Members of the Jewish community who are unable to safely observe Jewish rituals are often faced with an emotionally painful choice. They can either protect their lives, health, and safety or they can feel like they are fully part of the Jewish community. 

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In a recent survey, 87% of respondents said they felt that they had to choose between safe ritual observance and Jewish belonging.

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While this challenge spans the entire Jewish calendar, some members of the Jewish community find Jewish ritual fast days particularly emotionally painful.

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For example, a survey of those unable to safely fast showed that

• 85% of respondents have felt 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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