This too is Yonkers: by Eric W. Schoen
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement is always a good time to sit back, relax (since you don’t have to think about food for the day) and chart your course for the New Year. With limited mobility after my right knee replacement surgery, I have a little more time to think about how I can improve myself and the world for 5779.
I have to start out being grateful. Grateful that I live in a community that offers the finest medical care. So many in the world aren’t as fortunate as I am. My knee replacement surgeries are being done at St. John’s Hospital-Dobbs Ferry by the dynamic duo of Drs. David and Daniel Schein. Doctors that after a long day of surgery take the time to talk to your family members answering every question they have.
Everyone says ‘when you are having big surgeries you have to go to New York City.’ At St. John’s you are a person. In those big New York hospitals you are just a number. You could not ask for finer nursing care than what is offered at St. John’s. When you add world class doctors like the Schein’s to a community hospital like St. John’s you have the best of both worlds.
We take hospitals for granted. When we have institutions like St. John’s Dobbs Ferry or the main campus on North Broadway where I will go when and if I need back surgery, we must support them within our means. That support can be monetary or simply stopping by the hospital gift shop run by dedicated volunteers and making a purchase, proceeds which benefit the hospital.
My rehab was done at United Hebrew in New Rochelle. Wine and cheese? Strolling violins? Couple that with excellent physical and occupational therapy and you have a winning combination.
Those of you who know me are familiar with my long term volunteer work as President of Friends of the Yonkers Public Library. In this role for over 25 years I have headed up a group of dedicated volunteers who support the work of the library hosting musical concerts twice a month and gigantic used book sales.
10, 15 years ago the auditorium at the Will Library would be packed with 250-300 people. Many have moved, sadly many have gone to their reward, so our number of attendees is now in the 100-125 person range, quite often less. The most important thing is that even if there were 10 people in the room, if those 10 people enjoy the concert, I have done good. Likewise we sell our books at low prices to encourage people to read, not obsessed with making money. So Important to encourage reading.
As Chairperson of the JCY SCHolarship Committee I head up a group of volunteers that annually awards 12 college scholarships. It’s harder and harder every year to find qualified candidates as the scholarships are small and college tuition goes up and up. But if that one college scholarship makes it a little easier for a student to attend college, I have done my job.
Having to rely on others to take care of me while I recover is something I am not use to. It’s a strange feeling. I am fortunate to have a good network of family and friends, but many are not as fortunate as I am. Next time I offer my services to those in need and they say that they don’t need them, I am going to press the issue. Haven’t we all whether in a situation where someone dies or where someone is ill or depressed said ‘call me if you need me.’ I am going to have to follow through and not wait for that call from the person in need.
I need to attend services more often at my synagogue, Scarsdale Synagogue Temples Tremont and Emanu-El. I realize how in my time of need the Rabbi and Cantor have been very supportive. I know how I miss not attending Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur services this year and how the live steaming of services has brightened my spirits. Being Jewish is just not showing up for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur just like for my Christian friends the religious experience is far more than Easter and Christmas.
I have to follow up, push and nag those that I am critical of through this column and not let things pass by. When I write of Red Light Cameras the floodgates of mail pour in. We had commitments from our newly elected officials to post signage at the approach to intersections with Red Light Cameras alerting motorists to their existence. Now I have to push to make the promises reality.
I have to bring to your attention and call out things that I think are wrong. Or right. Currently there is legislation before the County to make Co-op Boards take action on applicants within a reasonable specific time frame. Co-op Boards would have to give reasons for rejecting an applicant. The whole co-op buying experience is masked in secrecy. This must end. It’s gone on too long. While I appreciate the work of Co-op Boards, each of us knows someone who is selling or buying and has got caught in the secrecy of the decision making of Co-Op Boards.
Though the Westchester County Airport should not be used as a tool to balance the County Budget and the Quonset hut that was the airport has long been replaced, our gem of an airport needs a 2018 update. I feel no sympathy for those who live near the airport. They knew the airport was their next door neighbor when they bought their homes.
Everyone says there is an opioid crisis. Penalize the opioid producers! But what happens to those in pain who need medicines and use them as directed. A lot of people are in pain and opioids used properly bring them relief. What’s not to understand in that equation?
On a lighter note, while in the hospital, in rehab and through my interactions with people, I notice a lot of elderly people who have been given fancy phones by their children that can do everything but make chicken noodle soup. Can these elderly people make a phone call from these fancy schmancy phones? Nope. That’s a problem!
I will continue my reflections beyond the holidays to make myself a better person. And try very hard not to let the little things bother me.
When the big things bother me I will let you know. Good Health and Happiness my friends. May the year 5779 whether you are Jewish or not be the best year of your life!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or download the SIMPLE RADIO app for free from the APP STORE.
