On Sunday, May 4, the Kew Gardens Synagogue filled with community members for a presentation by Chayim Aruchim, an organization dedicated to guiding Torah-observant families through the complex challenges of end-of-life medical care.
Moderated by Rabbi Daniel Pollack, a steadfast community askan, the event drew a strong turnout from locals eager to gain a deeper understanding of halachic responsibilities in medical decision-making. Rabbi Ephraim Tanenbaum opened the evening by highlighting the essential role Chayim Aruchim plays in supporting frum families during some of life’s most difficult moments.
Rabbi Naftali Katz, a rav on the machon of Chayim Aruchim, delivered the first address, detailing the organization’s efforts to assist families facing end-of-life decisions. He noted that Chayim Aruchim handles over 10,000 calls annually and works closely with major hospital systems throughout New York, New Jersey, and beyond. Rabbi Katz emphasized the halachic imperatives surrounding nutrition and hydration, stressing that these obligations remain even when dealing with elderly or cognitively impaired patients.
Rabbi Katz also spoke movingly about the evolving relationship between doctors and frum patients, noting a shift in the medical field from a focus on preserving life at all costs to prioritizing “quality of life” care. While comfort and pain relief are important, a frum Jew’s decisions must always align with the sanctity of life. “At Chayim Aruchim, we strive to collaborate with the medical team,” Rabbi Katz said. “By respectfully and clearly sharing our faith-based perspectives, we often find that medical professionals are willing to support our values.”
Rabbi Asher Millman, Assistant Director at Chayim Aruchim, then addressed the halachic and ethical concerns associated with premature or inappropriate Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders, warning that they can inadvertently lead to reduced care and conflict with halachah. He also discussed the delicate balance between pain management and life preservation in palliative care, advocating for thoughtful, halachically informed decisions.
Concluding the presentations, Rabbi Aryeh Rockove, co-rav at Khal Nachlas Avos, urged community members to remain vigilant about the subtle influence of societal norms – even on observant Jews. He stressed the importance of consulting rabbinic authorities to ensure that medical decisions align with halachah.
The evening concluded with a dynamic Q&A session featuring Rabbi Katz, Rabbi Millman, and halachic medical expert Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, Director of the Chevrah Kadisha of the VHQ and Founder and President of NASCK. Attendees received NYS medical directives and informational pamphlets, offering practical guidance for navigating these complex issues.
Community members expressed their gratitude for the presentation, describing it as both enlightening and essential. Many called for similar sessions in other communities to further raise awareness and provide halachic guidance on end-of-life care.
A larger program is, im yirtzeh Hashem, being planned for the greater Central Queens Jewish community this summer, to be held in Kew Gardens Hills, aiming to reach an even broader audience and continue this important conversation.
