About Us
Why “Atzmi”?
Atzmi, Hebrew עצמי (from root עצם), my essence, my substance, my self.
Dedicated to empowering our girls in appreciating their unique selves.
Who are we?
Executive Board
Dr. Marcy Forta EdD, MBA
Director and Founder of Atzmi
Her doctoral research focused on the risk factors unique to the Jewish orthodox adolescent female community. As a leading authority on eating disorder education and awareness within the Jewish Orthodox Adolescent Community, she writes and lectures extensively about eating disorder awareness and prevention.
Dr. Forta is a Body Project Facilitator, a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, and consults with educators and parents.
Rabbi Larry Rothwachs
Board Member
Rabbi Larry Rothwachs, a licensed social worker, has served as rabbi at Congregation Beth Aaron in Teaneck, NJ since August 2002. Rabbi Rothwachs is a graduate of Yeshiva College, the Azrieli School of Jewish Education, and the Wurzweiler School of Social Work and received his semicha from the Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary. From 1998 through 2016, Rabbi Rothwachs taught Talmud at Yeshiva University High School for Boys and the Rosenbaum Yeshiva of North Jersey and he currently serves as head rabbi of Camp Morasha. In April 2016, he was appointed Director of Professional Rabbinics at RIETS at Yeshiva University. In January 2023, Rabbi Rothwachs was appointed as the founding rabbi of Meromei Shemesh, a new community, currently under construction, in Ramat Bet Shemesh.
Temimah Zucker, LCSW
Board Member
Temimah Zucker, LCSW is a psychotherapist working with those in NY, NJ, SC, and CT. She specializes in supporting those who struggle with eating disorders, disordered eating, body image dissatisfaction, and general mental health concerns from a weight-inclusive approach. Temimah writes a column in the Jewish Link of NJ and speaks nationally on these subjects and has taught graduate courses on the subject of eating disorders at her alma mater, the Wurzweiler School of Social Work. Temimah is also a consultant at Monte Nido where she worked as Assistant Clinical Director of the NY site.
Mimi Trenk
Board Member
Mimi Trenk is an attorney by education and a Certified Life Coach by profession. Trained by the School of Transformational Healing and the Dina Friedman Academy, Mimi’s goal is to empower her clients to step into their greatness. Utilizing a variety of healing and manifestation techniques, Mimi guides her clients towards living the life they truly desire. She lives in Clifton, NJ, with her husband and 5 children.
Advisory Board
Sara Eisemann, LMSW, ACSW
Founding Board Member
Clinical therapist who resides in Oak Park, MI. She received her Master’s in Social Work at Wayne State University over 30 years ago.
Sara practiced individual, group, and marital therapy at Jewish Family Service of Detroit. She was a member of Windows, the domestic violence prevention program at JFS. She started a private practice at the Birmingham-Maple Clinic.
Sara is a trained Core Mentor as well as a certified dating coach, lecturer on topics of Torah, authenticity, and relationships. She is the author of MatchQuest, a dating advice column in Mishpacha magazine.
Rabbi Yarden Blumstein
Founding Board Member
Teens mentor who works on teen mental health awareness and empowers teens to support one another in school and their lives.
Rabbi Blumstein facilitates workshops for teens and adults teaching them practical intervention skills and develops community-wide support networks.