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Posts by Naomi Rivkah Most

Mini-Layers Profile: #coronastories #pesach #NaomiRivkahMost

By Naomi Rivkah Most | April 6, 2020 | 0

1/3 “I am a 36-year-old widow with 3 children, ages 9 ½ ( twins boy and girl) and  12 ½-year-old son. Usually, I have three jobs and take care of my children and my home. Life before Corona was busy, rushed and just about healing, and making sure my children have a wonderful and joyful…

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thelayersproject

The Layers Project Magazine
“After delivery I felt great and energized. Biny “After delivery I felt great and energized. Binyomin was alert and awake, and although he was fussy at the breast, I assumed that it was due to normal nursing difficulties similar to what I had experienced with my previous child.⠀ ⠀ Everything became clearer as we were about to discharge. When we were ready to load the baby into his carseat, the nurse came in to go over a few things with us and to check his vitals one last time. Binyomin was sleeping in my arms but his breathing was erratic. The nurse took one look at him and said, “I don’t like the way his chest is moving. Can I take a closer look?”⠀ ⠀ From there, time sped up and simultaneously seemed to slow down. Binyomin was in respiratory distress. Oxygen was administered; the NICU and an ambulance were called. Twelve hours post-delivery, we were swept away, with my husband following in our car behind. A nurse from the birth center accompanied me, and she became like a lifeline over the next 24 hours. ⠀ ⠀ Somehow, the walk to the NICU seemed too calm for what was going on. I wanted to scream and tear at my clothes – why weren’t we running? Why weren’t we banging down doors to get where we were going? We were walking too calmly – didn’t they understand that my insides were tearing apart? I needed answers and I needed them now.⠀ ⠀ When the doors to the NICU opened, I thought I’d get those answers, but I was stuck at the door, being told I couldn’t accompany my child into the unit. My mask was falling off my face and tears were streaming from my eyes...”⠀ ⠀ “Son of My Strength” written by Carly Chodosh in honor of National NICU Month. Full essay link in the linktree in the bio. ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #nicu #covid19 #panic #newborn #delivery #bris #strong #skintoskin #birth
Sad to come out of Yom Tov to the news of the pass Sad to come out of Yom Tov to the news of the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the second woman to serve on The United States Supreme Court. ⠀ ⠀ RBG, as she was affectionately called, is arguably one of the most influential Jewish women in history. She served as a role model for millions of women across the globe. ⠀ ⠀ "I am a judge, born, raised and proud of being a Jew. The demand for justice, for peace and for enlightenment runs through the entirety of Jewish history and Jewish tradition."⠀ ⠀ May her memory be for a blessing.⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #rbg #ruthbaderginsburg #supremecourt #rolemodel #jewishwoman #judge #jewishhistory #jewishwomen #justice
So much to pray for this year.⠀ ⠀ Things that So much to pray for this year.⠀ ⠀ Things that weren't on the radar last year because they were taken for granted. Now those "little" things don't seem so little, and the big things feel even bigger as we navigate their absence and await their re-emergence in our lives. ⠀ ⠀ We pray for health, sustenance, safety, love, community, healing-- we always have, but there is a new urgency to it. A sense of desperation, a surrender to the reality in front of us. ⠀ ⠀ We hope to pray. ⠀ And we pray for hope. ⠀ ⠀ We hope that the lessons we have learned- and continue to learn- are not lost. The awareness of what it means to be lonely and how many people live that way all the time. The appreciation for community and what it means to feel held, both literally figuratively. And finally, a heightened sensitivity to the vulnerable among us, with an acknowledgment- as reflected so poignantly in our Yom Tov liturgy- that in fact, we are all vulnerable.⠀ ⠀ May this year bring true redemption on every level, individually and collectively. ⠀ ⠀ Shana Tova,⠀ ⠀ -Rachel⠀ ⠀ #Shanatova #newyear #jewishnewyear #roshhashanah #highholidays #jewishwomen #thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #prayers #hope
“Recently I spent two weeks in isolation and it “Recently I spent two weeks in isolation and it has helped me realize many things. I’d like to highlight just a few:⠀ ⠀ Kindness is a superpower. The kindness I have experienced has blown my mind. Family and friends reaching out, checking in, taking care of us in the most thoughtful and loving ways are life-saving. Never underestimate what a kind act can lead to. It is a force like none other.⠀ ⠀ Self-Care is up to us. It’s not called Other-Care. We are ultimately responsible for looking after ourselves and that includes our mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. There are daily practices that ensure we can continue to fill and fuel ourselves with what we need, especially during dark times. I have created a 14 Day Inspirational Quarantine Calendar to help others who have to be isolated for 2 weeks to make sure that self-care remains a priority.⠀ ⠀ Gratitude: There is always something to be grateful for. I am truly grateful for the people in my world and for all the blessings that envelop me. I have taken the time to think about what matters most to me, what I value, and what I want to do differently moving forward. I am thankful for that clarity.⠀ ⠀ Faith is a wonderful thing. This is much bigger than us and we don’t have to be the general managers of the universe. I have learned to let go and accept the things I cannot change and that is liberating. When we learn to be in the moment with what is, without resistance, we free ourselves up to tap into the incredible awe of the here and now. This moment is all we have. ⠀ ⠀ We have a shared responsibility to look after each other. We are social beings with high social interest. Our choices and behaviors affect others in ways we can’t possibly imagine. And while this pandemic is larger than any of enough, our choices, as to how we want to conduct ourselves and live our lives through this, is entirely up to us. ⠀ ⠀ Life is always going to give us challenges. ⠀ ⠀ Our challenges change us. ⠀ ⠀ We get to decide how.⠀ ⠀ We get to choose what we do next.”⠀ Written by @andisaitowitz - linktree in bio for full article. #Thelayersproject #quarantine #covid19 #lockdown #selfcare #kindness #gratitude #faith #jewishwomen
On September 11, 2001 I was starting my first week On September 11, 2001 I was starting my first week of high school. The world changed, never to be the same again. Growing up in the aftermath of terror shaped who I became, my feelings of safety, and how I saw the world. Today on the 19th anniversary of that terrible day, I am thinking about all our losses, and the incredible heroism displayed by the men and women who rushed towards calamity to save others. That day was the beginning of my education about communal resilience- how we can all be there for each other- in support, in bravery, and with love. May all their memories be for a blessing. -Shira #thelayersproject #911 #september11 #jewishwomen #newyork #twintowers
Suicide.⠀ ⠀ We need to talk about it. ⠀ ⠀ Suicide.⠀ ⠀ We need to talk about it. ⠀ ⠀ Very often in the Jewish community one of the biggest obstacles to creating conversations is the response- literally and figuratively- “We just don’t talk about these things.” ⠀ ⠀ Perhaps suicide can be painful to explore because it highlights that there is a hidden aspect to people--a depth that we can’t know or see. When we hear about someone who has died by suicide or is fighting it, it can shake us. It is sometimes only in that moment when we learn the intensity of their pain. That feeling of helplessness can cut to the core-- that there are people we are proud to know, are inspired by, and love-- who are drowning in oceans of suffering. ⠀ ⠀ Yet everything might seem fine on the outside. ⠀ ⠀ If we want people to talk about suicide and ask for help, we need to be ready listen, be there, and have these conversations.⠀ ⠀ Today on World Suicide Prevention Day, we think about prevention and how we can do more. Prevention entails first acknowledging a risk; a reality that some want to deny because it's scary. But when we are willing to let go of our assumptions and step out of our collective comfort zone, we can make our spaces safer for all those struggling.⠀ ⠀ Today and every day, we are thinking about those who are fighting for their lives, those we have lost, and those who are grieving their loved ones. ⠀ ⠀ If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help:⠀ ⠀ In Israel contact Eran’s National Suicide Hotline 1201 (dial 10 for English)⠀ ⠀ In America contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline which can be reached at 1-800-273-8255⠀ ⠀ #Worldsuicidepreventionday #suicideawareness #youmatter #youareworthy #suicide #jewishfamilies #jewishwomen #thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine
“On an intellectual level, I concluded that feel “On an intellectual level, I concluded that feeling like a ‘worthy person’ would be the key to my recovery. I began writing short journal entries to document my acts of service and kindness, so that I could remind myself of my goodness in a moment of despair and reshape my identity from the inside out.⠀ ⠀ Day 1: I got out of bed in the morning and gave my kids a hug before school. Day 8: I drove my kids to school. Day 22: We invited guests for a Shabbat meal. With time, I realized that focusing on inner intention to do good in the world was an anchor. All of these entries helped me wake up to who I wanted to be -- a kind person, rather than a ‘perfect’ persona.⠀ ⠀ I believe that we are wired for connection and created to shine light into our world. Our light may feel small sometimes and larger in other moments- but it is always significant. Being human and focusing on the deeper, inherent longing to shape the world for good shored up my sense of self-worth and dispelled self-judgment.”⠀ ⠀ To continue reading @growyourinsight’s story click the link in the linktree in the bio. ⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #depression #mentalhealth #journaling #selfworth #perfect #service #kindness #worthy #light 📸 by @shiralankinsheps
(2/8) : “Losing Sleep”⠀ ⠀ “A few months (2/8) : “Losing Sleep”⠀ ⠀ “A few months before high school graduation, I broke my leg skateboarding. I spent the last few months of school in a cast and I got around on crutches and enjoyed those months in spite of it. ⠀ ⠀ I got my cast off right after graduation and then I hopped on a plane to Italy and then on to Israel for my first visit as a participant on a summer teen tour. During the plane ride, I began experiencing swelling and extreme pain from the metal screws in my foot from the skating injury. I didn’t have any medication to deal with the pain, and I began to lose sleep. Landing in Rome, our first walk on cobblestone roads compounded the pain. On our first night in Rome, I did not sleep at all. ⠀ ⠀ My brain went into stress mode. After a few days of not sleeping, I became unable to form sentences. After a week in Rome, we arrived in Israel and I could barely look at the sand-colored Jerusalem stones reflecting the sun without feeling blinded by their brightness. I had started hallucinating.⠀ ⠀ A counselor from the trip took me to an overlook to view the Kotel so that I could at least see it before I had to go home. My head was spinning. All I can recall is looking at the wall and pleading with God that day: “ I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I know that I need Your help.”⠀ ⠀ I had lost my ability to make rational judgments. I was seventeen years old, mysteriously unwell and in pain, and this was supposed to be the most amazing summer of my life. I was sent home to my parents. ⠀ ⠀ When I got home, I met my first psychiatrist. He immediately diagnosed me with mania and prescribed a very strong drug. I felt so much shame about my secret already, and now it was compounded.⠀ ⠀ At age seventeen, I felt like my life was over. ⠀ ⠀ My optimism and excitement about college had been sidelined by the heaviness of self-loathing and lack of hope that I would ever feel better. I felt alone with my secret behind a wall, with the shell of my outer self barely hanging on enough to operate in the world.⠀ ⠀ And that was how I started college.”⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #mentalhealth #depression #mania #stigma #understandin
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