“At ‘Amen Meals’ It’s Me and God” Religion and Gender: A New Jewish Women’s Ritual

New ritual practices performed by Jewish women can serve as test cases for an examination of the phenomenon of the creation of religious rituals by women. These food-related rituals, which have been termed ‘‘amen meals’’ were developed in Israel beginning in the year 2000 and subsequently spread to Jewish women in Europe and the United States. This study employs a qualitative-ethnographic methodology grounded in participant-observation and in-depth interviews to describe these nonobligatory, extra-halakhic rituals. What makes these rituals stand out is the women’s sense that through these rituals they experience a direct con- nection to God and, thus, can change reality, i.e., bring about jobs, marriages, children, health, and salvation for friends and loved ones. The ‘‘amen’’ rituals also create an open, inclusive woman’s space imbued with strong spiritual–emotional energies that counter the women’s religious marginality. Finally, the purposes and functions of these rituals, including identity building and displays of cultural capital, are considered within a theoretical framework that views ‘‘doing gender’’ and ‘‘doing religion’’ as an integrated experience

Nutritional Outcomes One Year after One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Compared to Sleeve Gastrectomy

One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) and Sleeve Gastrectomy (SG) are the most common bariatric procedures performed worldwide. SG is a restrictive procedure whereas OAGB involves malabsorption as well, supposing a risk of deficiency development post OAGB. The aim of the study was to compare nutritional deficiencies and metabolic markers one year after the procedures, while adhering to the current protocols. Retrospective analysis was performed for data on 60 adults undergoing primary OAGB, compared to 60 undergoing primary SG. Mean pre-surgery BMI for SG was 42.7 kg/m2 and 43.3 kg/m2 for OAGB. A multidisciplinary team followed up with the patients at least 3 times during the first year. Mean weight loss was 39.0 kg for SG and 44.1 kg for OAGB. The OAGB group presented a significantly sharper decline in T.Chol and a trend for sharper LDL decrease; a higher increase in folate and a trend for a greater decrease in albumin and hemoglobin were observed in OAGB. For vitamin B12, D, iron and ferritin, no difference was observed between the treatment groups, although there were some in-group differences. Nutritional recommendations and adopted supplement plans minimize the risk of deficiencies and result in improvement in metabolic biomarkers one year after OAGB, which was comparable to SG