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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 Brooklyn 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.

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