tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8087274124177135953.post3376306873523998687..comments2023-10-22T05:15:16.819-04:00Comments on Ma Hadash: The connection between good health and a religious lifestyleOrHadashATLhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08177578268522139705noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8087274124177135953.post-14407517246091589542012-12-20T22:44:59.344-05:002012-12-20T22:44:59.344-05:00It seems to me that they may have the cause and ef...It seems to me that they may have the cause and effect totally backwards, here.<br /><br />People who are sick - especially with chronic illness - are more likely not to feel well enough to attend synagogue services and events regularly! People who live with chronic poor health do not have the energy to pursue social interactions, and find themselves socially isolated as a result of their illness.<br /><br />Also, a majority of Jewish people with mental health disorders and/or severe learning and developmental disabilities feel rejected/unwanted by their Jewish community! <br /><br />Therefore, it is to be expected that people counting the healthy and unhealthy populations in and outside of synagogue communities will find more healthy people within the synagogue communities! But the cause and effect are exactly the opposite of that posited by Alejandro Bloch. <br /><br />My friend, photographer and author Jane Strauss, recently completed a book/photo-journal about inclusion and exclusion (particularly within synagogue communities), specifically regarding people on the autism spectrum, called "A Part, or Apart". <br />http://a-part-or-apart.com/<br />Here's a link to an interview with her, from this past summer:<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Xb8Go_8Dqic#!<br /><br />The issues that she addresses, of exclusion (sometimes unintended, but all too common nonetheless) of those on the autism spectrum, apply just as well to people with all kinds of disabilities and illnesses, both physical and mental/emotional. Lindaguitarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04975739488939892848noreply@blogger.com