Fighters for Women’s Reproductive Health Rallied in Scarsdale to Support WCLA-Choice Matters
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Attorney General Letitia James, Senator Chuck Schumer, Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado and New Yorkers from throughout Westchester County gathered last week to support the fight for a woman’s right to choose and support WCLA Choice Matters – one of the most accomplished pro-choice organizations in New York State. James spoke eloquently about her experiences, the necessity of women having empowerment over their own bodies, and what she is doing about it in the AG’s office.
Left to right: NYS Assemblymember Gary Pretlow, NYS Assemblymember and Scarsdale resident Amy Paulin, WCLA Choice Matters President Catherine Lederer-Plaskett, NYS Assemblymember Tom Abinanti
Schumer spoke movingly about his experiences over the years with the women’s movement and WCLA activists in particular. Delgado spoke about what the fight means for all New Yorkers and urged residents to vote. Former Senator Nita Lowey spoke about her history with the movement, and her continued support.
Left to right: Former NYS Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, Former U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, NYS Assemblymember and Scarsdale resident Amy Paulin
Many others spoke about their current fight to bring reproductive rights back to women on the local, state and national level. Retiring Assembly members Sandy Galef and Tom Abinanti were awarded for their many years of service fighting for women and families, and Assembly member Amy Paulin, a perennial leader in women’s issues, gave heartfelt introductions and hosted the event. “The fight for reproductive rights continues,” said Paulin. “It’s a marathon, but I’ll never give up the battle. We’ve made New York State a safe haven for women and we’re not only going to keep it that way, but we’re going to continue to expand on it in every we can.” To support WCLA - Choice Matters please click here.
(Pictured at top: NYS Senator Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, NYS Attorney General Letitia James, Former NYS Assemblymember David Buchwald, NYS Assemblymember and Scarsdale resident Amy Paulin, Front: White Plains Common Council member Victoria Presser.)
Photo Credit: Don Pollard
Chuck Schumer
Scarsdale Parents Greet Hometown Heroine Dr. Becky
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Dr. Becky with Mom Debbie PrinceScarsdale native and parenting guru, Dr. Becky Kennedy, aka Becky Prince in the ‘dale, returned to her hometown on September 12, 2022 to launch her first book and greet over 150 fans at an event sponsored by the UJA at Shaarei Tikvah.
In just two years, “the parenting whisperer” has amassed 1.3 million followers on Instagram, who turn to her for help on managing their children, their families and their own emotional health. She has built an impressive brand around “Good Inside,” that includes podcasts, videos, a newsletter, daily emails and now her first book.
A clinical psychologist, Dr. Becky noticed that patients would come to her practice and say they had great parents but nonetheless, they felt empty, unsatisfied, and like nothing was ever good enough. She realized that they were no more able to deal with disappointment at the age of 18 than they were at the age of 2, sometimes because they were unable to process their own feelings. She said, “In order to deal with a feeling you have to feel it.”
She developed a new parenting paradigm that begins with the premise that everyone, both parents and children, are good inside. Rather than seek to control bad behavior through punishments and time-outs, Dr. Becky advises parents to join their kids on their “side of the table,” and to use empathy and reasoning to help children understand and cope with their feelings. By offering them skills to recognize and deal with frustration and hurt, children can craft their own solutions and avoid tantrums, acting out or hurting others or themselves.
Dr. Becky was interviewed by Lindsay Weinberg, founder of DohLife.
She does not believe it is up to parents to make their children happy. She says, “When things don’t work, don’t jump in and make them happy. Let them find their own happy bench …. We can’t always find happy – let them experience that feeling. As a parent, don’t always solve the problem for your child. Sit with them on the unhappy bench and say – “uh that stinks! I am so glad we’re talking about this – that’s so important.” Build their confidence and say something like, “I remember being six and not being invited to a slumber party.””
According to Dr. Becky, resilience is the ability to tolerate the feelings. Remove the aloneness of the feeling and your children will be able to cope on their own. She urged parents to ask their kids the right questions to help their children find the answers.
For parents, what happens when you do blow up and say things you wish you hadn’t said? Dr. Becky is a big advocate of making a “repair.” She advises you to apologize for what you said, validate your children’s emotions and add connections, understanding and an explanation.
Asked about her own development and rapid evolution in the past two years, Dr. Becky said, “We have 17 women working full time which has been an energizing shift.” She said, “It lights me up inside to connect with the people in the office and our readers. I feel like there is something bigger that “Good Inside” is delivering. This “feels so much bigger than me and my individual home.”
The event attracted over 150 attendees.Dr. Becky admitted that running the business while raising three young children was complicated, but that it gives her a sense of purpose. The following day, she was headed around the country for an eight day national book tour of “Good Inside, A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be,” at the same time her three children were headed back to their first week of school.
Follow her on Instagram at @drbeckyatgoodinside
The event was sponsored by UJA-Federation of New York who works with a network of hundreds of nonprofits, extending its reach from New York to Israel to nearly 70 other countries around the world, touching the lives of 4.5 million people annually. Every year, UJA-Federation provides approximately $180 million in grants. For more information, please visit ujafedny.org.
Scarsdale Democrats Greet Candidates at Annual Fundraiser
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Amy Paulin, Shelley Mayer, Myra Saul and Tom DiNapoli(The following was submitted by Myra Saul, Chair of the Scarsdale Democrat Town Committee)
The Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee is on a roll. Last year, we set records in raising funds for Fair Fight, the voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams, the Democratic nominee for governor in Georgia. This year we had another successful fundraiser for local and state Democratic candidates at our annual event, held last Thursday, August 11. The Scarsdale Committee wishes to thank Assemblywoman Amy Paulin and her husband Ira Schuman for hosting the event at their home and providing the food. We also wish to thank Dean Moretta, owner of Vintology Wine & Spirits, for providing the wine.
Jon Mark BK Muguia, Vedat Gashi and Carolyn Stevens
Unlike last year, when a downpour threatened the event, the crowd enjoyed milder temperatures. Our featured speaker was Tom DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller. In that position, he is a watchdog over the state’s finances and its pension funds. Comptroller DiNapoli is a dedicated public servant and is running for re-election, along with Governor Hochul, Lieutenant Governor Delgado and Attorney General Tish James, on the statewide ticket. We also heard remarks from our likely new state senator, Shelley Mayer, and Assemblywoman Paulin.
The unified message of the speakers: our New York Democratic executive leadership and legislature is doing an excellent job and deserves re-election, in what may be a challenging election year. Your vote is important and every vote counts! Democrats can’t rest because of prior wins; make sure to vote!
To name just a few successes of state Democrats: Democrats have been fiscally responsible with the funds made available through federal Covid programs and prudent overall. Democrats have fortified the rights of women to bodily autonomy in New York with a series of laws in the wake of the Dobbs decision. Despite the Supreme Court’s rejection of New York’s concealed carry law, new gun safety laws are on the books in New York to protect public spaces.
If you have any interest in politics and are a Democrat, the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee welcomes your involvement. Please contact us; our email address is scarsdaledems@gmail.com
Susan Ross, Michelle Lichtenberg, Laura Daniels and Mona LongmanIf you are a registered Democrat, don’t forget to vote for the candidate of your choice in the August 23 Democratic congressional primary! Please note that the Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee has not endorsed a candidate in this race.
Myra Saul, Chair
Scarsdale Democratic Town Committee
Ron Schulhof and Catherine Parker
Paulin addresses the group.
Scarsdale Resident Robert Birnbaum Dies in Taxi Accident
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Attorney and Scarsdale resident Robert Birnbaum died in a car accident on the New Jersey Turnpike on the afternoon of Friday August 19, 2022. Birnbaum age 85, was enroute to the airport in a taxi driven by Sayed Tarighati age 69 of Yonkers, who lost control of the Toyota Prius, struck a guardrail and the center concrete barrier, killing both the driver and the Birnbaum.
An obituary of Birnbaum posted on Legacy.com says the following:
Robert. Robert "Bob" Birnbaum, 85, of Scarsdale NY, died unexpectedly on Friday, August 19th. He was en route to the airport to visit family members when the driver of his taxi lost control of the vehicle.
Bob is survived by Nina, his beloved wife of over 55 years, his daughters Sarah and Beth, and his four grandchildren.
The son of Martin and Esther Birnbaum of Brooklyn, NY, Robert attended NYU University Heights, where he was elected class president, and subsequently Harvard Law School. He spent a long and fulfilling career as a trusts and estates attorney; he had no plans to retire and was a full-time practicing lawyer at the time of his death, finding great meaning and purpose in his work managing the affairs of his clients.
Robert was a classical music lover who enjoyed playing "name that tune" with every symphony he heard on the radio, a voracious reader with a deep interest in history, a curious and adventurous world traveler, and a bon vivant who delighted in a platter of ripe tomatoes and fresh-picked corn. Thanks to his insatiable intellectual curiosity, he served as a search engine in the days before the internet, and the breadth of his knowledge never ceased to astonish - no matter the topic, anyone asking him a question could count on an informed answer.
Throughout their lives, his daughters knew that they could call on him anytime, for anything from sterling advice to a ride home from a questionable party, and he would immediately deliver. His devotion to his family was total, and at the same time his colleagues saw him as endlessly generous with his time. Family, friends, and clients trusted and relied on him for his knowledge, sound judgment, empathy, and kindness. He leaves a gaping hole in the lives of everyone who was lucky enough to know him, and who now will never stop missing him.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 28th at 9am at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, 630 Amsterdam Ave., followed by a shiva gathering at the family's residence at 3pm.
Interview with Vedat Gashi, Candidate for Congress
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Westchester County Legislator Vedat Gashi is running for the Democratic nomination to represent Congressional District #16 against incumbent Jamaal Bowman and fellow member of the Board of Legislators Catherine Parker from Rye. The primary will be held on August 23, 2022 and here is what you need to know to vote.
Learn more about Gashi here:
Please introduce yourself to our readers and tell us something about your background, your family and professional and political careers to date.
My name is Vedat Gashi and I am running to bring real results and real progress to the families of Westchester and the Bronx. When I was four years old, I came to the U.S. as a refugee when my parents fled an oppressive regime in Kosovo. I was raised in the Bronx and attended public schools. Although my parents only had a middle school education, they worked very hard, succeeded and taught us that we can do anything.
My campaign is focused on ensuring that everyone has a shot at the American dream regardless of their zip code, income or status. This country offered me a chance to succeed, which is why I am committed to providing working families a true path to the middle class and beyond.
Currently, I serve as a Westchester County legislator. Since taking office in 2020, my office has:
-Passed a first in the nation gun safety law
-Protected women’s right to seek vital health care by passing a clinic access bill
-Delivered millions for childcare and affordable housing
-Supported small businesses impacted by COVID-19
What persuaded you to make a bid for the seat?
Our nation is at a crossroads and we need representatives that will safeguard our rights, protect our democratic values and create innovative policy solutions to get people back to work and propel our economy forward.
As a refugee from a country without a democracy, it pains me to see our leaders and Democrats fighting each other instead of working together to get things done. As a county legislator, I’ve always delivered and worked with others to get results – putting people and the everyday issues, not partisan politics or ideology.
What is your view on the redistricting of the Congressional map and the change in primary date? How did that affect your decision to run, and what impact might it have on the outcome?
The district lines have changed, but my reason for running has not. The new redistricting maps simply presented an opportunity for our grassroots campaign to thrive. We are focused on bringing our country together to deliver actual progress for everyday New Yorkers.
Do you currently live in the district?
Redistricting has created a situation where a number of candidates across the area have found themselves outside the district they were previously running in. I was raised in the Bronx, currently live in Yorktown and work in the district at the Board of Legislators offices in White Plains. After the election, I will move into the district. Meanwhile, I look forward to continuing my dialogue with residents of the district to learn more about their concerns and share my vision of how we can strengthen our country and create a fairer nation that works for everyone.
Given that Bowman is the incumbent and has received many endorsements from organizations and unions, do you think it will be possible to unseat him?
During this campaign I’ve met with a wide variety of supporters, and we’ve picked up many important endorsements. As of date, we’ve raised over $800,000, maintained a cash-on-hand advantage against the competition and are on track for an even stronger fund-raising total by the end of this quarter. This district deserves a representative who supports President Biden’s agenda, will put progress before posturing and will work hard to get things done.
How do you distinguish your platform from Bowman’s? and from Parker’s?
This is not the time to debate ideology or for performative politics. We are living in unprecedented times and I am a commonsense democrat who will roll up their sleeves on day one to protect abortion rights, marriage equality, access to affordable health care, quality public schools and equitable housing.
Specifically, I will work to codify Roe v. Wade to ensure reproductive care is protected under the law as a fundamental right; support legislation that normalizes relations between Israel and a number of Arab nations; and collaborate with the federal government to expand funding for infrastructure. I strongly object to the incumbent’s votes against the Abraham Accords and his support for Congresswoman’s Tlaib’s Nakba resolution that calls the creation of the state of Israel a “catastrophe.”
What achievements are you most proud of during your term of service on the Westchester County Board of Legislators?
I’ve actively served my constituents across Westchester as county legislator by lowering taxes, improving infrastructure, securing gasoline tax relief, supporting the Reproductive Health Care Facilities Access Act, approving a measure to combat gender and race-based workplace pay inequality and combating gun violence by requiring warning labels to be posted wherever firearms are sold.
What do you hope to do in Congress to benefit Westchester residents? Is there any chance of reinstating our SALT deductions?
As the Chair of Appropriations at the Board of Legislators, I’ve built support for expanding services while cutting taxes, and in Congress, I’ll do the same. I’m focused on making real progress on the kitchen table issues like holding down taxes, lowering health care costs, strengthening our infrastructure, and improving our economy. The elimination of SALT has had a strong punitive economic impact on residents of the district and in congress I will fight to restore it.
With a polarized Congress and a divided country, give us your views on how the two sides can reach consensus to pass legislation on climate change, gun control, voting rights and women’s rights?
I’m all for reaching across the aisle for bipartisan consensus whenever realistically possible. That being said, I think the best chance to move the aforementioned legislation forward is for Democrats to maintain their majority in the House and increase their majority in the Senate, which I am working hard to achieve during these midterm elections.
Anything else you would like to add is welcome.
As someone who came to this country as a refugee, I know firsthand the importance of strengthening international relationships with our allies. As a young attorney, I returned to Kosovo to help draft foundational legal documents and establish Kosovo’s Ministry of Local Government Administration. I also served as the Chief Legal Advisor to Kosovo’s Prime Minister. Therefore, I find it troubling that the incumbent has actively tried to weaken the U.S. relationship with one of our most important allies in the world.
Please visit gashiforcongress.com for more information and to join our campaign.
