News

(Please recite Psalms 20, 30, 88, 121, and 130.) Chaim Yehudi ben Leah

Tinok ben Moriah Temimah

Dr. Tehila Zuckerman, MD, Chief of the Division of Rheumatology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Queens, shared a comprehensive lecture on soft tissue pain in arthritis at Congregation Etz Chaim on Tuesday evening, January 14, on behalf of the Navigating the Medical System Lecture Series.

It happened on Shabbos morning during kriyas haTorah at the Heythrop Hotel and Resort near Oxford, England. From my spot in the middle of the beis medrash, I noticed something out of the ordinary going on next to the sefer Torah. I couldn’t, however, figure out what it was. Suddenly, I heard a resounding “Amen.” The faces of those close to the bimah showed a combination of surprise and emotion. I knew I had to find out what remarkable incident had just transpired.

The conversation is growing. The fifth annual TEAM Shabbos was held on Shabbos VaY’chi, January 11, and rabbis in over 525 shuls and more than 225 communities across North America enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to discuss end-of-life issues. TEAM stands for Traditional End-of-Life Awareness Movement, and TEAM Shabbos, a project of NASCK (the National Association of Chevra Kadisha), encourages and empowers an estimated 100,000 people to have these difficult but essential conversations.

Emet Outreach is committed to building Jewish families and ensuring the Jewish future. Each year, the organization guides over 50 couples to the chupah, and it is typical for Emet’s dedicated staff to have the z’chus to attend a wedding almost every week. Emet’s involvement continues after marriage, as the rabbis and m’karvos are actively supporting over 350 couples with halachah and taharas ha’mishpachah assistance. In recognition of the fact that an emotionally healthy couple is the foundation of every Jewish family, Emet has now introduced a new series of couples workshops.

Someone – maybe a friend or even a family member – has cardiac arrest right before your eyes. His heart has stopped beating and he requires immediate attention. What do you do?