Vital facts facing the Jewish community today: - Health care in the US is changing rapidly.
- Without a Health Care Proxy and a Halachic Living Will, decisions may be made by hospital staff and ethics committees that are contrary to one's wishes and to Halachah.
- Many Jews are uninformed or confused about traditional burial and funeral choices.
- Cremation and above-ground burial are becoming increasingly popular, if not among our members, certainly in the extended family of even our most observant congregants.
Shabbos Parshas Vayechi is an ideal time for education and discussion of these difficult, yet fundamental, topics. The Parsha's theme of "Chesed Shel Emes" provides a unique opportunity to initiate a dialogue on various aspects of Kovod Hames, including: - K'vurah B'karkah
- Taharah
- Tachrichim
- Shmirah
- Kriah
The Parshah also introduces the concepts of illness and making a Tzava'ah to children, which lend themselves to discussions of end-of-life care as well as advance directives and wills. We urge Rabbonim and educators everywhere to utilize this Shabbos to its fullest by devoting their sermons and educational forums to these important and timely topics. It is an opportunity to expound on how these basic traditions reflect the most profound and core beliefs of Judaism. It is also an opportunity to suggest that our congregants guide their extended family or circle of acquaintances to ensure that they will make proper choices after 120 years. This is our modern day version of "Mes Mitzvah."
Suggested Topics of Interest for a Sermon, Lecture or Program: - Halachic living wills (Agudah or RCA).
- Jewish Hospice care and end-of-life medical decisions
- Discussing end of life issues with our children as a way of addressing the Jewish views of both life and death.
- The NASCK EMES Card. Bring the Campaign to your community.
- Buying graves in advance of need -- here or in Israel.
- Chesed-Shel-Emes - Genuine Chesed as defined by timeless (Toras) Emes - why we Jews do what we do.
- Organ Donation - signing donor cards.
- Making a will, and doing so K'Halachah.
- The modern day "Mes Mitzvah" - Getting involved before an uninformed Jew dies.
For information about the EMES Card campaign and educational materials or to view a documentary on the EMES Card, visit us at JOIN NASCK IN DEDICATING THIS SHABBOS VAYECHI TO THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. |
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