Jewish tradition requires safe ritual observance.

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However, in a survey of those unable to safely observe Jewish rituals, 87% of respondents said they felt that they had to choose between safe ritual observance and Jewish belonging. ​

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In a survey of those unable to safely fast:

• 85% of respondents reported feeling shame on Jewish ritual fast days

• 70% have tried to fast 

• 86% have felt alone

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A Mitzvah to Eat Provides

Peer Support

• Online Peer Support Gatherings

• Online Peer Support group on Facebook

 

Resources

• Original prayers

• Jewish text study 

• Ways to safely connect to Jewish practice

• Educational programming

• New language and messaging:

“When fasting is unsafe, it is a mitzvah to eat.”

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Our Impact

 

A Mitzvah to Eat's work is increasing Jewish belonging and decreasing shame. In a recent survey of Jews needing ritual accommodations,

• 98% of respondents said that A Mitzvah to Eat’s work had enabled them to safely connect to Jewish practice and community

• 94% of respondents said our work is potentially or definitely lifesaving 

 

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What are people saying about A Mitzvah to Eat?

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"A Mitzvah to Eat has helped me enormously in feeling that I have a place in the Jewish community even though my disabilities and neurodiversity have made it hard to live a life of Torah and mitzvot as I would like. I also think that without A Mitzvah to Eat, I would not have had the courage to break my fast on Yom Kippur when I was showing symptoms of lithium toxicity and I would have made myself very ill (or worse) as a result."

 

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"Every year, I found myself thinking that I should at least try to fast, despite the potential dangers to both my physical and mental health. On Yom Kippur 5784, I found myself sneaking outside—away from my congregation, my friends, and my spiritual home—just to take a few bites of food and sip water so I wouldn’t faint between services. I was overwhelmed with guilt.

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Before the next Yom Kippur , I found A Mitzvah to Eat. The teachings, blessings, and communal support changed everything. I wasn't alone anymore. The shame I had felt the year before was gone. Instead, I felt a deep sense of belonging."

 

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“There have been multiple times where I have shared information from your organization, and I have received feedback that it has helped my friends from relapsing into their eating disorders on holidays. I personally see that as definitely life-saving.”

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Have questions about A Mitzvah to Eat?  Learn more here.

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