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NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009 1

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NAJC 901 Route 10 Whippany, NJ 07981 (973) 929-3168 casekoff@ujcnj.org

On The Lookout For Good DeedsRabbi Lowell Kronick, MHL, BCC, NAJC President

And these are the children of Aaron and Moses…and these are the names of Aaron’s sons….(Numbers 3:1-2).

Rashi addresses a noticeable difficulty in the biblical text. Listed are the sons of Aaron, but in the first verse Moses is mentioned as a progenitor of these children as well. Why is this? Rashi answers that because Moses taught Torah to Aaron’s sons, he is credited as their spiritual father. This instructs us that those who teach Torah to their friend’s child, the Torah regards them as if they brought that child into this world.

This commentary of Rashi should bring nachas to all members and affiliates of NAJC. Each of us—in our own way—represents and teaches Torah to our numerous patients, families, staff members,

volunteers and to the Jewish community that we serve. Thus, we become the spiritual fathers and mothers of these many people. NAJC unites us—parents all—within our noble profession.

So…what do we owe NAJC? A lot! The most important thing that NAJC gives us is credentialed professionalism. NAJC has requirements that applicants for membership and Board-certified membership must meet. It is no small task to satisfy these standards. Doing so helps us cross the line between amateurs and professionals.

NAJC, now nineteen years old, has grown and become an organization to reckon with in collaboration with other major chaplaincy cognate groups. In order to continue its important work on many fronts, NAJC needs our help. I refer to financial support as well as members joining our committees and actively advocating for NAJC in the many communities in which we serve.

You will notice that NAJC, like never before, is expanding its fund-raising initiatives for the

"The Eternal One is the Healer of the broken hearted And the One who binds their sorrow."

A Quarterly Newsletter of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains Vol. 22 No. 4 ~Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

NAJC:

Rabbi Lowell Kronick, President

Rabbi Natan Fenner, President-Elect

Chaplain Sheila Segal, V.P.Rabbi Yaacov Rone, Treasurer

Rabbi Robert Tabak, Secretary

Rabbi Seth Bernstein, Certification

Rabbi Ephraim KarpConference

Rabbi Shira Stern,Immediate Past President

Rabbi Mark GoldfarbNewsletter Editor

Rabbi Charles Rabinowitz,Journal of Jewish Spiritual Care, Editor

Cecille Allman Asekoff, Executive Director

On The Inside:..........Presidentʼs Message 1

.............Treasurer's Report 2.........Continuing Education 3

..........................Thank You 3.............We Have A Winner 3

Chai Campaign .................Contributions 4

Journal on Jewish Spiritual .....Care Call for Articles 5

...........Summit '09 Archives 5

..........Summit '09 Afterglow 6........In Honor Of My Father 7

Pastoral Care & Epidemics 8................Organ Donations 9

............With Our Members 11........Chaplain Happenings 11

New ~yrbx........................ 11.....................NAJC Hotline 12

..............Upcoming Events 12.................Board Members 12

Message From The

President...

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2 NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

continued growth of our Association. Rabbi Judith B. Edelstein, our new Fundraising chair—along with her committee—frequently appeals for donations. We are well aware of the poor condition of the American economy and the fact that some Jewish chaplaincy programs are being cut back. In this environment, it is difficult to solicit donations. We empathize with colleagues who are being hurt by these realities and understand if they are not in a position at this time to respond to fundraising efforts.

As an organization, however, NAJC must think strategically about its future. Some strategies necessitate funding. That is the reason that NAJC appeals to our members and affiliates to help us financially in our efforts to grow the organization. Among our plans for NAJC’s future are:

1.Hire a grant writer 2. Increase office staff as budget permits 3.Develop a task force on fundraising 4.Develop an efficient Publicity Committee 5. Plan and execute Yemei Iyyun in NE, SE, MW,

NW, SW annually 6.Activate Committee on Professional

Chaplaincy for salary survey

7. Establish satellite office in Israel for all programs (Du Siah, seminar, CPE, chaplaincy support)

8.Create specialized e-lists on webpage for peer support

9. Plan and execute mini-conferences on opposite coast from annual conference

10.Appoint Regional Chairs for the NAJC 11.Create and disseminate DVDs and tapes from

conferences 12.Produce Journal twice a year and produce

newsletters 4 times a yearSome of these plans require funding. We cannot

rely totally on volunteers to accomplish all of these tasks. Each of our volunteer-led committees needs funds to do their work.

The Midrash Leviticus Rabbah 21:4 states: “Be like a helmsman—on the lookout for good deeds”. Please assist us in becoming an Association that can meet your professional needs and interests.

Rabbi Lowell KronickRabbi Lowell Kronick

Treasurer's ReportRabbi Yaacov Rone, NAJC Treasurer

I am pleased to report that we seem to be on target to run a deficit of less than the anticipated $14,000 (remember that we did not have our own conference this year which produces income for us). This is due not only to diligence on the part of our staff in expenditures, but also the fundraising efforts of Judith Edelstein. The Chai Campaign has generated income for us.

The downturn in the economy has definitely impacted on our chevre and the institutions that we serve but be assured that we will not let any member be put in the position of having to leave

NAJC. This means more belt tightening for us and I hope that we can continue to at least maintain the present level of services and not deplete our reserves.

If you have any suggestions as to where we might turn for funding, they would be most appreciated.

I look forward to continuing to work with and for all of you.

Rabbi Yaacov RoneRabbi Yaacov Rone

President's Message, from pg. 1

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NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009 3

Some PointersMoshe A. Abramowitz & Charles P. RabinowitzContinuing Education and Peer Review Committee

For those Certified Chaplains who completed and submitted annual reports for 2008 Continuing Education or Peer Review, thank you. We have been in contact with those members who still have reports due.

Board Certification must be “renewed” yearly. If you have not received a letter confirming your certification for 2008 and forward, please contact one of us immediately. CE or PR reports received within the last month will be acknowledged shortly. If you are still working on your 2008 reports, please be aware that certification will not be renewed until all requirements are met. That is what certified members agree to when they go through the process. Please keep current and in touch with us if problems arise.

If you submitted reports electronically (completed them in MSWord or just emailed a report to us), thank you. That is the most efficient method for NAJC. We hope the process worked well and we welcome comments and suggestions. A few points for future submissions:

Continuing Education Summary Report: The second and third pages of the report are for substantiation and record keeping and are really for your use. You do not have to submit them to us. The first page is all that is needed.

Peer Review Summary Report: Some clarification is needed. The Reporting Form is completed by the chaplain being reviewed, not the PR Panel Chair. It is your statement that PR took place and your evaluation of its value and the areas which were helpful. The Chair of the panel completes a summary of the proceedings as indicated in the PR Policy. This is done within two weeks and is sent to the chaplain. It is feedback and review for the chaplain to use in his/her report to NAJC. Since this summary often has more details than we need to see, please do not send it with your report.

After the Yamim Noraim, you should get a reminder letter detailing what actions are needed for your 2009 certification report. Please check the details. Although PR can be done in any year, it is due, at a minimum, every three years. If PR is indicated for 2009, it is the only action that will be accepted for that year. A CE will not suffice. Any questions, please contact us.

Todah Rabbah and have an enjoyable summer.

Rabbi Moshe A. AbramowitzRabbi Moshe A. Abramowitz

Rabbi Charles P. RabinowitzRabbi Charles P. Rabinowitz

Thank YouI want to thank

everyone for the outpouring of concern on the death of my mother, Betty Allman. NAJC has always been a part of my life with my mother and everyone was always understanding when I had to come late, leave early and the constant phone companion to keep me “in touch.” The calls, donations, e-mails, food sent when I was sitting shivah and letters, have truly been a source of comfort to me. I treasure our relationship together and this is only one more example of caring and concern which you all exemplify. Thank you all again.

CecilleCecille Allman AsekoffExecutive Director

We Have A Winner!

Mazel Tov to Judith Edelstein who won the Israel raffle.  Judith will have

$1000 to spend on either air fare or ground

arrangements with ITC Tours.We thank everyone who

purchased a raffle and, in doing so, contributed to our

fund raising efforts!

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4 NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

We are truly grateful to the following contributors to the Chai Campaign:

In Memory of Betty Allman:

Rabbi Sol AginRabbi Seth

BernsteinRabbi Sandy BoginRabbi Stephanie

DicksteinRabbi Tamar

EarnestMr. & Mrs. Dave

EsrigRabbi Mark

GoldfarbChaplain Margaret

GoldsteinRabbi Sandra KatzMarilynn A.

SchneiderRabbi Marion

ShulevitzMr. & Mrs. Danny

TubulRabbi Arnold Zoref

In Honor Of The Marriage of Shira Stern's son, Noah

Rabbi Yaacov Rone

In Memory of Adel Holzer Ehrenstein:

Ruth Smith

Contributions:

Rabbi Haim Asa

Mrs. Cecille Asekoff

Rabbi Sara Berman

Rabbi Seth Bernstein

Ms. Miriam Bester

Rabbi Michael Cohen

Rabbi Meryl Crean

Cantor Alan Edwards

Rabbi Judith Edelstein

Rabbi Rachel Esserman

Rabbi Robert Feinberg

Rabbi Louis Feldman

Rabbi Natan Fenner

Chaplain Debra Flitter

Rabbi Sidney Goldstein

Rabbi Naomi Gross

Rabbi Geoffrey Haber

Rabbi William Horn

Rabbi Valerie Joseph

Rabbi Naomi Kalish

Rabbi Moe Kaprow

Rabbi Sandra Katz

Chaplain Allison Kestenbaum

Rabbi Lowell Kronick

Dr. Trudy Lapin

Rabbi Jennifer Lewis

Rabbi Myrna Matsa

Rabbi Jim Michaels

Rabbi Larry Moldo

Ms. Golda Och

Rabbi Joseph Ozarowski

Rabbi Mayer Perelmutter

Rabbi Rami Sadeghi

Rabbi Richard Safran

Rabbi Susan Schein

Rabbi Simeon Schreiber

Chaplain Sheila Segal

Rabbi Sam Seicol

Rabbi Marion Shulevitz

Cantor Deborah Arden Stern

Rabbi Shira Stern

Rabbi Robert Tabak

Rabbi Bonita Taylor

Rabbi Josh Zlochower

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NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009 5

Spiritual Care Collaborative - Summit 09 ArchivesGratitude Expressed:The goal of the SCC Steering Committee with regards to Summit 2009 was to highlight the association participants’ common efforts on behalf of the SCC Mission to “actively collaborate to advance excellence in professional pastoral and spiritual care, counseling, education and research.” We believe our common planning efforts, led by George Henry Grant, PhD, the Chair of Summit ’09, was truly an exercise in mission fulfillment. We are deeply grateful to George and the planning teams for their energy, wisdom, and collaborative spirit. They embodied the best of our mission.Materials Available:We have posted on our web page resources that were created for Summit ’09. You will find in these archives hundreds of photographs, copies of handouts and presentations of the workshops according to permission, and how to order audio and video presentations of plenaries and workshops. We hope these will serve the broader professional community.Furthering Professional Collaboration:As we continue to review the responses from so many of the 1800 conferees from around the globe, we will determine how best to encourage ongoing networking among and between professionals in our respective associations. We were deeply impressed with the many new professional relationships that were established between plenary and workshop presenters and those who participated in their sessions. These relationships in themselves are wonderful outcomes of the Summit. Please feel free to contact the SCC Steering Committee with any news of how you  have furthered those relationships for the benefit of our professions.With our ongoing commitment to a future of health and hope,

- The SCC Steering CommitteeMore information available: www.spiritualcarecollaborative.org/summit-archive.asp

A Gentle ReminderRabbi Dayan Charles P. Rabinowitz, BCC, Editor, Journal of Jewish Spiritual Care

Dear Colleagues:The Winter/Spring Issue of our Journal will go out to you next month. This

is a friendly reminder that we have a Summer/Fall issue as well. If you have an idea about an article and need to discuss it with me or you have something ready to send, please contact the Editor at crabinowitz@calvaryhospital.org. Please accept my warmest thanks.

Warmly,Rabbi Dayan Charles P. Rabinowitz, EditorJournal of Jewish Spiritual Care

Rabbi Charles RabinowitzRabbi Charles Rabinowitz

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6 NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

SUMMIT 09 – AfterglowDebi Pinto

I feel as though I am glowing. Part of that glow, even a couple of weeks afterwards, is coming simply from having been invited to Summit '09. From the generosity of the NAJC & the UJA- Federation of NY & JDC/Eshel. This was an incredible honor to give to someone feeling so new in the field. Since I returned to Israel, I am now talking about what I do from a more grounded and centered place. Not a small amount of time in Mezorim was dedicated to how we see/present ourselves as professionals. Part of my new-found deeper comfort level comes from having been in the presence of so many people who do this work full time, who think and breathe Spiritual Care. I am so grateful to be involved in Spiritual Care at this early stage of the development of this field in Israel. It's exciting to be in at the beginning while we try, as a community, to find our way. It's definitely full of it's peculiar frustrations. Because of the welcoming, support and learning we received from the NAJC and the larger community of chaplains, we do not feel alone.

I very much appreciated the offer for mentoring … both the idea and the willingness from the NAJC members to be available. Though I may have under-utilized my mentor, I was definitely grateful to know that there was someone there for me in case specific issues came up.

There was a real comfort level that came from being with so many people speaking the language of Spiritual Care. I felt that there was no need to explain and therefore it was possible to get straight to the point. I'll illustrate what I mean by beginning at the first night's banquet.

Fraide & I arrived a bit late and I was seated next to a Quaker chaplain. The conversation was pleasant enough if a bit formal and I didn't run into her for the rest of the conference—until the last evening's dinner when she came to sit down beside me. And then did we ever talk! She told me an intimate and painful story that blotted out all else that was going on around. It was a VERY strong experience for us both. When we finished I went out to make a phone call and by chance met up with Fraide. I asked for peer supervision on the spot! I had been wondering whether to suggest exchanging contact details or not. On the one hand we'd connected so deeply that I

didn’t want to lose that connection. On the other, in our professional capacities, this kind of meeting is what we pray for and then, there is no place for artificially prolonging the connection.

I found I only used the hotel room for sleeping, because I quickly realized how good it was to arrive early for a session & not to rush away afterwards. It was after Ben's plenary when I squeezed into a workshop ( a little before 11:30 ) & someone behind me saw on my tag that I was from Israel. The conference rooms were buzzing with excitement following Ben's presentation & this person said to me how Ben should be on a speaking circuit & how he could perhaps help to set him up. I asked for a card that I passed on to the Corns.

It seems a bit ridiculous to have had to go all the way to Orlando to have met properly with Yakir, but we exchanged details after one of the  "NAJC Israeli  Delegation " workshops. Thank you so much for those 2 extras..... with Bonita & Zahara.  They were such a bonus !

Another story that I'd like to share is about the Klal Yisrael breakfast on the Tuesday morning. Feeling slightly uncomfortable at first, I was joined by two women who were discussing the intense challenges of being a chaplain from a minority religion. About how one decides to share or not that one is Jewish. I suddenly related this to my Israeli dilemma of how to dress when going to visit a client for the first time. If I wear a skirt it can put me in the category of a non-pants-wearing-woman that can come along with a whole slew of assumptions. And yet, not to wear a skirt the first time COULD be disrespectful. They were fascinated that working in Israel changes, but doesn't cancel out dilemmas in our work.

Thank you  for inviting me to be part of this conference. It was a privilege that  (now months later) is still influencing my work and I trust will continue to do so into the future .Looking forward to May and beyond!!

Debi Pinto

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NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009 7

In honor of my father, Rabbi Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner.By Rabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner

At the most recent Israeli conference on spiritual care, the conference committee chose to pay tribute to my father, Rabbi Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner. I was fortunate to have been able to attend the conference and to have been provided an opportunity at the conference to share a few thoughts about one of the most important lessons my dad has taught me both professionally and personally. I present my thoughts to you, members of the NAJC, as a further tribute to my father.

As we know, as spiritual care providers, chaplains, tomchim ruchaniyim, one of the fundamental principles of which we are always reminded is individualism. We are expected to meet every person where he or she is, and to interact with each person as he or she dictates during the flow of conversation. This is a lesson I have learned from my father. He always teaches that we should not assume that our values are the same as the values of the person with whom we are in contact. Each person has unique emotional and spiritual needs which need to be addressed. As an illustration, he always shares that even when it came to raising his children – my brothers and I – he tried his best to raise us as individuals, i.e. the best way suited for each of us, enhancing our individual strengths and steering us away from our individual weaknesses.

As the tribute occurred during the week of Parashat B’Midbar, it would be appropriate to tie the idea of individualism into the parasha. The first verse of Sefer B’Midbar says that G-d spoke to Moses in the desert of Sinai, B’Midbar Sinai. The Midrash (B’Midbar Rabbah 1:7) teaches a lesson based on the following question: Why would the Torah need to specifically mention “B’Midbar Sinai” when it has already been clear from the text that this is where G-d always talked to Moshe during the beginning of the Israelite sojourn? We

would have no reason to assume that the location had changed at this time. According to the Midrash, the lesson of this “extra” phrase “B’Midbar Sinai” could be teaching us that in order to receive Torah and wisdom (hokhmah), we must be empty like a desert. Just as a desert is barren and contains no frills, so too we must make ourselves nullified in order to truly receive Torah. While we know what defines Torah, what is the hokhmah referred to by the Midrash? Perhaps hokhmah here is knowledge of the human condition, for as we learn in Pirqei Avot, “Who is wise? One who learns from all people (4:1).” In order for one to understand the human condition, one must learn from each person, for this makes one wise. When we begin learning from each person, we begin to recognize that each individual has a unique voice, a unique story to share. The encounter must be entered into with a sense of self-nullification, for the wisdom learned from the other person will provide a unique perspective for the situation we find ourselves.

In pastoral/spiritual care, we are called upon to listen. This listening has the goal of gaining wisdom in order to show true empathy and understanding towards the patient. True humility is the ability to put your own thoughts and feelings aside as you listen to and learn from each person, learning about each person’s unique needs and desires.

Rabbi Bryan KinzbrunnerRabbi Bryan Kinzbrunner

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Pastoral Care and Epidemics: A Hospital Chaplain’s Preliminary ThoughtsRabbi Robert Tabak, Ph.D.

News of the swine flu outbreak in Mexico, with related cases in the US, Canada, and other countries is capturing international attention. We all hope that this outbreak will be contained quickly, as the SARS outbreak in 2003 was, and that fears of a pandemic will not come to pass.

However, even the possibility raises serious questions for chaplains in any field of health care. Certainly, some experts have been thinking about these questions for years, but from what I can tell, there is far more discussion in medical ethics literature than in pastoral care sources. I appreciate that some colleagues with specialties in disaster care or the military have dealt with these questions. I hope they and others will share their thoughts.1

I am a staff chaplain at a major university hospital, covering medical and oncology units and rotating coverage for traumas and other emergencies. As a practitioner working with patients, families, and staff, I began to imagine: what would a mass casualty situation be like? What would be my role?

First, I would like to say that in brief discussions with a number of colleagues, the focus is almost immediately on the “wrong” questions. Questions such as the ethics of allocating scarce resources or even denying care are tremendously important in the planning stages. (Extensive plans and possible scenarios have been worked out already in the US and Canada, with little input from pastoral caregivers, as far as I know.) Since these plans are largely in place (though always subject to change) they don’t address the questions that an ordinary chaplain would face in a crisis. We would not be making the policies; we would be providing pastoral care under these criteria.

Second, while there is a considerable amount of ethics literature about an outbreak of pandemic influenza (or similar illness) that might affect millions over many months, much of the disaster/mass casualty discussion for civilians has been incident based – a short term event (9/11, a hurricane) where the actual cause ends in days or even minutes, not continuing for many months, and the incident is localized, not national or international.

Let me briefly raise a few of the questions chaplains might deal with:

1) Patients and families. In a disaster mass casualty triage situation, however defined, some patients will be denied care, and those receiving care may have it discontinued (due to a shortage of vents, ICU beds, or other medical support.) For example, the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (2005) says, for “current patients, such as those recovering from surgery or in critical or intensive care units…certain lifesaving efforts may have to be discontinued.”2

A Canadian protocol3 for influenza pandemic says, “The patient is excluded from admission or transfer to critical care if any of the following is present:

A) Severe trauma…B) Cardiac arrest [unwitnessed or recurrent]…C) Severe baseline cognitive impairment…D) Age >85 yr…”These criteria are “tiered,” that is they could be

modified as the crisis continues to include or exclude more people from the more intensive treatments.

We may also be dealing with distraught families in situations where bedside visits are not allowed, and physicians are simply unavailable to update families. In addition, religious sensitivities may be ignored. “It may not be possible to accommodate cultural sensitivities and attitudes toward death and handling bodies.”4

2) Care for staff. Chaplains play a key role in staff support. How will we offer support to people working extended hours, making far more life and death decisions than usual? Staff will have had to shift from the ordinary standards of care in developed countries which focus on the most acutely ill to protocols focused on sharing limited resources (including staff time). This means denying care to some in order to help many. “Part of an institution’s plan for coping with disasters should be provisions for debriefing and psychological counseling.”5 What about staff who are concerned about their own families and loved ones? What do we say to a physician who is offered one of the limited prophylactic immunizations (as a direct care provider) who begs that it be given to her five year-old son instead (who is not on a priority list)? Can we provide support in a command situation, where ethics committees will not likely have time to meet, regardless of our personal beliefs?

3) Care for selves. How will we function in many more situations where we are de facto hospice

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Organ Donations Affirm Jewish ValuesRabbi Charles Sheer

The hospital social worker’s page was clear: “Patient is dying; please send a rabbi; the family might need support.” In the room I found the patient on a respirator, surrounded by tubes, monitoring devices, wife and family. “He’s been hooked up for three days,” a daughter said. “We’re just waiting for the doctor to declare that Dad is gone.” Her voice wavered but she added, “We’re prepared for this.”

The doctor did tests to ascertain total and irreversible neurological death had occurred. Then, with the family’s concurrence, he removed the devices that had artificially maintained his body.

I invited the family to join in a circle. Some rituals, prayers, tears, but I assessed that the daughter was correct: the family seemed “ready” for this.

At that point, someone else entered the room. He expressed his condolences and with much sensitivity and appropriate language, identified himself as a staff member of the New York Organ Donor Network. He gently asked whether the family would consider allowing their father’s organs to become a life-saving vehicle for others who were gravely ill.

The family stood in silence, looking at each other. “I don’t know,” said the mother. “I never thought about this.” One child blurted out: “Dad would not want this.” Another shook her head: “How do you know? When I go, I want you to donate my organs to save another person.”

“We have a brief window when organs can be transplanted; maybe you want to

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chaplains, even for those who in ideal situations might be medically “saved?” (Those patients deemed “expectant” – i.e. expected to die.) We may be called on to fill unfamiliar roles: “Non-clinical personnel and family members may be asked to assist with administrative and environmental tasks…”6 How do we find support and rest? How do we and our colleagues cope with many deaths, including deaths of children? How do we manage cares about our own health and family? Do we continue to show up to work, whatever the risks?7

In summary, I am not opposed to discussion of the larger ethical dilemmas and issues of potential disasters such as a pandemic. Pastoral care should request a seat at the table, to the degree that this is still an ongoing discussion. However, I would really like to see in these pages some more intense discussion of the down-to-earth questions that might face us, (including chaplains in non-hospital settings), on a daily basis were such a crisis come to pass.

Footnotes:1I would like to thank Chaplain John Ehman for

assembling a selection of articles on ethics and mass casualty situations. Go to http://www.ehman.org/panetharticles.html to review.

2Altered Standards of Care in Mass Casualty Events, http://www.ahrq.gov/research/altstand/altstand.pdf, p.9-10).

3“Development of a triage protocol for critical care during an influenza pandemic,” M. Christian et. al., CMAJ, Nov 21, 2006, p.1379.

4Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), 2005, p.10/

5“Triage During a Mass Disaster: The Usual Rules Don’t Apply,” http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-12227225_ITM, 2007.

6National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza: Implementation Plan, Homeland Security Council, 2006, “Medical Standards of Care,” p.110.

7For a list of potential issues, see “Psychosocial Issues for Response Workers” and …”Families of Response Workers” in HHS Pandemic Influenza Plan (Nov. 2005) p. S11-8.

Rabbi Robert Tabak, Ph.D.Rabbi Robert Tabak

Pastoral Care Epidemics, continued

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10 NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

discuss this together,” said the man. “No,” said the mother, “I don’t want to do this.” He thanked them for considering his request, repeated his condolences and left the room.

I have gone through this with families a few times. Each instance was painful. Organ donation is not yet a topic that most families discuss, even those “prepared” for loss. But it should be. Modern advances in medicine allow for life-saving transplants after neurological death, with very high survival rates. Recent New York State legislation allows one to register consent for organ donation, and, in those instances, family authorization is no longer required by law.

More than 100,000 individuals are on the national list for an organ transplant. Each day, 18 die for lack of one. When surveyed, Americans overwhelmingly respond positively to the concept; yet, the average national consent rate (at time of death) is 69 percent. In New York it is 57 percent.

How should we, as Jews, respond? The positions of rabbinic movements are as follows. The Central Conference of American Rabbis

(CCAR, Reform) issued a responsum (1968) that fully supported organ donation. The Rabbinical Assembly (RA, Conservative) Law Committee stated that one is obligated to permit transplantations in life-saving medical procedures and withholding consent is contrary to Jewish law. Both Reform and Conservative synagogues have active campaigns to educate their congregants to register as donors. The Rabbinical Council of America (RCA, Orthodox) issued a Health Care Proxy (1991) that supported organ donation based upon the opinion of Rabbi Moshe Feinstein and the Israeli Chief Rabbinate, who accepted neurological death as death.

Some rabbinic decisors in the RCA and Israel do not accept brain death, and some have a different understanding of Rabbi Feinstein’s position on brain death. The RCA is currently reviewing the issue.

It is my sense that many Jews refuse to donate because they confuse it with the Jewish position on autopsy. Judaism has traditionally opposed desecrating or receiving material benefit from a corpse; it also mandates speedy burial. Autopsies are generally opposed unless the information obtained will save the life of one who is “before us.” Often, even Jews who are not traditionally observant mistakenly invoke this position to sustain their objection to organ donation.

My teacher, Rabbi Moshe Tendler, ruled that these concerns are superseded by the religious imperative to save life: “In truth, [organ donation] is not a desecration. No greater honor can be bestowed on an individual than that of being a savior of as many as eight lives through [organ] donation...”

A pastoral element supports Rabbi Tendler’s position. Modern technology helps us to confront the most painful human experience — the loss of a loved one — with an act of love. We cannot overcome death. However, by donating organs our beloved continues to be present in the recipient whose life may be saved by this act. This can bring a measure of consolation.

In some ways organ donation is like bringing a child into this world. Both acts can and should be the result of human love, and the deepest caring for life and the future of humanity. The “creation” of life by bringing a child into our world, and the giving of life by organ donation, are means by which we imitate God, the ultimate Giver of life. In Jewish thought, this is the noblest deed we mortals can do.

Rabbi Charles SheerRabbi Charles Sheer

Organ Donations Affirm Jewish Values, continued

N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F J E W I S H C H A P L A I N S

NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009 11

With Our Membersbwj lzmRabbi Charles & Judy Sheer on the

Bat Mitzvah of their granddaughter Ayelet who lives in Modiin, Israel. Aylelet read from Megillat Esther on Purim.

Shira Stern on the marriage of her son Noah to Ronnie Jane Reich.

Barbara Speyer on the birth of her granddaughter Vivian.

Nachum Berlat was Certified as a Pastoral Care Specialist under the Auspices of CAPPE. In addition he is an Associate CAPPE CPE Supervisor.

David Glicksman on the birth of a grandson, Azriel Gilon, Zachary Gil

Myrna Matsa on the birth of her grandson, Benjamin Leor Matsa, born Purim to Professor David and Lesley Matsa.

Judit Rubin and Yonatan Rudnick who recently received chaplain certification from the NAJC.

~xny ~wqmhMichael Wolff on the death of his

brother David Wolff on April 9th, first day of Yom Tov Pesach.

Cecille Asekoff on the death of her mother Betty Allman.

Rabbi Ben Last on the death of his father April 30th and his mother May 4th.

Ralph Dalin, on the death of his mother Bella Dalin in May.

Gerald Sussman, on the death of his sister in May.

Moe Kaprow, on the death of his mother Gittel bat Shmuel Dan

Chaplain Happeningsxwk rXyRabbi Charles Sheer who was

featured in an article in the April YU Rabbinic Alumni magazine for his work on behalf of the Jewish community. In addition, Rabbi Sheer had articles in two issues of PlainViews.”

Rabbi Charles Sheer had an Opinion piece in the Jewish Week which was submitted to highlight a public forum HealthCare Chaplaincy co-sponsored with the Jewish Week entitled “Organ Donation Affirms Jewish Values.”

Patti Haskell's article, “Belonging, Behaving, Believing: Exploring Reconstructionist Process,” was recently published in The Reconstructionist: A Journal of Contemporary Jewish Thought and Practice.

Rabbi Dr. Steven Moss received the Lehman-LaGuardia Award for Civic Achievement from the New York State Commission for Social Justice, Order Sons of Italy in America, and the MetroNorth Region of B'nai B'rith International on May 31st.

Nancy Fisher received the 2009 Claudia Fogel Award by the International Association of Jewish Vocational Services (IAJVS) in recognition of her professional activities at JVS and her involvement in the greater Jewish community.

Myrna Matsa was appointed as a voting member to the Emotional and Spiritual Care Committee of

the NVOAD representing the state of Mississippi.

Yehuda Blank presented "Don't let hard times get the best of you: Simple, successful strategies for self-care and stress management.” at the Lower East Side & Chinatown Emergency Preparedness Evening Forum, on March 12th,

Bonita E Taylor and David J. Zucker recently published, “Shamor V’Zakhor: The Blessings of Both/And” in “The Orchard,” Spring, 2009.

David Zucker published an article entitled, “Vulnerability, Fragility, Helplessness” in Healing Ministry,

~yabh ~ykwrbWe Welcome These New ~yrbx

Members:Rabbi Fred Klein

Aventura, FLRabbi Michael T. Cohen

Brooklyn, NYRabbi Beth Janus

Santa Cruz, CARabbi Arinna Moon

Los Angeles, CAChaplain Yehuda Reichler

Bala Cynwyd, PARabbi Pearl Bar Lev

Venice, CARabbi Leslie Bergson

Pomona, CARabbi Ruth Gais

Summit, NJRichard Backer

Harvard, MAStudent Affiliates:

David JacobMorgantown, WV

Donate to the Kummer Fund! Share your life’s events by helping others. Donations to the Rabbi Howard Kummer Memorial Fund for Pastoral Education may be made in honor of or in memory of a friend or loved one.

Contact the office for more information. 973-929-3168

N A T I O N A L A S S O C I A T I O N O F J E W I S H C H A P L A I N S

12 NAJC Newsletter Sivan/Tamuz 5769/June 2009

The 2009-2010 Officers, Board & CommitteesRabbi Lowell Kronick

Virginia Beach, VAlowell.kronick@va.govrlsk@cox.net(757) 728-7112President

Rabbi Natan FennerSan Francisco, CAnfenner@ioaging.org(415) 750-4129President Elect

Chaplain Sheila SegalMerion, PAssegal@abramsoncenter.org(215) 371-1818Vice President

Rabbi Yaacov RonePittsfield, MArbyaacov@hotmail.com(646) 319-4524Treasurer

Rabbi Robert TabakPhiladelphia, PARTabak@aol.comrobert.tabak@uphs.upen.edu(215) 635-6862Secretary

Rabbi Ephraim KarpBeechwood, OHrabbikarp@yahoo.com(216) 403-4002Chair, Conference Commission

Rabbi Seth BernsteinWorcester, MATemplesinaiworcester@msn.com(508) 755-2519Certification Commission

Rabbi Shira SternMorganville, NJravshira@gmail.com(732) 580-2569Immediate Past Pres.Nominating Committee

Cecille Allman AsekoffWhippany, NJcasekoff@ujcnj.org(973) 929-3168 Executive Director

Rabbi Moshe AbramowitzElizabeth, NJmabramowitz@sbhcs.com(973) 322-4857Continuing Education/Peer Review Committee

Rabbi Sandy BoginWhite Plains, NYsbogin@jhha.org(914) 864-5160

Rabbi Meryl CreanMedia, PAmcrean@martins-run.org(610) 353-7660 x 220

Dvora CornJerusalem, Israelpcorn@netvision.net.il(052) 529-1333Va'ad Hanhala

Rabbi Judith EdelsteinNew York, NYrabbijbe@aol.comFundraising

Rabbi Naomi KalishHoboken, NJnakalish@chpnet.org(212) 523-6920CPE Committee Co-chair

Rabbi Moe KaprowWinter Springs, FLmkaye1@earthlink.net(407) 415-3322Military

Rabbi Sandra KatzRochester, NYravsandra@hotmail.com(585) 427-7760 x 878

Chaplain Allison KestenbaumSan Francisco, CAArk214@nyu.edu(917) 744-3819Co-Chair Conference Commission

Rabbi Myrna MatsaMeterie, LAmjmatsa@aol.com(228) 229-9480

Rabbi Charles RabinowitzLarchmont, NYcrabinowitz@calvaryhospital.org(914) 834-2880Continuing Education/Peer Review CommitteeEditor, Journal of Jewish Spiritual Care

Rabbi Sam SeicolBrookline, MArebjif@rcn.com(617) 738-6987Webmaster

Rabbi Bonita E. TaylorNew York, NYravbonitae@aol.com(212) 644-1111

Rabbi Joshua ZlochowerFairfield, CTjzlochower@jhe.org(203) 396-1001

Please Note This

Upcoming Events:

NAJC Conference: January 10-13, 2010 in Boston, MA

NAJC Conference, January 2011 in Scottsdale, AZ

NAJC HOTLINE

The NAJC hotline is available for chaplains needing peer support during stressful times.Our hotline chaplain is Sheila Segal, BCC. She can be reached at 215-371-1818 (work) or at 610-668-8069 (home).

Newsletter Deadline:August 27, 2009

Submit all materials in electronic format (Word Document or RTF)

to the editor:Rabbi Mark B. Goldfarbramblinrav@verizon.net