June 22, 2000
Orthodox
Union Intervenes to Protect Jewish Concerns
After Air Crash in Ghana
The Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America disclosed today that it recently intervened on behalf of the family of a traditional Jew who was killed in an air crash in Ghana in order to prevent an autopsy being performed in contravention to Jewish
Law.
The life of Dr. Kenneth Paul Rosen, a prominent New York psychiatrist, was tragically cut short when the airliner he was aboard crashed in the African nation. Friends of Dr. Rosen appealed to Orthodox Union Executive Vice President Rabbi Raphael B. Butler when they learned that an autopsy was to be performed. At Rabbi Butler’s request, Congressman Ben Gilman (R-NY) communicated with the U.S. Embassy in Ghana and assisted in averting the autopsy, thereby preserving the sanctity and respect for the deceased that Jewish Law commands.
Rabbi Butler issued the following statement: “One wishes that such tragedies would never occur, but we take some small comfort when we learn of the respect that government officials in the United States and elsewhere have for Judaism and its principles. The actions taken by Congressman Gilman, the staff of the U.S. Embassy and the government officials in Ghana demonstrate that respect, for which we are very thankful.”
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