The conversation has begun.

On Shabbos Parshas Vayechi, December 26, 2015, more than 300 shuls and communities in 135 cities nationwide joined the Traditional End-of-life Awareness Movement (TEAM). A project of the National Association of Chevra Kadisha (NASCK), under the leadership of Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, this initiative helped raise awareness throughout our community about the Torah’s perspective on end-of-life matters.a

In shuls around the country, beginning the preceding week and throughout the Shabbos, rabbis dedicated their sermons, lectures and programs to generate the discussion. Some of the topics that were addressed included the inherent sanctity of life, the importance of making proper medical decisions, choosing traditional Jewish burial practices and making wills in accordance with Halacha.

The Torah perspective on life is not easy to talk about. As such, many of these overriding obligations and far-reaching issues are infrequently mentioned.

“Due to a lack of awareness about the inherent sanctity of every moment of life,” says Rabbi Elchonon Zohn, “many people make end-of-life decisions that are contrary to Torah values. The goal of TEAM Shabbos was to open the discussion about ‘Respecting Life—Here and Hereafter’ in a unified national movement to facilitate the necessary awareness about these issues.”

The idea to dedicate Parshas Vayechi to the discussion of k’vurah k’halacha began with the Vaad Harabonim of Queens during the 1980s. Through initiating the TEAM Shabbos program, NASCK was able to expand this mission into a thriving national movement that included more than 300 shuls.

“The tzibbur welcomed the opportunity to learn about the importance of end-of-life directives and halachic wills, as well as hear an overview of the halachos of end-of-life situations and issues related to a beis hakvaros,” explained Rabbi Dovid Heber, rav of K’hal Ahavas Yisroel Tzemach Tzedek in Baltimore, Maryland. “Thanks to the efforts of NASCK, these sensitive topics were addressed ‘l’maaseh uv’rov am’ in our shul, together with many other kehillos in our community and nationwide.”

Many Torah-observant people do not fully understand the modern-day practical applications of end-of-life concepts such as pikuach nefesh and mes mitzvah. These important concepts require us to make proper medical decisions and assist our less-observant friends, relatives, acquaintances and co-workers in choosing traditional Jewish burial practices.

In fact, a rabbi from Maryland noted, “Given the level of knowledge of the people in my shul, I was very surprised how unfamiliar they were with the many important hashkafos and halachos that pertain to end-of-life matters. I’m so grateful to TEAM Shabbos and NASCK for giving me the push and the opportunity to speak about it.”

“The TEAM Shabbos movement was a national success with overwhelming positive feedback. Many of the rabbanim that presented shiurim on end-of-life matters were surprised at the positive and accepting attitude that their communities responded with,” Rabbi Zohn explained. “The ‘It’s about time’ sentiment was an oft-repeated phrase this Shabbos.”

So, what’s the next step for NASCK and TEAM Shabbos?

“We will continue to keep the discussion open and to generate awareness surrounding the importance of the inherent sanctity of life and choosing traditional burial choices. We look forward to expanding the TEAM, b’ezras Hashem, next Parshas Vayechi,” says Rabbi Zohn. “We encourage communities to join NASCK’s many ongoing programs dedicated to support, inform, educate and inspire all those involved with and all those seeking information about traditional Jewish burial, including programs promoting halachic living wills and EMES (Emergency Medical Education and Sign-up) cards.”

For more information about the National Association of the Chevra Kadisha (NASCK) and the TEAM Shabbos, please visit nasck.org or call 718-847-6280.