Dignity for the Body, Peace for the Soul, an informational brochure explaining traditional Jewish Burial concepts.
Jewish Burial Wishes, a form where you can express your wishes for a traditional Jewish Burial. This form also contains all the pertinent information needed at the time of your passing.
To order this free brochure call us at (718) 847-6280

Get an After Life:
A fascinating introduction to traditional Jewish burial practices
Presented by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, at Chabad Lubavitch of Wisconsin.
Launch Video

Rabbi Shafier from TheShmuz.com
Presents a lecture about
Kavod Hames
Click to listen

Maintaining the Halachic, religious integrity of cemeteries affects many Chevros Kadisha and the entire Jewish community and is often fraught with conflicting interests and views.
Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families
Forward - June 09, 2010

Cemetery vandalism, often an expression of anti-Semitism, is unfortunately prevalent in Europe and parts of the US as well. Although this article is focused on Israel, where the responsibility is at least shared by government agencies, it highlights the need for every cemetery and Chevra Kadisha to be sensitive to this serious issue and address it, proactively if possible.
My Shocking Visit to Har Hazeisim
Hamodia - June 23, 2010

Jewish Tombstone Found On Sidewalk In Manhattan Leads To Mystery Solved
emunahmagazine.com - July, 2010

Autopsies and the Jewish Law
www.vosizneias.com
In almost every venue or endeavor, American citizens generally ... (read more)

Israel Faces Grave Outlook for Burial Space
Reuters - August 3, 2009
Israel is running out of space to bury...(read more)

Chronicle of a Death We Can't Accept
The New York Times - November 1, 2009
At a funeral directors' conference recently...(read more)

A Day in the life of ...
Hamodia - September 30, 2009 - Reprinted with permission

Burning Issue
jewishworldreview.com - February 2007

Societal influences affect us in many ways. Sadly, the end-of-life choices made by many American Jews are a reflection of the secular culture. Often, they are ignorant of the richness, the meaning, and the beauty of our own traditions. This series of articles addresses this issue in a meaningful way.

	It’s my funeral and I’ll serve ice cream if I want to John Leland, New York Times, July 20, 2006
	No ice cream at my funeral Bassi Gruen, OU Shabbat Shalom, December 24, 2008
	He wouldn't be caught dead in a shroud Rabbi Elchonon Zohn Founding Director NASCK, OU Shabbat Shalom, January 7, 2009

The $25 million funeral
Mishpacha Magazine - December 21, 2005- Reprinted with permission

Landmark Autopsy Ruling may open the door for new legislation in Texas
A landmark decision was handed down in Houston, Texas last week as a judge ruled in favor of upholding the right of a Jewish family... (read more)

Burial vs. Cremation
The unfortunate prevalence and recent increase in the incidence of cremation among Jewish people has recently been the focus of many articles in the media, both secular and Jewish. The following are a number of informative articles that address this issue from different perspectives.  The knowledge and understanding of this issue is of importance to all Jews, particularly those involved in Chevra Kadisha.

Jewish Week- June 24, 2009
Jewish Journal- May 27, 2009
JTA- June 8, 2009
Mishpacha Magazine - June 24, 2009 - Reprinted with permission

Kivrei Tzaddikim in America
By Yosef Gesser, January 21, 2009
(reprinted with permission from the daily Hamodia (718) 853-9094)

Visiting kivrei tzaddikim affords us an opportunity to forge a link with the Gedolim and tzaddikim of the past... (read more)

The Halachic Living Will
The current debate regarding health care reform will very likely impact on the health care decision making processes facing all of us and our families. It is not only the concern of the elderly and their families since, unfortunately, we all know that illness or accident can affect any family at any time. In light of this, it is of extreme importance that everyone fill out a Halachic Living Will which is designed to ensure that all medical and post-death decisions made by others on your behalf will be made in accordance with your wishes and the with the proper guidance of Jewish law and custom (Halacha).

RCA Version   Guidelines

Agudath Israel Version

Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains (in New York State)
This form will allow a person to appoint an agent who will have the legal right to make decisions and carry them out. (read more)

Conflict, Coroners, Common Ground
Mishpacha Magazine - July 18, 2007 - Reprinted with permission
The Illinois Coroners and Medical Examiners Association will be among the nations first to view a new PowerPoint presentation on the "Jewish view of Dignity of the Deceased..." (read more)

Divining Death’s Cause: “Virtual Autopsies” with 3-D Images
This procedure provides a way to avoid the traditional autopsy of cutting the body and using a new procedure with MRIs and Cat Scans. The issue of Virtual Autopsy (examination of a deceased person by CT and MRI) is gaining interest and recognition in many parts of the US and around the world. It holds great promise for us as an adjunct to a very limited autopsy or as an alternative to invasive dissection as the individual case may require.

ABC News 2/21/2009

US News and World Report 9/3/2006 

Hamodia September 17, 2009

7 Funeral Directors Plead Guilty to Selling Body Parts
Wednesday October 18, 2006 Associated Press
Seven funeral home directors linked to a scheme to plunder corpses and sell the body parts for transplants have secretly pleaded guilty to undisclosed charges, prosecutors announced Wednesday. (read more)

The Do Not Rely Order You Should Give: The Need to Prepare a Halachic Living Will
RABBI HERSCHEL WELCHER Rav, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel
Launch Video

When there is a Will there is a Halachic Way"
Welcome and Introduction RABBI FABIAN SCHONFELD Rav, Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills
RABBI NOACH ISAAC OELBAUM Rav, Congregation Nachlas Yitzchok DeHumna
Launch Video

A Grave Mistake
chabad.org
Administering cemeteries is a great responsibility. However, sometimes a Greater Power makes up for our mistakes....(read article) 

Care Package to Heaven
aish.com
How to honor a parent who is no longer alive.

Chronicle of a Death We Can't Accept
The New York Times - November 1, 2009
At a funeral directors' conference recently...(read more)

The Final Kindness
Mishpacha, September 16, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Immortality of the Soul
Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Confronting Cremation
The Forward
At first glance, the two sides of the Jewish cremation dilemma seem clear. (read more)

Care Package to Heaven
aish.com
How to honor a parent who is no longer alive.

A Dry Run with Death
A practical, 12-point checklist to prepare for the inevitable.
The call came from my mother...(read more)

Rabbi Elchonon Zohn responds to an article that underscores the burgeoning epidemic of cremation in the Jewish community.

Laws, Not Taboos - Rabbi Zohn's Response
Burying the Last Taboo (original article)

Applying “The Last Lecture” - Courtesy of Aish.com
If you had one last lecture to give before you died, what would it be? (read more)

Societal influences affect us in many ways. Sadly, the end-of-life choices made by many American Jews are a reflection of the secular culture. Often, they are ignorant of the richness, the meaning, and the beauty of our own traditions. This series of articles addresses this issue in a meaningful way.

	It’s my funeral and I’ll serve ice cream if I want to John Leland, New York Times, July 20, 2006
	No ice cream at my funeral Bassi Gruen, OU Shabbat Shalom, December 24, 2008
	He wouldn't be caught dead in a shroud Rabbi Elchonon Zohn Founding Director NASCK, OU Shabbat Shalom, January 7, 2009

What is a Jewish Funeral? A Comprehensive Explanation of Shmira (Watching) and K'vrua B'Karka (In-ground Burial)

English
Russian

What is a Jewish Funeral? A Comprehensive Explanation of Tahara and Tachrichim

English
Russian

What is a Jewish Funeral? A General Overview of Traditional Burial Practices
Tahara – the traditional preparation
The traditional washing and dressing of the deceased with dignity... (read more)

Interesting and Informative Books - a bibliography
Reading List for Chevra Kadisha - a brief list of books in English that cover different aspects of a death, consolation, and Chevra Kadisha. (read more)

Maintaining the Halachic, religious integrity of cemeteries affects many Chevros Kadisha and the entire Jewish community and is often fraught with conflicting interests and views.
Cemeteries Are Becoming New Challenge for Interfaith Families
Forward - June 09, 2010

Cemetery vandalism, often an expression of anti-Semitism, is unfortunately prevalent in Europe and parts of the US as well. Although this article is focused on Israel, where the responsibility is at least shared by government agencies, it highlights the need for every cemetery and Chevra Kadisha to be sensitive to this serious issue and address it, proactively if possible.
My Shocking Visit to Har Hazeisim
Hamodia - June 23, 2010

Israel Faces Grave Outlook for Burial Space
Reuters - August 3, 2009
Israel is running out of space to bury...(read more)

The Final Kindness
Mishpacha, September 16, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Respect for A Sacred Society
Rabbi Elchonon Zohn
An elite club existed in the European shtetl, the membership of which ... (read more)

Agudah Ohio Office Holds Autopsy Forum With Columbus Coroners
The Chevra Kadisha often interacts with Medical Examiners advocating on behalf of families. Much has been done across the country by Agudath Israel and others to further this cause.
Daily Hamodia, March 25, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Landmark Autopsy Ruling may open the door for new legislation in Texas
A landmark decision was handed down in Houston, Texas last week as a judge ruled in favor of upholding the right of a Jewish family... (read more)

Reb Yaakov Kaminetzky ZT'L's Definition of a Meis Mitzvah
Rabbi Elchonon Zohn Director, Chevra Kadisha, Vaad Harabonim of Queens
Launch Video

The Tahara Process
This video walks us through the tahara process start to finish. (It is preceded by a one minute OU Radio ad.)
Launch Video

Dignity for the Body, Peace for the Soul, an informational brochure explaining traditional Jewish Burial concepts.
Jewish Burial Wishes, a form where you can express your wishes for a traditional Jewish Burial. This form also contains all the pertinent information needed at the time of your passing.
To order this free brochure call us at (718) 847-6280

The Halachic Living Will

The current debate regarding health care reform will very likely impact on the health care decision making processes facing all of us and our families. It is not only the concern of the elderly and their families since, unfortunately, we all know that illness or accident can affect any family at any time. In light of this, it is of extreme importance that everyone fill out a Halachic Living Will which is designed to ensure that all medical and post-death decisions made by others on your behalf will be made in accordance with your wishes and the with the proper guidance of Jewish law and custom (Halacha).

RCA Version   Guidelines

Agudath Israel Version

Appointment of Agent to Control Disposition of Remains (New York State)
This form will allow a person to appoint an agent who will have the legal right to make decisions and carry them out. (read more)

N.Y. Family Health Care Decisions Act - some implications
matzav.com
In an ominous new development, N.Y. State law has now vastly expanded the authority of health care providers to “pull the plug”... (read more)

Jewish woman's burial wish a point of contention
There are many critical reasons for a living will.  Here is another we don’t often consider…
Post-Gazette.com - Dec 23, 2009
Burying loved ones is never easy, but...(read more)

Industrial robot hones virtual autopsies
NewScientist.com - October 27, 2009
The small industrial robot that dominates the room is in many ways...(read more)

Even in Death, Budget Cuts Take a TollThe Wall Street Journal- January 24, 2011
Government budget cuts have reached the potter's field...(read more)

The Unfortunate Case of Ethel Baar:
No Burial for Ethel Baar, Rules Judge Solomon
Hamodia - January, 2011
Reprinted with permission

From Dust to Ashes
Mishpacha - January, 2011
Reprinted with permission

Last Rights
Ami - January, 2011
Reprinted with permission

Reviving a Ritual of Tending to the Dead
New York Times - December, 2010
Like most, the Park Slope burial society... (read more)

What the 7th of Adar means to us
5townsjewishtimes.com
An important day in the Jewish calendar... (read more)

A Day in the life of ...
Hamodia, September 30, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Rabbi Elchonon Zohn Visits San Jose
In an inspiring and informative trip, Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha, head of the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, visited the Bay Area to discuss topics related to the organization’s work. (read more)
Hamodia, June 17, 2009 reprinted with permission

Agudah Ohio Office Holds Autopsy Forum With Columbus Coroners
The Chevra Kadisha often interacts with Medical Examiners advocating on behalf of families. Much has been done across the country by Agudath Israel and others to further this cause.
Daily Hamodia, March 25, 2009
Reprinted with permission

Council Testimony: Budget Cuts Could Delay Some Burials
Do you know if your Medical Examiner will be able to address your needs, r”l, should it be necessary? New York State Medical Examiners have been targeted for huge budget cuts. The Jewish community has lobbied for these cuts to be re-instated.
Daily Hamodia, March 26, 2009
Reprinted with permission