Israeli health advocate to speak at URI

Dr. Rachel Adato

Dr. Rachel Adato, an Israeli doctor, lawyer, politician and former member of the Knesset will speak on “Redefining Standards of Beauty: Israel’s ‘Photoshop Law’ ” on Oct. 23 at URI’s Norman M. Fain Hillel Center. Adato was the first female gynecologist in Jerusalem and also helped pass Israel’s “Photoshop Law,” regulations on the fashion and advertising industry that ban underweight models as determined by Body Mass Index and regulate Photoshop usage in media and advertising.

In an article published in Atlantic magazine in April 2012, Adato explained the legislation and its easy passage simply: eating disorders are an epidemic in Israel, and the government had the responsibility to take action to protect the vulnerable.

“In Israel, there are 1,500 new cases of eating disorders every year, and 10 percent of teenagers suffer from eating disorders,” she told Atlantic reporter, Talya Minsburg. Israel’s population is only 7.5 million, making the high rate especially alarming. “We also know that the first cause of death in the age group of 15-24 is anorexia, so when you hear those numbers, they’re frightening,” she said.

Adato is an outspoken advocate for provisions to make healthy food cheaper and more accessible. She has been instrumental in the administration of other health-related issues, including benefits for disabled veterans, health care for the elderly, and emergency hospital services.

Adato will be speaking following Shabbat dinner at Hillel, 6 Fraternity Circle, Kingston. The dinner begins at 6:15 p.m. with her talk at 7:30 p.m. The talk is free and open to the public. Dinner is free for students and $15 for non-students and reservations are required. Reservations may be made on

the Hillel website: urihillel.org

This event is co-sponsored by URI Hillel, the URI Women’s Center, the Harrington School of Communication and Media, P.I.N.K. Women, URI Center for Nonviolence and Peace Studies, URI Counseling Center, Housing and Residential Life, URI Health Services, Delta Epsilon Mu, and the Student Affairs Diversity Committee, with additional support from the Hillel International Israel Action Program and the Israel on Campus Coalition.

For more information contact Amy Olson at 401-874-2740 or amyolson@uri.edu.