TEAM Shabbos wrap up – Rabbonim

Over 400 Shuls in over 200 cities across North America once again dedicated Parshas Vayechi as TEAM Shabbos. With Drashos, Shiurim, Parshah sheets, news articles and events in communities from coast to coast, an estimated 100,000 thousand people were impacted. It is not too early to plan ahead. Please click here to sign up for the coming TEAM Shabbos. Encourage other Rabbonim and Kiruv workers to join as well.

“The number of people who have been positively affected by this movement is astounding,” said Rabbi Zohn, director of NASCK. “The response has been incredible. There has been a clear and direct impact: People signing Halachic Living Wills, executing wills that are Halachically correct, purchasing plots, joining a Chevra Kadisha, and so on. In truth, there is much more than that. The important message of the inestimable value of life – the significance and beauty of every moment of life – has been explored, expounded upon, and strengthened. The obligation to prepare and help others prepare appropriately for end-of-life – a very difficult topic indeed – is now being openly discussed.”

TEAM Shabbos has led Rabbonim to express their appreciation to NASCK itself and to their own Chevra Kadisha members as well. Rabbi Tzvi Fried, Young Israel of Bedford Bay told us, “NASCK provided a very important venue for people to hear and talk about these sensitive topics in a neutral and responsible manner. Thank you for all your hard work.”

Rabbi Daniel Korobkin, Marah D’Asra of “The BAYT” (Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto), who is a Cohen, stated, “I also had an opportunity this week to meet with some of the members of our Shul’s wonderful Chevra Kadisha. They shared with me the prayer service they perform when washing the Mes, and dressing him or her with the Tachrichim… The sensitivity, the love, the Rachmanus that goes into how the Chevra takes care of the deceased is truly remarkable.”

In turn, the response of the community has been overwhelming. Multiple communities have requested events, either directly with NASCK, or through our guidance. NASCK has also been bombarded with requests for EMES cards and Halachic Living Wills In addition, many calls keep on coming in – from questions about best burial practices to guidance on how to stop a cremation.

Thank you for making TEAM Shabbos a great success. We look forward to increasing the number of Shuls this year and to broaden the focus of the topics. Please assist us with your participation, your ideas, Divrei Torah you contribute or direct us to, etc.