On Tuesday, 23rd of Adar I (Feb. 25th, 2003), Beit Natan will
sponsor a "Women's Health Day" in cooperation with Hadassah
Hospital's Women's Center and Neshei Agudath Israel. It will
be held in downtown Jerusalem at the Prima Palace (formerly
the Central Hotel, off Davidka Sq.), from 9:30 - 15:00. With
an emphasis on preventative health care, women are invited to
hear about how we can promote better health by developing
proper health habits.
Lectures include "Health & the Woman's Life Cycle," "Good
Nutrition in the Kitchen," "The Joy of Exercise" and "The
Importance of Early Detections in Women's Cancers." Private
consultation with a certified Hadassah Dietician and women's
health nurse from Hadassah's Louise Fleishman's Women's
Health Center will be available from 11:00 - 15:00. Healthy
refreshments will be served alongside Health Booths from
various Food and Health Care companies.
Beit Natan, a multi-operational organization that provides
health education and patient support to Orthodox and
traditional women, began in 1997. Since then, Beit Natan has
been reaching out to women in the religious community;
teaching about various women's health issues, as well as
giving emotional support to women who are coping with
cancer.
WOMEN'S HEALTH PROGRAM
With an emphasis on teaching about the importance of the
early detection of women's cancer, Beit Natan has received
Rabbinical support from all sectors of the community and
understands the special needs of chareidi women. "Many women
are frightened about women's cancer. Their attitude is that
if they go to get tested and something is detected, they are
going to die. They don't realize how much early detection
saves lives," says N. Goldish, Beit Natan Director of Health
Development, adding that "they hear about women who die of
this diesase, but never hear about how many were saved by
early detection."
"It's true," asserts Heller. "Doctors commented to us on how
Orthdox women suffering from these diseases almost as a rule
arrived for treatment at a much later stage in their
illness."
The message that is communicated basically boils down to the
Torah imperative to guard one's health -- Venishmartem
me'od l'nafshoseichem. From there the subject moves on to
concepts of personal effort and Divine Providence. The
subject of early detection is then discussed, with
information provided concerning available techniques. On the
spot, the women are encouraged to sign up, either for their
annual mammogram (above age 50) or to see a surgeon for a
clinical examination. When someone prefers a woman doctor --
no problem. Beit Natan has a listing of women doctors and
clinics offering clinical exams in both Jerusalem and Bnei
Brak.
Heller cites two other reasons as to why the Orthodox sector
falls behind others: modesty and a full schedule. But
progress has been made and now ten times as many women attend
Beit Natan lectures as 4 years ago.
Thanks to a grant from the UJA / N.Y. Federation, the early
detection program has been expanded to Bnei Brak. This year,
25 newly trained women have organized lectures suitable to
the observant community.
With a convenient location in Bayit Vegan, activites have
expanded to other areas of health education, including
midlife issues, nutrition etc. A free library in English and
Hebrew is open throughout the week. There is a hotline for
victims of women's cancer, who are phone-paired with support
sources.
Rabbinic endorsement, past and present, include the two Chief
Rabbis, the Bostoner Rebbe, Rav Neuwirth, Rav Y. Gans, among
others, and the late Rabbis C. Kreisworth and Nachman Bulman
zt'l.
For more information, call: 02-6446052; FAX 02-6429579 and e-
mail: info@beitnatan.org
