feature
Another Ritual at Synagogues,
Schools and Camps
Maren Hettler | JTA.org
N o challah on Shabbat for those with celiac
disease or wheat allergies. No cheese-
cake for Shavuot for those with dairy
allergies. No mishloach manot gift packages on Purim
for kids with severe allergies to the treats inside.

Synagogues and other Jewish organizations are
seeing a rise in the number of children and teens
who suffer from food allergies and are adjusting to
make sure that no one is endangered or feels left
out – from nut-free policies to separate gluten-free
kitchens. For some, however, such accommodations aren’t
enough to make them feel part of the mainstream.

“I try not to let it get the best of me, but in the back
of my mind I’m like, ‘Wow, I really wish I could try what
everyone else is trying,’” said Micah Pierandri, 17,
from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who often feels disconnected
from others during community events involving food.

More children and teens are being diagnosed
with food allergies than ever. In 2007, only about 4%
of children in the United States under 18 reported
food allergies, but last year the number more than
doubled. A 2020 review of hospital admissions data
showed a global increase in hospitalizations for
anaphylaxis, a severe and potentially life-threaten-
ing allergic reaction. One study found that 37% of
children in an Orthodox Jewish community had food
allergies. Food allergies can have a significant impact on
a person’s mental health. Up to 40% of parents of
children with allergies said that they would associ-
ate the word “isolating” with their child’s allergy,
24 JUNE 15, 2023 | JEWISH EXPONENT
according to a study by Allergy UK. And while many
synagogues are taking steps to become more aller-
gy-friendly, holidays and religious events involving
food can be a struggle for many children and teens
with food allergies.

“I’m that allergy kid that has to sit out or bring their
own dessert or their own food to events,” Pierandri said.

Pierandri, who has an airborne allergy to peanuts
and severe allergies to pecans, walnuts, soy and
eggs, often brings food to synagogue events. This
can make her feel separated from the rest of the
Jewish community during the holidays, even if her
food is similar to her peers.

Tu Bishvat and Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli
Independence Day, are especially difficult to
celebrate because of the foods that are involved. On
Tu Bishvat, the springtime New Year of the Trees, it’s
customary for people to eat nuts and try fruits that
they haven’t tasted before. For Pierandri, who has
oral allergy syndrome, eating most fruits could cause
an allergic reaction. Many Israeli dishes contain
sesame or nuts, and her mild sesame allergy and
severe nut allergies mean that she struggles to find
foods that are safe for her to eat on Yom Ha’atzmaut,
forcing her to choose between bringing her food or
eating before she goes.

By listing the ingredients in all food dishes at events,
Beth El Temple Center in Belmont, Massachusetts,
makes it easier for people with food allergies to be
included. Around 10% of students at their religious
school have allergies. Though the number hasn’t
changed much over the past few years, it is high
enough that all teachers are notified about students’
allergies, said Joan Perlman, its director of education.

“It’s important to accommodate people with food
allergies because it aligns with our core value of being
an inclusive community,” said Debbie Ezrin, executive
director of Temple Beth Ami in Rockville, Maryland.

To her, inclusivity means making sure that everyone
feels like they belong. Their congregation is a nut-free
facility and works to accommodate people with food
allergies during any event involving food.

“While the synagogue adheres to traditional
Jewish dietary laws, we always ask people to share
their dietary needs and do our best to accommodate
them,” said Rabbi Daniel Kaiman of Congregation
B’nai Emunah, the synagogue that Pierandri attends.

She also feels like her food allergies have stunted
her BBYO experience. “Part of me feels like it’s not
really having food allergies, it’s more like people not
being cautious,” Pierandri said. She’s been to multi-
ple chapter and regional events where there have
been peanuts even though people are aware that
she has an airborne allergy.

“This is one of the areas where we really try to
make sure that we’re accommodating our teens, and
I think it’s a small step we can take towards creating
a supportive, inclusive, welcoming environment,”
said Drew Fidler, director of BBYO’s Center for
Adolescent Wellness.

Like many other organizations, BBYO has seen
an increase in the number of teens with allergies
over the past decade. All of BBYO’s conventions
are peanut and tree nut-free to accommodate teens
with nut allergies, and the organization also offers
vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free meals
by request.

“They just want to participate and feel normal
and be a part of what’s going on,” she said about
members who might feel excluded. At its international
Getty Images; Design by Mollie Suss
Fighting Food Allergies