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Rabbi Yehuda {Leonard} Blank MS, BC
Vice President of Professional Development and External Affairs
Chair of the Chaplaincy Commission
Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud HaRabbonim
917-446-2126 rablenblank@gmail.com
==August 20, 2026, 7 Elul==
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Important information from NASCK,
the National Association of Chevra Kadisha.
The Black Oven Made Of Gold and Jewels. Another true story that
emphasizes the value of a person regardless of his or her background.
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“NASCK – The National Association of Chevra Kadisha – is the only organization solely dedicated to supporting Chevros Kadisha. They provide education, guidance, resources, and ongoing support to more than 200 Chevros Kadisha worldwide.
The Chevra Kadisha is a vital part of Jewish communal life, yet many rabbonim and chaplains may not be familiar with some of the practical and halachic complexities that arise.
Kesher Hachaim is NASCK’s newsletter for rabbonim and chaplains. Its purpose is to establish a line of communication between NASCK, rabbonim and chaplains to familiarize them with many halachic and practical challenges that chevros kadisha face, and some of the resources that they provide, enabling them to strengthen kavod hameis in their respective communities.” (Shared by Rabbi Shmuel Fromowitz, Director of Chevra Relations, NASCK)
For a copy of the latest edition of the Kesher Hachaim newsletter click here.
If you would like to subscribe to receive this bi-monthly e-newsletter in your inbox, click here.
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From: TableTalk. Achim, Connecting Jews, Together. Made Possible in part through a grant from the Star-K Vaad Hakashrus. Issue 504 Volume 10, August 2026, Re’eh. The Black Oven Made Of Gold and Jewels. “At a recent simcha, the great-grandfather of the bar-mitzvah boy was a Holocaust survivor. The boy’s father stood up and said, “I want to share an unbelievable story about my grandfather.
“Before the war, my grandfather was a jeweler. He owned gold, silver, and precious gems. When the Nazis began their invasion, he faced a terrifying question: How could he save his valuables? Where could he possibly hide them so they would not be discovered?
Then he had a brilliant idea.
He gathered all his gold and melted it down. He placed the jewels inside the melted gold and formed the entire treasure into the shape of a potbellied oven. Then he painted it black, placed it in a corner of his basement, and made it look like an old, broken oven.
He thought to himself, ‘If only I survive this milchamah, I will return to my house, retrieve the broken oven, and recover my original wealth.’
And kach havah. That is exactly what happened.
He was zoche to survive the war. Afterward, he returned to his hometown and knocked on the door of the neighbor’s yimach shemam, who had taken over his house.
“Don’t be nervous,’ he told them. ‘I do not want the house. I only want the broken oven that is sitting in the basement. It has sentimental value.’ They gladly allowed him to take it. And with that broken, blackened oven, my grandfather recovered all of his original wealth.”
This true story is also a mashal for every man, woman, and child we will ever encounter.
Sometimes, a person has a dark or unattractive covering on the outside. He may not appear pure. His values may seem different from ours. But so often, he cannot be blamed. This is how he was raised, and this is all he has ever known.
Chisel away some of that black paint, and you will discover that beneath the surface is an oven made of pure gold and jewels.
This should give us chizuk to continue reaching out to others. We are simply mining for the gold that is already there.”
{From an address by Rabbi Yaakov Robinson at the Shevatim Mekarvim Conference.}
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We could apply the moral of the story of The Black Oven Made Of Gold and Jewels to all those from diverse spiritual, medical, cultural, language backgrounds and physical looks. We must not be judgmental, but we should have a heart to care for one and all with sincerity. Underneath a person’s façade could be one who is generally a quiet person or there are simply layers of goodness, kindness or even hidden happiness about something special. It is also possible that a person might be hiding under that façade something that is troubling him or her that this person wishes not to disclose with anyone. Of course, it is always important to be empathetic and understanding. As I mentioned above, a person’s diverse background, can be quite different than ours shining another light on an individual’s way of thinking or behaving.
Rabbi Elchonon Zohn’s reputation is known throughout the USA and beyond for his empathy, his kindness, his tremendous understanding of those going through difficult challenges at end of life and with those dealing with chevra kadisha issues. NASCK has been and continues to be a meaningful resource especially for rabbis and chaplains. I personally have been fortunate to have sought his advice, assistance and collaboration on helping Jewish families from diverse backgrounds with their end-of-life concerns and also funeral and burial issues. Rabbi Zohn was also one of the featured presenters at a Rabbinical Alliance of America/Igud Harrabonim’s end of life conference several years ago.
May we all be zoche with our desire to care for everyone with sincerity in order that we will see the coming of Mashiach. May our teshuva be accepted and we should be zoche to have a Kesiva Vechasima Tova and a year filled with Maysim Tovim and sweetness.
Respectfully, Rabbi Yehuda (Leonard) Blank