Just like most Jewish communities worldwide, our community is feeling the onslaught of diabetes and related health issues in frightening numbers.

It seems that wherever we turn, there is someone telling us about their mother, father, brother or best friend being told by their doctor that it is time to start looking at their diet more seriously! Start watching the carbs, proteins and fats! Forget about cake and candies! Start eating whole grains! Perhaps you should start on medication—there are a variety that we could start with and see what works best for you. There might even be some vitamins that could prove quite helpful.

What about the rest of the family—are they now at high risk for diabetes? Should they all be watching their diets, and getting tested? How often?

The list of questions seems endless and the choices baffling. How did this happen? I exercise. I’ve curbed my smoking—where do I go for answers?

Diabetes both Type 1 and Type 2, in both the young and old, and closely related disorders such as elevated cholesterol, blood pressure and obesity, are among the silent killers that need to be diagnosed and dealt with specifically in the Jewish community. It is no longer a given that when a child is diagnosed with a glucose intolerance problem that it is juvenile diabetes and vice versa. Early diagnosis and the identification of high risk factors for these conditions are recommended in order to prevent the full-fledged development of the disease.

Once diagnosed and the high risk factors are recognized, proper education is necessary to enable appropriate prevention, management and/or treatment.
JDA (Jewish Diabetes Association) has been at the forefront of support and education for more than two decades and is the only health organization devoted to diabetes and health-related education, recognized by government agencies in both the secular and Jewish world. The successes of JDA projects have become renowned both in the US and internationally. This led to the National Institute of Health inviting the JDA to meetings in Washington, DC this past summer to explore common endeavors that will help meet the overwhelming needs of the Jewish community.

In response to the consistent requests for the JDA to resume support and education projects in the tri- state area, we have chosen to begin by offering the first conference of this large scope in Brooklyn this September.

Recognizing the great need for health symposium’s of this scope within the community, the Sephardic Bikur Holim (SBH) and the Sephardic Community Center (SCC) will be co-sponsoring this event. Downstate Medical Center will be joining JDA with health screenings. “One of the most important factors is the education and follow-up,” says Nechama Cohen, founder and Executive Director of JDA since 1985. “It is easy for us to determine who might be running into trouble—but if we do not help them learn to make wise choices, then all we’ve done is scare them and drop them like a sack of potatoes in the ocean. They will sink fast without the proper aid needed to keep afloat in the ocean of advice.

The best consumer is an educated consumer. There are many choices available when the need for lifestyle changes appear. It is our job to bring the options to the people and help them choose which way is best for them. We are all individuals and there is no one way that will work for everyone.

There will be a full program of support including keynote speakers: Dr. Richard K. Bernstein and Prof. Lois Jovanovic (world-renowned physician and researcher in the field of diabetes).

Join us on September 7th and let education ease the burden of the unknown.

For more info, see our ad and/or go to www.jewishdiabetes.org.