OU Screens Hungry to Be Heard, March 17 at the BJE in Manhattan

26 Feb 2009

As part of its focus on the issue of eating disorders in the Orthodox community, the Orthodox Union will show the documentary, Hungry to be Heard, followed by a panel discussion, on Tuesday, March 17 from 10:00 am-noon at the Board of Jewish Education of Greater New York, 520 Eighth Avenue, Manhattan. The event is part of the OU Safe Schools/Safe Shuls/Safe Homes Professional Development Workshop Series.

The OU played a major role in the fundraising and producing of the film, which premiered at the OU National Convention in Jerusalem at Thanksgiving.

The idea for the film was developed by Elisheva Diamond, a member of the OU’s Young Leadership Cabinet (YLC), who is the film’s producer. Ms. Diamond will be a part of the panel discussion, which also includes Sarah L. Weinberger-Litman, Ph.D., associate producer of the film; as well as Esther Altmann, Ph.D. and Judith Ruskay Rabinor, Ph.D., two clinical psychologists who specialize in eating disorders. After the presentation the DVD will be available free of charge to schools, synagogues, and institutions.

Frank Buchweitz, OU National Director of Communal Services and Special Projects, stated, “This program will assist in prevention and intervention and helping students who may be susceptible to eating issues. The screening of the film is part of the OU Safe Homes, Safe Schools, Safe Shuls initiative addressing front burner issues impacting on the Orthodox community.”

At the session information will be shared on the “Full of Ourselves” and B’shvili (For Me) curricula created by Catherine Steiner-Adair, Ed.D. of Harvard’s McLean Hospital. B’shvili has been adapted for the Orthodox community by Sarah L. Weinberger-Litman and Elisheva Diamond. The material is available for junior high schools as a curriculum on positive self-esteem and body image.

Seating for the screening of Hungry to be Heard is limited. RSVP to vogelj@ou.org or call 212.613.8225.