By Debra Rich Gettleman Dr. Melanie Rich, (no relation), doesn’t necessarily look like a first responder as she sits in her tastefully appointed Scottsdale, AZ office. But she’s been on the ground helping victims cope with trauma for decades. At Ben Taub hospital in Houston in 1975, she was part of the team that…
By Kara Baskin for JewishBoston Photo Photo: valentinrussanov/iStock) May is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Month, and this week is Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week. Every so often, I take this space to write about my own mental health experiences in the hopes of reaching others. In fact, I’ve started virtual relationships with many of you after…
Certified nutritionist and personal trainer Christi Christiaens works with Valley of the Sun JCC members and also meets with staff once a month to offer a nutrition tip of the month. Originally from Belgium, Christi has worked at the J for five years. One staff member who attends her monthly classes says: “Attending Christi’s nutritional…
Know your body, advocate for yourself when something feels wrong, find a support system. Two sisters-in-law who have forged an even stronger bond as sisters-in-survival want to share that message with all women. The two Young Israel members, Linda and Lucia Schnitzer, do that by speaking to women’s groups (especially encouraging Orthodox women to realize…
Timing couldn’t have been more serendipitous for Maxine Murray to start exercising at the Tucson Jewish Community Center. “I have a diagnosis of osteopenia, a condition which leads to osteoporosis,” says Maxine. “The medication known to treat this condition only builds bone density, not necessarily healthy bones. I had to do something additional to maintain…
A competitive ice skater until she tore her Achilles tendon at age 12, Jennifer Brooks stayed active in high school. But from age 18 to 30, “I did nothing … I was packing on the pounds,” she says. She got a wake-up call during a doctor visit in 2000. Her weight gain combined with her…
On Sunday, Oct. 18, the Tucson Jewish Community Center and Tucson Medical Center (TMC) present the second annual Family Wellness Festival. This free, interactive event will engage families of all ages and backgrounds from noon to 4 pm at the Tucson J. The Family Wellness Festival was created to help educate our community on the…
According to my good friend Selina, I scored a minus one on the “pamper scale” when we first met. Selina could book a massage or take time out for a cup of coffee without giving it a second thought. I, in the other hand, considered spending more than 15 minutes or $15 on a nonessential…
