In recognition that when serious illness strikes in an Orthodox family a whole range of difficult decisions — medical, legal and financial — have to be made in accordance with Jewish law, the Orthodox Union, the Rabbinical Council of America and the Metropolitan Jewish Health System will present a free communal symposium, When Serious Illness Strikes and Decisions Have to Be Made: Who Decides – the Patient, the Physician, the Rabbi, the Family? A Practical Guide for Orthodox Families.
The conference will be held Saturday evening, March 4, from 8:15-10:00 p.m. at Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, 641 West Englewood Avenue, in Teaneck.
“This is another example of an OU program focusing on empowering our constituency using Torah principles, professional guidance and a healthy dose of common sense to assist families and the community. I can think of no more appropriate time than when serious illness strikes to be supported with the tools necessary to make appropriate and informed decisions,” declared Rabbi Moshe D. Krupka, OU National Executive Director.
The program will consist of a panel discussion featuring the following speakers and topics:
Halachic Considerations, with Rav Hershel Schachter, Halachic Consultant OU Kosher; Rosh Yeshiva, Rosh Kollel, RIETS, Yeshiva University
Ethical Wills/Trusts and Estates, with Rabbi Shalom Baum, Rabbi, Congregation Keter Torah, Teaneck
Medical Challenges and Concerns, with Beth Popp, MD, Associate Program Director of Hematology/Oncology, Maimonides Medical Center; Associate Professor of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine
Legal and Financial Aspects, with Eytan Kobre, Esq., eldercare attorney
Family Support Services, with Rabbi Jay Yaakov Schwartz, MSW, Rabbinic Liaison to Yedid Nefesh, a program of Metropolitan Jewish Health System and supported by a grant from UJA-Federation of New York.