Our members are sometimes uneasy, afraid, or because of their own difficulties in setting boundaries, prefer not to get involved at all. Though the Bible predates modern medicine, we have a picture of mental illness in its portrayal of Saul, afflicted with melancholy, and in some of the very personal writings of the psalmist. We have in the Rabbinic period, moving portrayals of the importance of visits and community contact to those suffering physical and mental illness. The rabbis talk extensively about the first broken tablets of the Ten Commandments being placed in the ark and treated with reverence. Even where the image of God within a person, was difficult to recognize, it was to be respected, as were the broken tablets.
Mental illness is fairly prevalent in the Jewish community.
A recent statistic estimated that one in five Jewish families are affected, yet we have not progressed very far in removing the stigma and sense of shame that many people feel. For awhile the Central Conference of American Rabbis had its own health plan. Clearly both as a national community and as a congregation, this can be one of our growth areas. I am pleased this evening to present before the congregation, three individuals of exceptional sensitivity, knowledge and courage, to speak with us. I hope that the learnings from this panel discussion will inform our Caring committee and our congregational culture in the year ahead.