This article is based on a study of Orthodox and Ultra-Orthodox (Haredi) couples who experienced a delay for more than several weeks in consummating a marriage. It examines traditional Jewish sources on marital sexuality, defines the problem of unconsummated marriages, discusses issues pertinent to evaluation, and suggests appropriate treatment strategies.
This article presents a critique of standard responses to issues of tsni’ut through online 'ask the rabbi' websites, guidebooks and similar phenomena Instead, author offers guidelines for High school sex and family education curricula (developed by the author, along withRabbi Barukh Kehat, Rabbi Dr. Ariel Pickar, Dr. Hannah Kehat) for girls and boys, equally. These guidelines are based on learned feminist religious perspective, and re-envisioning tsni'ut as a positive ethical and spiritual value.
Body and Soul addresses the problem of eating disorders in the Jewish community, reviews effective policies for therapy and treatment, and suggests ways for Jewish schools--especially "Overseas Programs" in Israel--to deal with the challenge within an educational setting and as part of a larger educational campaign for healthy living and self-image..
This personal account of an anorexic tells of the trials and tribulations that confront many girls and women in today's society.
This article describes some of the reasons Orthodox young women develop eating disorders.
This article investigates the halachic perspective regarding plastic surgery and its permissibility.
This article discusses ways to integrate Jews with disabilities into communal life. Suggestions include: making shuls wheelchair accessible, offering services for the deaf, developing Hebrew texts in Braille and large print, and providing shadows or helpers for special needs children.
This article discusses aspects of adolescence and sexuality among women and girls in one of the most extreme ultra-Orthodox Jewish groups. In particular, it investigates the ways they acquire knowledge about menstruation.
A concise review of the curriculum “Life Values and Intimacy Education: Health Education for the Jewish School,” developed by Yocheved Debow and Anna Woloski-Wruble. The scope of the course extends far beyond mere “sex education” to include “life values,” only a portion of which relate to sexuality. The curriculum has been field-tested at various schools in grade levels four through seven and adjusted, based on the varied reactions of boys and girls. The reviewer deems this to be a finely tuned and tested, comprehensive curriculum on issues of life values, sexuality, and self-image.