Chevra Kadisha Newsletter

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A Periodical of Awareness and Communication on Chevra Kadisha-Related Matters In This Issue NASCK Launches EMES Card Campaign Editorial Halachah - Customs Corner News At Nasck: What We Are Doing Pichifkes & Takanos Sponsors PARKSIDE SCHWARTZ BROTHERS SINAI CHAPELS  New Recommended Resource CREMATION OR BURIAL? A Jewish view By: Doron Kornbluth For more details or to purchase - click here   Forward this Newsletter We hope you find our newsletter informative. Please forward this issue to all your chevra members and encourage them to subscribe and receive our newsletter directly.     Subscribe to our Newsletter JOIN THE EMES CARD CAMPAIGN Have your shul or community join the EMES Card Campaign (read more) Resources  View EMES card  Issues of Concern View poster and Letter of Support  EMES Card Campaign Instructions    Quick Links    REGISTER YOUR CHEVRA   VISIT US AT NASCK.ORG    VOLUME II / ISSUE 1             September 2012/ Elul, 5772       We wish our friends, Chevra Kadisha members and all of K'lal Yisrael   K'siva V'Chasima Tova A Happy and Sweet New Year   NASCK LAUNCHES EMES CARD CAMPAIGN An Urgent Project for all Jews     NASCK has launched a national initiative that commenced with the beginning of Selichos. The goal is to encourage every adult Jew to first designate a Health Care Proxy and create a Halachic Living Will and then fill out and sign the "EMES Card". The "EMES" (Emergency Medical Education and Signup) Card attaches to one's license in a special plastic sleeve. This card addresses a number of extremely important issues of concern to the Jewish community.  In the event of a medical emergency, the EMES card will be found and advise medical personnel with contact information for their Health Care Proxy and Rabbi listed in their Halachic Living Will. Furthermore, the EMES Card is a legal document providing important information regarding one's post-mortem care and wishes.   This project is supported by Agudath Israel, NCYI, OU and RCA.  It recommends Shuls across the country dedicate a day to educate their members and help instruct them to fill out and sign the EMES Card along with a Halachic Living Will. To view the EMES card - click here Issues of Concern The Card addresses - click here To view poster and Letter of Support - click here For EMES Card Campaign Instructions - click here   To bring this campaign to your Shul & community - click here EDITORIAL D'varim M'Rosh - Director's Message Rabbi Elchonon Zohn  The new year of 5773 is almost here.  In making a full assessment of our personal achievements and shortcomings, a חשבון הנפש, a review of our communal commitment to חסד של אמת is appropriate as well.  בע''ה, the Chevra Kadisha community keeps getting stronger, in numbers of those involved, in proficiency and in the scope of its work.  Nevertheless, I believe one area that deserves closer examination is the extent of the outreach we do in our communities to encourage קבורה כהלכה. When describing the prominence Moshe gave to the work of transporting the remains of Yosef from Egypt, the Talmud applies the passage from Proverbs:"חכם לב יקח מצוות" - "the wise of heart grasp Mitzvos".  The Mitzvah of giving honor to the dead is chosen by the "wise of heart".(read more)   HALACHAH - CUSTOMS CORNER Addressing Important Issues Relevant to Chevros Kadisha  Rabbi Avraham Steinberg   The "Preferred Taharah": Pouring or Mikvah?   It is a great obligation upon the heads of the chevros kadisha to oversee meticulously...and not to stray even a little bit [from the accepted customs], for even if a custom is "little" in our eyes, it is "big" in Heaven, and it may be very important for the merit of the deceased... (Chochmas Adam, Hanhagas Chevra Kadisha, Introduction)   The Question After the initial washing of the niftar, the Chevra Kadisha performs what the Poskim refer to as the "main taharah" - the primary cleansing, or, more precisely, "purification." As many involved in Chevra Kadisha are aware, there are two common ways in which this taharah is performed. Some pour water over the nifter/es, while others immerse the nifter/es in a mikvah. Some do both. Which is preferred? What is the Halachic and historic background behind the divergence of practices? (read more)    NEWS AT NASCK: WHAT WE ARE DOING  The Modern-day Mes Mitzvah and the EMES Card   Recently, NASCK received calls from a few Lakewood residents who had developed close business and personal relationships with a non-affiliated, "traditional" Jewish man. They had many discussions about religion with him over the years, but never about the Jewish approach to end-of-life issues.   Upon his death, his friends were horrified to learn that he had agreed to be cremated. After long discussions with one of his friends and a rabbi, his wife was persuaded to have him buried in his family plot. Sadly, one of his children refused, and he was, indeed, cremated.(read more)    PICHIFKES AND TAKANOS Preparing an Aron Efficiently "The Seven S's"  Preparing an Aron is an important part of the Tahara process.  There are many points to consider that will ensure the greatest Kovod Hames.    Here are some suggestions.  To make it easier to remember, you may want to think of the "Seven S's". Our Sages say that it is good to create mnemonics to remember important things (See Tractate Shabbos, 104a - "Simanin Aseh BaTorah...).   Before preparing the Aron:(read more) RESOURCES AND EDUCATION Need a mishnayos sign-up sheet? Nichum Aveilim sign for the shiva home?  We've recently updated our website with many resources that are very useful. Click the following link to see more of what our website has to offer http://nasck.org/edu_general.htm SPONSORS Funeral Homes Servicing the Jewish Community in Queens        Parkside        Schwartz Brothers    Sinai Chapels    COMMENTS? QUESTIONS?  Do you have a comment or question that you would like NASCK to address? We are always happy to hear your comments. Email us at contact@nasck.org      National Association of Chevra Kadisha   85-18 117th Street  Richmond Hill, NY 11418   718-847-6280   contact@nasck.org www.nasck.org Is your Chevra stocked up on tahara supplies?  Check out our supplies page at www.nasck.org   Free shipping on all orders over $100

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Download Yeshiva University's newest Rosh Hashana To-Go 5773

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Download Rosh Hashana To-Go 5773, a special edition featuring the Rabbinic Alumni of RIETS, which contains the following articles:
	Repentance Beyond Sin Rabbi Dr. Norman Lamm, RIETS '51 (Chancellor and Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva University) The Delicate Balance in Creation Rabbi Edward Davis, RIETS '70 (Rabbi, Young Israel of Hollywood) Of Fertility and Faith Rabbi Dr. Zalman Levine RIETS '91 (Reproductive Endocrinologist, Medical Co-Director, Fertility Institute of NJ & NY) Teshuvah and the Psychology of Change Rabbi Dr. Alex Mondrow, RIETS '02 (Rebbe and Psychologist, Yeshivat Noam Middle School, Paramus, NJ) Is there a Mitzva to do Teshuva? Rabbi Dr. Aaron Ross, RIETS '02 (Assistant Principal, Yavneh Academy, Paramus, NJ) The Enigma of the Prayer Insertions of Aseret Yemai Teshuvah – Rabbi Benzion Scheinfeld, RIETS '88 (Director, Camp Kanfei Nesharim & Director of Student Activities, Magen David Yeshivah) The Minhag of Not Sleeping on Rosh HaShana Rabbi Ezra Schwartz, RIETS '01, Yadin Yadin '08 (Rosh Yeshiva and Bochein, RIETS & Rabbi, Mount Sinai Jewish Center, New York, NY) Our Voices for Our King Rabbi Chaim Strauchler, RIETS '05 (Rabbi, Shaarei Shomayim Congregation, Toronto) Plus 4 years of Rosh Hashana To-Go issues with additional articles and divrei Torah

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