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by Rabbi Shmuel Jablon
Eating Disorders- A Deadly Disease
by Rabbi Shmuel Jablon
Eating Disorders- A Deadly Disease
In recent years, the Orthodox
community has awoken to the need to battle eating disorders. Eating disorders, primarily anorexia and
bulimia, have one of the highest mortality rates of any psychological disorder (link).
Orthodox Jews are far from immune to eating disorders (link).
Factors such as exposure to general media,
genetics, communal pressures and other psychological illnesses (such as
depression or obsessive compulsive disorder) make us as susceptible to eating
disorders as the general population. Orthodox Jews of all kinds are victims. As we are all too aware, denial of the problem
and reluctance to get treatment threatens lives.
In Israel, eating disorders are
also prevalent in all segments of the community. However, there are limited options for
intensive treatment. In addition, there
are almost no options for treatment within an Orthodox setting. This makes it far less comfortable for
Orthodox Jews to seek help.
Mercaz Female- Filling the Gap,
Fighting to Save Lives
About one year ago, Mercaz
Female in Yerushalayim opened its doors to fill this critical gap. It is the only intensive, outpatient center
established by and for Orthodox Jews. Patients
come from all segments of the Orthodox community. Patients come two to three times a week for
counselling from psychologists, dieticians, mentors and an art therapist. Parents are involved in weekly family
therapy. The clinical staff works
closely with patients’ family doctors and (if applicable) psychiatrists. English speaking therapists are available for
immigrants and students whose treatment needs to be in English.
The fact that the clinical staff
is highly trained, totally dedicated and Orthodox helps make it very successful
in serving Orthodox families. Over the
past year, Mercaz Female has successfully helped all its patients to be able to
return to school or work, and to avoid the need for more intensive, inpatient
treatment. The staff wants to reach even
higher levels of excellence. Therefore,
Mercaz Female has a partnership with Professor Moriah Golan’s Shahaf Institute
in Tel Aviv, one of the most successful eating disorders treatment centers in
Israel. Though the Shahaf Institute is
not Orthodox, the members of Mercaz Female’s clinical staff recognize their
wealth of knowledge and experience. They
learn from Shahaf’s staff eight hours monthly, and apply what they’ve learn to
Mercaz Female’s setting.
You can learn more about Mercaz
Female, and about eating disorders, at www.mercazfemale.org
.
Helping Mercaz Female Save
Lives:
The biggest challenge to Mercaz
Female’s work is economic. Most of the
patients come from families that are low to middle income. They cannot possibly afford more than a
fraction of the cost of treatment.
Though treatment costs of about $1800 monthly are not high by American
standards, for many of the patients’ families this may be most of their entire
after-tax pay check! At the same time,
unlike other private clinics, Mercaz Female does not want to turn away needy
people who need lifesaving treatment. In
fact, the goal is help additional patients and to add educational programs to
spread awareness in the community.
Naturally, all of this costs
money. If Mercaz Female is going to
fulfill its holy mission, it is critical to find additional supporters who will
contribute funds to help save lives.
HaRav Shlomo Aviner recently wrote that such contributions fulfill both
the mitzvah of tzedakah and of pikuach nefesh!
Readers of Emes ve’Emunah are
known to be caring people who want to solve problems and help others. Therefore, I am hoping that you will help
Mercaz Female save lives by making a contribution today.
In the United States, tax
deductible donations may be made out to the Central Fund for Israel with Mercaz
Female in the “memo.” Please mail your
check to: Mercaz Female, c/o Jablon, 4393 Park Vicente, Calabasas, CA 91302. Mercaz Female will receive 100% of your gift.
In Canada, tax deductible
donations may be made out to Beth Oloth, with Mercaz Female in the memo. Please mail your check to: Beth Oloth, 32
Brookview Drive, Toronto, On M6A 2K2. Mercaz Female will receive 100%
of your gift.
In Israel, please mail your check to: Mercaz Female,
Rechov HaIluy #9, Kiryat Moshe, Yerushalayim.
Please note that Americans living in Israel who would like a U.S. tax
deduction and have a U.S. checking account may make their American checks out
to the Central Fund for Israel with Mercaz Female in the memo.
For more information, including
making contact with our clinical staff if you are in Israel and you or a loved
one need help, contact shmuel@mercazfemale.org
.
