of the peeler against the apple, and applying light pressure, start the drill slowly. It’s still faster than doing it by hand and going too fast will just make a mess.

Draw the peeler from the far end of the apple toward the drill and you’ll have a cleanly peeled apple in no time!

82

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Plan Ahead

Counter Savers

This Chol Hamoed, avoid the annoying “So where are we going?” questions by having your days planned out in advance. Creating your checklist will ensure you know which place is open and their hours of operation. Advance planning might even get you coupons or discounted tickets. Most crucially, you won’t spend half the day arguing about potential destinations— only to head out mere hours before closing.

Counter Savers are convenient hacks year-round to keep your counters clean and allow tidying to happen in a jiffy. Counter Savers are also more functional and easier to work with than traditional refrigerator liners. Try this hack; you’ll never go back!

Chol Hamoed Dinner Come home from a fun-filled day to the delicious smells of simmering supper. Start smart: Before heading outdoors, slip your fresh or freshly defrosted (in the fridge overnight) food directly into the oven and set it on delayed-start timed-bake. Keep in mind that uncooked proteins should not be left at room temperature for longer than two hours. If you plan to be outdoors more than the two hours plus cook time, opt for a slow cooker, for the same results.

Moments of Me-Time Pesach is a wonderful Yom Tov that can be demanding on the host. A positive attitude will not only set the mood in the home; it will also alter the way you perceive the tasks. But even with a perpetual smile, you’ll still need to schedule short breaks for yourself, a few times a day. Even 15 minutes of quiet time can make a big difference. And don’t be afraid to delegate tasks and ask for help from family members.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

83

WELL ANSWERED

Well Asked—Well Answered Your Path to Clarity Begins Here

By Vichna Belsky, BS, CLC

Q

I used to love Pesach, but ever since my marriage, I find myself dreading the Yom Tov. It’s not the work, it’s the people. I have never felt welcome in my in-laws’ home. Thankfully, because of location and logistics, we don’t visit them often, and I quite prefer it that way.

But on Pesach, I have to be there for the entire Yom Tov. All my childhood insecurities and misgivings come to the fore. I find that I am anxious, unhappy, and ultimately, not the most pleasant, even to my immediate family. I always go into it with the hope that this year will be different, but the cycle just repeats itself. How can I get along with people who think I am inferior to them in every way?

- Feeling Down

84

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

A

The scenario described sounds like a pretty awful way to spend Yom Tov. It is interesting that you say that you aren’t at your best when you are with your in-laws. It seems that you recognize that there is something in the dynamics of that home that puts your mind and body into a defensive position, so that not only are you uncomfortable with how others are acting, but you also seem unhappy with how you are acting. Naturally, you’d like to feel your best so you can be your best.

Let’s examine why you feel the way you do.

We tend to assume people’s feelings based on the words they say and their body language. Those cues enter our brain through our sensory system (hearing, seeing, etc.) and are processed in various lobes in the brain.

The information is then strung together with stored memories to create an assumption. Our senses are not perfect, and neither are our memories. The assumption created is often pretty accurate, but sometimes, it is widely off target. Usually it is someplace in between—mostly accurate, with a helping of our imagination. The hardest part is that at any given time, we don’t know how accurate it is, and which parts are imagination.

If your family has clearly said to you, “You are inferior to us,” my recommendation would be to speak to a rav to find out what if any obligation you have to stay in contact with them. Don’t assume that kibbud av v'em trumps everything. Nobody is required to put themselves into an unsafe position. In fact, halachah tells us that chayecha kodmin—your first and primary obligation is your own wellbeing.

In this case, since you don’t mention

I have definite knowledge of your value. The fact that you are alive tells me that Hashem believes that you are valuable and needed.

any specific actions they do or words that they say, you might want to ask yourself why you feel this way when you are in their presence. It seems from your question that you have some idea of where these feelings come from. You wrote, “All my childhood insecurities and misgivings…”

Like most people, you were molded in your childhood based on your experiences and the feedback you received.

As Pirkei Avos (4:25) teaches, “Elisha ben Avuya said: One who studies Torah as a child, to what is he compared? To ink written on fresh paper.

And one who studies Torah as an old man, to what is he compared? To ink written on blotted paper.” The impressions of our youth are especially sticky and tend to inform our lives as adults.

The ideal path to move forward in a healthy way begins with figuring out where those childhood insecurities come from. Then you can examine them as an adult, reframe them, and heal from them. Sometimes, a person does not even consciously know the origins of the feelings that are trapped in their brain and body. Hypnotherapy, art therapy, and other nonverbal forms of therapy may be a good place

to start when the origins are not clear.

There are many coaches and therapists who are skilled at guiding people on this journey.

Once you are able to figure out the origins of these unhealthy feelings of low self-esteem, you can begin to reframe them. If these feelings come from things that others said to or about you, ask yourself if those people are really qualified to measure your worth. I have definite knowledge of your value. The fact that you are alive tells me that Hashem believes that you are valuable and needed. No mortal can possibly contradict Hashem’s valuation. As a bas Yisrael, you are cherished by Hashem, and that is the ultimate love. If others say you are not worthy, that is their own mistake; it is not a true estimate of your worth.

Remember, the battle is not between you and those around you; the battle is between you and your yetzer hara.

Everyone around you is just a pawn in your game, placed there by Hashem. We may not always be able to understand the reason—in fact, we rarely do—but we can always choose to make our best next move.

Play it well!

Vichna Belsky, BS, CLC, founder of My Path – Bishvili, is a certified life coach. When she’s not giving neurographic art workshops, you may find her teaching her high school students, substituting in a local elementary school, reading anything that’s printed, writing an essay or poem, planning something special to uplift the women of Project Hope, guiding a parent dealing with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, or singing with a Soul Singers group. She tries to limit the amount of time she spends gardening. Her kids sometimes wonder if her favorite thing is cleaning, but the truth is, she prefers high-quality chocolate. She can be reached at (914) 200-3676 www.MyPathBishvili.com MyPathBishvili@gmail.com

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

85

MARITAL HEALTH

A healthy marriage is the foundation of a healthy home—and as with all things health related, awareness and education are requisites. Hearing from the experts in the trenches can provide us with keen insight and valuable tips to apply to floundering, functional, and even phenomenal marriages.

Because when it comes to helpful information, even the most robust of relationships stand to gain.

The Secret Spark

By Alisa Avruch

To drive, you need a permit test and driving lessons. To become an OT or a programmer or a plumber, you need some kind of training—right?

So why is that when it comes to the most crucial relationship, which will affect every aspect of your life and your future, all you need to do is put on a pretty ring?

Once the bright lights are dimmed on the six-hour, multi-tens-of-thousand-dollar event—the planning, the purchasing, the gifts—all that’s left is a man and woman, embarking into the unknown on a journey they are scarcely prepared for, usually with little real-time support.

You can dig the foundation of a home using a teaspoon. It can be done. But why invest so much time and effort on trial and error when there are so many proven tools available?

And while I’m a huge proponent of marriage education and support for both men and women, the reality is that this is one area where women have the primary influence. Not just because they are more emo-

86

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

tionally attuned and relationship oriented (although that is generally true), but because with the proper tools to tap into the essence of her femininity, a woman has the power to shift and transform the tone of the relationship.

point of the needle symbolizes the mashpia—it goes out into the world, choosing directions, piercing holes in things. The mekabel is represented by the thread. Without the work of the mekabel, the efforts of the mashpia remain unactualized, stuck in the realm of potential.

Being a Mekabel

Being a mekabel inside of marriage is multifaceted and takes many different forms. Try pouring from a pitcher onto an upside-down cup: no matter how much liquid is potentially available, it will be wasted without a kli to receive it. A wife who connects to her feminine capacity as mekabel empowers her husband to rise into his full role as mashpia. This enables him to achieve his potential and awakens his natural drive to provide his wife with her needs and desires, all while deepening the emotional intimacy in their relationship.

In the Torah paradigm of mashpia and mekabel, the mashpia (also called zachar) encompasses the traits of inspiration, vision, and raw unexpressed potential. The mekabel (the nekeivah) is the koach that receives that potential and builds with it, performing the work that fans the spark into a flame.

While every human being has both these kochos within themselves and taps into each depending on the time, situation, and relationship, it stands to reason that if Hashem created two types of humans, zachar and nekeivah, they each primarily embody the corresponding middos of mashpia and mekabel.

A beautiful mashal for this relationship is a needle. The

Try pouring from a pitcher onto an upsidedown cup: no matter how much liquid is potentially available, it will be wasted without a kli to receive it.

In the last issue, we shared Mekabel Secret #1: “It’s just as important to be a receiver as it is to be a giver,” focusing on recognizing what you already “receive” from your husband.

Mekabel Secret #2: Appreciation is the fuel in his tank.

You’ve learned about hakaras hatov since kindergarten.

Moshe Rabbeinu didn’t hit the sand or the water that protected him. You always say thank you to whoever holds the door open or the neighbor who sent a cake.

But when was the last time you thanked your husband?

If you can’t remember, I’m sure you’ve got some great excuses, right?

“How much of a difference does it really make?”

“He’s only doing what he’s supposed to do.”

“It’s his house and his kids, too.”

You may even have some deeper beliefs: “If I thank him, he’ll think it’s optional and stop doing it.”

“If I thank him too often, he’ll feel controlled, or it will get awkward.”

Or my favorite: “I do waaayyyy more than he does, and he doesn’t thank me!”

Of course, everyone appreciates being appreciated. And you deserve appreciation too.

But for a mashpia (that’s your husband, remember?), appreciation takes on a totally different vibe.

A mashpia is hard-wired to provide, and appreciation presses those buttons, telling his deeper instincts: You are succeeding in your mission!

If you’ve ever watched a teen-

age boy playing a game, or— le’havdil—trying to figure out a tough Gemara, picture that “Yes!” fist pump when he wins a round/he figures out pshat.

That’s the charge a man gets when he sees that his efforts for his wife and family are noticed and appreciated. The more enthusiastic the appreciation, the stronger his response.

Rochel* learned the power of appreciation when an unexpected Amazon package arrived. Her husband said he’d gotten her a present—a selfie stick so they could take better pictures on their family outings. Before learning the concept of “mekabel,” Rochel would have said, “Oh, you didn’t buy it for me; you bought it for the family.” But now she was so thankful and appreciative to her husband—and he absolutely glowed.

Shaina had been trying for over a year to get her husband to take the garbage outside instead of leaving it in the hallway until garbage pickup. She tried asking, hinting, and reminding—but nothing changed.

Finally, one day he actually took the bags out right away.

And Shaina gushed, “It makes me SO happy to have the hallway clean!” And would you believe it; he started taking the garbage out every day.

Make your appreciation even more powerful and add variety to the same old thank-yous by taking a moment to consider: What did his action “provide”

for you?

Instead of: “Thanks for watching the kids so I could exercise,” add, “it gave me the energy to go on with my day.”

Instead of “Thanks for doing the shopping,” add “so I was able to cook for Shabbos earlier.”

That’s the charge a man gets when he sees that his efforts for his wife and family are noticed and appreciated.

And when you thank him for listening to you kvetch about your day, add “that made me feel so cared for.”

Feeling a little awkward and squirmy? That’s OK. It’s vulnerable to express appreciation, but vulnerability is what continuously deepens your connection. (Warning: side effects may include your husband doing more of the things you appreciate.)

Alisa Avruch is a marriage educator, mentor, and coach. For the past 9 years, after having taught a marriage preparation course for 15 years to high school seniors in Milwaukee, she has been empowering women to bring a deeper connection to their marriage through handson skills and mindset shifts. Her approach is primarily based on the Torah concept of mashpia/mekabel, as well as self-care, couple bonding, processing of emotions, and tapping into one’s inner wisdom.

Alisa passionately believes that the vast majority of women can bring more emotional intimacy into their marriage with the right skills and support, without needing their husband’s approval, awareness, or active participation. Alisa gives a marriage workshop on Zoom twice a year, offers one-on-one coaching, and shares weekly emails and WhatsApp status posts with practical tips for a deeper connection. To learn more, visit her website TheSecretSpark.com, or email Alisa@TheSecretSpark.com.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

87

WALLET WELLNESS

Our mental and financial wellbeing are directly intertwined.

In Wallet Wellness, we bring you practical and realistic financial advice and the menuchas hanefesh that comes along with it.

Escaping Yesterday’s Dreams: Finding Freedom This Pesach

By Baruch Niebloom We often think of personal freedom in terms of overcoming obvious limitations, such as negative habits, difficult relationships, or external pressures. But there’s another, subtler form of bondage that quietly weighs many of us down: outdated dreams we once cherished but no longer fit who we’ve become.

Holding Onto Yesterday’s Dreams For years, I told myself that I would return to composing orchestral music scores, a teenage passion of mine. Composing was one of my dreams, in lockstep with my passion for software engineering, which I chose for its greater financial potential. Now, over the past decade of building a career that fulfills me and aligns deeply with my current values, I haven’t touched musical composition once. Yet, strangely, the shadow of that teenage dream persists, quietly whispering, If only I could retire, I’d finally get back to composing music.

Perhaps you’ve felt this way too. Perhaps your younger self envisioned owning investment properties by a certain age, or you dreamed of playing golf every weekend in retirement. Maybe you always assumed you’d open a business, travel extensively, or master a certain hobby. These dreams made sense at a time when your identity and future were still forming. But today, if they remain unexamined, they can become subtle emotional burdens that anchor you to a past self and prevent genuine personal growth.

88

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Why Yesterday’s Dreams Limit Today’s Freedom Holding onto outdated dreams often creates hidden emotional costs: Guilt about what you didn’t achieve.

A sense of inadequacy, despite current successes.

A distorted lens that undervalues your actual accomplishments.

A distraction from investing energy in what truly matters to you now.

This Pesach, as we seek liberation, consider releasing yourself not just from obviously negative influences, but also from outdated dreams that no longer resonate with who you’ve become.

Taking Your Dreams for a Test Drive Many people say, “When I retire, I’ll finally travel, take up golf, take that dance class, join that daf yomi shiur, or change careers.” But consider this: If these dreams truly matter, why delay action?

Here’s a more practical and meaningful approach: Revisit your old aspirations: Ask yourself honestly, “Does this still align with who I am today?”

Try a miniature version of your dream: Want to travel? Schedule a weekend trip.

Dreaming of opening a café?

Host a small, casual gather-

ing and experience firsthand what hospitality entails.

Interested in golf? Spend a few afternoons at the driving range or take a beginner’s lesson.

Reflect: Did this small experience bring genuine joy and fulfillment?

Adjust your plans: If it resonates, you now have clarity and motivation. If not, you can confidently let go, knowing your dream has evolved into something more authentic to your current self.

Aligning Ambitions with Core Values From a financial planning perspective, clarity in your dreams translates to purposeful saving and investing.

Rather than passively waiting for retirement or some seemingly distant financial independence, actively try out your dreams today and adjust them—or your plans—as necessary: Clarity enables intentional financial goals.

Small experiments validate whether your goals reflect your true priorities.

Validated dreams become powerful motivators to save and invest meaningfully.

Four Steps to Releasing Old Dreams: Revisit your old aspirations: Ask yourself honestly, “Does this still align with who I am today?”

Experiment practically: Take simple actions to validate or refute your aspirations.

Reflect honestly: Did this activity resonate deeply or feel outdated?

Realign your financial goals: Adjust your financial planning to support what genuinely matters to you. Rebalance your investment portfolio to an adjusted timeline of these new goals.

Conclusion: Liberating Yourself Each Pesach Every Pesach, we reflect on escaping our own personal Egypt—literally and symbolically. Perhaps one of our modern-day “Mitzrayims” is the mental prisons constructed from yesterday’s dreams, silently restricting our present and future.

This Pesach, allow yourself the freedom to reassess and, if needed, release the dreams you’ve outgrown. Embrace clarity and free yourself from lingering regrets or “what ifs.”

By doing so, you create space for meaningful goals that truly align with your current self and core values.

If navigating these introspections or aligning them with practical financial strategies feels daunting, supportive resources like frum.finance can help you craft your path forward. After all, true freedom isn’t merely about escaping obvious limitations—it’s about building an authentically fulfilling tomorrow.

‫”ְּבָכָ ל ּדֹור‬ ְ ‫ָוָ דֹור ַ​ַחָיָב ָ​ָא ָ​ָדם‬ ‫ִלִ ְ​ְראֹות ֶ​ֶאת‬ ‫ַ​ַעְצְ מֹו ְּכְ ִ​ִאלּו‬ ‫הּוא ָ​ֶָי��ָ ֶָצ�ָ א‬ “‫ִ​ִמ ִ​ִּמְצְ ַָר�ָ ים‬ “In every generation, one must see themselves as if they personally left Egypt.”

About the Expert Baruch Niebloom, a Baltimore resident and software engineer at Amazon’s AWS, is the founder of frum.finance, a nonprofit focused on advancing financial literacy in the Orthodox Jewish community. Motivated by a passion for empowering families with the tools they need to achieve financial stability, Baruch launched frum.finance to fill the critical need for accessible, unbiased financial guidance.

Funded entirely by donations, frum.finance offers a range of services designed to meet the unique financial needs of the community. These include personalized one-on-one consultations, educational resources tailored to various life stages, and an online platform where families can connect and learn from one another.

Baruch Niebloom can be reached at baruch@frum.finance or via WhatsApp at 240-424-5219

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

89

MIND AND YOU

While it’s easy to think of games as a frivolous activity, brain games offer a range of cognitive benefits that make them a worthwhile pursuit. Each month, Wellspring explores a new game, as well as another aspect of the profound benefits. This time we’ll be talking about neuroplasticity and how brain games keep those neural connections defined. We’ll be using the analogy of the brain as a big, beautiful forest.

Your brain is not a static organ that stops changing after childhood; it’s constantly creating new pathways. Your thoughts, experiences, and memories travel like hikers, creating trails. Every time you learn something new, have a new experience, or even think a new thought, your brain changes. It’s like hikers taking a new path, and the more they walk that same path, the clearer and stronger they make that trail. That’s neuroplasticity—the brain building new trails and strengthening old ones.

When you challenge your brain with a new puzzle or try for a more difficult level, your brain has to create new pathways to process the information and find a solution. As your brain gets used to doing the activity, your new neural pathway is strengthened; a memory game might strengthen the connections involved in recalling information, while a logic puzzle might enhance the pathways used for deductive reasoning. The brain is a muscle, and like all our muscles, brain trails strengthen with use and weaken with disuse.

The busier we keep our brains, the more neural pathways we form. It’s like sending lots of hikers down different trails. The more hikers, the more frequently they use those paths, the more certain we are that they will remain well-worn and defined. Naturally, frequent use will prevent them from getting overgrown. A busy trail (neural pathway) is a strong trail!

Playing brain games is like sending out regular trail maintenance crews.

They keep the paths clear, strong, and easy to navigate. Improved neuroplasticity has been proven to keep our mental forests healthy and prevent those trails from getting lost.

So, keep those mental hikers busy!

90

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Memorable Quote “The mind is a muscle.

The more you use it, the stronger it will become.”

Start with this:

Futoshiki Futoshiki is a Japanese logic puzzle developed by Tamaki Seto in 2001. The word means “unequal” in Japanese, although the puzzle is also known as “More or Less” to English-speaking players.

The goal is to fill the grid with numbers, respecting both the Latin square constraint and the inequality signs between cells.

2

Advance to this:

The goal of the game is to discover the digits hidden inside the board’s cells.

Depending on the board’s size, each cell is filled with a digit ranging between 1 and the number of cells per row. On each row and column, each digit appears exactly once.

4 1 2 Answer Key:

3

3

2

4

3

1

4

2

1

1 2 3 4

1 2

1 2 3 5

3 5 4

2 5 1 4 3

5 3 4 1 2

3 4 5 2 1

Each puzzle is guaranteed to have a solution. Good luck finding it!

4 4

At the beginning of the game, some digits might be revealed. The board might also contain “inequality” symbols (more commonly known as the “greater than” and “less than” symbols). These inequality symbols between cells must be respected and should be used as clues in order to discover the remaining hidden digits.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

91

C R A F T E D For complexity and sophistication | A G E D For 27 months in French and American Oak R E S E R V E D For the moments that last a lifetime

92

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Eat Well

97 Pesach Pleasure

By Yossi & Malky Levine

108 Kitchen Cures Supple Skin

110 My Table Family Favorites

NOTHING BUT NATURE

100% ORGANIC CABERNET SAUVIGNON MADE WITH NO ADDED SULFITES 94

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Dear Cooks, Pesach cooking is an interesting adventure, between a restricted list of ingredients and often a new environment as well. Some people are working in a separate—and probably smaller—Pesach kitchen. Those who kasher their regular kitchen are dealing with covers and closed off areas. And others are not even in their regular homes.

But different and scant does not have to mean bad or sad. Some of our family’s most memorable meals included limited ingredients and sparse utensils. And when I say sparse, I mean really sparse. I’m talking about an open bonfire, aluminum disposable pans, and plastic cutlery. That’s it. Oh, and a spigot on a slab of wood. The setting: a campground on the Delaware river.

Back when my kids (and my knees) were younger, we went camping for a few days each summer. My kids reminisce about those

scrambled eggs prepared in a disposable pan over a bonfire like they are talking about some beloved grandmother. They remember the smell, the taste, the feel, and the sounds. They talk about it fondly, with all the appropriate sighs of pleasure. There’s something so nostalgic about the forced creativity and camaraderie that’s created when you are a 15-minute drive from the nearest Walmart and a two-hour drive from your home and kosher food.

This Pesach, you too can serve memorable scrambled eggs, assuming the birds don’t come down with any more illnesses. You have a willing audience, and you have at least a bonfire to work with.

Bon Appétit!

k e m E a Aviv WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

95

@BARTENURABLUE 96

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Imported by Royal Wine Corp., Bayonne, NJ. Enjoy Bartenura Rose responsibly.

Pesach Pleasures This Pesach, you may want to utilize the opportunity that restricted eating affords to set healthy eating goals. With mainly raw, natural ingredients, and dishes that are mostly made from scratch, you can get into the habit of preparing truly wholesome meals for yourself and your family — and to experience how delicious they can actually be.

Even the most accomplished cook can become frazzled during the Pesach season.

Not only do our homes have to be cleaned and our dishes changed over, but many of our “go-to” ingredients are off-limits.

Especially if your Pesach plans have been thrown off course this year, you may find the task of preparing for Pesach daunting. So what can you do? The key is in the planning.

If you think ahead and plan well, you’ll realize how liberating restricted food prep can be.

I won’t be spending money on ready-made sauces and cookies — saving on that means I buy fresh fish, plenty of salad ingredients, and lots of fruit. Because of the high-quality fruit and vegetables I have readily available, automatically, I become more mindful of what I’m eating — instead of reaching for the chocolate bar, I reach for delicious, fresh produce.

Pesach is a time for renewal and growth.

Make this the start of your healthy eating lifestyle. With a refrigerator full of fresh fruits and vegetables, you really can't go wrong.

Enjoy your Pesach preparations. Have a kasheren, freilechen Pesach!

Recipes, styling, and photography by Yossi & Malky Levine

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

97

Salmon, Avocado, and Mango Stack Salmon, avocado, and mango make an amazing trio that’s not too heavy for the start of a meal.

Leftover cooked salmon from a previous meal works perfectly for this recipe. The best thing about this dish is that you can have all the components ready, and simply assemble everything just before serving.

To keep the avocado from turning brown, squeeze a little lemon juice over it once it’s cut.

For a beautiful presentation, layer as shown in the photo. If you don't have the time to do so, simply layer in a wine glass.

3 salmon fillets, skin removed olive oil salt and pepper 2 avocados, sliced thinly 1 large mango, cubed 1 lemon greens, for garnishing

Preheat oven to 425°F. Lay a sheet of aluminum foil on the kitchen counter and arrange salmon fillets on it. Pat salmon dry, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.

Wrap up salmon well and place on a baking sheet.

Bake for 15–20 minutes.

Meanwhile, arrange avocado slices in a circle using a metal ring. Keep the ring in place, and fill with cubed or mashed avocado pieces (using leftover slices). Next, layer the cubed mango in the ring.

Once salmon is cooked, squeeze juice of half the lemon over it. Using a fork, flake the salmon. Place on top of mango. When everything is in place, remove the ring.

Slice remaining lemon half, and use it to decorate the plate, along with some greens.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

99

Beet Carpaccio with Citrus Fruits This beet carpaccio is an absolute powerhouse of color and flavor — not to mention being exceptionally healthy. Beets are a superfood and are particularly good for healthy blood flow.

You can use an assortment of colored beets if they’re available — otherwise, stick to the vibrant purple ones. The darker the color, the higher the amount of antioxidants.

The oranges not only complement the flavor, but also create a magnificent color palette. I used a combination of regular and bloody oranges. Grapefruit works well here too.

5 beets, thinly sliced (mandolin slicer recommended) 2 oranges, segmented 1 blood orange, segmented 2 cups arugula or lettuce 2 cucumbers, sliced lengthwise 1 cup toasted walnuts, for topping Dressing ¼ cup olive oil juice of ½ lemon 1 Tbsp honey ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp ground black pepper

Alternate slices of beets and orange segments around a serving dish. Roll up some cucumber ribbons and scatter them around.

Place arugula in the center and add more citrus fruits and cucumbers.

In a container, place all dressing ingredients and shake to combine. Dress just before serving. Top with toasted walnuts.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

101

Roasted Cornish Hens with Sticky Pomegranate Glaze If you're looking for a change from traditional roast chicken, try this delicious Cornish hen recipe. It will add a touch of elegance to a meal, as each person gets their own. Cornish hens can be prepared in a similar way to any chicken recipe, but I love this recipe as it is not only simple, but visually pleasing too.

Pomegranate adds a beautiful color to the dish, elevating it to another level, as well as increasing its nutritional value. I think this is going to be one of your Pesach family favorites.

4 Cornish hens, thoroughly cleaned 8–10 colored baby carrots 2 cups mini root vegetables (or chunk regular vegetables) 2 Tbsp olive oil salt and pepper, for seasoning 1 cup pomegranate arils, for garnishing Pomegranate Glaze 2 cups pomegranate juice 2 Tbsp honey ½ lemon

Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat Cornish hens dry and place in a roasting pan. Peel baby vegetables, toss in olive oil, and add to pan. Season everything generously with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes, or until chicken is tender.

Meanwhile, prepare the pomegranate glaze. In a small pot, place pomegranate juice, honey, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Bring to a boil, then allow to reduce to form a syrupy sauce. It should take around 30 minutes.

Remove Cornish hens from oven and pour sauce over them.

When serving, scatter roasted root veggies around Cornish hens and serve with some fresh pomegranate arils on the side.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

103

Potato Gratin Potato gratin is the perfect side dish to either a midweek meal or a festive banquet. There’s something so comforting in the layers that make it a real treat. For this recipe, I've used a mixture of colored potatoes and sweet potatoes. Not only does this make for a vibrantly-colored dish, it’s also a healthier and tastier option.

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided 3 large potatoes, peeled 3 sweet potatoes, peeled 5 purple potatoes, peeled 2 tsp salt 1 tsp garlic powder 1 cup chicken stock

Preheat oven to 425°F. Smear or spray olive oil on to the bottom and sides of an ovenproof baking dish to prevent potatoes from sticking.

Slice potatoes, sweet potatoes, and beets using a food processor or a mandolin. Alternatively, use a very sharp knife and slice as thinly as possible.

Create stacks of alternating colors and arrange them in rows in the dish, making sure the dish is tightly packed. Sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.

Pour chicken stock over the stacks. (This helps speed up the cooking process and adds flavor.) Spray or drizzle with remaining olive oil.

Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour.

Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. To check if potatoes are thoroughly cooked, insert tip of a knife. It should pierce the stacks easily.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

105

Poached Pears in Chocolate Wine Sauce This dessert is both elegant and delicious.

Think chocolate, wine, and pears and you just know it's going to be great. Choose nice ripe pears that will hold their shape when cooked; and a semi-dry red wine for a fruity sauce that's not too heavy.

I always make sure my guests have a knife and fork to tackle this dessert. A spoon doesn’t do the job.

5 ripe pears, peeled 1 bottle semi-dry table wine 4 Tbsp honey 1 bar dark chocolate chopped nuts (optional)

In a large saucepan, arrange pears in an upright position. Pour in wine, making sure pears are fully submerged. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 25 minutes, making sure pears are submerged the entire time. Remove pears from wine and place in a cocktail glass.

Measure 1 cup of remaining wine and transfer to a small pot. Heat until almost boiling, lower heat, and add chocolate, whisking rapidly.

Remove from heat and keep stirring until you have a glossy sauce.

Pour some sauce over each of the pears and serve with a sprinkling of chopped nuts.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

107

KITCHEN CURES

K I T CC HU ER NE S Supple Skin

by Gitti Feldinger

108

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Sea Salt

Lemon

Honey

Absorbed directly from seawater, sea salt is laden with nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and potassium. A sea salt skin scrub not only removes dead skin cells to reveal a glowing complexion; it also balances oil production to reduce breakouts, soothes blemishes and scars, and helps skin retain its natural moisture.

Add raw honey or coconut oil for a delightful scrub that will leave your skin feeling refreshed.

Adding fresh lemon juice to hot water can help heal skin from the inside out by getting rid of toxins that contribute to breakouts, oily skin, blemishes, and a dull skin tone. As a topical application, lemon helps remove dead skin and lightens skin discoloration and aging spots. The acid in lemon also absorbs oil and cleanses pores without disturbing the skin’s natural balance.

Make a homemade facial peel using water, lemon juice, and baking soda.

Expensive skincare products often tout the use of raw honey because this natural ingredient is an excellent source of vitamins, skin-boosting acids, and nutrients the skin needs to look healthy and youthful. Why not go directly to the source? In addition to reducing breakouts, honey is a perfect cleanser for sensitive and combination skin types. Raw honey is healing and has gentle antibacterial and moisturizing properties.

Coconut Oil

Yogurt

Baking Soda

Water

Coconut oil strengthens epidermal tissue by removing dead skin cells and protecting against sunburn.

It also has antibacterial and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, research shows that coconut oil helps heal and minimize the appearance of scars and can even fight serious skin issues. Coconut oil can also be used as a natural makeup remover or skin moisturizer.

Apply right out of the shower—it will melt and absorb on warm skin.

Yogurt rich in probiotics can help your gut absorb nutrients from all the good food you eat, which nourishes your skin.

A balanced immune function, steady hormone levels, and improved digestion are just some of the other skin-boosting benefits we experience from the good bacteria in this creamy delight. More practically, an organic yogurt face mask can help to moisturize and clear up blemishes, while its lactic content can even prevent premature aging.

Being an alkaline compound, baking soda can alter the natural pH of skin. A too high pH level can lead to dryness and irritation, which is why baking soda paste is not recommended for the face. However, when dealing with issues like eczema, psoriasis, ichthyosis, yeast, and other fungal infections, a baking soda-infused bath soak can offer much improvement and relief for these conditions.

Made up of 64 percent water, our skin becomes tight, dry, itchy, and flaky without adequate hydration. Even more, dry skin doesn’t heal as well as hydrated skin and is more prone to wrinkles and other signs of aging. We know water is crucial for all our organs, but we forget that our skin, our biggest organ of all, needs water, too. Consuming plenty of water each day will help to keep the skin supple, hydrated, and naturally moisturized.

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

109

In the pages of Wellspring, we share expert advice from some of the community’s most popular and competent dietitians and nutritionists.

In this column, you get to see how they practice what they preach in their own kitchens. Pull up a chair at “My Table” and join the chat.

On Pesach, many families traditionally limit their recipes to basic, unprocessed ingredients. Despite the lack of shortcuts, countless delightful dishes have been devised. What are some of your favorite, easy go-tos on Pesach that don’t include any purchased “ready” food—just good, wholesome ingredients in their original state?

Chaya Tziry Retter, RSN, BS, CPT My favorite Pesach—and year-round—capon filling is a delicious “cooked slaw” with onion, parsnip, carrot, and zucchini, slowly simmered and stuffed into baby chicken.

I make a similar dish by placing these veggies, freshly shredded, under chicken bottoms and baking it low and slow.

The veggies make for a delicious side dish or can be a tasty addition to chicken patties or meatballs.

The secret is in the low and slow cooking; it creates a magically sweet and deep veggie flavor.

Shani Taub, CDC We love grilled veggies! We also peel zucchini, slice into fries, spray with oil, and bake at 350°F for a wonderful snack.

Another healthy and easy recipe is cabbage soup.

I sauté an onion, add cabbage and tomato sauce, and cook for approximately 40 minutes.

110

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Sheindy Unger, CDC This three-ingredient recipe makes the best ever meat, and not just for Pesach. These three simple ingredients are KLP in every frum home, and readily available year-round, too.

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Place equal parts of sautéed onions, chicken soup, and wine into a deep pan; make sure there’s enough liquid to cover meat generously.

NOT ANOTHER MAGIC VITAMIN BUT REAL FOOD THAT WORKS! Nutritious seed bars great on the go or to add to any meal.

Made from quality ingredients.

Order yours today!

Add meat and bake, covered, until the meat is fallapart soft.

Once you taste this meat, you’ll never want to use any commercial sauces again!

Leah Wolofsky I married into a family with some of the strictest minhagim for Pesach. I’m talking about no cocoa or chocolate or even garlic. I really like Pesach cooking, though, because I’m forced to go back to basics as far as meal preparation goes. We can’t do fancy things with complicated ingredients. Instead, chicken soup, salad, fruits, roasted vegetables, and all kinds of starchy vegetables—like colored potatoes or different kinds of winter squash—take center stage in our Yom Tov menu. Made with simple ingredients, these are delicious and so easy to prepare.

As much as possible, I opt to use my oven and use tinfoils (instead of pots) for easy cleanup. Also, instead of starting to patchke with different cakes and cookies, which are mostly made of potato starch, I go for the potato in its original form. Baked or boiled potatoes and eggs are both extremely healthy foods. I also make use of my crockpot for easy-prep dinners. If your minhag allows, flavor with herbs, wine, and basic seasonings.

T: 201.614.7080 E: info@monbarusa.com W: monbarusa.com

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

111

Malky Levine

Tanya Rosen, MS, CAI, CPT

A delicious recipe that looks complicated but is really simple and easy to prepare is the classic restaurant dish, Hawaiian Chicken Medley.

Some of my favorite recipes are from my Gluten-Free Cooking with Tanya cookbook that includes a section with great recipes for Pesach. Here are two recipes that use only the most basic ingredients.

2 Tbsp olive oil, divided 8 chicken breasts

Red Wine London Broil

½ cup potato starch

2 pounds London broil

3 carrots, thinly sliced

2 cups red wine

10 shallots, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups chicken soup

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup pineapple jam (homemade)

1–2 tablespoons olive oil

½ tsp salt, or more, to taste ¼ cup honey, optional On a medium flame, heat a large skillet with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Coat the chicken breasts with potato starch and fry the cutlets until crispy; set aside.

Add 1 tablespoon of oil to the skillet and sauté the carrots and shallots for 5–7 minutes. Add the chicken soup, pineapple jam, and salt.

Bring to a boil and cook until carrots are tender (about 20 minutes).

To serve, place the cutlets in a dish and pour sautéed vegetable sauce over it.

Instructions: Pour wine into a saucepan and set over medium/low heat. Cook until reduced to about ½ cup. Let cool; then add garlic, salt, and oil. Using a meat tenderizer, poke holes on both sides of the meat.

Place in a Ziploc bag. Add marinade to the bag and shake it a little to make sure the marinade coats the meat. Refrigerate overnight.

Set the grill on high heat or set a grill pan over high heat until hot. Grill for 4–5 minutes on each side. Allow meat to rest for 10 minutes. Slice and serve.

Yield: 6 servings Banana Pancakes 2 egg whites 1 egg

Laura Shammah, MS, RDN Pesach is a stressful holiday for many women. If you plan your menu around healthy salads, vegetables and protein, not much has to change—except, perhaps, being creative with the potatoes.

I make spaghetti squash with meat sauce or zoodles. I make all different types of baked French fries. (Japanese yams are a popular preference.) I also make a mashed potato pie.

My roasted carrots are super easy and delicious. I peel and slice the carrots, then place them on a cookie sheet, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper.

I roast it at 425°F for 20 minutes. I mix them and then slip them back into the oven for an additional 10-20 minutes.

112

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

1 ripe banana, mashed Cooking spray Instructions: Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Spray frying pan with cooking spray and heat over medium/high heat. Pour half the batter into the frying pan and cook until browned. Flip the pancake over and continue cooking until browned.

Yield: 2 pancakes

Shaindy Oberlander, BS, INHC I have so many ideas! Where to start?

I absolutely love Pesach, as we seriously get back to basics.

I love using lemons and limes to enhance the flavor of any dish or salad. At every meal I have an assortment of salads that are easy to make, super colorful, and very nutritious. We have cucumber salad, carrot salad, and beet salad available at all times. On Chol Hamoed mornings, we specifically like making omelets in our special way, reserved for Pesach. I like to dice an onion super finely and allow it to sauté in butter or oil until golden. The more onions and the more caramelized, the better. After a while, I add the eggs and scramble. This keeps us full for a while and is simply delicious.

Nourish

YOUR SOUL Nutritious seed bars great on the go or to add to any meal. Made from quality ingredients. Order yours today!

In my house, eight days of Pesach is never too long…

Tziri Hershkovitz Cooking with limited ingredients out of necessity inspires the most creative recipes. But sometimes going back to basics is what it’s all about. One of our go-to dishes works as an easy dinner, but it is also delicious for lunch or a “snack” on our Chol Hamoed trips: potato-chicken latkes. Using ground chicken with grated potatoes, eggs, and salt (we don’t even use black pepper—but you can certainly add it if you do use it), we create a concoction that is the perfect consistency for crispy, tasty latkes.

Adjust the ratio to emphasize what you want—more chicken makes it more of a chicken patty, whereas more potatoes give a stronger latke flavor. It’s difficult to go wrong; in any form, it is absolutely delicious!

Pair it with homemade apple compote and you’ve got a complete dish.

T: 201.614.7080 E: info@monbarusa.com W: monbarusa.com

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

113

HOLISTIC

c i t s i l Ho

Emotional Health

By Tziri Hershkovitz The Pesach Seder, with its beautiful tapestry of tradition, is a rich, carefully orchestrated experience, a gentle embrace of order and structure that soothes the soul. The kids are dressed in their new Yom Tov finest, the chandelier sparkles, and, if for only a little while, the home is the cleanest it will ever be. We relish this momentary perfection.

The family gathers around the elegantly—and even more important— meaningfully, bedecked table. From the candles to the kaarah, the kosos to the hagaddos, each element is placed upon the Seder table with intention. The salt water and the sweet wine, the crisp karpas and the bitter maror, every step is a deliberate act, a rhythmic dance through our history.

Kadeish, Urchatz, Karpas, Yachatz…

The structure, the meticulous sequence, is precise and familiar—but it doesn't feel rigid; it's a comforting framework. It provides a sense of predictability in a world that often feels chaotic. We know where we are in the narrative, what comes next, and this familiarity creates a sense of safety. The Seder's order allows us to fully immerse ourselves, to let go of the anxieties of the outside world and simply be present in the moment.

The four cups of wine, the retelling of the Haggadah, the songs and stories—they create a cadence that lulls us into a state of peaceful contemplation. This structured journey allows us to remember who we were— and who we are. To connect to generations past and future. Sharing this experience with our nearest and dearest further amplifies these feelings, allowing us to experience a sense of unity and shared purpose.

There are many profound and deeply beautiful reasons for our precise sequence. Alongside our appreciation for the more meaningful interpretations, we can also embrace the one that speaks to our hearts: the Seder's order isn't just about remembering the past; it's about building a foundation for emotional well-being in the present. It's a reminder that even in the midst of hardship, there is structure, there is hope, and there is a path forward.

There is lovely symmetry in the way this night tells our chaotic story of a tumultuous and sometimes dark past, in a setting of structure and beauty and light. This gentle rhythm of the Seder—the seder—allows us to find solace, connection, and a sense of peace within ourselves and those around us.

The Seder nights, laden with so much meaning, remind us yet again that we need the structure—the seder—for growth, connection, appreciation, security, and overall emotional wellness. And we recognize, again, the benefits of having it be hakol beseder.

Tziri Hershkovitz is founder of Hakol Beseder and author of the book by the same name. She is passionate in her belief that Hashem designed this beautiful world to be enjoyed. Discover more on the free hotline, 347.772.1188, or visit www.

HakolBeseder.org to sign up for the monthly newsletter, purchase the popular book, or register for Tziri’s life-altering workshops. Every woman is more than just a homemaker—and with the right tools and skills, she’ll discover the bliss that awaits.

114

WELLSPRING / APRIL 2025

Physical Health

Spiritual Health

Adina Mintz, PA-C

By Rabbanit Orit Esther Riter

Pesach is nearly here, and you know what that means—matzah, and lots of it. Known as the bread of affliction, many experience that affliction quite literally in the digestive system; namely, constipation.

Pesach, the Yom Tov of redemption, teaches us how to live with the Divine: by speaking words from our inner truth—our Godly soul.

Matzah is low in fiber and water, two key components for regular digestion. When you’re eating so much of it throughout Yom Tov, it’s no wonder you’re feeling constipated. To avoid the discomfort, here are three simple steps you can take to support regular digestion during Pesach.

The simplest step is to eat more fruits and vegetables. Hydrating and loaded with fiber, produce helps offset the constipating effects of matzah.

This could mean adding fresh salads to your meals, preparing more grilled, cooked, or baked vegetables, and snacking on fruit throughout the day. And while matzah may be around you at every turn, consider swapping it for another food whenever possible, such as soup, a veggie bake, or yogurt with fruit.

Staying hydrated is another key factor. Water supports healthy digestion and works hand in hand with fiber-rich foods. Since drinking large quantities of water during a meal can feel uncomfortable, I suggest starting each day with two glasses of warm water and a squeeze of lemon to keep things moving. Then, you can sip water between meals and snacks to stay hydrated throughout the day rather than drinking several glasses right before bed to try and “catch up” to compensate for your dehydration.

Last, opt for whole-grain matzah when possible.

Compared to white-flour matzah, whole-grain varieties contain more fiber per gram, which can help keep digestion on track.

With these three simple tips you can enjoy Pesach while minimizing its effects on your digestion.

Adina Mintz, PA-C, is passionate about helping women feel their best—whatever their stage in life. Adina graduated as a PA from SUNY and received training at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). With over 15 years of medical experience, she believes every woman can live a pain-free, energetic life, and would love to teach them how. Find out more by downloading her free guide “5 Small Changes with a Big Impact On Your Health” at njfunctionalmed.com

In this generation, we long for practical advice, and Pesach offers the key: prayers emanating from our soul, expressing our yearning to connect with the Divine and fulfill His will.

This is the language of the soul, intimately bonded to our desire to reach our potential and complete our mission. This leads to clarity and sweetens judgments.

Hashem wants only what is best for us and He shifts our paths to guide us. In Kabbalistic teaching, Hashem doesn’t want us to complain after life, asking why we weren’t awakened to our purpose. Therefore, everything possible is done, within the bounds of free will, to steer us from our erred path.

When we pray to Hashem and express our desires and struggles, it is a form of self-therapy, leading to honest soul-searching and bountiful emunah.

Every day we encounter trials, and these are likened to living in exile—being forced away from familiar surroundings.

Viewing these challenges from a limited perspective, without relating them to a higher purpose, keeps us in exile—on foreign soil.

In contrast, familiarity brings peace of mind, a result of being in one’s natural environment. A Jew’s natural habitat is his place of truth—his soul.

We experience exile when we encounter conflict between what we know (all that Hashem does is for the best) and what we feel (“I am in pain. How can this be good?”).

Redemption comes when we return to familiar grounds— our neshamah. The voice of our neshamah says: “Hashem is good and loves you. He is looking out for your best.” Listening to this voice frees us from exile, remembering this truth comforts us, and bonding ourselves to Hashem during hardship redeems us; we leave our Mitzrayim and enter our Eretz Yisrael. Seeing Hashem in everything frees us from conflict and enables us to return home.

Our redemption lies within us. We just need to return to our inner abode. Pesach reminds us to seek this inner redemption.

Rabbanit Orit Esther Riter travels worldwide, spreading emunah in Hashem, imparting the timeless wisdom of the Baal Shem Tov, and teaching positive energy healing and coping methods. Her Torah-centric energy, Jewish numerology, and healing crystal courses are of the first courses of their kind with haskamos from well-known rabbanim. Her passionate speaking style and warm disposition have made her a sought-after workshop facilitator and speaker around the globe. For more information go to oremunaenergy.com, or reach out to oremunaoffice@gmail.com

WELLSPRING / NISSAN 5785

115