Sadly, eating disorders are something that plague the Jewish community. This page offers links to a multitude of websites, articles, videos, and more that will be of benefit to a Rabbi or Jewish Educator.
Articles
Body and Soul by Rebbetzin Feige Twerski.
Body and Beauty in our World: A Jewish Perspective
This three-part class by Rebbetzin Feige Twerski examines the Jewish view of beauty, the physical body, and our soul.
The Hidden Hunger: Eating Disorders in the Orthodox Community
This wonderful article by Leah Lightman also provides contact and referral information.
Starving to Live
A site run by Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser that exposes the, “Truth About Eating Disorders in the Torah Community.”
Too Much of a Good Thing
An article by Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski.
Interview With An Orthodox Jewish Survivor of Anorexia and Bulimia
Pressure to be Thin by Robin K. Levinson
This article highlights the issues that teens have due to media pressure.
Being Jewish in a Barbie World by Lennie Reiss and Nadine Bonner
The title of the article says it all!
Adolescent Girls at Risk for Eating Disorders: How Educators Can Help by Esther Altmann, Ph.D.
Research indicates that girls in kindergarten are already expressing worries about being fat. Esther Altmann, Ph.D. is a psychologist in private practice in Manhattan specializing in work with adolescents and families. She is an eating disorders consultant and on the teaching faculty at YCT Rabbinical School and the Drisha Institute.
Teaching Birkas Hamazon by Saul Kaiserman
The author (see pages 33-34) mentions Anorexia and a Jewish approach to food within a discussion of Birkas Hamazon.
Living Without Shame by Boruch Clinton
A clinical psychologist treates anorexics and bulimics and looks at this issue through a Kabalistic perspective as well.
Books
Body and Soul: A Guide for Addressing Eating Disorders in a Jewish Education Setting
Starving Souls: A Spiritual Guide to Understanding Eating Disorders -Anorexia, Bulimia, Binging
Starving to Live: an inspirational guide to eating disorders
Audio
Self Esteem and Eating Disorders: Facing the Issue in Our Community
by Rabbi Dr. Tzvi Hersh Weinreb
Shidduchim and Body Image
by Rabbi Dovid Goldwasser
Video
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