PEER SUPPORT CODE OF CONDUCT

To ensure that our peer support group on Facebook and online peer support gatherings are safe and respectful for all participants, we have created the following Code of Conduct:

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1) Our groups are for adults

Our peer support group on Facebook and peer support gatherings are for people who are at least 18 years old.

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2) Respect for privacy

Screenshots and direct quotation of posts/comments from the peer support group on Facebook are not permitted to be shared outside of the group. Additionally,  group members are not permitted to share other people’s personal information outside of our Facebook peer support group and peer support gatherings. Breaking these rules will result in immediate removal from our peer support group and gatherings.

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3) Pluralistic space

A Mitzvah to Eat's peer support spaces are pluralistic, welcoming Jews from a variety of backgrounds. We try to explain Hebrew/Yiddish terms when we use them, so everyone can participate equally.

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4) Respectful Language

We speak respectfully to everyone in our peer support groups.  We are respectful of what our members choose to share or not to share. We do not suggest diagnoses for other people based on information that they have given us.

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5) Not a replacement for professional guidance

We understand that online peer support is not a replacement for individualized guidance or support from healthcare providers, rabbis or support networks.  We encourage framing comments using language such as "This is what has worked for me, but I know that different things work for different people."

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6) Thoughtful listening and answers

We try to answer the question being asked with the kind of information or support that the person has requested. Saying "you need to get a heter" will generally not be considered thoughtful. (A heter is when an action that would typically be prohibited by Jewish law (halakha) becomes permitted under specific circumstances. This decision is often made by a rabbi.)​

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7) Food Neutral Language

In our peer support spaces, we try to use neutral language to describe food and eating. That means that we don’t say or imply that different kinds of foods are good or bad. If you submit a post or add a comment in the peer support group on Facebook that does not contain food-neutral language, our admins and moderators will ask you to edit that language. When possible, we will offer an alternative to the words you have used, rather than simply asking you to delete them.

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​8) Post Approvals in the peer support group on Facebook

In peer support group on Facebook, members submit posts for admin approval. Our admin team reviews every post to ensure that we are approving posts that are on mission for A Mitzvah to Eat and that can be safely answered in a peer support space. This review process may take up to several days, with occasional posts taking several weeks. 

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Please note that we generally approve posts that ask for support with needing Jewish ritual accommodations. We generally decline posts that are not directly connected to Jewish rituals and Jewish practice. Additionally, we decline posts that we feel could be better answered by a healthcare provider or a resource with greater expertise. Lastly, while we occasionally post fundraising links to support A Mitzvah to Eat’s capacity to staff this space, we do not accept fundraising posts for other nonprofits or causes.

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9) Trigger warnings on submitted posts

In the peer support group on Facebook, we discuss topics that may be triggering for some people. Please be mindful of posts with trigger warnings if the content might be emotionally activating for you. 

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When submitting a post for approval, our admin team may ask you to add a trigger warning. 

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Because our admin team’s assessment of when a trigger warning is needed may be different from your personal assessment, we encourage you to have self care plans in place to support yourself as needed when reading posts.

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10) Communications

In the peer support group on Facebook, moderators/admins are not available to message with group members using their personal accounts. To reach someone from A Mitzvah to Eat, please message the A Mitzvah to Eat - AMTE page or email support@amitzvahtoeat.org.

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