Dentist
What makes a great dentist? Our Readers’ Choice winners got top marks for the professional ways they run their practice and how comfortable and safe they make patients feel.
Dr. Eric Citron’s decision to become a dentist was influenced in part by getting his teeth straightened as a child. “I really admired my orthodontist,” he says. “He had a practice full of kids my age, and he looked like he had a lot of fun working.” Dr. Citron, who has been a dentist since 1986, loves being able to work with people every day. “It keeps me on my toes and keeps my job really interesting.”
Coming from a long line of dentists, Dr. Elena Davidson-Arbit knew from an early age that she wanted to continue the family tradition. Now running her own practice after working at UCSF, Dr. Davidson-Arbit and her staff make sure patients are as relaxed and calm as possible. “We have a personal family feel,” says Dr. Davidson-Arbit. “Everybody that’s worked here has been here for a very long time.”
Children who come to see Dr. Tanya Manyak in San Mateo find a warm, welcoming dentist who cares about their well-being. “I’m a mom of three, so I have a few tricks,” says Dr. Manyak with a laugh. “Our appointments with children are more of an appointment to invest in their long-term care.”
A seven-time Readers’ Choice winner, Dr. Martin Sinai Rayman decided to become a dentist because he wanted to interact with people and because he thought the tools were fascinating. He is said to have a cabinet full of dental memorabilia. As a pediatric dentist, Dr. Rayman was one of the first to allow parents to observe procedures. He makes sure his young patients are comfortable, explaining what he’s doing in ways they understand. “Kids look forward to coming,” says Dr. Rayman.
East Bay
Dr. Eric Citron
Berkeley
(510) 849-1660
www.ericcitrondds.com
Dr. Elena Davidson-Arbit
San Leandro
(510) 352-9212
Peninsula/South Bay
Dr. Tanya Manyak
San Mateo
(650) 342-9941
www.drtanyamanyak.com
North Bay
Dr. Martin Sinai Rayman
San Rafael
(415) 459-1444
www.openbigdds.com
Doctor
The Jewish community is full of people who take care of others. Count these doctors among them.
Practicing rheumatology in the Bay Area for 23 years, Dr. Brian Kaye is an experienced physician who cares deeply about his patients. He enjoys building relationships with them and makes sure to spend time with each person. “The best part of my job is seeing people getting better and going back to work and doing the activities that they enjoy doing,” he says.
When children go to Dr. Douglas Kaye’s office, they can rest assured they are in the hands of a doctor who cares about their comfort as well as their health. A pediatrician for 19 years, Dr. Kaye has had the pleasure of watching many of his patients grow into adulthood. “I love watching these kids grow from infants and following them through their childhood and into their teenage years,” he says. “It’s very satisfying and gratifying.”
East Bay
Dr. Brian Kaye
Berkeley
(510) 204-8120
Peninsula/South Bay
Dr. Douglas Kaye
Sunnyvale
(408) 730-4251
www.pamf.org
Health Club/Day Spa
Running, jumping, swimming and lifting are just a few of the great ways to stay in shape. Fitness centers offer all that and more under one roof, making it easy and enjoyable to keep your body and mind healthy.
The JCC of San Francisco Fitness Center has a range of ways to work out. “We have a terrific top-notch fitness facility housed in a center that’s welcoming to the entire community,” says Nathaniel Bergson-Michelson, director of marketing and communication. Treadmills, pools, weights and a 10,000-square-foot basketball gym can help users trim the fat and build muscle. Personal trainers are available to assist with achieving personal fitness goals. The JCCSF also offers concerts, classes and lectures to exercise people’s minds after they’re done exercising their bodies.
At Renaissance ClubSport in Walnut Creek, members have access to more than 90 exercise machines and 100 classes. Personal trainers and a six-lane pool also are available. Wellness events and a spa help members to relax after a workout, while children can swim and play nearby.
The Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto has a top-notch fitness center that includes a pool, basketball and volleyball leagues and kids’ programs. The center also offers summer camps and hosts cultural events, such as performances, film screenings and comedy shows, that keep members hanging out at the center long after their workouts.
Since moving from Belmont seven years ago, the Peninsula JCC has become a fixture in Foster City. With a large gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools and many class and program offerings, the PJCC is the destination for residents looking to increase their overall wellness. “We do stress management [and] diabetes awareness,” says athletic center director Vova Ekhilevsky. “The trend in fitness is going more toward overall wellness.”
Since opening in 2002, Bay Club Marin has offered its members many activities to help them stay fit. Swimming, cycling, yoga, Pilates and other sports keep members having fun and looking great. Along with personal trainers and classes, a dietitian is on site to help meet wellness goals. When you’re done with your workout, go to the day spa and get a massage, a manicure or even a seaweed body wrap.
San Francisco
JCC of San Francisco
(415) 292-1200
www.jccsf.org
East Bay
Renaissance ClubSport
Walnut Creek
(925) 938-8700
www.renaissanceclubsport.com
Peninsula/South Bay
Oshman Family JCC
Palo Alto
(650) 223-8700
www.paloaltojcc.org
Peninsula JCC
Foster City
(650) 212-7522
www.pjcc.org
North Bay
Bay Club Marin
Corte Madera
(415) 945-3000
www.bayclubmarin.com