Jchoice.Org

Food plays an integral role in Jewish culture and tradition. The interconnectedness of food, family and Holidays can lead to an increased level of stress for a person who is struggling with decreased self-esteem and distorted thinking about their weight and body.

Disordered eating has been identified as a serious concern for Jewish preteens and teens. Recent studies on the Jewish Women International site have found that between the ages of twelve to fifteen, 3 in 4 Jewish girls engage in unhealthy eating and weight behaviors. Our project mission is to reach out to the Jewish community, specifically preteens, teenagers and their families, to raise awareness.

Anorexia & Bulimia afflict mostly young women, beginning in their teenage years. This illness is often mistaken by the lay person for an obsession with looking good or being thin. When misdiagnosed or unrecognized, eating disorders can become chronic and in certain cases, life threatening. If we can educate more families about the consequences of low self-esteem and disordered patterns of eating and exercise, then perhaps we can lower the rate of eating disorders in this population.

MEDA will offer a variety of projects to interested members of the Jewish Causes of Choice Community. Projects include:

Mirror Project – Design a mirror with affirmations to be delivered to young children who have been hospitalized for their eating disorder. Mirrors can also be used a fundraising activity or can be a centerpiece at an event.

Awareness Raising Activities – Create “conscious” raising brochures, fact sheets and/or bulletin boards at temples or schools that address the importance of mindful eating and exercising. 

Design and sell “mindfulness” bracelets or dog tags that remind people of the importance of nourishing one’s mind and body.

Rebecca Manley founded the Multi-service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) in 1994. She envisioned an organization that would act as a clearinghouse for individuals personally struggling with an eating disorder and for families and friends concerned about a loved one’s eating disorder. MEDA is a unique organization in the eating disorders/disordered eating field in that it is a non-competitive entity attempting to link individuals and families to the best care available, whether that be outpatient, inpatient or residential services. MEDA takes a multi-pronged approach in tackling the issue of disordered eating.

 

Who We Are and What We Do

MEDA is comprised of six employees, many of whom have recovered from an eating disorder. The organization partners with eating disorder treatment centers nationally to provide stability and to carry out MEDA’s unique role as a facilitator for health and recovery. Consultations to individual practitioners, group practices and programs are offered to better serve the eating disorder community’s needs. Some highlights of the past fourteen years include:

In 1998, MEDA was declared the largest non-profit organization of its kind in New England by the Department of Public Health and the Office of Nutrition.

In 2002, MEDA was named the Family Advocacy Organization of the Year in the Boston Parent’s Paper.

Since 2005, speakers at MEDA’s Galas and Conferences have included the following authors and leaders in the field of eating disorders and mental health: Jenni Schaefer, Geneen Roth, Aimee Liu, Jean Kilbourne and Judith Jordan.

Since 2006, MEDA’s Hope and Inspiration group model has been adopted by national eating disorder programs to be implemented within their treatment settings.

During 2007-2008 MEDA received a grant to work directly with Jewish Family Service of MetroWest to provide groups for mothers of adolescent girls. Parents were empowered to best parent through use of Jewish values, tradition and the latest in parenting education.

 

Services - Education

MEDA believes that the most valuable tool is prevention. Through educational presentations and workshops, speakers aim to reach diverse audiences and explain the common causes and the physical and emotional dangers associated with the onset of an eating disorder. Most importantly all speakers share the belief that recovery from an eating disorder is possible. MEDA presents to approximately 200 groups (schools, high schools, colleges, universities and businesses) annually.

 

Services – Referrals and Groups

The organization offers low-cost assessments and consultations with clinicians, followed up with referrals to certified specialists in the field. Coaching sessions for loved ones are also offered as a way to connect families and friends to the recovery process. MEDA works with a group of 125 eating disorder specialists, including psychotherapists, nutritionists, psychiatrists, dentists and alternative treatment specialists. MEDA Professional Members are individuals who have been approved through an application process. MEDA runs various weekly support groups for teens, young adults, adults and friends and family members of those struggling.

To inspire individuals to examine how their cultural and gender identities along with society’s expectations can have a profound impact on self-image and self-esteem.

Individual Objectives

Understand that overall health includes wellness of body and mind

Learn to appreciate body for abilities and strength

Learn how to deal with stress in appropriate, healthy ways

 

Interpersonal Objectives

Learn to express emotions and set limits for oneself that will lead to greater empowerment

Increase awareness of family and belief system

 

Societal Objectives

Realize that appearance is not an indicator of person’s worth

Explore with others the ways in which society shames people for body size

 

Challenges

Understand the medical and emotional complications of weight and body preoccupation

Accept one’s body and genetics

Reject the societal notion that dieting is the “cure” for weight loss

 

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

We hope, within 6 months, to develop resources that speak directly to the Jewish community about the dangers of disordered eating and exercise as well as low self-esteem. The tools that are necessary for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will be addressed. These resources will both educate as well as provide follow-up opportunities for Jewish educators and youth to get involved in the effort, either in their homes, schools, Temples or their communities. 

 

 

Name of Organization:Multi-service Eating Disorders Association (MEDA)
Number of Paid Staff:4
Number of Volunteers:10
Total Organizational Expenses:$379,051
% of Organizational Overhead Expenses:21%

MEDA is a unique program. Besides offering multi-levels of awareness through prevention, intervention and after-care services, MEDA believes that full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. In fact, many employees and volunteers themselves have recovered and integrate their own recovery into work with clients and families. Although there is limited information about recovery – how, when and why it happens, it is known that the sooner a distressed individual is reached and given appropriate resources, the quicker the recovery process will be. This is why it is critical that outreach be directed at youth. While studies show teenagers are especially susceptible at times of transition, with appropriate resources and programming they can recover. MEDA instills hope by building all programs on the foundation that every person and family can recover from an eating disorder.

"Three years ago, I started attending the teen group at MEDA, as well as the aptly named “Hope and Inspiration” forums. I was a junior in high school, and was finally seeking help for a problem that had started years earlier. I was terrified and felt very alone, especially since I chose not to tell anyone at school that I was receiving treatment for anorexia nervosa. 

It was there that I did find hope and inspiration. My group leaders – recovered individuals – were my inspiration, along with the forum's speakers. My peers provided the hope. Together, we began the journey towards recovery. MEDA's group provided support that I could not receive anywhere else. My peers provided invaluable insight , and for the first time I didn't feel so alone.

My parents and grandmother attended a coaching session with one of the clinicians at MEDA to learn what would be helpful in my recovery. My mother also attended the CARE support group at MEDA, which provides support for parents and family members of those with eating disorders. MEDA didn't just help me – MEDA helped my whole family.

We found clinicians through MEDA's referral network, and I began outpatient treatment. In the spring of 2005, MEDA brought author Jenni Schaefer to Boston to speak during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. Schaefer's book “Life Without Ed” is an informative, inspirational book that was absolutely invaluable in my recovery. Hearing Jenni speak was incredible, and I also was able to connect with a peer who had attended the talk. To this day, we are “recovery buddies” and continue to support each other.

A year later, my treatment team and I decided that I needed more intensive treatment. I met with Kristin Tyman at MEDA and she helped me look through treatment facility brochures to find a treatment center that would best fit my needs.

I was at the Klarman Center in Belmont for the first three months of 2007. I emerged an entirely different person, completely committed to doing whatever it took to recover and stay fully recovered.

As a recovered individual, I am still involved in MEDA. My interests are now in advocacy and giving back. I plan to speak at Hope and Inspiration, and eventually lead a support group. I want to give back through MEDA and give to someone the hope that I was given. I would not be where I am in my recovery today without MEDA."

-Margot Lurie

Learning
Respecting your Body
Saving a Life

Organize a fundraising event in your community, temple or school to help the MEDA cause.

Name:Kristin Tyman
Title:Chief Operating Officer
Address:92 Pearl Street Newton, MA 02458 United States
Telephone:(617) 558-1881 x12
Email:Kristin.tyman@medainc.org
Website:www.medainc.org