Functional Health Patterns Of A Hasidic Community PowerPoint Presentation

Hasidim A Way Of Life Apart – In Our Community Understanding the Culture

Hasidic forms of Judaism are a sect of orthodox Judaism – that is, all Hasidic Jews are orthodox, but most orthodox are not Hasidic.Hasidic Jews have their own distinctive practices and appearance.Hasidic do not follow in any orthodox synagogue in a community or just any rabbinic authority, but rather they look to the single accepted leader of THEIR particular Hasidic group as the final authority, and will join a synagogue that is exclusively made up of fellow members of the same Hasidic group. This ultra-orthodox group are conservative, often living in sectarian communities. Placing great emphasis on living with Joy and being thankful to God for all their blessings.

Values/Beliefs Pattern

The group analyzed in this presentation is the Hasidic Orthodox Jews of Orange County NY. Specifically two communities, one in Monroe NY and the other in Bloomingburg NY. Those near Monroe live on 691 acres with a population of 22,000.Religion is the center of their life. They close their business on Sabbaths, Friday night before sundown and then reopen after Sabbath hours on Saturday evening or on Sunday.Rabbi’s hold a lot of authority over individual families through their association with the men. Women and men are not allowed to worship together.

Values/Beliefs Pattern

Family CharacteristicsMarriages are not legally recognized but are contracted through their religious rites.Women who come to receive healthcare come with their husbands who do most of the speaking since they speak limited English. They are perceived as a very proud community, clean, the women are very nice and modest; they are family driven.Boys and girls do not attend school together. Girls are taught to learn Yiddish and are not typically taught to read or write in English. They are taught to cook and care for their families. The men typically have a higher education and attend College. Also women are not allowed to worship with men.

Values/Beliefs Pattern

Family CharacteristicsThey focus on having large families in order to replace those that have passed on.As a result women have children at a young age and have multiple births which can cause pregnancy issues.FinancesThey appear poor judging by food stamp use, welfare, WIC and healthcare. Yet they have designer clothing and jewelry and often pay cash for items outside the community. Their homes are also all paid for.

Health Perceptions Management

General Attitude to Healthcare is Very FavorableThey have their own health center, ambulance service and pharmacies in their communities.Many residents seek the services of Dr. Albert Zucker, an Orthodox physician who speaks fluent Yiddish.Children are all immunized by mobile clinics.Health IssuesNot as sick as the general population, yet those who are obese suffer from hypertension, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes.

Health Perceptions Management

Health IssuesInbreeding disorders that can cause genetic problems in children that require special needs. However, according to Barbara Kura FNP, they have tried to recognize and minimize marriages within family lines to prevent the genetic issues.PreventionPrevention is primarily practiced through meals prepared at home with fruit and vegetables, and the exercise of their faith.They are relatively healthy since they walk to the synagogue, and grocery store within their community. They also have parks close by and in their community.Their children are not permitted to play video games or watch TV so the children are always playing in the parks.

Health Perceptions Management

Mental HealthAlthough this is a peaceful community, women in particular are treated for depression and anxiety, yet strong faith in God helps them to deal with these pressures.The cause of depression in women was not stated in the interview. However, what some may perceive as unbalanced patriarchies, lack of education, arranged marriages, asking Rabbi’s for permission regarding contraceptives, and unreported domestic violence may contribute when contrasted with a society in which women enjoy the benefits of education.

Nutrition Metabolic

Food is prepared according to strict levitical laws that prohibit the use of blood. As a result, meat and chicken is typically placed in salt and is soaked to remove the blood from kosher meat.Their communities also have kosher bakeries, butchers, pizzeria, and sushi restaurants within walking distance from their homes.The women prepare all of the kosher meals.On account of their unique marital status, they receive all government assistance with food stamps, welfare, WIC and healthcare.

Types of Social Interactions

Hasidic Jews live in highly tight knit communities.The core of Hasidism is enthusiasm and mysticism, an interest in inner transformative experience, connection with God and others. Traditionally a patriarchal system.Husbands accompany wives to all appointments and serve as interpreters for them as their primary languages are Yiddish and Hebrew.Hasidism has elaborated a long and rich tradition of dance, song, and story telling, arts cultivated as aids in the service of God (1998).

Common goals and interests

Maintain health through prevention.All believe that the Torah (first five books of the bible)are the literal word of God, and carrying out this word is what gives meaning and purpose to their lives. Women and men are charged with different yet equally important religious obligations.

Learning and Torah study is extremely important in Hasidism, but piety is always meant to come first.They keep education for boys and girls separate.Arranged marriages are common practice and accepted as a way of life.

Barriers and Challenges

Obtaining access to specialized procedures due to limits on Medicaid as most have Medicaid as their medical insurance.College and graduate education is now almost totally discouraged, as it is seen as a source of cultural contamination.In sharp contrast to the case in virtually any other Jewish community, among the Hasidim there is a shortage of professionals: Hasidim have to turn outside for doctors, lawyers, and even sometimes for musicians to play at weddings(2014).Those men who work outside of the community do so mostly in small retail, import/export, and manufacturing businesses.

Cognitive/Perceptual

Primary language: Is this a communication barrier?For the women it is Yiddish and the men can be bilingual or trilingual learning primarily Yiddish and English The men will translate for the women when necessary. This is a barrier when it comes to communicating with a HCP Educational levels.The Boys and girls do not attend school together. Girls are taught to learn Yiddish and typically go to public Jewish schools. They are not typically taught how to read or write in English. Teaching also include how to cook and care for their families. The men typically have a higher education and attend Yeshiva (College). Women are not allowed to worship with men.According to the United States Census Bureu 89.1% of people with a high school degree or higher are in Orange County, compared to the US is 86.7%

Self Perception/ Self Concept

Programs and activities related to community building (strengthening the community).Religion :The community is relies on religion for most things. Hasidic Jews do not pursue occupational careers as is the norm in Western culture, but organize their livelihood so that it does not interfere with their religious obligations, such as refraining from work on the Sabbath and major Jewish holidays.Community History The Hasidic movement began in the middle of the eighteenth century in Galicia on the Polish-Romanian border and in the Volhynia region of the Ukraine. It was founded by Rabbi Israel Ben Eliezer (1700-1760) who became known as the Baal Shem Tov (Master of the Good Name). The movement emerged as a populist reaction against what its followers considered the elite, remote, and formal character of rabbinic leaders. In contrast to the mechanical and rigid forms of worship, the Baal Shem Tov preached piety of heart and service of God through the emotions. To serve God, the duty of every Jew, was not confined exclusively to the study of Talmud but embraced every aspect of daily life. The Baal Shem Tov’s ministry stressed the joyful affirmation of life and counseled against asceticism and self-affliction. It was only after his death, however, that the systematic dissemination of Hasidism began. The movement evolved into a number of dynastic courts, comprising a rabbi and his followers.

Role/Relationship

Vulnerable populations:Although it is seen as one of the poorest municipality in America if you go by poverty rate and food-stamps use. But we see this community have money in other ways. The Hasidic population is known for having designer clothing and jewelry. Often paying cash for items when out in the community.How does this impact health? This population is relatively health because of the amount of walking they do. They walk to temple, to grocery stores within their community. They have walking trails and parks close by and in their community. Parks are always full with children placing not indoors watching TV or playing video games because they are not permitted in the home.Mental illness does occur in this population, especially women who are treated for depression and anxiety. (Barbara shared the couple of women she cares for are on SSRI’s). She shared there are pressures associated with this culture. Although they are a peaceful community. Shul / Synagogue does help because of the strong faith and value in god.Power groups (church council, student council, administration, PTA, and gangs):The men in this community hold power through the Rabbi they follow. All politics within in their community is overseen by the Rabbi. Harassment policies/discrimination policies.When a crime is committed within their community it is the Rabbi who deems a crime has been committed and sets the punishment. Their communities have their own security system called Peace officers. Outside authority is only called in if a crime is committed within their community from an outside member / civilian. This population has great respect for the State and county authorities often offering food to the AuthorityAnger and conflict is rare within their community but does happen, so violence is not usually an issue. Some common crimes within their community is arson. (Usually driven by differences in opinion). The Rabbi deals with the crimes, not usually public authority Relationship with broader community: Within their community they have their own health center, ambulance service and pharmacies.

Sexuality/Reproductive Assessment

Women are forced into arraigned marriages at a young ageHigh Incest RatePrimary role of a women is wife, mother and keeper of the homeHigh Birth Rates (Value is placed on having many children as possible)Abstinence as birth control is permissible but not a vasectomyHomosexuality, Masturbation, extra-martial and pre-marital sexual relations are not condone and are forbiddenAbortion is permitted if it saves the life of mother, with Rabbi consent

Coping/Stress Assessment

Hasidic population typically have a positive well-being and is suggested to result from the trust in God.Depression/Anxiety (Men and Women) due to cultural obligationsRare or Unlikely to see Domestic Violence, Drug and Alcohol AbuseCrime is rare within the culture but Arson and theft do occur. The Rabbi is the Justice System. Crime inflicted on this population usually are hate/ bias in nature (Assault, Robbery) Psychiatric and psychological issues are seen by professionals from similar cultural background.

Resources

Farkas, Hannah. March 20,2013. Orthodox Union Health. Orthodox Judaism: Features and issues for psychotherapy. Retrieved from: https://www.ou.org/community/health/orthodox-Judaism-features-and-issues-for-psychotherapy/Encyclopedia of World Cultures . COPYRIGHT 1996 The Gale Group, Inc.; Hasidim. Retrieved from: encyclopedia.comRich, Tracey,R.; Copyright 5756-5771 (1995-2011). Judaism 101 Kosher Sex Retrieved from: www.jewfaq.org/sex.htmA life apart: Hasidism in America (2014). Inside the community: a holy life. Retrieved from: http://www.pbs.org/alifeapart/intro_2.htmlImages(nd). Retrieved from: Google ImagesUnited States Census Bureau . (2015). Orange County, NY Quick Facts . Retrieved January 29, 2017, from http://www.census.gov/quickfacts/table/EDU635215/36071,00