Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim Convenes In-Depth Seminar on End of Life and Post Mortem Issues

Queens, New York – The Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim (RAA/IGUD), in collaboration with the Rabbinical Council of America (RCA), the National Council of Young Israel (NCYI), the Orthodox Jewish Healthcare Chaplains Listserv, and the Vaad HaRabonim of Queens (VHQ), convened an essential seminar entitled “Halachic Challenges of the Orthodox Healthcare Jewish Chaplains: End of Life and Post Mortem Issues.” The seminar was held at Congregation Ahavas Yisroel in the Kew Garden Hills section of Queens and brought together a diverse audience from major Orthodox constituencies.

Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, Executive Vice-President of the RAA, expressed gratitude to Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, Vice-President, Professional Development, and External Affairs (RAA), for his exceptional role as moderator and for being the driving force behind the seminar. Rabbi Mirocznik stated, “Rabbi Blank, a veteran chaplain, deeply cares about our rabbis and chaplains. He firmly believes that the RAA must be at the forefront in providing our members with the tools they need to succeed. His dedication to developing and implementing these crucial programs is invaluable to us.”

Rabbi Mirocznik emphasized the seminar’s importance as part of the RAA’s outreach efforts to sister organizations within the Orthodox community. He highlighted that bringing together Orthodox rabbis and chaplains for in-depth professional discussions on complex halachic issues empowers them with essential knowledge and support. He thanked Rabbi Herschel Welcher, Mara Dasra of Congregation Ahvas Yisroel, and President of (VHQ), and Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, Director of Chevrah Kadisha, (VHQ), and President and Founder of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK), for their scholarly presentations. “These two seasoned and respected poskim provided insights that can only be achieved after decades of experience, eagerly sharing their erudite and scholarly Torah thoughts on critical questions of Jewish law and practice concerning end-of-life and post-mortem issues.”

Rabbi Blank commented, “As a board-certified chaplain and former synagogue rabbi, I truly understand the necessity of offering these vital workshops. I am grateful for our partnerships with these key and influential Orthodox rabbinical associations and look forward to our continued collaboration, which will strengthen achdus in Klal Yisrael.”

This seminar is a testament to the RAA’s commitment to enhancing the support and resources available to Orthodox rabbis and chaplains, ensuring they are well-prepared to address the complex halachic issues they encounter in their sacred work.

Pictures after the video

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Names in Pictures

Picture (1) Left to Right, Rabbi Yossi Mendelson, Congregation Machane Chodosh, Flushing, New York; Rabbi Michoel Chazan, director, Chaplaincy Services, Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center, & the Rutland Nursing Home, Brooklyn, New York; Rabbi Tsefania Kreger, chaplain, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital; Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Young Israel of Queens Valley and immediate past-president, VHQ; Rabbi Simcha Silverman, Congregation Etz Chaim of Flatbush and manager of Chaplaincy Services, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, New York; Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, director of Chevrah Kadisha, (VHQ), and president and founder, NASCK; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, vice-president, Professional Development, and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; Rabbi Herschel Welcher, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, and president of (VHQ); and Rabbi Avraham Hecht, Project Lead, past president, VHQ

Picture (2) Left to Right, Rabbi Tsefania Kreger, chaplain, New York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospital; Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, vice-president, Professional Development, and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Herschel Welcher, Congregation Ahvas Yisroel, and president of (VHQ)

Picture (3) Left to Right, Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, vice-president, Professional Development, and External Affairs, RAA; Rabbi Mendy Mirocznik, executive vice-president, RAA; and Rabbi Herschel Welcher, Congregation Ahavas Yisroel, and president of (VHQ)

Picture (4) Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, vice-president, Professional Development, and External Affairs, RAA

Picture (5) Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank, vice-president, Professional Development, and External Affairs, RAA; and Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Young Israel of Queens Valley and immediate past-president, VHQ