It can be hard to hear for some, but getting older is just part of life. For many men, hitting a certain age signifies the beginning of a new chapter - where bucket list items are crossed off, and goals are accomplished. For others, however, aging is a scary prospect, filled with nagging injuries, embarrassing weight gain, and inability to perform intimately. Few things feel worse than realizing that you simply can't perform as you used to, whether on the basketball court or in the bedroom.
The reality is, as men get older and approach middle age, their testosterone levels drop. When a male's testosterone levels get lower, it can cause a slew of unwanted symptoms like:
If you have noticed any of the above symptoms and feel like you're just dragging yourself through life, don't lose hope. Many men around the country are experiencing the same feelings as you. Thankfully, you don't have to settle for the side effects of low testosterone. There are proven, easy steps that you can take to reverse the negative signs of aging. If you're ready to reclaim your youth and feel like you did in your 20s and 30s, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) may be the perfect solution.
TRT bridges the gap between your old life and the happier, more vibrant version of you. That's where Juventee comes in - to facilitate your transition to a more youthful, fulfilling life and a brighter future. After all, aren't YOU supposed to be in charge of your wellness and health? With the Juventee team by your side, you'll have the tools to do so - backed by a personalized plan crafted by experts with more than 20 years of experience.
At Juventee, we propose a preventive and proactive medical approach to preserve optimal body function, with the best hormonal functioning to prolong vitality and youthfulness. Our specialty is Age Management, which is based on the belief that balance is the key to wellness. We employ the most innovative science, offering treatments like TRT in Closter, NJ, and other clinical products with proven efficacy.
Living a younger, healthier, and longer life is a frequent commitment for Juventee's team of specialists. We are experts at designing customized programs that work synergistically with your body and brain. We love incorporating smart nutrition, hormonal balance, exercise, stress management, cognitive health, and lifestyle changes into our treatment programs. We also implement sciences such as testosterone replacement therapy to achieve verifiable, legitimate results.
Our doctors take differing approaches to care but share the single goal of prolonging your youth and vitality. With that goal in mind, Juventee was born from the hands of its partners, who want you to feel full strength, energy, joy, confidence, and wellbeing.
testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
We Work With
What pops up in your head when you think about testosterone? Many people associate testosterone with being overly aggressive, macho, and violent. However, the truth is that testosterone is a critical hormone for men and affects the male lifespan from puberty through old age. As a sex hormone, male testosterone is produced through the testicles. It becomes most prevalent during puberty.
Testosterone production is controlled by the pituitary gland at the base of a man's brain. This gland sends signals to the testes, which in turn produce testosterone. A feedback loop helps regulate the amount of testosterone in the blood. When levels are too high, the brain orders the pituitary gland to restrict production.
Cholesterol synthesizes the testosterone in your body. However, having high cholesterol doesn't mean you have high testosterone levels, too. T levels are too carefully controlled by your pituitary gland for cholesterol to raise testosterone levels.
During puberty, testosterone helps males develop:
Testosterone replacement is exactly what its name implies. It's a therapy for men that replaces diminished testosterone levels, which helps balance your hormones and ultimately improves your life. Also called androgen replacement therapy, TRT alleviates many of the side effects that men suffer from as a result of low testosterone.
Testosterone was originally synthesized in a lab in 1935. Its popularity has grown since, and today, it is among the most promising doctor-prescribed treatments for men in the United States.
So, how does testosterone replacement therapy work? TRT essentially gives you the testosterone needed to be healthy and have a properly functioning body. As the primary androgen for males, testosterone has a role in the natural processes your body needs for overall health. This extra hormonal intake positively affects patients and their general health, preventing diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiac diseases, and more.
Though there is an abundance of testosterone in your system throughout puberty and into your 20s, it gradually depletes with age. Sometimes, serious injuries and long-term conditions like diabetes affect testosterone levels. Unfortunately, when a man loses too much testosterone, it results in a condition called hypogonadism. Also called "Low T," testosterone loss due to hypogonadism must be replenished, or the male suffers from difficult, even debilitating symptoms.
Though some symptoms of low T are abundantly evident, not all men can immediately tell they may need TRT. If you're unsure, ask yourself these questions:
If you answered yes to any of those questions, it could be time to contact Juventee about a personalized TRT plan. Still unsure if you're experiencing symptoms of low T? We have compiled a more extensive list of signs below:
Low energy used to be considered a normal part of aging. Today, most doctors know better. Modern advances in medicine show that lack of energy and low T often go hand-in-hand.
If it's a huge struggle to keep up with your kids on the soccer field, or you just don't have the energy to be active, you may have low testosterone. Getting tired is normal, but if it's an ongoing problem affecting you and your family, it's time to consult a doctor.
Whether you're having a tough time getting through your day or can't finish normal activities, TRT in Closter, NJ could be the solution.
You would think that lowered libido would be easy to pick up on, but when it happens gradually, it can be more difficult to diagnose. With that said, many men use TRT because they've lost that "spark" in the bedroom. It's not easy for a man to hear that they're not pleasing their partner because intimacy is an important part of a relationship.
The good news? Having a low libido doesn't have to be permanent. TRT treatments can help revert hormone levels to their normal range, making for a more enjoyable sex life.
If you're like millions of other men, hair loss is an unfortunate reality you don't want to think about. Closely related to hormone imbalances and testosterone decline, hair loss is about as distressing as it gets. This common symptom is often related to DHT - a derivative of testosterone that can cause hair follicles to die.
Thankfully, a carefully monitored TRT regimen can help restore hair, especially when combined with methods like plasma-rich therapy. While it's true that you can't change your genes, you can change the effects of low testosterone in your body, so hair loss isn't your only reality.
Weak erections - it's an uncomfortable subject for men to talk about. It's even worse to experience the symptom in the heat of the moment. Despite being very common, men shame themselves when they can't achieve an erection. And while there are many reasons for this malady, low testosterone is often a contributing factor.
Fortunately, you don't have to live with weak erections forever when you balance your hormones with a personalized TRT treatment plan from Juventee.
You're feeling down about everything and can't figure out why you feel crummy about life. You're successful at work but feel unaccomplished. If you're experiencing symptoms like these, you may be depressed - and it could be stemming from low testosterone.
Studies show that men with depression and high cortisol levels also commonly have low testosterone. Because higher cortisol levels can lead to low T, the chances of severe depression increase.
Depression is a very real disorder and should always be diagnosed and treated by your doctor. One treatment option, when used in conjunction with therapy, is TRT. When TRT is used to replenish hormone levels, men enjoy a lighter, more optimistic mood. That's great news for depressed men who have had little-to-no success with powerful anti-depression meds.
Experts have found that men who lose a week's worth of sleep may experience a drop in testosterone by as much as 15%. These findings are alarming and may suggest that sleep loss lowers T levels and affects wellbeing.
If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day but toss and turn all night long, it could be time to have your testosterone levels checked. TRT may restore your testosterone levels which can help you sleep better with proper exercise and diet.
Are you struggling to lift weights in the gym or find that you can't pick up items that used to be easy to lift? Studies show that inactive men can lose .5% of muscle strength each year after the age of 25. When you hit 60, muscle loss doubles every ten years. While muscle loss is common with age, it can also be linked to low T.
Testosterone is a crucial piece needed for building and retaining muscle mass. That's why many doctors are prescribing TRT for males experiencing sharp declines in strength and muscle mass. Whether your workouts are losing steam or you're having problems lifting items that aren't very heavy, don't blame it all on age. You could be suffering from hypogonadism.
Nobody likes to gain weight, even though our society is more accepting of overweight people than ever before. Despite diets and carb cutting, many men aren't able to get rid of excess belly and body fat, increasing the chances of heart disease and cancer.
Sometimes, male weight gain isn't caused by sweets and carbs but by hormone imbalances that slow the metabolism. This phase of life is called andropause and occurs when testosterone levels are low. Combining a low metabolism with other symptoms like high cortisol levels can be a recipe for a double-chinned disaster. Fortunately, TRT treatments and physician-led weight loss programs can correct hormone imbalances and lead to healthy weight loss for men.
The enlargement of male breast tissue, also called "man boobs," is a fairly common condition that many men have. Though it is closely associated with diet and other life choices, increased fatty tissue is often caused by hormonal imbalances.
If you're approaching middle age and you're embarrassed by having large breasts, don't lose hope. TRT is a safe, effective way to eliminate the underlying cause of gynecomastia without invasive surgery. With a custom HRT and fitness program, you can bring your testosterone and estrogen levels back to normal before you know it.
The human body is amazing in so many ways. Still, we have to optimize it every now and then using science, medicine, and hard work. After 40, you may notice that your body is changing, but symptoms like low libido and lack of motivation don't have to be permanent. Juventee has the team, tools, and experience to help recapture your youth and feel better than ever before.
If you're getting older and you're worried about low testosterone, give our office a call today. It would be our pleasure to care for you using the highest quality products, backed by research and applied by professionals with your best interests in mind.
Whether you need a boost to help you get through your busy work week or a natural solution to an embarrassing problem like ED, we're here for you. Our doctors will explain your treatment options in-depth and take as much time as you need to feel comfortable and confident about TRT. Remember, when you treat your body with love and care, it will reciprocate generously. Let our team teach you the techniques to prolong your sense of youth and provide you with the treatment to solidify your wellbeing as you age with grace. Contact Juventee today. By tomorrow, you'll be one step closer to meeting the best version of yourself.
CLOSTER — Jesse Rosenblum is obsessed with llamas.More specifically, Rosenblum is obsessed with the llamas that live at Block 1703, Lot 2.01 in Closter, commonly known as 639 Piermont Road. This is a 9-acre piece of wooded land bisected by Anderson Brook, down the street from the Whole Foods and Target.Because of the llamas, Closter assesses the property as farmland, allowing owners Joseph and Gloria Miele to pay an annual tax bill of $123.26. The average property tax in this Bergen County borough last year...
CLOSTER — Jesse Rosenblum is obsessed with llamas.
More specifically, Rosenblum is obsessed with the llamas that live at Block 1703, Lot 2.01 in Closter, commonly known as 639 Piermont Road. This is a 9-acre piece of wooded land bisected by Anderson Brook, down the street from the Whole Foods and Target.
Because of the llamas, Closter assesses the property as farmland, allowing owners Joseph and Gloria Miele to pay an annual tax bill of $123.26. The average property tax in this Bergen County borough last year was $16,283.
For 30 years, Rosenblum, who lives about two miles from the Miele llamas, has sued Closter almost annually to strip the Mieles of their tax break, court battles he loses year after year. And Closter taxpayers have footed the bill every time Rosenblum files another tax assessment challenge.
"If the borough of Closter residents were aware of how much of their taxpayer funds went to defending against his litigation, they would be outraged and appalled," said Kathryn Gilbert, formerly the Mieles’ longtime attorney.
Rosenblum, whose latest defeat came Feb. 17 when an appellate panel declined to reverse a 2019 tax court verdict in the Mieles’ favor, is undeterred. Despite admonishments from judges about launching “frivolous” legal fights — in the 1990s a Bergen County judge barred him from filing any civil lawsuits without judicial approval — he said he will continue to fight the Closter llama farm tax break.
“Why should I be discouraged when they’re not following the law?” Rosenblum told NorthJersey.com.
Rosenblum's argument centers around the farm's trees.
The 9-acre property, purchased by the Mieles in 1983, is so heavily wooded it’s hard to see any llamas at all from Piermont Avenue. Joseph Miele has testified in court that the trees are vital to his farm.
“I need shade for my animals,” he said. “You cannot have them out in the open sun … It would kill them.”
Rosenblum argues that the woodlands are the reason the Mieles should not receive a farm tax break.
New Jersey has allowed special assessments on farmland since 1964 to ease the property tax burden on working farmers and promote open space. To qualify for a farmland assessment, you must prove at least 5 acres of your land are actively devoted to agricultural use. Woodlands serving an ancillary use are defined as appurtenant woodland, which can qualify toward the farmland assessment but cannot be counted toward the prerequisite 5 acres.
Rosenblum says that because 6 of the 9 acres of the Miele llama farm are wooded, the Mieles do not qualify for a farmland assessment. Rosenblum argued this at a 1999 tax court trial, but the judge sided with the Mieles’ argument that the wooded acreage was necessary for farming purposes because the llamas use the area to graze. Rosenblum calls the 1999 decision a “major mistake” and vows to keep suing using the same argument.
“I can’t find a judge in the appellate division who knows what I’m talking about,” he said. “Not every judge is good. I'm sorry to say that."
BERGEN NEWS:Bergen County spent more than half a million on TV ads telling residents to mask up, get tested
MORE FOR SUBSCRIBERS:How the stimulus will help New Jersey: Unemployment, $1,400 checks, tax credits
Meanwhile, Closter taxpayers and the Mieles continue to pay for the annual challenges.
In 2014, Miele said in court documents the legal fights had cost him and his wife hundreds of thousands of dollars. Ed Rogan, a former mayor and current borough attorney, said it’s hard to know how much each Rosenblum challenge costs Closter taxpayers since Rogan’s contract allows him to bill extra for tax appeal work only after he makes $15,000. But the challenges “absolutely” cost Closter, Rogan said, citing the time it takes to prepare legal briefs and appear before the appellate court when Rosenblum appeals his losses.
“Jesse Rosenblum has pursued vexatious litigation against the Mieles and the borough of Closter for more than 30 years,” said Gilbert. “As to why he does it, I can only speculate. Most of us go to the movies or binge-watch Netflix for our entertainment. Mr. Rosenblum goes to court for his.”
Requests for comment from the Mieles through their attorneys were not returned.
The bad blood between Joseph Miele and Rosenblum goes back further than the llama farm. And in court documents, Miele has said Rosenblum’s legal challenges amount to a “vendetta.”
It was Miele who first sued Rosenblum in 1988, alleging he defamed Miele in a newsletter, the Informed Citizen in Closter, that Rosenblum has been mailing to borough residents since 1980. An editor’s note says the newsletter was launched to “rail against municipal corruption."
The lawsuit alleges Miele was defamed in at least two newsletter articles that mentioned a borough plan to allow Miele's sanitation company to expand. Rosenblum characterized the deal as “a startling feat of legerdemain” — that is, trickery — between Miele and Rogan, then the mayor.
Rosenblum responded to the defamation complaint with a torrent of lawsuits and other actions targeting Miele. A 1995 New Jersey appellate court decision says Rosenblum filed at least 128 complaints regarding Miele, including to the Bergen County Soil Conservation District, Bergen County Utilities Authority, Bergen County Prosecutor, Bergen County Board of Taxation, state Attorney General, state Department of Agriculture, state Department of Environmental Protection, state Division of Taxation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the FBI.
Miele lost the defamation lawsuit in 1991. That year, Rosenblum set his sights on the llama farm.
But the Mieles were not Rosenblum's only target. He also challenged the farmland assessment for another Closter property, on Blanch Avenue, formerly owned by David and Barbara Ann Watkins. Rosenblum sued Closter over the Watkins tax break almost annually starting in 1997.
The Watkins case is what Rosenblum said gives him hope he may eventually prevail against the Miele llama farm. After repeated losses in court in the Watkins matter, an appellate panel in 2013 sided with Rosenblum, ruling the Bergen County tax court did not properly address Rosenblum's challenges of the Watkins' tax break. Barbara Ann Watkins subsequently withdrew her request for a farmland assessment and, in 2014, sold the property. It is no longer assessed as farmland.
“I won that court case,” Rosenblum said. “But it took 16 years.”
Terrence T. McDonald is a reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
Thomas Ciszak, chef and partner of one of Bergen's most dynamic restaurants, Chakra in Paramus and elegant seafood restaurant Blue Morel in Morristown, plans to open a traditional French brasserie in the new Closter Plaza.Braserrie Memere (French for "granny") will offer classic French cuisine as well as a wine and cocktail program. His w...
Thomas Ciszak, chef and partner of one of Bergen's most dynamic restaurants, Chakra in Paramus and elegant seafood restaurant Blue Morel in Morristown, plans to open a traditional French brasserie in the new Closter Plaza.
Braserrie Memere (French for "granny") will offer classic French cuisine as well as a wine and cocktail program. His wife Evelyn will be general manager and beverage director, as she is at Chakra. It will seat 140 indoors and 40 "on a great private patio," Ciszak said.
Brasserie Memere will not be a high-end fine-dining restaurant, Ciszak assures, but a down-to-earth restaurant offering solid "everyday French food" — the kind of classic French food served at such celebrated new Gallic restaurants as Le Coucou and Frenchette in New York City without the hefty price tag, he said.
"I want everybody to come in and eat," he said.
He also said he wants to reintroduce classic French food to young restaurant-goers.
"People think French food is fancy," he said. But, he said, that's a myth, one that he wants to dispel with a menu featuring lots of "healthy" salads including salad Nicoise and frisee-lardon, simple sandwiches such as a fresh baguette with home-made butter and ham, and quintessential French dishes such as coq au vin and roasted rabbit.
"This will not be my interpretation of French food," he said. "This will be the real thing, the real traditional French food."
Ciszak said that he was approached by the developers of Closter Plaza five years ago to open a restaurant at the shopping center, but he was hesitant. "Nothing was there yet," he said. "I didn't know if I should do it." Food Network stalwart Jose Garces signed up, but after Garces had to declare bankruptcy, the developers once again approached Ciszak.
Get toasty:North Jersey's best fireplace restaurants
Openings:'Chopped' star Meny Vaknin to open another Montclair bakery called Luisa
Sweet!:Will Bergen get a Krispy Kreme soon?
"It's a really nice shopping center with Whole Foods. Lululemon, an upscale movie theater," he said. His restaurant will be located right next to Orangetheory Fitness, a workout center.
Why a French restaurant?
The German-born chef said that French cooking techniques were always considered the gold standard for professional cooks and for a long time French food was the exemplar of the best fine dining. "My first Michelin three-star restaurant was French. In culinary school, everything we learned was French."
He added that the concept of "fusion" cuisine ruined appreciation for traditional food. "It's okay to be traditional," he said.
He named the restaurant to honor his grandmother, who, he said, "was an exceptional cook, grew her own food, made everything from scratch. She was my inspiration to become a chef."
Brasserie Memere will be located at 107 Vervalen St., Closter. Chakra is at 144 NJ-4, Paramus, 201-556-1530 chakrarestaurant.com/
CLOSTER -- Neal Wolff lived within five minutes of Closter Plaza until he moved to Old Tappan.He was not a big fan of the shopping center, first built in the 1960s."It was kind of an embarrassing place," he said. "It didn't serve the neighborhood."Wolff remembers a crumbling parking lot and run-down stairs. He didn't visit often.Now, the shopping center is nearing the end of a transformation. Edens, the owner of Closter Plaza, b...
CLOSTER -- Neal Wolff lived within five minutes of Closter Plaza until he moved to Old Tappan.
He was not a big fan of the shopping center, first built in the 1960s.
"It was kind of an embarrassing place," he said. "It didn't serve the neighborhood."
Wolff remembers a crumbling parking lot and run-down stairs. He didn't visit often.
Now, the shopping center is nearing the end of a transformation. Edens, the owner of Closter Plaza, began planning to redevelop the center in 2015.
On Oct. 19, the anchor tenant, Whole Foods, plans to open. Target will open a few weeks later.
The center has about 40 stores. Many are leased, to retailers like HomeGoods and restaurants like Chipotle. Cinemex, a high-end movie theater chain based in Mexico, also plans to open.
Mayor John Glidden said residents of Closter and neighboring towns currently have to travel to Route 4 or Route 17 to find similar stores.
"Everybody's very excited and everybody's anticipating that it's going to be a very good venue," he said. "There's a buzz in town."
The town plans to keep a close eye on any adverse impact. Closter will commission a traffic study in November once more of the shopping center opens up to determine whether any changes need to be made to surrounding intersections, Glidden said.
Some of the stores have already opened, like Rudy's Ristorante and Pizza, a holdover from the original Closter Plaza and 18/8 Men's Fine Hair Salon. Shoppers at the Dollar Tree, another holdover, were excited for the change.
"I think it's great," said Dorene Bottieri, a Closter resident. "It's an upgrade to the town. The mall needed to be revamped."
Wolff said the new center would boost property values and keep residents from traveling so far to shop.
Closter Plaza should soften the blows dealt by Kmart, which closed its Closter store in 2015, laying off more than 100 workers. The local A&P also closed when the supermarket when bankrupt, though it was purchased by Stop & Shop.
o matter the weather outside, it’s always laser season at Bare Aesthetic MedSpa in Closter. The medical spa, which specializes in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and facial aesthetics, has an array of new laser services. In addition, they now offer an annual membership that lets loyal patrons save on treatments.Vanessa Coppola is...
o matter the weather outside, it’s always laser season at Bare Aesthetic MedSpa in Closter. The medical spa, which specializes in minimally invasive cosmetic procedures and facial aesthetics, has an array of new laser services. In addition, they now offer an annual membership that lets loyal patrons save on treatments.
Vanessa Coppola is an FNP-BC Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, aesthetic specialist, and the owner of Bare Aesthetic MedSpa. Speaking about their latest treatments and services, she says they have a new Fraxel Dual Laser.
More from Best of NJ
The Fraxel Dual Laser is ideal for skin rejuvenation, skin resurfacing, sunspots, discoloration, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne scars. However, its usage is completely customizable. For instance, lower settings offer a more gentle treatment with little downtime. Likewise, higher settings provide more aggressive treatment for deeper lines and acne scars. “We call it the magic eraser in the industry!” Vanessa says. She also mentions it has an excellent safety record, and is the most studied and researched laser in the world.
Aside from the Fraxel Dual Laser, they offer the Clear + Brilliant and new Clear + Brilliant Touch service. The latter boasts a “no downtime” laser. In particular, the Clear + Brilliant touch combines two wavelengths in one treatment for accelerated results without social downtime. “It’s a game changer!” Vanessa says. What’s even better is both the Fraxel and the Clear + Brilliant are safe for all skin types and tones.
Another new service available at Bare Aesthetic is the VI Peel. “We love it for that red carpet glow,” Vanessa explains. This peel is also safe for all skin types and tones. “We really work hard to ensure that our medical spa is inclusive; and specifically look for devices and services that can be enjoyed by everyone,” she adds. Click here to learn about other available services at Bare Aesthetic MedSpa.
Besides new treatments and services, Bare Aesthetic now offers a rewards program: The BARE Insider membership. “It’s a thank you to our loyal patients” Vanessa says. “We thought long and hard about how we can thank our patients, and this was the culmination of that effort.”
For $129 per year, the BARE Insider membership offers members discounts on all services. Key benefits include 15% off all neurotoxin treatments such as Botox; 20% off Neurotoxin treatments scheduled at the last minute (less than 7 days); and 10% off all other products and services. Members also receive one complimentary $250 Skin Ceuticals facial per year. Bonus perks include birthday rewards and exclusive access to VIP events and promotions.
Meanwhile, the Bare Aesthetic app is coming soon, and will make it easier for patients to book services. They’re also launching a Brand Ambassador program and will soon start looking for local brand ambassadors.
Visit Bare Aesthetic MedSpa at 200 Closter Dock Road, 2nd floor in Closter. (Click here to see them on Google Maps.) To learn more: Click to visit their website | Follow them on Instagram | Click to give them a call.
Click Here to Find More New Jersey Services.
All Photos: © Bare Aesthetic
CLOSTER — After a bit of work to iron out difficulties, the Closter Public Library has added a Hebrew language book collection to its shelves.The collection had been requested by residents of Israeli heritage, who were initially told that a lack of shelf space and limited budget would complicate matters.Yuval Tal, who worked with about a dozen other residents to get the collection, said it was wonderful to see the progress made ...
CLOSTER — After a bit of work to iron out difficulties, the Closter Public Library has added a Hebrew language book collection to its shelves.
The collection had been requested by residents of Israeli heritage, who were initially told that a lack of shelf space and limited budget would complicate matters.
Yuval Tal, who worked with about a dozen other residents to get the collection, said it was wonderful to see the progress made since they first requested it at a Borough Council meeting this year.
“We are happy that the library took this matter seriously and worked hard to have it set up in a short time frame,” Tal said.
The process was not without its hurdles.
The group had tried meeting with library staff both informally and formally before, but ran into roadblocks, including the lack of shelf space. After the council meeting, library staff met with the community members again to figure out a solution.
Library Director Ruth Rando and her staff were able to find a spot near a section of reference books they were slowly weeding out.
The Hebrew collection, which is around 35 books, came primarily from donations, since the library does not have the budget to purchase new books. The library accepted books up to five years old for the collection, which is organized and placed in a database by reference librarian Tim Baek.
Since the Hebrew books are now part of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System, patrons of any library in the system can also request the titles, now that the BCCLS online request system is operating again.
Tal said Closter's Israeli community has “grown dramatically” within the last three or four years.
While most of the books are for adults, community members are also working to find books for teens and younger children to help keep them in touch with their heritage, Tal said.
“When people relocate, in many occasions it's important for parents to have their children stay somewhat connected to the culture and heritage from which they came,” Tal said. “People who relocate to the U.S. after they started school can read books in Hebrew, so this is good practice to keep that connection.”
POWER OUTAGES:Why don't we bury power lines underground?
AROUND TOWN:Closter teen wins first prize on 'Kids Baking Championship'
Closter isn't the only library in the area to host a Hebrew language collection. Cresskill Public Library started a small collection of about 30 books this year. Teaneck Public Library has a collection of 600 to 700 books that started about 10 years ago.