Page 14 - The Jewish Voice - November '20

Page 14, The Jewish Voice

LiFestyLes

Vine Vibe a MHFA course near you. Police Gratitude Luncheon
“Now, more than ever, our community needs Mental Health
Decanting Wine … First Aid trainings to help us help others. In today’s reality, faced
Just for Special with an uncertain future regarding our health and well-being,
Occasions? many people are feeling helpless, sad, frustrated, and angry;
emotions that can lead to an overwhelming sense of anxiety,”
By Laura Berrio, said Wides. “We want to make MHFA training as common as
Freelance Writer/Blogger CPR training, to help destigmatize mental illness, addiction, and
Let’s uncork the mystery suicide, and debunk the myths attached to these mental health
surrounding decanting. Why challenges, so those affected can feel more comfortable seeking
do we decant wine? Many help and support.”
people decant to simply “Mental illness impacts the person, their family, and the
separate wine from sediment. community. Many people with mental illness are reluctant to
The majority of wine drinkers seek help, or may not know where to turn for care,” said Alpert
decant to aerate the wine. JFS Clinical Director Elaine Rotenberg, Ph.D. “Symptoms of The first Gratitude Lunch was a big success! Chabad of
Decanting exposes wine to mental health and substance use abuse can be difficult to detect, Palm Beach Gardens recognized the hardworking men and
air, which oxygenates the and it might be hard for friends and family members to know women of the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department with
wine. In this process a chemical reaction occurs that releases when and how to help. MHFA training teaches people how to a delicious and kosher brown bag lunch made up of either
flavors and aromas. Young wines that have tightly closed start the conversation. tuna salad or chicken schnitzel on challah, coleslaw, chips,
structures open after decanting. With these young wines, you and a jumbo cookie!
can decant multiple times to expose the wine to more air. NCJW Makes a Difference Police Chief Clint
Even very inexpensive wines taste measurably better after Shannon and the rest of
this process. in a Challenging World the department’s officers
The basic definition of decanting is the process of and administrative support
pouring the contents from one vessel into another. As simple NCJW’s Palm Beach Section has announced a launch of new staff were very appreciative
as it sounds, this part of the wine experience can be very programs to help repair a world damaged by the challenges of of the gesture of goodwill
intimidating to many wine drinkers. the COVID-19 pandemic. For 127 years the National Council of and appreciation. Together
To begin, decant your bottle of wine just before serving Jewish Women has made a real difference through its advocacy with Chana, Rabbi Vigler told Shannon, “You have our backs
it. If it is a particularly tannic wine, such as Bordeaux or and community service. Today’s agenda will provide food and and we want you to know that we have yours.”
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, two hours before is ideal. Wines that daily essentials to the needy.
I prefer to decant are: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet blends, Let’s Do Lunch
Syrah, and Syrah blends. Due to the increase in homelessness and food insecurity
There are unlimited shapes, sizes, styles, and prices of brought by the pandemic, St. George’s Episcopal Church in
decanters to choose from. Some decanters look like a basic Riviera Beach can no longer serve lunch and dinner to the 250
glass pitcher while others are pieces of art unto themselves. people who depended on its meals for nourishment. St. George’s
Experiment with different decanters and different wines to will be serving only one hot meal per day. To supplement the
find what you enjoy the most. missing meal, NCJW has created a partnership to provide home-
For me, I enjoy the ritual of pouring my glass of wine from made sandwiches on a scheduled basis. Members purchase the
a beautiful decanter. Part of the fun of wine is creating the bread and filler and then arrange for pickup. Already, hundreds
ambiance for your special moment to relax of sandwiches have already been made and delivered since the
and enjoy. program was announced. Contact Merle Bassin, merlekorrekt@
~ Cheers. aol.com, to participate in this worthwhile program.
~ Let’s keep the conversation going Meals for the Lewis Center
and the wine flowing! NCJW also provides meals to the residents of The Lewis
Follow the Vine at: www. Center, where formerly homeless individuals live. At the Center Shannon and some of the other officers assured
VineVibeUncorked.com. they participate in a 90-day program that provides vocational and participants that Palm Beach Gardens is in excellent hands.
social services during which they work out in the community. The department is continually reforming its practices to better
JFS Takes Mental Health First NCJW is also making Covid Bags (in a 1-gallon ziplock bag) safeguard the community. They even discovered that the 911
dispatch unit accepts cellphone texts in emergency situations,
of masks, gloves, sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes that can be
Aid Training Virtual dropped off at the Center, 1000 45th Street, West Palm Beach. in addition to phone calls. Good to know!
Or contact Debbie Mendelson, debm129@gmail.com.
Ferd & Gladys Alpert Jewish Family Service (Alpert JFS), in NCJW’S Lift Programs
partnership with Palm Health Foundation, Palm Beach County NCJW’s Lift programs have been helping homeless men
Behavioral Health Coalition, the 14 agencies that comprise the and women, youth aging out of foster care, women leaving the
Mental Health First Aid Coalition of Palm Beach County, and battered women’s shelter, and victims of human trafficking move
the Health Council of South East Florida/Florida Department toward independence by providing the necessities required to
of Health present “Mental Health First Aid,” the evidence- make a home. NCJW is asking for donations to restock their
based training course that teaches participants the skills to help shelves. Items needed are: pots, pans, dishes, cutlery, glasses,
someone developing a mental health problem or experiencing a gadgets, small appliances, bed linens, towels, soap, cleaning
mental health crisis. Certified Mental Health First Aiders are able supplies, and toilet paper.
to assess the situation, offer nonjudgmental support, reassure, For the homeless shelter, donations may be shipped to:
and give hope while helping the person get the appropriate LEWIS CENTER DONATIONS, 1000 45th Street, FL 33407
professional assistance. Attn: Uwe Naujak. To support other LIFT clients, deliver to:
Like many other programs and services in the age of Sarajane Feinsilver, 8108 Alberti Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33467.
COVID-19, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has gone from For donations of used items, contact Sarajane Feinsilver, 561-
in-person training to online. Participants engage in experiential 304-0034 or Judy Traub, jftraub@aol.com, 561-965-3582. Lifestyles on page 16
activities that build an understanding of the impact of illness on
individuals and families in a virtual class format that includes
two hours of self-paced independent classwork followed by Experience Dentistry with a Woman’s Touch
interactive Zoom instruction for up to 20 people at a time.
Thanks to grants from Florida Blue, SAMHSA, and OD2A
(Overdose Data 2 Action), residents living in vulnerable
communities, first responders, veterans, public safety personnel, Cosmetic & Comprehensive Restorative Dentistry
firefighters, and those working in addiction recovery can be
trained to help family, friends, and neighbors with mental health State of the Art & Same Day Restorations
challenges.
Alpert JFS currently has MHFA training scheduled for Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation Available
participants in legal, hospitality, education, and governmental
environments, and the agency offers classes to the public, as
well. Sometimes, participants continue their studies, becoming Joanne Green, D.D.S.
instructors, as was the case with Dr. Nakisha Kinlaw-Williams,
who said, “My instructor, Cindy Wides, inspired me to want to 10887 N. Military Trail, Suite 6
become an instructor myself. I remember coming right up to Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
her after class to share that intention and, from that point on,
she guided me through each level of growth in my journey as (561) 622-2815 • www.joannegreendds.com
I progressed as an MHFA Instructor, taking me from Adult to
Youth and, now, Virtual Instructing.” Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry - Cum Laude
To learn how you can be a lifeline to friends, family members, Hospital of the University of Penn - General Practice Residency Training
colleagues, and others in the community of the Greater Palm Harvard Dental School - Former Instructor
Beaches, visit www.alpertjfs.org/mhfa/ or contact Cindy Wides Boston Brigham and Women’s Dental Group - Staff Dentist
at 561-238-0251 or email Cindy.Wides@AlpertJFS.org to find