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Mission Statement
The National Association of Chevra Kadisha, NASCK, founded in 1996
as Association of Chevros Kadisha, inc., was created in order to form a
united and cohesive group of Jewish Burial Societies in the United States
and Canada, dedicated to traditional Jewish burial practices. It acts as
an umbrella organization to assist affiliated groups in defining,
establishing, and achieving the highest degree of Kovod Hames as defined
by Jewish law.The activities of NASCK include:
- Registry of Chevra Kadisha – Creating a
registry of Chevros Kadisha, in the US and Canada in order to assist
Chevros Kadisha, the clergy and the community to locate, communicate and
work with other Chevros Kadisha, both pre-need and at-need.
- Education and Outreach to the Community-at-Large
– Explaining the work of the Chevra Kadisha and the importance, meaning
and beauty of traditional Jewish burial practices such as in-ground
burial, Tahara, Tachrichim, etc.
- Chevra Kadisha Training, Seminars & Conferences
– Training individuals in the laws and hands-on techniques and
procedures of Chevra Kadisha involvement in the hospital, funeral home,
house of Shiva, etc. Local & regional conferences providing
inspirational lectures, workshops and informational programming
utilizing many media forms.
- Website, Newsletter, Educational Material –
Maintaining an active webpage and publishing a newsletter, pamphlets,
and other material discussing issues of Jewish law, current practices,
and all matters relating to burial in Halacha. Serving as a resource to
clergy, Chevros Kadisha, funeral homes, cemeteries, all health-related
agencies providing end-of-life services, and the community-at-large by
providing support and education, facilitating networking, and sharing
information and experience.
- Establishing New Chevros Kadisha – Helping in
the establishment and development of new Chevros Kadisha in
congregational and communal settings. Assisting in setting standards and
recommended practices.
- Halachic Hotline – Creating and maintaining a
Halachic hotline for the purpose of answering questions from clergy or
Chevra Kadisha members that arise prior to or during the Tahara process.
- Tracking, Developing & Assessing Legal Issues
– Developing and supporting legislative initiatives that assist the work
and goals of traditional Jewish burial practices and maintaining a watch
for any legislative initiatives that could be hurtful to such goals.
- Creation & Development of Programs – Creating
specific innovative programs geared to reducing the incidence of
cremation, assisting in the burial of the indigent, and generally
guiding Jewish people to traditional burial choices. Utilizing the NASCK
network to see these programs advanced, taught, adopted and supported
nationally.
- Burying the Indigent (Mes Mitzvah) –
Developing a North American network for addressing Jewish people who are
indigent and/or without family to make sure they are buried quickly and
in accordance with Jewish law.
- Grief & Bereavement – Helping the clergy and
Chevra Kadisha members deal with their own emotions and the counseling
of others with whom they interact. Utilizing the time of grief and
bereavement to introduce and teach Jews the basic tenets of our faith.
Rabbinic Board
- Rabbi Tzvi Flaum
- Rabbi Yehuda Kelemer
- Rabbi Herschel Schachter
- Rabbi Peretz Steinberg
- Rabbi Dovid Weinberger
- Rabbi Herschel Welcher
Officers
- PRESIDENT:
Rabbi Elchonon Zohn - Richmond Hill, New York
- FIRST VICE PRESIDENT: Dr. Philip Abramowitz
- Brooklyn, New York
- VICE PRESIDENT:
Rabbi Kalman Baumann - Miami, Florida
- TREASURER:
Richard Miller - West Hempstead, New York
- SECRETARY:
Tovah Kirschner - Cincinnati, Ohio
Staff
- Rabbi Avi Schoemann - Associate Director
- Lisa Lederer - Executive Director
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