I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2016, following an unrelated blood test to look into potential allergies. At the time, I wasn’t putting on weight, wasn’t growing and my hair was thinning.

After many tests that followed, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Since diagnosis, I have been on various treatments including Modulen, Steroids, Infliximab infusions, Azathioprine and Adalimumab injections which I am still administering fortnightly today. Over the past few years, despite my Crohn’s Disease being under control, I have suffered from a couple blockages due to a narrow stricture which has resulted in hospitalisation both times. To try and maintain not suffering from a blockage, I am now on a strict low residue diet.

You may think that living with Crohn's Disease could have an impact on my connection to Jewish holidays or traditions, however I find it mostly impacts the way I go about marking the traditions. For example, on my medication I should consume little/no alcohol. It is a tradition every Sabbath to make a prayer over a glass of wine. However, I substitute it for grape juice which works well for me. Due to the dietary requirements, marking the festival of Passover can also be difficult. However, I have found ways to adapt my diet so I can still take part in the festival without letting my IBD suffer.

Since being diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, managing my IBD over Yom Kippur has fluctuated depending on the year. The festival is observed by a 25-hour fast and intensive prayer. In the days leading up to Yom Kippur people ask for forgiveness for any wrongdoing they have done in the previous year. By the end of Yom Kippur, we hope to have been forgiven.

Having spoken to my local Rabbi (Jewish religious leader) it is important to put your health first, therefore it is vital to take the advice of your medical team when it comes to fasting on Yom Kippur. Many Rabbis have told me over the years that taking the guidance of your healthcare team in how to observe Yom Kippur is the best thing to do. 

If fasting doesn't work for you, there are plenty of days to mark Yom Kippur without doing so. As it is seen as the ‘Holiest day of the year’, there are many practices people partake in to observe Yom Kippur. Many Jewish people will not wear leather over the course of the day as well as going to synagogue to take part in services. Others will also not use technology or electricity over the course of the day. Therefore you can still mark it in many ways without fasting.

I want people who come to this blog to understand that it is still possible to observe Yom Kippur without fasting. Do not let your IBD stop you from taking part in Jewish festivals and practices. There are plenty of ways to mark the day whilst still putting your health first!

Also for anyone who is interested, I also wanted to highlight a new network that I've helped set up for Young Jews who live with IBD. The network has been created to bring like-minded people together to chat and share their experiences. If you'd like to find out more or get involved, please message @jewswithibd on Instagram.