Tenafly May 2025

Tenafly

MAY 2025

BIRTH SUPPORT DOULA STEPHANIE PASTERNAK

A RUNNING TRADITION 27 YEARS OF THE TENAFLY 5K

Cultivating Creativity GALIT OELSNER

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Contents MAY 2025

26 F EATU RES

18

Supporting Families, One Birth at a Time

Doula Stephanie Pasternak gives couples a new perspective on childbirth.

22

Running a Tradition Race directors Eric and Lori Leskin keep the Tenafly 5K Run and Dog Walk on track.

26

Cultivating Creativity

Artist and educator Galit Oelsner seeks to unleash the power of expression.

18 6

I N EVE RY I S SUE

8

12

22

4

PUBLISHER’S NOTE Excitement and Beauty

6

AROUND TOWN Chamber of Commerce Updates

8

Q&A Samuel Ahn-Cooper

12

LOCAL TASTES Tenafly Pizza Restaurant

31

BOOK NOOK Out of Asia

32

PHOTO OP Popular Pollinator

COVER

Artist and educator Galit Oelsner Photograph by Damian Castillo

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• Cultural Celebrations & Israeli Holidays • Hebrew Language Programs for Kids & Adults • Israeli Summer Camp in Hebrew • Israeli Film Screenings & Discussions • Talks & Lectures on Israeli Society & Innovation • Family-Friendly Cultural Events • Teen & Young Adult Israeli Engagement

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PUB LISH ER’S NOTE

Tenafly MAGAZINE

WELCOME TO THE MAY issue of Tenafly magazine! As always, we’re excited to celebrate the vibrant spirit of our community, highlighting events and individuals who make Tenafly such a special place to live and work.

Our feature subjects this month include the highly anticipated Tenafly 5K. The 27th annual race, directed by local residents Eric and Lori Leskin, promises an exciting day filled with everything from a dog walk to challenging hills. It’s an event that brings together our entire town in support of the Tenafly Educational

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PHOTOGRAPH BY ALYSON BARROW

W EXCITEMENT AND BEAUTY

Foundation, and we couldn’t be more proud to highlight it.

We also have the privilege of showcasing Galit Oelsner, a talented visual artist whose passion for creativity enriches our town. As a renowned art educator, her works span various media, and her commitment to sharing the beauty of art with others is inspiring.

In this issue, we’re also shining a light on Stephanie Pasternak, a compassionate doula who provides invaluable support to families in our area. Her work helps bring comfort and guidance during some of life’s most transformative moments.

We’re also thrilled to feature Samuel Ahn-Cooper, Tenafly High School’s theater director, who continues to push creative boundaries with his bold productions. His direction of “Chicago” promises to offer an unforgettable performance and an exciting addition to our local arts scene.

And finally, if you’re looking for a place to enjoy delicious food and drinks, be sure to check out the newly renovated Tenafly Pizza Restaurant. With a fresh bar room and an updated look, it’s the perfect spot to gather with friends and family.

We hope this issue brings a sense of pride in all that makes Tenafly great. As always, if you have any story suggestions about community life for Tenafly magazine, please contact me at hello@tenaflymagazine.com.

Gina Palmieri Publisher

Publisher Gina Palmieri Local Editor Jenna Demmer Writers Jenny Jackson Ron Lyons Jr. Julie Marallo Gabrielle Marcus Gabrielle Walters Spencer Watson Photographers Alyson Barrow Justin Schwab

WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden VP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O›Connell Executive Editor Richard Laliberte Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden

Tenafly magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Tenafly, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

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ADVOCATE JONAH GOLD

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9/11 AFTERMATH

NEAT FREAKS HOME

HOW PEN PALS HELPED STUDENTS

TASTES OF COLOMBIA

AT CAFETALES

Tasteful Transformation The Spring House’s Jon Krieger

Scoring in Life

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Tenaf ly

October 2024

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November 2024

A WRITER’S ROOTS LAUREN ALIZA GREEN

A ZEAL FOR SCIENCE

LIFE LESSONS

FROM A COMBAT VET

CAMILLE LEDERER

A SPARKLING CAREER

TENNIS COACH

GORDON UEHLING

GEMOLOGIST ELISA BRISMAN

Sewing Up Success

Marketing The Red Bulls

Elly Geana-Park

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Tenaf ly

December 2024

Join us for the best road race in Bergen County – Right in your backyard!

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Featuring something for everyone - 5K Run, 5K Dog Run/Walk, the JCC 1-Mile Fun Run, and Tiger Club Races for the littlest athletes!

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Tenafly

January 2025

STRESS LESS

MINDFULNESS COACH MIRANDA LEE

SUPPORTING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

Sunday June 1, 2025 @ 9 AM Tenafly Middle School

A YEN FOR YOGA JOANNA AMORATIS

AMIE ABURUSTUM

ALL THAT JAZZ RICHARD BARATTA

Celebrating Movement

Crime

Queen

Revolution Dance Academy

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AROUND TOWN

May Chamber Updates Community events, attractions and opportunities from the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce

BY JENNY JACKSON House and its sought-after culinary experience. The evening will showcase the talents of the region.

A PURPOSEFUL GALA Guests can dance the night away with DJ Thomas Schmid, sip signature cocktails and savor a mouthwatering dinner by Chef Paco Frola. This celebration-witha-purpose features a silent auction and mystery prizes. Guests can spend a mystical evening with communityinspiring environmental stewardship in North Bergen County while honoring the dedication of our volunteers. This year’s honorees are the Silber Family and Westfield Garden State Plaza for their outstanding service and partnership.

“The Tenafly Nature Center is excited to infuse a renewed energy into our spring gala, honoring the beauty of our remarkable preserve and strengthening

Jenny Jackson serves as the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce president and Tenafly Downtown Committee co-president. She believes in the power of business as a channel for positive impact.

GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY! “An Enchanted Evening” supports Tenafly Nature Center’s mission to protect our precious forests, wetlands and wildlife. To buy tickets now, scan this code.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY JOSHUA SAZER @JOSHSAZER

SPRING IN TENAFLY means it’s time to get outdoors—baseball and lacrosse games, outdoor parties and dining al fresco, all to the backdrop of blue skies and budding flowers. When we get outside, our town’s brimming nature is undeniable. In honor of our season to get back into nature, this month’s Around Town is dedicated to a very special Chamber of Commerce member, the Tenafly Nature Center, and this year’s exciting Spring Gala.

The Tenafly Nature Center invites guests to experience “An Enchanted Evening” on Saturday, May 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. With a whimsical new take on the annual event, this year’s gala setting is Tenafly’s historic landmark, the Demarest-Lyle House, home of Spring

our partnership with the community for an unforgettable and impactful evening,” says Debora Davidson, Executive Director, Tenafly Nature Center. “We are deeply appreciative of our honorees and their dedicated efforts to ensure that this green space remains healthy, vibrant and welcoming for all. Tenafly Nature Center is truly a one-of-a-kind place, and we can’t wait to celebrate with all of you!”

If you would like to join the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce, not only are you investing in your own business, you are contributing to the betterment of Tenafly. Visit Tenaflychamber.org/about to learn more about membership.

Remember to shop the shops and dine local to keep our community strong and vibrant!

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Behind the Curtain Raised with the arts, Tenafly High School’s drama teacher finds joy introducing theater to the next generation.

BY GABRIELLE MARCUS

INTERVIEW WITH

SINCE 2008, Samuel Ahn-Cooper has been the driving force behind Tenafly High School’s thriving theater program, shaping young performers and bringing ambitious productions to life. As the school’s theater director, he has built a reputation for pushing creative boundaries while fostering a deep love for the performing arts among his students.

This spring, he’s taking on an exciting classic by directing “Chicago,” a bold and dazzling musical that promises to be a standout production starting with its opening night on May 1.

Known for his passion, humor and ability to bring out the best in his students, Ahn-Cooper has created a theater program that feels like a second home to many. We sat down with him to talk about his journey and why high school theater matters now more than ever.

What inspired you to become a drama teacher, and how long have you been teaching?

I have been around film and theater my entire life. My father was a TV/film director. As a young kid throughout grammar school and high school, I was moving all around the world with my family, working and growing up on film sets. After graduating college, I knew that I wanted to get my master’s degree to teach high school theater. I went to the Actors Studio Drama School in New York City and graduated in 2003.

In 2008, I ended up at THS, and it has been the best decision of my life. I love every day I get to teach and direct. It is my dream job. The best part is that I get to work with incredible, talented, awesome teenagers every day.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY SAMUEL AHN-COOPER

SAMUEL AHN-COOPER

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Why is theater such an important part of the high school experience?

Theater is an extremely important part of the high school experience for many students. It’s a place they can call home. It’s similar to being part of a sport. Athletes stay with their teams and sport for four years. They grow as teammates. Theater kids are exactly the same. They grow together. It’s a place where they are truly accepted for who they are, totally free from judgment.

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Tell us about some standout moments or performances from your 17 years at THS. We were able to perform two of my favorite shows: “Spring Awakening” and “Rent.”

“Spring Awakening” was really important, as we were one of the few public schools in America to do the show. It deals with a variety of issues facing teens across the world: sexuality, suicide, pregnancy and sexual identity. My daughter was a junior at the time of the production, and she played the role of Martha. It was extremely rewarding as a parent and as a mentor watching her grow as a young woman and as an artist.

“Rent” is my favorite musical, and still to this day is the most attended show of any that I have directed.

What’s one important lesson that you hope your theater students carry with them after graduation?

The one lesson I hope my students take with them is that theater is a truly accepting place. In the world of theater, we are all free to be ourselves. It doesn’t matter your religion, ethnicity, political views or sexual identity. The audience comes to see the show and to be taken on a journey. They are not judging the actors. It’s one of the few remaining places in the world where you are truly accepted for the person that you are.

The theater is a home, and we are all family—the tech crew, the performers and the musicians. I hope they carry this sense of self-worth and confidence in their future endeavors.

“Chicago Teen Edition” runs May 1 to 3.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m.

For tickets, visit https://thstheater.org.

Gabrielle Marcus is a Tenafly resident who left the bustle of New York City to embrace the suburban life with her husband, Brian, and lay down roots in a more nurturing environment.

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LOCAL TASTES

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TPR

Raises the Bar Recent renovations at Tenafly Pizza Restaurant continue a fresh take on a local favorite.

Robert Perlstein has upgraded the popular restaurant’s ingredient quality since becoming TPR managing partner in 2020, and recently introduced a bar room.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY JANET AND ROBERT PERLSTEIN

BY GABRIELLE WALTERS LONGTIME TENAFLY staple Tenafly Pizza Restaurant (TPR) has been serving the community for over 40 years, offering everything from quick slices to sit-down meals with friends and family.

“I want people to feel comfortable and at home here,” says managing partner Robert Perlstein. “It should be a place where people can come and enjoy each other’s company.”

A graduate of the French Culinary Institute in New York City, Perlstein has spent his career working in the restaurant industry across the greater New York City area. In early 2020, he became managing partner at TPR, a special full-circle moment for him, since he grew up patronizing the restaurant while visiting his grandparents in Tenafly.

While committed to preserving

the qualities that have made TPR a beloved neighborhood spot, he has placed a strong emphasis on upgrading ingredient quality. “We get the best that we can,” says Perlstein.

“People notice that.”

CLASSICS AND COCKTAILS Recently, TPR underwent a renovation that introduced a bar room, offering customers a relaxed space to unwind with drinks and a special bar menu featuring shareable dishes like housemade mini meatballs and mortadella and pistachio pizza.

“Most people don’t even know we have a liquor license,” Perlstein notes.

“There’s a need for something like this in town. It’s more casual than other bar options and has a bit of a sportsoriented vibe.”

The bar room’s modern light fixtures MAY 2025 |

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LOCAL TASTES

and woven-inspired wallpaper create a warm yet contemporary atmosphere.

Beyond the bar, guests can enjoy a meal in the dining room, where heartfelt Italian cooking takes center stage. Customer favorites include parmigiana, marsala and Francese dishes, as well as New York-style pizza and chicken parmigiana.

TPR also offers house-made soups and scratch-made desserts—many of which are crafted by Perlstein’s mother, whose tiramisu and orange olive oil cake have become local favorites.

TPR is open Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.

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REAL ESTATE REPORT

March Market Snapshot TENAFLY

Welcome to our new monthly column dedicated to real estate trends in our town. Read the latest on market conditions, what homes are selling for, current demand levels and more.

AS OF THE END OF MARCH, the biggest challenge for anyone trying to buy a home here is simple: There just isn’t enough to buy—especially under $2 million, and even under $3 million.

We’re still seeing too many buyers chasing too few homes, and that includes long-time Tenafly residents

trying to trade up, trade down, or finally get out of a rental.

The demand is real—and the frustration is, too.

Inventory in March was 1.71 months, up from February but still well below what we need. Last year, inventory peaked in midMarch. This year? It hasn’t peaked yet, and if it does, it’s shaping up to be just as limited.

Prices continue to climb. The median sold price hit $1,488,000, and homes are still selling over asking, with a 101.7% sold-to-list ratio. The median estimated home value is up nearly 15% year-overyear, and while homes are taking longer to sell (53 median days on market), that’s more about the lack of options than lack of demand.

We’d be remiss not to mention the uncertainty in the stock market right now, which is adding a layer of complexity for some buyers and sellers.

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Supporting Families

One Birth at a Time

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Stephanie Pasternak has found her calling as a doula, a professional who offers birth support and gives couples a new perspective on childbirth.

BY RON LYONS JR.

could attend school when they were older. Eventually, after having two more children, she waited for her third child to grow up before finding her true calling as a birth doula. A birth doula is not a doctor but offers guidance and support before, during and after childbirth. After completing various training programs, certifications and licenses from the oldest certified agency in the country, DONA International, Pasternak opened her practice.

A 24/7 CALLING As much as Pasternak loves her job, there are drawbacks. Her work environment can be mentally, physically and emotionally demanding. For Pasternak, this is a full-time job, and she is on call 24/7, handling 4 to 6 births a month.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

WHEN TENAFLY RESIDENT Stephanie Pasternak became an alumna of Brown University, she didn’t know what she wanted to do after graduation. She was in a job she didn’t love and was looking for a change in life, so she decided to return to school because she was an academic at heart. While she was at Bergen Community College, she coincidentally completed all her prerequisites to attend medical school and developed an interest in women’s health, with a specific focus on childbirth.

When she finally decided to apply for medical school, she was married and pregnant with her first child on the way, which put her plans on hold.

Taking into account the financial responsibility of having a child, she continued working so that her child

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The most amazing thing in the world is supporting a woman and her partner through the end of their pregnancy, labor, birth, and their immediate and initial postpartum period.

It’s absolutely incredible.”

- Stephanie Pasternak

“Sometimes, I have to ditch my family,” she says. “And, if it’s Thanksgiving, it is what it is. I really try to support my clients in every way that I can. Some of my clients have no family here. There are clients that may want to breastfeed their baby, but no one in their family has ever breastfed a baby before. I work very hard to try and make things just a little bit easier, and to let them know that there is help and support, because it does take a village to make, grow and birth a baby.”

As a birth doula, lactation consultant and Lamaze childbirth educator, Pasternak helps her clients from pregnancy, labor and birth to postpartum care and baby feeding.

Pasternak’s practice focuses on everything from being pregnant to teaching new mothers how to feed their babies. She feels honored to be in the sacred birthing space. “The most amazing thing in the world is supporting a woman and her partner through the end of their pregnancy, labor, birth, and their immediate and initial postpartum period. It’s absolutely incredible,” says Pasternak.

Pasternak experiences this honor every time a couple invites her to be part of their journey. She believes that those who are pregnant are filled with

superpowers. “They are magic. They are special. They are strong. They are stronger than they ever knew they were,” she adds.

ADVANCES AND ADVOCACY Modern medicine and technology have improved to provide women who were previously unable to have babies with the option to do so. Yet, with all the advancements in the medical field, medical providers don’t necessarily have time to develop an emotional connection with patients. Pasternak says this has opened the door for doulas in a major way because many patients want more attention and a closer connection with someone who can guide them through pregnancy, childbirth and beyond.

Pasternak provides medical information and emotional and physical support for clients, but there are limitations to what she can do. “I’m not a medical care provider,” she says.

“Doulas do not diagnose anything, nor do they prescribe anything.” Advocating for and supporting couples is what she’s all about. “Doulas can remind their clients that they have a voice,” says Pasternak. “They also remind their clients that pregnancy is a natural state of being. It’s not an illness.”

Ron Lyons Jr., is a freelance journalist for Tenafly Magazine. His work has appeared in publications like Business Insider, Slate Magazine and Tom’s Guide.

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Running a TRADITION

Above: Eric and Lori Leskin have been race directors for Tenafly’s popular 5K event since 2017.

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PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY THE TENAFLY EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Race directors Eric and Lori Leskin keep a legacy on track at the TEF Tenafly 5K Run and Dog Walk.

BY GABRIELLE WALTERS

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EACH YEAR IN THE SPRING, runners—and a variety of other active people and pets—gather for the annual TEF Tenafly 5K Run and Dog Walk, organized by the Tenafly Educational Foundation. The event, now in its 27th year, is currently run by Tenafly residents Eric and Lori Leskin.

As race directors since 2017, the Leskins are committed to preserving the local flavor that makes this townwide event so special and inviting. From energetic dog parades to competitors

testing their agility by running up challenging hills, the 5K race offers something enjoyable for everyone.

The event serves as a fundraiser for the TEF and has seen record numbers in recent years. It’s now one of the largest road races in New Jersey, bringing more than 1,500 participants.

COMMUNITY CAUSES On race day, you can expect to see runners of all ages and abilities participating in activities for the whole family. Attendees can look MAY 2025 |

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forward to a variety of activities such as the 1-mile Fun Run, the dog parade, a bouncing house for kids and more. Local teachers and principals are among the crowd cheering on their students and supporting the runners.

This year’s 5K is partnering with Achilles New Jersey, which has a mission to empower people with various disabilities to participate in running events and transform lives through fitness and connection.

The Leskins, who have been avid runners for years, are very familiar with Achilles athletes, as they have served as guides for visually impaired runners in races all

across the globe, including in New York, Berlin and Tokyo, through Achilles International.

When the previous race directors were faced with deciding who should take over the event, they faced a crucial decision: Should they hand it off to a commercial company that would run it like a business, or keep organization of the race within the community?

The choice seemed clear.

“This is what makes this race so great,” says Lori. “It’s not a business—it’s a community event, focused on families and bringing people together.”

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Even those who are not runners are encouraged to get involved. “Come out for the day,” Lori encourages.

“Cheer someone on or volunteer—it’s a wonderful event to be part of, and it lifts everyone’s spirits.” Each year, over 200 volunteers ensure that the event runs smoothly.

When recalling their favorite race moments, the Leskins highlight the day’s special pockets of excitement, from eager expressions of runners at the starting line to their post-race tradition of stopping by Tenafly Classic Diner, where they are greeted by participants and their families proudly displaying their medals and celebrating their achievements.

BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER Even before they moved to Tenafly, the Leskins were drawn to the town’s 5K. While living in Englewood, they discovered the race and began

attending with their young children.

Over time, it became an annual family tradition—one that played a key role in their decision to move to town.

“The 5K really drew us to Tenafly,” Eric says, adding that a strong school system and welcoming atmosphere also sealed the deal.

Once they moved, they were eager to further their involvement in the community and have been involved in various aspects of the town for quite some time.

“Before taking over the race, we were always very involved,” says Lori. While they were both involved in Tenafly schools as their children went through the local system, Lori served as the president of the Tenafly Educational Foundation and the travel soccer club, while Eric coached recreational basketball.

Even after their children graduated, the couple wanted to find ways to stay

involved in the community. “Being able to stay involved after our kids graduated and moved out kept us here in Tenafly,” Lori says.

As for the future of the Tenafly 5K, the Leskins are committed to maintaining the small-town feel that has made this event so successful for the past 27 years. They are open to evolution and tweaks while maintaining the energy they have curated.

“We do not want to lose the community aspects of it,” they jointly say. “We want to continue making it inviting, welcoming and accessible to everyone.”

The 2025 Tenafly 5K is Sunday, June 1. To learn more or register, visit www.tenafly5k.com.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.

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Art Without Boundaries: Galit Oelsner began her art education by studying painting and drawing but has learned to use all vlsual tools so she’s not limited by particular media.

Artist and educator Galit Oelsner seeks to unleash the power of self-expression.

A

BY SPENCER WATSON

Creativity

AN ARTIST’S JOURNEY Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Oelsner moved to the United States from Israel in 1999 to pursue an MBA at the American Institute of Technology in New York City.

“I always did art, but when I came to New York City, it opened my eyes [to the fact] that being an artist and doing a creative work can be a profession,” she says of the experience. “I met other artists.

I saw what they do.” She decided to pursue art professionally after graduating and finishing her business program.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

Cultivating

ART IS NOT CONFINED to museums and galleries; it can also be found in our local communities.

Tenafly resident Galit Oelsner is a renowned visual artist and art educator whose works include painting, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media and photography.

She is committed to teaching and sharing her passion with others.

She says to those who are hesitant to engage with creative activity: “Art is the place where there’s no judgment.” She describes art as a playground for self-expression and as a place to make mistakes.

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Creativity Gym: By establishing The Muse Arthouse with collaborator Sandra Fathi, Oelsner hopes to help people exercise their artistic impulses.

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Oelsner continued her education in the arts, studying painting and drawing at the Art Student League and the New York Academy of Art, and photography at the International Center of Photography. She also spent seven years studying sculpture with the distinguished sculptor Janice Mauro.

Not limiting herself to one medium, Oelsner learned to utilize all visual tools to create art without boundaries.

She eventually found her way to Tenafly, initially drawn to its education system and vibrant community. She has since become an important part of, and contributor to, Tenafly’s artistic community.

In recent years, Oelsner has focused on working with ceramics, and also integrates poetry that she finds inspiring her into her work. “I feel like all forms of art, whether it be poetry, visual—it’s all a form of self-expression, and you’re expressing yourself in different kinds of ways,” she says.

Her artwork—which can be found online and in exhibitions across New York and New Jersey, including Tenafly—often incorporates themes of nature and womanhood. Oelsner is fascinated by how plants or trees adapt when moved to new environments.

She ponders, in plants or trees that grow in nature, “if you move them to somewhere else, can they grow the same, or is it going to be different?”

The seasonal transformation during spring also inspires her. “Everything in winter is sleeping,” she says. “[Then] in a month, you have all these flowers, all these colors that [make] you feel like you’re walking in a painting.”

ENGAGING AUDIENCES Oelsner is passionate about highlighting the contributions of women artists throughout history.

Early in her artistic journey, she noticed a lack of information about women artists in libraries and sought representation for her identity as a

woman, wife, young mother and artist.

This led her to develop lectures such as “Introduction to Women Artists,” which explores the challenges and triumphs of women artists from the 16th to 18th centuries. She shares these insights at venues such as the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly.

Active in both the New York City

and Tenafly art communities, Oelsner leads art tours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and curates art shows with Tenafly locals and friends. Her passion for sharing knowledge fuels her interest in art education.

She recounts how attendees often approach her after lectures, saying, “I don’t know anything about art. I’m not

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Fostering Imagination: Oelsner considers creativity an essential aspect of life that can be applied to a variety of settings, including business.

sure that I like to go to the museum,” only to later express, “You know what? I learned something.” This transformation underscores her belief in making art accessible and engaging for all.

PATHS TO SELF-EXPRESSION Oelsner teaches drawing, painting and mixed media, believing that creative work fosters imagination.

“If you create something from zero, it’s always being creative,” she says.

“And it doesn’t matter what you do. It can be in business; it can be whatever you create. You can find creativity everywhere.”

Witnessing her students’

progress, from holding a brush for the first time to developing a passion for the art they have created within months, she emphasizes that art is about selfexpression rather than replication.

“It’s really a big honor to accompany them in their art journey,” she says, advocating for dedicating time each week to creative endeavors.

Looking ahead, Oelsner is set to open The Muse ArtHouse in Closter, in collaboration with fellow Tenafly resident Sandra Fathi. This innovative space will function as a creative gym, offering art classes, workshops and events as well as drop-in studio sessions.

It brings Oelsner’s business and art background full circle.

“Making art—it’s an essential part of the well-being of someone,” she says. “Whether or not you’re an artist, you should do creative work as a habit, like [with] a physical gym.

We want to create a creative gym where everyone will have a range of opportunities to explore all kinds of art experiences.”

Spencer Watson is a lifelong Bergen County resident. She is a poet and freelance writer who frequently writes about local news in New Jersey.

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BOOK NOOK

Out of Asia These five novels offer timely insights for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month.

BY JULIE MARALLO DURING MAY, celebrate Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month through literature. This tribute month in part celebrates how the Asian and Pacific Islander diaspora has enriched American culture. The characters in the following five novels are part of that diaspora. All of the novels are for adults.

“THE WANGS VS. THE WORLD”

By Jade Chang Charles Wang worked hard to build a good life in America.

But when his cosmetic business fails, he decides to pull his kids out of school and take a journey to his eldest daughter’s home in upstate New York. His ultimate goal is to bring his family together, reclaim his ancestral land in China and restore his family’s wealth. Unfortunately, things go awry for the Wang family from the very start of the trip.

“REAL AMERICANS”

By Rachel Khong Lily Chen, a transplanted Floridian and daughter of Chinese immigrants, is working as an unpaid intern at a prestigious media company in New York in 2000. There she falls in love with Matthew, heir to a pharmaceutical empire. In 2021, her 15-year-old son Nick is living on an isolated island in Washington with his mother, wondering who his father is. Everyone’s life changes when he goes to find out.

“THINGS WE LOST TO THE WATER”

By Eric Nguyen When Huong left Vietnam for New Orleans with her two young sons, she always thought that her husband would join them. She sends him letters and tapes but never gets a response. As she faces the reality that he is not coming back to them, she and her sons begin to adapt to life in America and also begin to grow apart. Then tragedy strikes New Orleans, forcing them to come together and finally face their past.

“AMERICA IS NOT THE HEART”

By Elaine Castillo Hero de Vera has to flee the Philippines and is grateful when her uncle Pol offers her a place to live in California.

Her cousin Roni wonders why Hero’s hands ache and why Hero had to leave so suddenly.

Told over three generations, this novel tells the story of the Filipino diaspora.

“THE DREAM BUILDERS”

By Oindrila Mukherjee After living in the United States for 10 years, Maneka Roy returns to her home city of Hrishipur following her mother’s death. The city she finds is nothing like the one she left. Written from the perspective of different characters, the secrets of this “modernized” city are revealed. The changes in the city are swift and constant, but the society within it is not keeping up.

Julie Marallo is the director of the Tenafly Public Library.

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PHOTO OP

POPULAR POLLINATOR A SWALLOWTAIL—the official state butterfly of New Jersey—is spotted in the Seasonal Butterfly House Pollinator Garden at Tenafly Nature Center. This garden reopens at TNC’s Nature Day event to be held Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Have a great image for Photo Op?

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Submit your high-resolution shot to hello@ tenaflymagazine.com.

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Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

NewBridgeHealth.org/gastroenterology 201.225.7130

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FARKAS

PLASTIC SURGERY & MEDSPA

(201) 587-4961 920 Sylvan Avenue Ste 230, Englewood Cliffs NJ, 07632 Farkas_FP_TEN_1124_gdrev2.indd 1

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