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�very Thanksgiving , Iwant to try something Inever manage to pull off : To �ust be present and listen to my loved ones talking and laughing with each other . It ’ s too tempting to �oin their discussions and get in on the �okes , but of all the things I ’ m grateful for , it ’ s how they ’ re there for each other . Soaking in their good humor and thoughtfulness is really the greatest gift Icould hope for — though Iwon ’ t pass up agood chocolate mousse for dessert . I ’ m not crazy�
Looking at the contents of our holiday issue , I ’ m struck by how �����
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the individuals we feature care �����E� for their communities . Montclair resident Ren�e Alsarraf is apet oncologist who tends to man ’ s best friends when they have cancer ( �In Sickness and in Health� ). �ate Sonnenberg wants to help bright , underserved high school grads get into the colleges they deserve ( ��n the Merits� ). And the sub�ect of our cover feature , celebrity chef Amanda �reitag , teaches others to cook for friends with the skill she shows on ��o��e� , �ron ��e� and ahost of other shows . Read about her in ��riendly �ood �ights . �
It ’ s especially when times are tough that we appreciate most what others can give us . Happy holidays , Montclair . ■
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�OLI�A� 2�22
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CREATIVE DIRECTOR John Flynn
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ART DIRECTOR AND CONTENT CREATOR Joram Mushinske
CONTRIBUTORS Esther Davidowitz , Julia Martin , Jennifer Portorreal
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ON THE COVER
�lease recycle this ma�a�ine�
CELEBRITY CHEF AMAN�A FREITAG �HOTOGRA�HY COURTESY OF AMANDA FREITAG
2 HOLIDAY 2022 MONTCLAIR MAGAZINE