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Posts by Shoshana Chanales

In My Story Of Parenting a Chronically Ill Child, I Choose To Be The Protagonist.

By Shoshana Chanales | March 20, 2018 | 0

Early in my teaching career before I had kids, I had a conference with a mother whose son was doing beautifully in my class. As I spoke, she cried — not eyes welled with pride, but real tears. “You don’t understand, he was a preemie. I just can’t believe he is doing so well,” she…

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thelayersproject

The Layers Project Magazine
In Honor of International Holocaust Day: Mila’s In Honor of International Holocaust Day: Mila’s Story:⠀ “We had no food, water — we were starved. We had no choice and we were ready for what they wanted to do with us. We knew that our people were beginning to be killed.” ⠀ ⠀ One by one, Mila’s siblings and parents were picked off and rounded up by the Nazis. Her brothers, Chaim and Nachman, were sent to work camps (and eventually killed) and her mother and sisters sent to Auschwitz. Her sister Malka was sent on a cattle car with her baby son Avraham Hirsch after she refused to leave him.⠀ ⠀ Her mother was collected by the Gestapo and had her sheitel ripped off her head by the end of a German bayonet. The last time Mila saw her beloved mother she was bleeding all down her face from the gash in her scalp. The Nazi who scalped her, danced with the wig dangling off his gun. She too was murdered in Auschwitz.⠀ ⠀ Throughout this time, Mila wore a sack of her family pictures around her neck, never letting them off her body. She knew the Nazis would come for her soon and she wanted to make sure that she would always have a part of her family with her, whatever her fate…”⠀ ⠀ To read Mila’s full story, click the link in the bio. ⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #shoah #internationalholocaustday #Holocaust #survivor #testimony
“It's time to tell my story of sexual abuse.⠀ “It's time to tell my story of sexual abuse.⠀ ⠀ I’ll be honest, I’m absolutely terrified right now. Scared out of my mind that by opening up to myself and to you, I’ll be judged, or worse, found guilty. After all these years I’m still afraid to find out that it was all my fault. ⠀ ⠀ I can only live in hiding for so long and I’ve reached a point where I’m ready for my secrets to emerge. ⠀ ⠀ It’s time to free myself from the shackles of that shame. ⠀ ⠀ It’s time to tell my story.⠀ ⠀ ……⠀ ⠀ When I was six years old, I was sexually abused regularly by an unrelated adult in my life. He bought me flowers, gave me chocolate and presents, and then when he had succeeded in making me pliable and trusting, shattered the bubble of innocence that was my existence.⠀ ⠀ ……⠀ ⠀ As I began to heal, the cloud of the trauma started to lift. For the first time, I had the resources within me to help me figure out who I was and who I wanted to be; what was important to me, and what I valued and aspired to.⠀ ⠀ These days, the hardest value for me to practice is presence. Presence when it’s easy, but also when it’s painful or hard or sad. I do so by recognizing my emotions and respecting them; looking inward into my core instead of reaching outward to find ways to numb. Connecting to others who have had a similar life experience also helps; being able to guide them towards healing as they help me do the same. ⠀ ⠀ For most of my life, I thought I had to endure this burden alone. ⠀ ⠀ Healing began when I realized I didn’t have to. ⠀ ⠀ I share my story in the hopes that someone out there will find strength in knowing they too, are not alone.”⠀ ⠀ Excerpts from “My Story of Sexual Abuse” written by Rachel Cohen. ⠀ ⠀ To read the full essay click the link in the bio. ⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #selflove #selfcompassion #resilience #sexualabuse #personalnarrative #healing
Today, I am celebrating 5 years of The Layers Proj Today, I am celebrating 5 years of The Layers Project. ⠀ ⠀ I have spoken about this moment many times when people ask me about the inception of Layers.⠀ ⠀ The post is in the carousel above. ⠀ ⠀ Within the first hour of this post, I had received twenty personal messages from women who were ready to share. ⠀ ⠀ I began the work that turned into a photojournalism and storytelling blog, to an online magazine, to a book.⠀ ⠀ It led to a half-decade of work and collaboration with incredible people. Editors, writers, and women who were ready and willing to share their stories to offer validation and meaning-making to others. Gratitude to my incredible friend partner in this work @rachelhercman , who has sustained me and The Layers Project all these years. ⠀ ⠀ There is a part of me that can’t believe it happened. ⠀ ⠀ That for five years I have been so blessed to earn your trust to tell hundreds of stories of resilience. ⠀ ⠀ That my job has been to listen and learn from incredible women- so many of whom have become life-long friends. ⠀ ⠀ That I would be so lucky to be a part of a community that humbles me, that heals me, and that joins with me in this work. ⠀ ⠀ I am so grateful to you all for being along for the ride. ⠀ ⠀ Thank you HKBH, for bringing us to this day. ⠀ ⠀ So I celebrate the work that we’ve done together. ⠀ ⠀ The stories we’ve heard. ⠀ ⠀ The women who have stood up. ⠀ ⠀ The beautiful community who listened. ⠀ ⠀ We are a part of something far bigger than ourselves. ⠀ ⠀ I am honored to be counted amongst you. ⠀ ⠀ There is still so much more work to be done.⠀ ⠀ There are still so many stories to be told. ⠀ ⠀ To many more years of resilience, self-compassion, and emotional wellness for us all. ⠀ ⠀ -- @shiralankinsheps ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #selflove #selfcompassion #resilience #emotionalwellness #anniversary #fiveyears
We always think that growth only comes from a work We always think that growth only comes from a work mindset.⠀ ⠀ If I push harder in this area - I can finally reach that goal.⠀ ⠀ If I keep moving - I’ll reach that place I want to get to.⠀ ⠀ But what I love about Tu B’shvat and Shmitta is the reminder that sometimes in order to grow-⠀ ⠀ you need to rest.⠀ ⠀ So if you need slumber, sleep.⠀ ⠀ If you need air, take a breath.⠀ ⠀ Sometimes we need to dig our roots deep into the ground and be nourished.⠀ ⠀ So that we will be ready to blossom when the spring comes again.⠀ ⠀ May this Tu B'Shvat bring growth to us all 🌳⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #selflove #selfcompassion #resilience #rest #tubshvat #newyearsforthetree #spring 📸 by @shiralankinsheps
It's not easy to hold gratitude and grief. Grati It's not easy to hold gratitude and grief. Gratitude for a result; grief for a reality. Attacks like the hostage situation in Colleyville, Texas remind us of how vulnerable Jews are in the world- 58% of all religiously motivated hate crimes in America are targeted at Jews, who comprise 2% of the population. We are grieving our ever-increasing sense of vulnerability today. The continued loss of our feelings of safety. We are grateful for the resolution of this tragedy; the fact that all four hostages made it out is a miracle. We take a breath and thank God. Even through these dark periods, we continue to live every day as proud Jews. Am Yisrael Chai. #thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #colleyville #antisemtism #hostage #grief #gratitude #jews #amyisraelichai
In the post below, we are sharing an anonymous sto In the post below, we are sharing an anonymous story of sexual harassment.⠀ No one can speak more truth to power than survivors. ⠀ So often when people step forward with stories of abuse, harassment, and assault they are not believed. ⠀ They're often shamed, blamed, and the story becomes more about them being a disruptor than their abuser being a destructor. ⠀ This was on my mind a few weeks ago as I sat in my living room with a woman sharing this story with me. ⠀ She asked me to keep her name anonymous. ⠀ We spent the morning together. She told me her story, and I was devastated to hear the details. ⠀ She was so poised. So healed. So brave. I was so grateful for how much she taught me that day.⠀ We are honored to share her words here on this platform. ⠀ – @shiralankinsheps ---------------------⠀ “I was sexually harassed by my rabbi.⠀ ⠀ He was a “good man.” ⠀ ⠀ He was a Rav and confidant to my parents, and more like family to us. ⠀ ⠀ He did a lot of chesed for the community. ⠀ ⠀ He was a rabbi and leader to many people. ⠀ ⠀ He was my emergency contact on my school forms.⠀ ⠀ And he also sexually harassed me.” ⠀ ⠀ Slide to read the full post. #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #sexualharassment #sexualabuse #survivors #jewishwomen #jewishfamilies #leadership
We all have a finite amount of energy.⠀ ⠀ We h We all have a finite amount of energy.⠀ ⠀ We have been functioning at a pace for far too long; more intense for the human body to handle.⠀ ⠀ At this moment in time, it can feel like we wake up to more crises every day.⠀ ⠀ Global.⠀ Communal.⠀ Personal.⠀ ⠀ It can feel like we are constantly fighting for safety or fighting against grave injustices, reconciling the failures of leaders, of media, and trying to protect our loved ones...⠀ ⠀ – and hoping we can get through every week with our sanity in check, in time to make Shabbos.⠀ ⠀ If you feel wiped out.⠀ ⠀ If you are in pain.⠀ ⠀ If you are scared.⠀ ⠀ If you are overwhelmed.⠀ ⠀ If you are angry.⠀ ⠀ If you are anxious.⠀ ⠀ You are not alone.⠀ ⠀ Systems are breaking.⠀ ⠀ Revolutions are beginning.⠀ ⠀ We are witnesses and participants of change.⠀ ⠀ Take a deep breath.⠀ ⠀ Do a little check-in with yourself.⠀ ⠀ Are you OK?⠀ ⠀ What do you need at this moment?⠀ ⠀ I know the world is a cacophony of noise.⠀ ⠀ Voices are rising– and with it so much emotion.⠀ ⠀ It’s a lot for our bodies and souls to contain.⠀ ⠀ Remember to reach out for help when you need it.⠀ ⠀ Friends. Family. Mental Health professionals. Hotlines.⠀ ⠀ You don’t have to do this by yourself.⠀ ⠀ Try to connect with people who can support you.⠀ ⠀ Rest when you are able.⠀ ⠀ Eat.⠀ ⠀ Hydrate.⠀ ⠀ Sleep.⠀ ⠀ Create.⠀ ⠀ Express yourself.⠀ ⠀ Do what feels healthy and productive for you.⠀ ⠀ Remember you are not alone. ⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #jewishwomen #selflove #selfcompassion #resilience #rest #sleep #hydrate #create #connect
In today’s trying time every moment has the pote In today’s trying time every moment has the potential to feel like crisis. ⠀ ⠀ So many are struggling to get through the day. ⠀ ⠀ Between devastating news in the media, politics, the pandemic, and our own personal lives- we have so much to contend with. ⠀ ⠀ Our bodies and brains weren’t built to deal with this level of stress. ⠀ ⠀ We are meant to have more quiet time, more moments of reflection, more opportunities for rest. ⠀ ⠀ Right now sometimes it feels like we have to fight so much, so often. ⠀ ⠀ More than ever we need to give ourselves the space to take a break if we need it. ⠀ ⠀ So here is a reminder to: ⠀ ⠀ Go outside and get some fresh air. ⠀ ⠀ Turn off your computer or your phone. ⠀ ⠀ Take out a pen and paper and journal a bit. ⠀ ⠀ Talk to God.⠀ ⠀ Go for a walk.⠀ ⠀ Close your eyes. ⠀ ⠀ Take deep breaths. ⠀ ⠀ Go to sleep early tonight. ⠀ ⠀ Your body and your mind will thank you for it.⠀ ⠀ Rest is an act of self-love. ⠀ ⠀ #Thelayersproject #thelayersprojectmagazine #selflove #selfcompassion #resilience #rest #body #mind #reflection
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