Misaskim Matters

VOLUME #2 ISSUE #4

Misaskim: On The Scene andandBehindTheScenes Behind The Scenes page 2 NOTHING TAKES PRECEDENCE OVER MES MITZVAH

During the week of October 18th, Misaskim Misaskim offered to take responsibility for all the was notified that an elderly woman had died at costs that a Jewish Burial entails. With the Coney Island Hospital and that her body had support of Misaskim, the niece contacted the been lying in the morgue for a funeral home to call off the few days. This information cremation. “It’s a good thing I led Misaskim to take on called now.” she mentioned, the highest Mitzvah of all: in “because they were about Mes Mitzvah. to do it.” The body of the deceased had already The first course of been prepared for the action was to contact a niece cremation process and was of the deceased—the only And there is moments away from causing lead Misaskim had at that certainly nothing that irreparable trauma to her time. A Misaskim will stop Misaskim from soul. volunteer tried to get in using all its resources touch with her directly to prevent On Monday, numerous times but was unable a cremation. October 25th, the to reach her. Misaskim was body of the simultaneously in contact with the elderly woman Hebrew Free Burial Society, which stands side by was brought to Kever Yisroel side with Misaskim in ensuring kavod hames. It and buried in a HFBS cemetary. was through the Hebrew Free Burial Society that “The merit of Mes Mitzvah is Misaskim learned that the deceased’s niece had immeasurable,” already approved and scheduled the cremation of explained the her aunt’s body. Misasakim member who oversaw the “There is nothing in the entire Torah that process. “May her soul takes precedence over Mes Mitzvah” (Tur). And evoke rachmei there is certainly nothing that will stop Misaskim shamayim and from using all its resources to prevent a blessings for cremation. all of Klal Misaskim volunteers left no stone unturned Yisroel.” in their efforts to reverse this decision. Through a thorough and painstaking investigation, Misaskim discovered that the surviving niece’s employer was a close associate to the organization. The employer agreed to intervene and the niece explained to the employer and Misaskim that financial reasons had prompted her decision. She was willing to approve a Jewish burial after

page 3 Misaskim’s First Initiative Gets Underway Misaskim is pleased to announce the Pesach 2005 implementation of a new initiative that has been Early on the second day of Pesach, fire tore developed to meet the needs of the community through the house and hearts of a family in during emergencies Williamsburg. Although Hatzolah members that may arise on arrived at the Shabbos or Yom Tov. scene in record Under the new time and system, Misaskim’s worked emergency hotline feverishly to try which until now and resuscitate was answered 24/6, the victims, three precious will now be kinderlach; one monitored on einikel and two Shabbos and Yom children of the Tov. The family, tragically emergency hotline lost their lives. will be answered on Shabbos and Amidst the Yom Tov by a heartbreak and team of trained confusion, the and knowledgeable family desired to non-Jews who conduct some of have been hired the childrens’ for this purpose. levayos while it was still Yom Tov. Over the years, a This posed several number of difficulties simply tragedies have because it was Yom occurred on Tov and even more Shabbos or Yom so because Tov, during someone had to which time the deal with the legal assistance of system so that the non-Jews has niftarim could be proved released from the Medical Examiner’s invaluable in Office. Who could assisting the step up and assist the families involved and in preserving kavod distraught family in dealing with legal hames by avoiding nivul processes on Yom Tov? How could it be arranged hames. on Yom Tov that these bodies would be released in

page 4 time? Where who was could the instrumental in grieving family assisting these be directed on volunteers Yom Tov to in the coordinate coordination of between the all necessary Medical arrangements, Examiner’s including Office and the informing various other out-of-town PART OF MISASKIM’S TEAM OF NON-JEWS, THAT WILL ASSIST ON SHABBOS AND YOM TOV, agencies DURING A TRAINING SESSION WITH RABBI YECHEZKAL ROTH, SHLITA. relatives. involved? Shemini Atzeres 2010 Misaskim accepted the challenge. Without the This year’s searing tragedy on Shemini Atzeres advantage of having a non-Jew on call, Misaskim remains fresh in the minds of all members of the was presented with the daunting dilemma of how community. As the Krasny family of Midwood, to proceed according to halachah on Yom Tov. The celebrated Yom Tov in their sukkah, fire organization reached out to members of the New broke out indoors and quickly ravaged everything York City Police Department who were kind in its path. Five Krasny children were injured, enough to step in. In addition, the NYPD escorted while little 8-year-old Avigdor a’h, tragically lost his Misaskim volunteers to the Medical Examiner’s life. Office and it took only 45 minutes for the 3 niftarim to be released once they arrived at the Misaskim volunteers were summoned to the scene Medical Examiner’s Office. The first levayah was and once again utilized the assistance of the underway just a few short hours after the terrible non-Jew on call at the time. Guided by Misaskim tragedy occurred, thus preserving kavod hames to volunteers, this individual worked to hasten all the the greatest extent possible. It was this situation legal procedures necessary. Misaskim’s efforts that prompted Misaskim to hire a non-Jew on Yom resulted in the release of young Avigdor’s body Tov. from the Medical Examiner’s Office on the Shemini Atzeres 2007 following morning. In addition, the non-Jew was As the Goldman family was preparing for their available to assist the Krasnys who were also seudah on Yom Tov morning, an electrical fire dealing with the other injured children during the erupted in their third floor bedroom, claiming the three-day Yom Tov. life of seven month old Tuvia a”h. Who could guide the parents on Yom Tov in navigating the legal What About Shabbos? system to prevent an autopsy? Who would arrange While Misaskim has been gratified that the the release of the niftur? In addition, the parents employment of non-Jews on Yom Tov has enabled intended to bring the baby to kvurah in Eretz them to better serve the community, a number of Yisroel on the Motzaei Shabbos midnight flight tragedies that occurred on Shabbos have once the three-day Yom Tov was over. Mr. Goldman illustrated the urgent necessity of having non-Jews wanted his father to join him in accompanying the available every single Shabbos to assist during aron to Eretz Yisroel. Who could help the times of tragedy and loss. grief-stricken family communicate with out-of-town family members? One year ago, tragedy struck a family in Williamsburg. While rushing Misaskim volunteers were called in. They arrived to join his Chevras on the scene, escorted by a non-Jewish employee

page 5 Tehillim group on the Shabbos preceding Rosh Brooklyn apartment when a mother discovered Hashanah, the 8-year-old son was struck by a car her infant lifeless in her crib. A full criminal and killed. Mired in grief, the parents were investigation is required by law to ensure that the considering the possibility of having their child’s death was a result of SIDS, and not abuse or levayah take place immediately, on Motzei neglect. Although the investigation is extremely Shabbos. harrowing to the parents, it is of the utmost importance that they cooperate fully and promptly However, all the legal procedures involved in cases with law enforcement officials. Even while the of accidental death mandate the involvement of parents are still at the hospital with their tiny the Medical Examiner’s Office which does not niftar, law enforcement officials are already in operate at night. Who can aid the family on their home investigating the incident. Often, there Shabbos and communicate their wish that an are other children at home, still unaware of the autopsy not be conducted? How can hospital tragedy that has occurred and they become personnel be made aware that according to the terrified and confused as investigators arrive. Jewish tradition a mes should not be moved on Parents face a barrage of painful questions, which Shabbos? Misaskim volunteers stood by the family must be answered confidently and correctly so as throughout Shabbos and guided them every step to avoid incriminating themselves in their panic of the way. In fact, it was through Misaskim that the and confusion. Medical Examiner opened an office for the family at 11:00 at night. This ensured that the required The price parents can pay if they are suspected of external exam was completed in order that the a crime is heavy. In addition to losing their baby to niftar could be released sooner, should the SIDS, they can C”V risk losing their other children levayah indeed take place on Motzei Shabbos. to Child Welfare officials, and face years of legal trouble. Proper support and compassionate Now, Misaskim has an arrangement in place in guidance is crucial at this critical time. Who can which the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner guide parents who have been thrust into this will open one of its offices in the five boroughs at nightmarish situation – especially on Shabbos? any hour of the night, provided that the levayah is How can parents be encouraged to thoroughly planned for that same night. answer a 25 page questionnaire usually presented by the Medical Examiner’s Office under these On a recent Shabbos morning, an elderly traumatic circumstances? Misaskim has time and gentleman visiting from Israel tripped and fell on a time again gently explained the process to parents sidewalk. He was transported to an area hospital and specifically outlined what they should expect where doctors diagnosed a severe head injury. in order to lessen their confusion. This has Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries a short time empowered the family to retain their presence of later. As is standard procedure in these situations, mind during these complex investigations. the hospital called in the Medical Examiner which unfortunately led to an autopsy being performed It was these crises and all the challenges they on the niftar on Shabbos. Had Misaskim’s new presented that highlighted the need to have a Shabbos system been in place at the time, then non-Jew present on Shabbos. Misaskim discussed someone could have contacted Misaskim on the issue with its leading halachic authority, Rabbi Shabbos, and the unfortunate autopsy might have Yechezkel Roth, Shlita, and his dayanim, and thus been avoided. began the implementation of the specifics of this new initiative. As a result, Misaskim now has a On another Shabbos morning, a non-Jew answering the emergency hotline on heartbreaking loss Shabbos under the auspices of Rabbi Yechezkel occurred in a small Roth, Shlita and his Bais Din.

page 6 BERGEN COUNTY BUREAU OF CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DURING A TRAINING SESSION WITH MISASKIM.

Misaskim’s Shabbos Initiative: How It Works

Since April, 2008, Misaskim has employed every day of the week should they encounter a non-Jews to assist the organization on Yom Tov. problem related to the death of a person of the Misaskim volunteers have spent endless hours Jewish faith. In an effort to perfect the system, testing and perfecting the initiative and this past Misaskim provides training for law enforcement August, Misaskim was able to implement this agencies on how the system operates. service on Shabbos too. While this initiative is now operational in the five At the core of the program is a team of non-Jews boroughs of New York City, Misaskim has who will be on call answering Misaskim’s arrangements in place on Shabbos and Yom Tov to Emergency Hotline every Shabbos and Yom Tov. assist neighboring communities that are currently These people have spent hours undergoing serviced by Misaskim. In addition, Misaskim is intensive training under the direct guidance of exploring the possibility of connecting with an HaRav Yechezkel Roth, Shlita, along with Misaskim organization in Eretz Yisroel that will act on behalf volunteers. of Misaskim. Thus, in the event that Shabbos is already over in Eretz Yisroel, and an individual there These non-Jews have been trained to deal with needs to arrange matters in the United States, the questions that arise pertaining to nivul hameis. organization in Eretz Yisroel will act as Misaskim’s They are aware of the unique halachos which liaison. clearly outline the many melachos they may or may not do in the event of a Jewish death occurring on It is the sincere wish of every volunteer at Shabbos or Yom Tov. In these cases, these Misaskim that Klal Yisroel should be spared all individuals will notify Misaskim and work with the tragedy and loss on Shabbos, Yom Tov, and every volunteers in taking any action necessary to assist other day of the year. Together, we wait for the day families and prevent nivul hames. in which all tears will be dried and all heartbreak will turn to happiness and joy. Under the new system, law enforcement officials and medical examiners can now rely on Misaskim page 7 GRAND RAFFLE PURCHASE A TICKET 1 ENTRY FOR $100 AND ENTER A A DRAWING TO WIN $100

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SERVICED OVER SERVICED OVER PREVENTED SPENT OVER 1,800 10,000 54 $125,000 GRIEVING FAMILIES PEOPLE CREMATIONS ON vumnh,n Misaskim is there for you 24 hrs a day, RainRain•Snow•Cold•Heat • Snow • Cold • Heat WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CONTINUE! MISASKIM.ORG OR CALL: 718-854-4548 page 8 VISIT: E VVolunteersFromFllt ou r We have only to open our eyes to Emes and the minyan stood by for the emotionally realize how often we are presented with charged kaddish – a son’s first heart-breaking fulfillment numerous opportunities to fulfill our of the mitzvah of in honoring his beloved father’s destined roles in Hashem’s plans. For neshamah. When kaddish was over, Mr. Margaretten Mr. Yossie Margaretten, a longtime positioned his suitcase so that Yehuda was able to sit Misaskim volunteer, the following story confirmed a role shivah on it, while the participants in the minyan came that was uniquely designed for him. over to him to be menachem aveil. As Mr. Margaretten Mr. Yehuda Silberstein and his wife and infant rushed boarded the plane together with Mr. Silberstein, he to Ben Gurion airport after learning of the tragic passing assured him that his family back in Brooklyn was also of Yehuda’s father, Moshe Yosef, Z”TL. Confused, being cared for by Misaskim, as he just received a desperate, and distraught, he hoped to catch a flight back confirmation on his blackberry that Misaskim’s gmach to Brooklyn so that he could spend the week of nechumim had already delivered all that was needed to together with his mother and siblings. However, before the house. the flight took off, he was notified that the kvurah had “It was an unbelievable siyatah dishmaya that you already been completed. He urgently needed a minyan were on Yudah’s flight,” the Silberstein family mused before boarding the plane so that he could say kaddish for when the same volunteer, Yossie Margaretten, arrived at the father who had been torn away from him way too soon. their home to collect the shivah chairs. “I was so confused With the plane only minutes away from departure, Mr. and distraught,” reflected Mr. Silberstein. “But somehow Silberstein reached out to the passengers rushing to Misaskim was right there just when I needed them – even board the plane and begged them to join him. Most in Ben Gurion airport!” passengers had already davened maariv and didn’t pay much attention to him, while others were too distracted to During Chanukah, Misaskim take notice of the flustered couple. received a call from a rabbi. The rabbi In a last desperate attempt, Mr. Silverstein informed Misaskim about an elderly approached a yungerman who was boarding the plane and Jewish man who had recently passed asked if perhaps he could help him with a minyan. Yossie away in a Denver nursing home. Margaretten, a trained Misaskim volunteer, immediately The rabbi told Misaskim that the niftar’s family in New recognized the the distraught look on Mr. Silberstein’s York had agreed to the Medical Examiner’s request for an face. He took stock of the situation and requested autopsy. In addition, they had inquired about the expense several passengers to join them for kaddish, assuring involved in bringing their father’s body to New York for them that it would take only 2-3 minutes. It was clearly burial. After being quoted the exorbitant amount of through Divine intervention that this volunteer’s training $8,000, they immediately changed course and decided and experience kicked in under these unusual on cremation, a much more inexpensive option. circumstances, precisely when needed. Misaskim immediately swung into action. Volunteers Mr. Margaretten guided Mr. Silberstein in tearing contacted the family and gently persuaded them to forego kriyah. “On the left side,” he gently coached, explaining the autopsy. Then, Misaskim helped arrange the transfer how it’s done when one’s parent passes on. Tearing kriyah of the meis to New York. Thanks to the generosity of the in the airport, where all sharp objects are prohibited, is no Hebrew Free Burial Society and Misaskim, the niftar was easy feat, but one of the passengers who joined the buried in a Jewish cemetery, with strict adherence to minyan was able to use his bare hands to start the kriyah Jewish law. process. Next Yehuda said the brachah of Boruch Dayan

page 9 RIF Soap Handed to Misaskim for Burial

At Misaskim, unexpected and sad realities of life are unfortunately a daily occurrence. But last week, Misaskim was presented with an even more perplexing question than usual: what to do with a bar of soap that many Holocaust survivors believe contains human remains? This rare bar of soap, engraved with the letters RIF, was recently discovered by the Mermelstein family while cleaning up the apartment of their aging uncle, Yosef Weinberger. nephew, was startled when he also professor, at the Gdansk discovered a little package carefully Anatomical Institute. Mazur related Weinberger was a young wrapped in brown paper that that he had been involved in the adolescent who survived during the contained a small, brownish, production of soap from human fat. Holocaust by hiding in bunkers. Of numbered bar of RIF soap. a family of 13, only Yosef and 3 In 2006, Poland’s IPN other siblings survived. However, it Many Holocaust survivors (Poland's National Remembrance wasn’t only the chilling memories of believe that the RIF soap was made Institute) announced that it had his youth that shadowed Yosef from the fat of Jewish victims completed an inquiry that each day. Tucked away in a faded during the Holocaust R’L. They have confirmed that the soap had been green suitcase, he kept various been told that RIF is the acronym rendered from human fat. items that were a testament to the for Reines Juden Fett. In fact, Professor Andrzej Stolyhwo, who inferno he survived. Among these Nuremburg Trial judges, after conducted the study for the IPN, objects was a tattered She’eris accepting the testimony of a Polish obtained a sample of the soap that Hapleitah , books from the national, Sigmund Mazur, ruled that was presented at the Nuremberg war era, legal immigration the soap does indeed contain trials and tested its contents. documents, and various wartime human remains,. Mazur told the Stolyhwo declared that his study letters. Mr. Meremelstein, Yosef’s judges that during the war he had proves that the soap was made worked as a laboratory assistant between 1945 and 1946 under the for Rudolf Spanner, a German direction of Professor Spanner.

page 10 However, today it is universally museums all agree that since no witnessed unspeakable horrors, accepted by historians and hard evidence was ever uncovered firmly believed this to be true. Holocaust experts that only a small that the soap was produced from Immediately after the war, public amount of soap was produced by human victims, it was most likely a levayas were held in Austria, Spanner and that the soap was cruel rumor that the Nazis spread France, Germany, Romania, and never mass produced. They explain in order to psychologically torture Israel during which bars of RIF soap that RIF stands for Reichsstelle Fur Jewish inmates. were buried. Metzeivos were Industrielle Fettversorgung (Reich erected at the burial sites Center for Industrial Fat Victims in the concentration Provisioning). Yad V’shem, The camps were taunted by the SS and memorializing those who were Simon Wiesenthal Center, and told that they would soon be turned murdered by the Nazis and who had other prestigious Holocaust into soap. Survivors, who had never received a proper burial.

Misaskim is currently consulting with its rabbinical authority to determine the appropriate way of treating the RIF soap, and whether it needs to be buried. It is Misaskim’s sincerest hope — whatever the outcome — that this incident should serve to be m’kadeish shem Shamayim all those who perished in the Holocaust and who were never brought to kvuras Yisroel.

page 11 An Everlasting Yerushah With the petirah of their mother, Mrs. and devoted their lives to building a true Torah Henya Yehudis Sytner A”H, her children, the home. Together, they raised their three Eisenberger/Sytner families, found themselves children to be Torah Jews who are proud to be the recipients of a $30,000 yerushah. Rather following in their parents’ footsteps. than divide the yerushah amongst themselves, the niftar’s three children decided that they Upon receiving the yerushah, the would use the money to perpetuate the Sytner/Eisenberger children decided that there memory of their exceptional parents in a very was no better way to honor their parents’ special way. sacrifices for Torah and Yiddishkeit than to use the money to write a in their Their parents, R’ Aryeh Z”L, and Mrs. Henya memory. Yehudis A”H, emerged from the ashes of Europe as the sole survivors of their respective Here at Misaskim, we were privileged to be families. With unshakable faith, they married chosen as the recipients of this very special

page 12 Sefer Torah. The family was determined to Misaskim is pleased to welcome the donate the Sefer Torah to an organization Sytner Sefer Torah as its 18th Sefer Torah. The where the Torah was undeniably needed and number 18 symbolizes life and this particular would be in constant use. On Sunday night, Sefer Torah is certainly a witness to the the fifth night of Chanukah, family members continuity of Jewish spiritual and physical life and Misaskim volunteers met at Misaskim despite all odds. headquarters to partake in the Siyum Kesuvas Osiyos and Seudas Mitzvah. Misaskim’s Sifrei Torah are delivered as part of the package received by families who The next day, Monday, December 6, a very are sitting shivah. Occasionally, a Sefer Torah unique Hachnosas Sefer Torah took place. is also delivered to homes of homebound Misaskim was delighted to host HASC adults cholim to be utilized by minyanim brought to at the celebration as a token of appreciation daven with the choleh on Shabbos or Yom Tov. for these special individuals who volunteer at Misaskim each Monday. Accompanying the Last week, on Rosh Chodesh Shvat, The volunteers and their counselors were Synter/Eisenberger families marked the Executive Director, Shmiel Kahn and Clinical yahrtzeit of their father, R’Aryeh, Z”L. It is truly Director, Dr. Waslak. an aliyah for the neshamah of this lofty individual and a tremendous zchus for his The happiness and excitement at the family that their Sefer Torah was being used on celebration were tangible. The participants that day, and will almost definitely be in use on danced, sang, and rejoiced with the Torah. “It every day thereafter. felt great to dance with the Torah,” exclaimed Chanan, one of the participants. “Everything Misaskim issues a hearty yasher koach to was great, the latkes, the soda, and the the family for helping us assist the community music.” Another participant, Gedaliah, said in times of crisis. that he loved “dancing with the Torah and singing on the mike.” page 13 MISASKIM VOLUNTEERS ASSIST AT THE TRAGIC ACCIDENT IN AIRMONT THAT TOOK THE LIFE OF MRS. CHANA WALFISH A"H.

page 14 MISASKIM VOLUNTEERS CALLED TO THE FATAL MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT SCENE ON OCEAN AVENUE AND AVENUE N IN MIDWOOD. MISASKIM IN ACTION

MISASKIM VOLUNTEERS DURING A TRAINING SESSION.

page 15 HASC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SHMIEL KAHN DANCING WITH HASC ADULTS AT THE HACHNOSAS SEFER TORAH.

THE EISENBERGER/SYTNER FAMILIES AND MISASKIM WELCOME THE 18TH SEFER TORAH.

page 16 HASC ADULTS JOIN MISASKIM IN A JOYOUS HACHNOSAS SEFER TORAH CELEBRATION.

page 17 5805 16TH AVENUE | BROOKLYN, NY 11204 | PHONE. 718.854.4548 TOLL FREE. 877.CHESED6 | FAX. 718.854.1771 | MISASKIM.ORG