LINK PLUS Vol 1 Issue 1

A Weekly Link Supplement

Vol. 1 Issue 1 / Sep. 4, 2019

Off the bus basics. Easy supper to greet your kids with

Get that job!

Resume Guidelines Zzzzz's on a routine

Of lemonades and laughter Fiction Story New drama serial:

Sep. 4, 2019

Back in School Common sense tips and tricks

TRAINING GROUND by Chava Leah Beer| 1

Dear Readers,

table of contents Sob, Sob!

Teach your children to laugh at their terrible predicaments

4

Back In School

Common sense tips and tricks

8

Looking for a job?

Professional resume writer shares some guidelines 12

Off the bus basics

Easy supper to greet your kids with 19

bedtime battle tips 24 New drama serial:

TRAINING GROUND

26

Creative Creations 31 2|

The Weekly Link is ready to share breaking news!

As the leaders in the free periodical industry, The Weekly Link consistently maintained the position of the most sought-after free publication for 13 consecutive years. As we approach our 14th year anniversary of a successful publication and community service, we mark this milestone with an upgrade. In honor of this momentous occasion and as a token of appreciation to our loyal readers, we bring you: The Link Plus.

The Link Plus is a high end, glossy magazine with rich, informative and inspiring content which will be inserted in every copy of The Weekly Link.

The Link Plus spared no effort to bring you high quality content from talented writers with years of expertise. The magazine is a visual feast as well as a highly stimulating read.

Make sure to grab your copy. You’ll thank us later.

Here’s to many more years of providing our community with high quality free reading!

-T he Weekly Link

WE'RE NOT WASTING SPACE TELLING YOU ABOUT LEITER'S SUKKAHS.

BECAUSE WHEN YOU KNOW LEITER'S , YOU KNOW.

WHEN THERE'S TOO MUCH TO SAY, WE'LL LET OUR NAME SAY IT FOR US.

718.436.0303 1346 39TH STREET LEITERSSUKKAH.COM Sep. 4, 2019

|3

Sob, Sob

Teach your Children to Laugh at their Terrible Predicaments

By Perel Levin

Penina Berman slung her schoolbag into the corner with a resounding thump and bounced angrily into a kitchen chair.

"Well, I got a part," she announced. "If you call it that."

disgust. "I'm sixteen, for heaven's sake!

How can I do an old woman?"

"So, what did you get?" asked Mrs. Berman.

Nina laughed despite her irritation. "It's awful! There's somebody crying in every scene and the stage directions – look, here

"The cranky old lady," Penina said with 4|

"Let's see the script," Mrs. Berman said.

As she leafed through it her expression changed. "It looks pretty bad."

on page 41 – read that!"

I won’t let the director know.”

Mrs. Berman burst out laughing. "Sob, sob??" She glanced at a few more pages.

"Oh, dear! Terrible lines, silly plot –"

"I wish I could make something of 'Yes, Madam' and curtsies," Yitty said with loathing.

"Mom," Nina said reproachfully. "It's deeply meaningful." A giggle betrayed her.

"My mother can. Come to us on Sunday."

"Hang on,” Mrs. Berman said. “This part isn't bad at all--the old lady..." She's supposed to be funny."

"Funny? In my school's play?"

After considering the problem, Mrs. Berman asked Yitty, "What sort of maid are you? The devoted old family retainer or a pert young miss who looks down on the people she works for?"

"I don't suppose the person who wrote the play realized that."

"She looks down on them, of course!" said Yitty.

A beatific expression spread over Nina's face. "I think I'm going to enjoy this," she said. "And I know just the costume, too.

Cousin Brantshe's suit."

"Oh! I'll have to think about her.” Yitty exclaimed.

Cousin Brantshe haunted thrift shops and the suit – still with original tags – had been one of her metzias and a present to her niece, but as Nina said grimly, "Even if I live to be a hundred and fifty I won't be old enough for that style. No matter how much I love Cousin Brantshe." But Cousin Brantshe had been on the phone at least twice a week wanting to know if Nina had used it yet.

Esther pointed out her highlighted lines.

"It looks as if I have a big part, but my character doesn't do anything but wring her hands and cry. She's really kind of a drip," she explained. "Do you think I could kind of overdo her, like make her weirder?"

"It really is perfect," Mrs. Berman admitted. "And I have some old pince-nez glasses.”

Nina attended the first rehearsal. The part was good. But would she be allowed to make her old woman funny?

By the second rehearsal it was clear that a) if the director paid attention, she would not be allowed to act funny, and b) the director was unlikely to notice her existence at all. Yitty Feld, who played the maid, had opinions on that.

"You could cut our parts out and nobody would notice," she muttered.

"Well, I'm going to make my part unforgettable," Nina whispered back. "But Sep. 4, 2019

"Is she graceful, or clumsy?"

More girls arrived. "For the good of the play," said Mrs. Berman. "Let's see what we have."

"I think a better way would be to underplay her – as if you take her seriously. It's a lot harder but I think you should make her believable. Sympathetic."

Esther was disappointed. "I was hoping I could get some laughs, like Nina. She showed me in the girls' room."

"We need the straight roles, too. Try to think your way into her. Maybe next time you'll get something different, but this time – try your best with what you have...

Now, what about yours, Tzivia?"

"Well, I know I'm in almost all the scenes, but all my character actually does is say, 'We must ask the Rav, Poppa'. I've tried to say it different ways but it's dopey whatever I do. The only place I say anything different is in the very last scene." |5

"Now, that gives me an idea," Mrs. Berman said. "Why not make your line into a running gag?"

Tzivia gave her a blank look.

"It means a joke that goes on and on. Like this: the first couple of times you say your line with such sincerity that people know you can't be serious. After that, people know what to expect, so you delay a little before you say the line – pause for thought, look confused, that sort of thing. And then say the line exactly the same way. Every time. And every time it ought to get a laugh – I hope! Then, just as it gets stale, in the last scene you pause the way you did for the usual line...and you come out with different lines, and you get another laugh because it isn't what the audience expected. Do you understand?"

"I do, but it's going to take work."

"What we need to do now," said Tzivia, "is go to thrift shops for costumes. But who has time?"

"I know who!" Nina jumped up. "Cousin Brantshe! She'll find everything you need.

For peanuts."

On opening night, Mrs. Berman leafed through the program, reading the cast list, the list of sponsors, the ads – She glanced up at the clock, and stiffened as she caught a glimpse of a familiar gaunt figure walking down the far aisle.

Cousin Brantshe!

Well, there was nothing to be done about it, now.

Backstage, in the dressing room Nina looked at the box with her name on it. "It's not a bomb or anything, is it?" she asked.

"Nina,” said Esther, “how many bombers know your name? Come on, open it!"

Cautiously Nina edged the lid off and caught her breath. Inside was a dainty wrist corsage, an arrangement of tiny 6|

pink rosebuds with a full-blown miniature white rose in the center. On the card her father had written "To Our Star". The girls crowded around her.

"It's true! You are a star," Esther said.

"You do your part so well. You're going to outshine us all. Hatzlocha to you – hatzlocha to everybody!"

And the play was a success. A little bemused, the director accepted compliments from the ladies crowding around her. "So clever of you to mix the serious message with some laughs!" they said, and "How did you get such wonderful performances out of those girls?"

As the auditorium emptied, Penina overheard a lady praising "that Berman girl, who played that hilarious old woman".

The doorbell rang the next morning.

Nina marched to the door and let Cousin Brantshe in.

"That was certainly some performance," said Cousin Brantshe in an ominous voice.

"And I notice you finally wore that suit."

Nina and her mother looked at each other.

They were in for it.

Suddenly Cousin Brantshe dissolved in laughter. "That suit! I got the message, don't worry! I'll never ask you to wear that suit again! I won't even buy things for you at the thrift shops without asking you first."

Nina threw her arms around Cousin Brantshe. "I've always loved you but now I love you twice as much!" she said. "But won't you miss your metzias at the thrift shops?"

"Not in the least." Cousin Brantshe told her proudly. "Your school called me to be wardrobe mistress for all their plays.

I'll be buying at thrift shops to my heart's ■ content!"

DESIGN: YANKY GOLDMAN

SEA SALT

ONION & GARLIC

JALAPENO

MESQUITE BBQ

BloomsKosher.com Sep. 4, 2019

|7

Back in School Common sense tips and tricks

By Etty Berkowitz

If you’ve sent kids to school before, you know the drill: Summer ends in late August, and the next week or so are a frantic jumble of packing away swimsuits, sunscreen, and camp and country accessories, and buying uniforms, shoes and school supplies, all while you try to keep your off-schedule, nosh-fueled brood busy until school finally begins.

But when school starts, all will be calm and well, right?

That depends.

It’s hard to recall when your kids haven’t been in school for a long time, but the days can be hectic during the school year too. Think crumpled homework assignments, mashed snacks and forgotten lunches growing mold at the bottom of knapsacks, and the hysterical cries of “Where’s my other shoe?” as the bus pulls up to your front door. Remember it now?

A wise man once said that a good day begins the night before. Set up your evening properly to ensure a hassle-free morning. This is the season of change and new resolutions, so it’s the perfect time of year to put systems in place and set up routines to make the entire year go smoothly. It can be better, but only if we’re prepared.

8|

Coming Home Is the typical script in your home is something like, “Maaa,I’mhomeI’mstaarv ingwhat’sfor supper?” followed by a thunk and thump as my child’s coat, knapsack, and shoes get dumped right at the entrance to our home and the door is slammed behind them?

Tips: • Wait outside. Even if your child is old enough to get off the bus alone and you don’t absolutely need to wait for them anymore, you may want to continue the practice, as it’ll make the rest of the night easier.

• Guide them in. Welcoming kids home with a smile is not just good for them emotionally; it’ll make all the difference in the success of your schedule. When your child gets home, gently guide them towards the coat closet or hooks, and while they talk to you, they can hang up their coat and place their shoes or boots neatly in a designated spot. They can hold onto their loose-leaf or knapsack and bring it to the homework station.

• Feed them. Have food and drink prepared. Even if supper isn’t ready, you’ll want something wholesome available to take the edge off their hunger.

Homework Station You know your kids will be assigned homework by their teachers. And you know that doing homework usually requires basic supplies like pens or pencils, paper, and sometimes glue, scissors, or crayons.

So why not create a specific spot in your home and designate it as a homework station? Your kids won’t have to spend all their time hunting for a writing implement Sep. 4, 2019

|9

instead of actually doing homework.

Beginning from the first day of school, have your children drop their knapsacks at the homework station right when walking in from school, instead of leaving it lying around in the doorway.

Tips: • Find a spot. The ideal location will have a table or desk, a comfortable chair, and good lighting. You can have all your kids do their homework together on one table, or they can each do it at their desks in their room, if you are blessed with the space.

• Stock it. When buying school supplies, purchase some extras for your homework station. Fill a cute cup or basket with pens, pencils, erasers, scissors, glue, markers or crayons, and loose-leaf paper. Aside from using the supplies for homework assignments, your kids can easily grab extra supplies when they start running low.

So when Morah reminds everyone to bring in more pencils, your child just puts some

10 |

into his or her knapsack right when they’re doing homework and their knapsack is right there.

• Join in. It’s no fun to do homework when Mommy is on the phone at the other side of the house. Make it your habit to sit with your children as they do homework; they can easily ask your questions as they come up, and you’ll find you’re more on top of their school experience. You’ll realize instantly if they aren’t following in class or bringing home homework assignments and you’ll even know what the teacher is talking about come PTA time in the winter! You’ll also be able to sign tests and homework pads right then and there.

Launchpad It isn’t easy to get your kids up, dressed, and fed before the bus comes. But having a launchpad area in your home is a lifesaver.

The basic idea is that everything that is needed for the next day is waiting by the door, so your child just takes everything on their way out. Ask your child: What

do I need to take to school tomorrow?

The success of a launchpad is, again, the night before, so use these tips to make it successful.

Tips • Homework in. Before your kids leave their homework station, ensure that everything is put back into their knapsack or loose-leaf. This includes homework, sefarim or textbooks, signed tests and homework pads, and any needed supplies, money, or permission slips. Then place their knapsack near the door.

• Pack snacks. If you aren’t doing this already, this tip will change your life. Get your kids used to selecting their snacks the night before and placing them in their knapsack.

• Shoes and Outerwear. If your child’s shoes were placed near the door when they came home, good for you! Otherwise, have him or her place them near the door before going to sleep. With today’s technology,

Sep. 4, 2019

weather isn’t such a guessing game anymore, so lay out their sweater, jacket, or coat near the door. Also, check if boots are needed.

Other tips: • Lay out their school clothes - including accessories such as tights or socks, headbands or hairpins, yamulkas and tzitzis – the night before, or at least ensure they’re already in their shelf or drawer.

• Prep, or at least decide what breakfast will be, the night before. Eggs are easy, but if it’s pancakes or waffles, you may want to prepare the batter ahead of time so you need less time in the morning.

• Get up fifteen minutes before the time your kids need to be up. Use those few minutes to wash up, brush your teeth, and get dressed. You’ll be more chipper when you wake your kids.

You’re all set! Wishing you a wonderful, organized, and calm school year.

Have any tips of your own to make evenings and mornings easier? Share them at info@ weeklylink.com

| 11

Looking for a job?

Professional Resume Writer Shares some Guidelines

Wasn’t it just June when we were all looking forward to summer? Believe it or not, summer is mostly over. You know what that means! It’s time to think September. That means you need a job.

And if you’re looking for a job, you need a good resume.

Presenting a well-written resume can be the key to getting your foot in the door at the company of your dreams.

But how can you make your resume represent your experience and also stand out? Not simple. Hiring managers only spend about 7 seconds reading your resume before deciding whether to move forward or not. Most people know how to complete a resume, but here’s some information that can help your resume withstand the seven-second test.

12 |

What do you need to include on your resume?

A resume needs to demonstrate to an employer what you have done as part of your experience. List dates and places of employment. Remember to clearly present what you did in the first part of your resume, as part of your experience.

On the top, of course, put your name, address and phone number as well as your email address. Do not put an objective as it has become obsolete.

When presenting your experience, include numbers when appropriate. For example, if you managed an office, be sure to relate how many workers you supervised.

Enjoy your Job:

It’s highly recommended to apply for a job that you enjoy. The difference

between working at a job you enjoy and one you don’t is the difference between night and day. If you’re going to dread your job, it’s going to be quite a feat to get yourself out of bed every morning!

While we can’t expect to land a job of our dreams, it should be something we like to do or at least don’t detest.

When listing your work experience in your resume, make sure to include the right verb in each phrase. For example, coordinated, mediated, managed and supervised. There are many verbs that are suitable for different positions. Also include numbers, such as increased sales by 25%, managed team of 12 workers, created profits over $200,000 annually.

Sury S. was desperate for a job. She had a family, but her husband wasn’t brining Got empty gaps in your in enough money to cover their expenses. resume?

She took a job that paid very nicely, but If you have a gap when you didn’t work, she hated the work. Every morning, she simply leave it out. If your employer asks postponed going, frustrating herself and you what you were doing those years, her employer. It was just respond honestly. Maybe too hard to do something you were hospitalized Every morning, she for so many hours that and went through she really disliked. Of postponed going, surgery. Perhaps you course, she ended up frustrating herself had a family situation quitting her job. and took off for that and her employer. It

Focus on your position

was just too hard to do something for so many hours that she really disliked.

Depending on the job you are targeting, tailor your resume to display the qualities you need for that specific job. If you’re looking to do bookkeeping, but worked previously as an office manager, be sure to emphasize the bookkeeping you did. If you need to show leadership skills for a managing position, obviously, focus more on the managing part.

Are you open to two different positions?

For example, you might apply for a teaching job and a bookkeeping position. You probably should have two separate resumes with your experiences listed separately, emphasizing specific experiences in each resume.

Sep. 4, 2019

chunk of time. Or maybe you were going through a trying time and were not able to work. Whatever it is, honesty is the best policy.

If you had multiple positions for short periods of time, you might be asked about it. Be prepared to explain. If you’re changing tracks in employment, be sure your resume demonstrates your ability and experience in that field. Also, even if you have more experience in another field, be sure to emphasize the experience you want the employer to see for that specific job.

Describing your work experience Describe your work in detail, accentuating your successful experiences. | 13

Be sure your efficiency and strong points come through so the employer gets a full picture of what you did. It might sound boring to you, but it’s important for him to get a good understanding of your experience.

Education

If you’re changing tracks in employment, be sure your resume demonstrates your ability and experience in that field.

List your education. Did you go to college? Be sure to include dates and what you majored in.

Did you take workshops or professional courses? Enhance your resume and include them.

Languages

List additional languages you know besides English. Often, knowledge of a certain language could increase your chances of getting hired for a certain job.

Remember to include it.

Volunteer Work

If you did volunteering of any kind, list it on your resume. This demonstrates your personality and it shows that you are a

Include your address If It works In your favor.

Applying for a position in your neighborhood? Go ahead and include your address. In this case, you’re already in the area and could start working right away.

But if you’re targeting jobs in another area and you’d need to move in order to start working, it’s probably a good idea to leave out your 14 |

current address on your resume. Why? Recruiters are sometimes less excited to interview candidates from another city or state, since they often require relocation fees.

companies, go ahead and include them by name.

Something like: “Closed deals with Macy’s, Toyota and Bank of America” will get recruiters’ attention instantly.

Go for names

Include your performance revIews

In day-to-day interactions, it might not be a good idea to drop names, but you absolutely should do it on your resume. If you’ve worked with well-known clients or

Think back to the positive feedback you’ve received in years past. This can identify your most remarkable achievements and best work attributes — two things that

kind, caring and responsible person in the community.

References It’s important to list references so an employer could find out what type of a worker you are. However, make sure to ask your references if it’s okay to include them on your resume. The best people to list on your resume as references are those who are enthusiastic about your abilities and know your work ethic.

Now what?

Now, that you have completed your resume, you’re thinking, Do I need a cover letter?

It’s better to send a cover letter with your resume, but you don’t absolutely need it. If you do decide to write one, give the employer a good reason to consider you for the position. Describe why you feel you are a suitable candidate for the job.

It’s also good to know about the company you are applying to so that the employer

should be highlighted on your resume. Including specific feedback you’ve received and goals you’ve met can help you avoid needing to use “fluff” to fill up your resume.

don’t Go overboard wIth keywords Countless companies and recruiters use keywordscanning software to narrow the job applicant pool. That’s why it’s important to include keywords from the job Sep. 4, 2019

gets the feel that you’re focused on this job and that you are really interested in his company. Also, if possible, include the name and title of the person you are writing to on the letter. It is so much more personal and professional!

If you’re a graphic designer, dress your resume appropriately. More important, make sure to send samples of your work. The same applies to architectural designers or writers.

Once you get a call to come down for an interview, you breathe a sigh of relief and get excited. But wait! The interview is the most important step of the process. If you impress the employer, chances are you will get hired. But if not, it’s over.

The interview

It’s normal to feel nervous before an interview. It’s a good idea to close your eyes and calm yourself before you go.

Take a few deep breaths and get yourself in a good state of mind. It’s also helpful to drink water prior to the meeting, so that

description in your resume — but don’t go overboard.

Recruiters can spot “keyword stuffing” a mile away.

that are relevant to the job you’re applying to.

Got skIlls?

While it’s common practice to include social media accounts, it’s important to distinguish between professional accounts—like a LinkedIn profile or Instagram account you manage for work—and non-professional ones, like your personal Twitter account.

You might want to show your

There’s no need to list skills that most people in the job market have (Think: Microsoft Office, email, Mac and PC proficient), which can make it look like you’re just trying to fill up space on the page. Keep your skills section short, and only include impactful skills

share socIal accounts strateGIcally

| 15

‫‪226 63 48‬‬ ‫פרא‪-‬‬ ‫פעשאנעל‬ ‫שדכנים‬

‫בחורים‪-‬‬ ‫מיידלעך‬

‫זענען שוין ב"ה געהאלפן‬ ‫געווארן מיט א שידוך‪,‬‬ ‫אדאנק לזווג‬

‫‪0‬‬

‫פאון‪-‬‬ ‫קאלס‬ ‫פון‬ ‫שדכנים‬

‫פלעגן טייל‬ ‫פון די פאמיליעס‬ ‫ערהאלטן‪,‬‬ ‫ביז לזווג'ס רעוואלוציע‬

‫ארבעטן אונטער לזווג‪ ,‬אויסצופירן‬ ‫די שידוכים‪ ,‬סיי אייגענע און סיי‬ ‫פארגעשלאגענע רעיונות‬

‫בחורים‬ ‫העכער‬ ‫די ‪21‬‬

‫זענען ליידער‬ ‫אצינד אויף לזווג'ס‬ ‫דאטא‪-‬בעיס‬

‫‪1944 K200‬‬ ‫דאלער‬ ‫א יאר‪ ,‬קאסט אפ די‬

‫עלטערן‬

‫יעצטיגע פעולות פון לזווג‪,‬‬ ‫און וועט בקרוב שטייגן‬

‫האבן שוין באקומען פרייליכע‬ ‫פאון‪-‬קאלס‪ ,‬מיט שידוך‪-‬איידיעס‬ ‫פאר זייערע קינדער‬

‫‪24 36 972‬‬ ‫שידוכים‪-‬‬ ‫רעיונות‬

‫זענען שוין‬ ‫אריינגעקומען‬ ‫דורכ'ן ציבור‬

‫לזווג‪ :‬אן ארגאניזאציע‬ ‫וואס נעמט שידוך‪-‬איידיעס‬ ‫פון ציווילע מענטשן‬ ‫ווי פריינט און פאמיליע‬ ‫מיטגלידער‪ ,‬און גיבט דאס פאר‬ ‫פראפעשענעל שדכנים דאס‬ ‫אויסצוארבעטן און אויסצופירן‪,‬‬ ‫ווען ‪ 10%‬פון שדכנות‪-‬‬ ‫געלט גייט פאר'ן ממציא‬ ‫הרעיון‪ .‬דערצו טוט לזווג‬ ‫אנפירן פארצווייגטע‬ ‫פעולות צו מאקסימיזירן‬ ‫שדכנים און מינימיזירן‬ ‫עלטערע בחרים‪/‬מיידלעך‪.‬‬

‫שעה‬

‫וועט זיין די גורל'דיגע צייט‪,‬‬ ‫ווען די בחורים‪ ,‬מיידלעך‬ ‫און זייערע עלטערן‪ ,‬וועלן‬ ‫באקומען אייער ענטפער‪,‬‬ ‫אויב איר שפירט מיט זייער‬ ‫צער און זארג‬

‫געבורטס‪-‬‬ ‫טאג‪,‬אלס‬ ‫'סינגל'‬ ‫ל"ע‬

‫'סטע‬

‫איז עפעס וואס קיינער‬ ‫וואונטשט זיך נישט‬

‫‪646.558.2200 // CHARIDY.COM/LEZAVEG‬‬

‫‪6‬‬ ‫‪ 3‬שעה בליץ‬ ‫מ‪50‬פי‪$2‬ין‬ ‫ק‪0‬‬ ‫א‪.00‬‬ ‫אייביג שוינט מען‪ ,‬היינט גיבט מען‪.‬‬

‫ב‪-‬ג תצ‬ ‫א ‪Sep .9-10 -‬‬

‫| ‪16‬‬

‫האט איר אים שוין גענוג מאל געגעבן‪.‬‬ ‫יעצט איינמאל גיבט אים אייער‬ ‫ער זאל‬ ‫שוין בעז"ה‬ ‫ענדליך‬ ‫קענען א‬ ‫חתן ווערן‪,‬‬ ‫מיט די‬ ‫הילף פון‬ ‫לזווג‪.‬‬

‫‪646.558.2200 // CHARIDY.COM/LEZAVEG‬‬ ‫לזווג‪ :‬אן ארגאניזאציע וואס נעמט‬ ‫שידוך‪-‬איידיעס פון ציווילע מענטשן‬ ‫ווי פריינט און פאמיליע מיטגלידער‪,‬‬ ‫און גיבט דאס פאר פראפעשענעל‬ ‫שדכנים דאס אויסצוארבעטן און‬ ‫אויסצופירן‪ ,‬ווען ‪ 10%‬פון שדכנות‪-‬‬ ‫געלט גייט פאר'ן ממציא הרעיון‪.‬‬ ‫דערצו טוט לזווג אנפירן פארצווייגטע‬ ‫פעולות צו מאקסימיזירן שדכנים און‬ ‫מינימיזירן עלטערע בחרים‪/‬מיידלעך‪.‬‬

‫‪| 17‬‬

‫‪6‬‬ ‫‪ 3‬שעה בליץ‬ ‫מ‪50‬פי‪$2‬ין‬ ‫ק‪0‬‬ ‫א‪.00‬‬ ‫אייביג שוינט מען‪ ,‬היינט גיבט מען‪.‬‬

‫ב‪-‬ג‬

‫תצ‬ ‫א ‪Sep .9-10 -‬‬

‫‪Sep. 4, 2019‬‬

you will not have a dry mouth. Here are some more tips for the interview.

ramble on about unrelated topics. Keep focused.

• Dress appropriately. Don’t overdress or dress too casually.

• Be honest about your expectations as far as salary and hours.

• Come on time. This is a very important one. If you’re late, you’ve basically relayed the message that you are not reliable to keep to a time.

• Make eye contact with the interviewer.

Smile. Relax. Feel confident by remembering that you are capable and a great candidate for the position.

• Describe your experience and your capabilities.

• Thank the interviewer at the end of the meeting.

• Follow up with a phone call or an e-mail.

• Ask questions about the company.

Your job search is only a temporary stage in your life. Whatever you are looking for, remember the only thing you can do is your best.

• Talk about yourself when asked. Don’t

Good luck!

• Don’t lean back in your chair. Lean forward. Look interested. Don’t yawn.

personal account to show recruiters who you are, you’re better off only listing accounts that are professionallyfocused. Save your winning personality for an in-person interview.

use charItable actIvItIes to your advantaGe Not all activities deserve a place on your resume, but some do. Charities that highlight positive personality qualities or skills that could benefit you on the job are worth including. For example, volunteering with special

needs children shows you have compassion or helping raise money for a charity organization shows kindness and competences and might pique a recruiter’s interest.

skills and accomplishments that set you apart from everyone else vying for the position.

forGet General descrIptors

wrIte an accomplIshment journal

Hardworking, self-motivated, self-sufficient, proactive and detail-oriented are all words you’ll find on most people’s resumes. But most job seekers are motivated and hardworking, so these traits don’t really set you apart from the rest of the applicants.

Instead, focus on the specific

Keeping a record of your work accomplishments and positive feedback as they come up can make creating or updating your resume significantly easier. Jot down as many details as possible so you don’t have to spend time tracking them down later.

To have your resume professionally written, please call 718 633 9815.

18 |

Cooking

w ith the

Hi There!

We are so excited with the beautiful re-launch of Cooking with The Link. This column will be your weekly source for globally inspired, everyday meals that can be easily added to your recipe repertoire.

Meant for like-minded readers and kitchen entrepreneurs, you can expect repurposed takes on lovable classics, fresh and trending food ideas, and useful tips to expand your ever-broadening menu ideas.

Looking forward to cooking with you!

-Sarah F.

Savory Flatbreads

There are more than a hundred different flatbread types, ranging from the popular Italian Focaccia to Columbian Arepas and Mexican Tortillas.

The popular flour and water-based, flattened bread creates a perfect canvas for so many kinds of toppings, think: Mediterranean Pita with Chummus, or Italian Pizza with cheese. It is no wonder that flatbreads have been trending and taken the Kosher world by a storm. With its array of different flavor profiles, the possibilities are truly endless.

This week greet you’re hungry after-schoolers with a selection of easy-to-make and restaurant-worthy flatbreads. Have Fun! -Sarah F. Sep. 4, 2019

About the Editor: Sarah F. is a certified copywriter, columnist, and food enthusiast that’s committed to elevating your everyday cooking experience. In her spare time, she’s busy creating web copy, sketching advertorials, drafting resumes, and researching different foods- of course.

You can easily get in touch to leave feedback, chat about recipes, or to request a write-up of your choice. thestatementwriter@gmail.com | 19

Cooking

w ith the

Pastrami Flatbread with Garlic Mayo Drizzle

Savory and crispy, the garlic mayo melds all the delicious flavors together into something worth talking about! Make these flatbreads for a perfect back-to-school treat. -Sarah F.

Ingredients: • 2 prebaked pizza crust or flatbread Pastrami Mixture: • 4 Tablespoons oil • 2 large onions, sliced thinly • 2 (6 oz) packages pastrami, sliced thinly • 4 oz. can mushrooms, drained • 6 Tablespoons BBQ sauce Garlic Mayo: • 6 tablespoons mayonnaise • 3 cloves garlic, crushed • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 3 tablespoons olive oil • Salt and pepper to taste Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Pastrami Mushroom Onion Mixture: Heat 20 |

the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until golden. Add in the sliced pastrami and mushrooms and continue cooking about 5 minutes. Add in the barbeque sauce and mix until well combined. Remove from heat and set aside.

3. Garlic Mayo: In a small bowl, add in the mayonnaise, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper, and stir until fully combined.

4. Assembly: Lay the flatbreads on the prepared baking sheet. Evenly spread garlic mayo over the flatbreads, saving some of it for the drizzle. Evenly top the garlic mayo with the pastrami-onion mixture.

5. Bake uncovered for about 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven and cut into pizza slices.

Drizzle with additional garlic mayo (you may want to add a drop of water to get a more liquid consistency) and top with some fresh arugula or sprouts. Serve..

Cooking

w ith the

Caramelized Onion Mushroom Flatbread

Sweetened caramelized onions and earthy mushrooms on top of a crisped and savory flatbread... This recipe is Parve and makes a wonderful addition to any meal. Drizzle some Balsamic Reduction sauce or any dressing of your choice, and garnish with some chopped parsley to add a gourmet feel to it.

Enjoy! -Sarah F. Ingredients: • 2 prebaked pizza crust or flatbread • 1 cup mayonnaise • 3 tablespoons onion soup mix • 1 teaspoon parsley flakes • ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) • 2 large onions, sliced very thinly • 4 tablespoons oil • 8 oz. can sliced mushrooms, drained or 1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced • Balsamic reduction (Tuscanini)- optional Directions: 1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

2. Place the flatbreads onto prepared baking Sep. 4, 2019

3.

4.

5.

6.

sheet and bake for about 4-5 minutes until toasted. Remove from oven and set aside.

Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.

Add the sliced onions and cook until caramelized, stirring occasionally. Stir in the sliced mushrooms and continue cooking about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.

In a small bowl, add in the mayonnaise, onion soup mix, parsley flakes, and red pepper flakes and stir until combined.

Assembly: Evenly spread the onion mayo dressing over the toasted flatbreads. Top with caramelized onion mushroom mixture.

Bake uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and drizzle with balsamic reduction or other dressing of your choice. Serve. | 21

Cooking

w ith the

Ground Beef Flatbread with Chili Mayo Sauce

This beef flatbread makes a perfect and easy addition to your end-of-summer dinners! An Italian take on the all-time-popular flatbread, rest assured it will be snatched up in no time. -Sarah F. Ingredients: • 2 prebaked pizza crust or flatbread • Italian Marinara Sauce • Beef Fry for garnish Chili Mayo Sauce • ½ cup mayonnaise • ¼ cup sweet chili sauce • 1 tablespoon mustard • Salt and pepper to taste • 1 teaspoon pickle juice Ground Beef • 1 ½ lb. ground beef • 1 tablespoon garlic powder • 1 tablespoon onion powder • 1 ½ teaspoons salt • ½ teaspoon black pepper • 4 tablespoons oil

22 |

Directions: 1. Chili Mayo: In a small bowl, add in all the ingredients for chili mayo sauce and mix until fully combined. Set aside.

2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

3. Place the flatbreads onto prepared baking sheet and bake for about 4-5 minutes until toasted. Remove from oven and set aside.

4. Ground Beef: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and brown, breaking up into small pieces as it cooks. Add in the seasonings and cook until there is no pink left in the meat.

Drain the beef and set aside to cool.

5. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on top of flatbreads. Evenly spread the ground beef mixture on top of each flatbread.

6. Bake uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and drizzle with Chili Mayo Sauce.

IG DES

Just Fruit. Nothing Else.

AN

LDM

Y GO ANK N: Y

Brought to you by

BloomsKosher.com Sep. 4, 2019

| 23

THINK

with the

Bedtime Battle Tips If you’re a parent, you know the nightly challenge: Get your kids to go to bed -- and stay there till morning! Regular schedules and bedtime rituals play a big role in helping kids function at their best, especially in school. When you set and maintain good sleep habits, it helps your child fall asleep, stay asleep, and awake rested and refreshed. There are no hard-and-fast rules for bedtime, as every child is different. What’s important is to find what works for your family -- and to stick with it. Here are a few ways to get you started.

24 |

1

Routine, Routine, Routine. Kids love it, thrive on it, and it works! It helps your child learn to be sleepy, and it can also make bedtime a special time. There is no single routine that's right for everyone, but in general, yours should include all the things that your child needs to do before going to sleep, such as brushing teeth, washing up, putting on PJs, and having a drink. Your child may want to read a book with you, talk about the day, or hear a story.

Whatever you choose to do, keep the routine short (30 minutes or less, not including a bath) and be firm about ending it when it's time to sleep. Start approximately the same time each evening and follow the same pattern for consistency and success.

2

Sleep enviRonment. While some kids will fall asleep the moment their head hits the pillow, most kids have some sensitivity regarding the light and noise level in the bedroom. This can be a bit challenging when spaces are small and older teens are making a ruckus. Try noise machines, small nightlights/blackout shades, and of course getting the family to work together to make the environment as ideal as possible for easy bedtime.

3

Relax! Encourage your child to relax before bedtime. Children might like to wind down by reading a book, or listening to gentle music. A warm bath with a cup of Epsom Salt does wonders for full body relaxation. For best results, try a 20 minute soak.

4 5 6 Sep. 4, 2019

You Sleep what You eat. Hungry kids have a harder time falling asleep. Often, it’s the picky eaters who have sleep issues as well.

This may be a sign of nutritional deficiencies and a competent nutritionist can be very helpful. In general, keep kids off soda, sugary drinks, sweets, food coloring, and caffeine (cola, coffee, chocolate) at least an hour bedtime so it shouldn’t interfere with sleep inducing hormones. A diet high in healthy saturated fats will help kids fall asleep easier over the long run. moRning anxietY. Many a child can have a hard time falling asleep due to anxiety about the morning rush. Having a morning routine in place, with prepared clothes, snacks, and signed papers the night before, can have a wonderful calming effect on these kids. melatonin magic. Or is it? It’s important to throw in a note about the oh, so popular sleeping technique that’s so widely in use for kids in the U.S. While a dose here and there is, fowr the most part, harmless, a steady lifestyle of a nightly dose of melatonin carries with it a myriad of health concerns. If a child shows chronic sleep issues, it might be wise to look into nutritional or therapeutic guidance. | 25

1

TRAINING GROUND

by Chava Leah Beer

CHAPTER ONE Shoshana fingered the envelope gingerly. It was an invitation addressed to Miss Shoshana Pressman.

Miss Pressman. Why did she still cringe every time? But this was different. It wasn’t a wedding invitation; those had stopped coming a couple of years ago.

There was only one address on the back of the off-white envelope. It must be a bar mitzva, she thought.

She inhaled deeply, sucking in feelings of well-being and acceptance and letting go of negativity and bitterness. Close your eyes, then your mouth and breathe in deeeeply. Take it all in.

26 |

Now open your mouth and slowly let it out.

This technique worked sometimes, but now it did little to smooth the lump in her throat.

In her hands was an invitation to the bar mitzva of Eli Furman, son of Mr. and Mrs. Yaakov and Leah Furman. Who was that?

Looking at the grandparents’ names to find Mrs. Furman’s maiden name, she finally figured out who the sender was. Leah Rubinstein. My old school friend.

We had a blast together in high school. I can’t believe she still remembers me. Well, it was easy for her to track me down 15 years down the line; my address hasn’t changed since those teenage

years.

Shoshana walked over to the window, flung open the curtains, and stared outside.

Has anything changed since graduation? The thought struck her with the exacting precision of an arrow hitting its target.

While her friends and neighbors were moving ahead, reaching the expected milestones of marriage, birth of children, and watching them grow up, she remained stagnant. Stuck, in a time warp of sorts.

She sat down in her favorite spot near the dainty coffee table, stretching her tense muscles on the cream-colored recliner.

Rebbetzin Thaler had taught her to sort through her feelings as they came up, so they wouldn’t end up becoming a tangled mishmash that would be complicated to unravel as time went on.

Shoshana wasn’t in denial; she hadn’t stopped celebrating her birthdays at age 21. She wasn’t blind to the growing broods that surrounded her classmates when she met them out shopping, with the children inching upward, closer to their mothers’ heights.

But somehow, this stark blackand-white paper spelled out the single status that she was aching to shed and provided her with a painful reality check.

Has anything changed?

Shoshana played around with the thought, letting it hang in the air.

Suddenly, her self-pitying thoughts gave way to an illuminating

Sep. 4, 2019

insight, lending her a spark of optimism that matched the strip of sunlight making its way through the rainclouds on that February afternoon. While her external life circumstances had remained static for the past 15 years, those were beyond her control, just as they were for her friends who were moving on in life. They weren’t doing the moving; life, or rather the Provider of Life, had propelled them along. The only change any one of them could make, herself included, was the type that came from within.

Yes, she had changed and grown in the last 15 years. And she felt a surge of passion to continue to do so, to justify her existence here on earth, in whatever circumstances she found herself in. *** After punching in and plopping onto her swivel chair at 8:05 the next morning, Shoshana lifted the ringing receiver. “Dr. Lowy’s office, how can I help you?”

“My son hasn’t stopped coughing all night. He can hardly breathe! Do you think he has bronchitis? And what if he develops pneumonia?”

The lady on the other end of the line seemed frantic, but Shoshana had learned to differentiate between an overreactive parent and a true medical emergency.

She recognized Mrs. Rosen’s voice on the line.

“Oh – you’re Shalom?”

talking

about

“Yes, Shalom.” Already, Mrs. Rosen’s voice sounded slightly

| 27

calmer.

“Is he in bed? Does he have a fever?” She could almost be a doctor herself, having “interned” for the past decade and a half at the most popular pediatrician in all of Brooklyn.

“Well…” Mrs. Rosen now seemed to be less certain as to the precarious health state of her eight-year-old son.

“He’s scooting around the dining room on his new scooter in his pajamas and was very excited not to have to make the 8:00 bus.

Let me see… His forehead seems cool.”

Shoshana could hear a long series of dry, hacking coughs in the background.

“He does seem to be coughing a lot, though, Mrs. Rosen. How about I book you for the first appointment at 9:15? Until then, take it easy, drink a coffee and have him get dressed and daven.

Alright?”

Shoshana hung up the phone and smiled to herself. She was putting into practice some of the skills toward better relationships she had learned last night in her class with Rebbetzin Thaler.

By 9:30 a.m., the office was a beehive of activity, with Shoshana standing at the helm as usual.

“Miss Grinberg, Room 1 is now available. Can you see the Tauber twins for their monthly checkup?”

The new nurse grinned as she waved her patients into the room.

Mrs. Tauber’s well-applied makeup

28 |

did little to conceal the dark rings under her eyes. Small wonder, with a pair of four-month-old twins after six others at home.

Shoshana placed “Project Relax” into the MP3 player and turned it on at a low volume. She noted the soothing effect of the soft, flowing melodies on the conglomerate of patients filling the waiting room.

Suddenly, the many individual patients she had observed over the past few hours melded into one mosaic picture of humanity comprised of distinct units. I’m not the only single here, Shoshana realized. Every person, whether a wife and mother of 10 or a small child at the bottom of a large family is still a single person, with a unique mission and the tools to fulfill it. *** The monotonous ticking of the clock was the only sound to be heard in the Pressman home at 9:00 a.m. that morning, and every other weekday morning. Mrs. Devorah Pressman reached for the coffee mug and measured out two spoons of coffee (decaf, of course) with a packet of Splenda and poured in the boiling water.

Thankfully, there was just enough milk in the fridge for her daily morning coffee. Her husband had left for work some minutes ago, and she now began her morning routine of coffee drinking and newspaper reading before setting out to her part-time job as a special-ed remedial teacher in Bais Yaakov Elementary School.

She savored this part of the day when the world was fresh, her mind was at its sharpest, and her energy levels at their highest. But after so many years, waking up to the same depressing reality had taken its toll on her. When would she join her friends in the motherin-law/grandmother club?

“I hear you, Devorah dear. It’s been a long time and your nerves are just about stretched to the limit, but Shoshana doesn’t need a sparkling résumé. All she needs is one right one.”

The sudden ringing of the telephone broke through her thoughts, and she was thankful for the reprieve. “Gordon, Nechama,” the talking caller ID proclaimed in its staccato tone. She picked up immediately. Nothing like an old friend together with a cup of coffee to warm her insides on a dreary winter morning.

“Devorah, there is no competition, don’t ever forget that. And, more importantly, do you think that all those credentials are truly an asset to a healthy and successful marriage?”

“Hi, Devorah, what’s up?”

“Nechama, perfect timing, as usual. I couldn’t sleep last night…”

“What else is new?”

“No, really, I was tossing and turning.”

“I know what you’re going to say, and I am not going to let you fall into this old trap of negativity again.

Unless you really have something new to share?”

Devorah couldn’t help but grin, grateful for her friend’s refreshing honesty and good sense.

“Well, I was thinking that Shoshana…how will we ever manage to marry her off? You know, she’s intelligent and pretty, and she’s sweet and personable, but she’s just so regular. Why would anyone be interested in her rather than the typical 19-year-old seminary graduate?”

Sep. 4, 2019

“But how will he find her if she doesn’t sparkle in this competitive market?”

Nechama plodded on, knowing that Devorah was nodding along.

“Won’t you admit that Shoshana has the most pleasant personality?”

Nechama continued. “She’s so tactful and thoughtful, always has the right thing to say to everyone.”

Devorah was quiet.

“Devorah, you probably don’t even see these qualities anymore, since you just take them for granted. There’s one lucky guy that will enjoy her good sense and sensitivity. He’ll come around when he comes, just hold on tight.”

Devorah sighed again, a deep, pain-filled sigh that had become her trademark for the past decade, increasing in intensity with each passing day. “I guess you’re right,” she said quietly, but did not sound convinced in the least.

Easy for her to say, she couldn’t help but think. Nechama was the mother of seven children, all married, all parents of growing

| 29

families. Her youngest daughter had found her mate at age 23 and had recently got married. But Shifra Gordon was a successful high school teacher who had taught countless students who looked at her with stars in their eyes. How could Nechama compare 35-yearold Shoshana to Shifra?

The two friends chatted a bit about longer before hanging up.

Devorah stared at the jar of coffee in desperation, suddenly craving another cup, or two. Anything to lift her from the whirlpool of despair that threatened to suck her in. *** “This is our new bookkeeper, Miss Pressman,” Dr. Lowy announced, nodding courteously at the slight, blond girl who stared down at her scuffed patent-leather loafers.

“I’m sure you’ll make her feel comfortable.” With that, he strode off toward Room 3 to see his next patient.

Shoshana looked curiously at her new workmate. She wore a classy

30 |

navy sweater with gold buttons over a crisp white blouse, but those eyes… They looked so sad.

“What did Dr. Lowy say your name was?” Shoshana asked her. “Sorry I forgot, I was just finishing a call when you came in.”

The girl, who looked no older than 16, responded in a barely audible whisper, “Ayala. Ayala Roth.”

“Welcome to the club, Ayala.

You can call me Shoshana. Let me show you where you sit.”

Shoshana gave her new workmate a quick tour of the little office, showing her the computer and chair that would be hers. Then she offered her assistance and the phone number of the former bookkeeper, in case she needed guidance.

Strange, Shoshana mused. Why did the doctor hire someone so young? I’m sure he could have found someone more experienced. Come to think of it, she didn’t even have an interview.

To be continued….

Creations

creative

By Mrs. P.

A weekly project for your entire fAmily

RAINBOW CUBES

Do you have an abundance of over-ripe fruit? Grab them before they turn bad and preserve their goodness in the form of rainbow colored ice cubes. They’re quite delicious on their own, but make a truly striking appearance lined up as dessert. Having frozen fruit cubes ready also makes smoothie making super easy, and almost mess-free!

INSTRUCTIONS: STEp 1 If using frozen fruit, thaw slightly. If using fresh fruit, peel and/or clean chosen fruit, and cut into chunks.

You’ll need: •Ripe or frozen fruits •Ice cube trays (or shaped silicone molds)

STEp 2 Using a food processor, blender,

or stick blender, puree fruit to desired consistency. If you’re working with a fruit that has lots of pulp or seeds, you may choose to strain it through a colander or coarse mesh strainer.

STEp 3 Spoon the puree into ice cube trays

and place them unstacked in the freezer. Once frozen solid, you can pop them out and store in ziplock bags or containers to free up the trays for additional colors.

COlOR IdEAS:

Red- strawberries, watermelon, cranberries, rhubarb, cherries, pomegranates, pink grapefruit ORange- oranges, apricots, papayas, cantaloupe YellOw- mango, peaches, nectarines, pineapples, bananas, lemons, yellow apples gReen- kiwi, avocados, green grapes, honeydews, limes Blue/PuRPle- blueberries, black plums, purple grapes Sep. 4, 2019

| 31

A sock for every season.

BORO PARK

BORO PARK

FLATBUSH

FLATBUSH

LAKEWOOD

LAKEWOOD

LAKEWOOD

LAKEWOOD

Sock Exchange

Hosiery Boutique

Hosiery Plus

Sock Exchange

Hosiery Plus

Hosiery Plus II

Purple Orchid

Hosiery Plus III

1318 Ave. M

195 East Kennedy Blvd

150 James St.

1328 River Ave.

12 American Ave.

718.375.5108

732.367.5373

732.987.5695

732.415.8588

732.961.2000

4509 13th Ave. 718.633.1371

32 |

5209 13th Ave. 1378 Coney Island Ave. 718.854.1230

718.338.0046