Hosted by the Orthodox Union and NASCK, the unifying event offered chizuk, inspiration, guidance, and connection for female Chevra Kadisha leaders
Women’s Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference participants
More than 100 female leaders of Chevros Kadisha nationwide recently gathered at the Delta Hotels Woodbridge, in Iselin, New Jersey, for the first-ever conference designed specifically for women dedicated to the sacred work of preparing the deceased for burial.
Organized by the Orthodox Union in partnership with NASCK (National Association of Chevra Kadisha), the Women’s Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference brought together participants from across the Orthodox spectrum for an immersive day of learning, support, and meaningful collaboration. Leaders from Monsey, Boro Park, Lakewood, Woodmere, Deal, New Haven, Philadelphia, Cherry Hill, Baltimore, Chicago, St. Louis, Boca Raton, and Portland were among the many communities represented.
“Chevra Kadisha members are a quiet society,” says OU Director of Torah and Halacha Initiatives Rabbi Ezra Sarna. “This very special group of people, devoted to working l’Shem Shamayim, leave their homes at all hours, regardless of the time of day. Theirs is a Chesed Shel Emes, a kindness that’s never going to be repaid. On a community level, for many chevros kadisha, a by-product of this discrete and sensitive work is a lack of recognition or real support.”
One of the conference’s key objectives, says Rabbi Sarna, was to bring together these leaders who often work in isolation.
“Just looking into the eyes of another woman who shares a deep understanding of this work is the greatest chizuk. The bonds formed were truly remarkable. Our goal was to uplift and inspire, and to give participants a sense of renewed energy and purpose as they continue their avodas hakodesh.”
Rabbi Elchanan Zohn is a world-renowned halachic expert in afterlife care, the director of the Chevra Kadisha, Vaad Harabonim of Queens, New York, and the founder and president of NASCK, which he launched about 25 years ago as a resource for Chevros Kadisha. NASCK offers education and practical guidance on a broad range of issues relating to end-of-life, with a special focus on tahara and communal work.
“The conference provided an opportunity for Chevra Kadisha women, in leadership roles, to share experiences, express feelings, gain chizuk, knowledge, and general information on an issue they are passionate about,” says Rabbi Zohn, who delivered the keynote address. “Although they devote significant time and energy to this chesed, they often lack opportunities to discuss and exchange insights with others.”
Rabbi Zohn opened with words of encouragement, reminding participants that they carry a profound responsibility — not only for the deceased in their communities, but also, as leaders, for upholding the integrity of their respective organizations. He offered practical guidance on conducting taharos that are effective, efficient, and uncompromising in their standards.
Devorah Grayson is president of the Women’s Chevra Kadisha of Greater Washington and was particularly moved by Rabbi Zohn’s address.
“It was very inspirational to witness firsthand someone who has devoted his entire life to this ultimate chesed,” she says. “Rabbi Zohn continuously searches for ways to improve our practices and to understand the importance and meaning behind our minhagim,” she says. “His constant encouragement and availability to us all is invaluable.”
Grayson, whose husband Dean is president of the Men’s Chevra Kadisha, was among the panelists at a session entitled From Recruitment to Retirement and Everything in Between, which tackled some of the most sensitive and often unspoken aspects of Chevra Kadisha operations — how to recruit new members, how to support aging volunteers, and how to navigate situations when someone is no longer capable of serving or lacks the qualifications to do so from the outset.
Panel moderator Danya Miller serves as the Director of Operations and an active volunteer at the Jewish Sacred Society Chevra Kadisha of Chicago. In a separate session, Miller introduced a creative technique for removing gel nail polish — typically a job for a professional salon— highlighting the nuanced care sometimes required in tahara.
For Miller, the session From Hidden to Heard: Why Chevros Kadisha Should Engage in Outreach, left a lasting impression. Centered on proactive education, the session was led by Yael Davidowitz, NASCK Director of Outreach and Project Last Kindness, an initiative developed in response to the alarming 50% cremation rate among American Jews. Davidowitz emphasized the project’s mission: to raise awareness and understanding of the beauty, value, and significance of traditional Jewish burial and afterlife care.
“I felt a deep connection to Yael’s session,” says Miller. “Her presentation on the cremation crisis and why it is our collective achrayus to carry, was brilliant, and I felt her passion and drive. I left with renewed vigor to carry on our fight against cremation in every way we can.”
During lunch, OU Women’s Initiative Founding Director Rebbetzin Dr. Adina Shmidman invited women from a variety of community Chevros Kadisha to share meaningful reflections, personal stories, and insights drawn from their work.
“Being in a room filled with so many women who share the same passion and dedication for the mitzvah of kavod hameis was incredibly uplifting,” says Miller. “The energy was unmatched; everyone was eager to connect and learn. I loved hearing how different chevros operate — how they recruit members, coordinate taharas, manage participation policies, and even how they source and allocate their funds. It was inspiring to see the broad cross-section of Jews involved and to exchange practical ideas about everything from supplies to structure.”
In a powerful session titled Strength, Purpose, and the Road Ahead, OU Executive Vice President Rabbi Moshe Hauer explored the seeming paradox of referring to the tahara process as one of “purity,” despite the fact that contact with the deceased involves the highest level of ritual impurity. He spoke movingly about the profound kedusha inherent in caring for a fellow Jew at their most vulnerable moment, underscoring the sanctity and spiritual power of this ultimate act of chesed.
“The Women’s Chevra Kadisha Conference convened a community of practice, bringing together women dedicated to the holy task of the Chevra Kadisha to gain support from each other, and to elevate their work by sharing with, and learning from, each other,” says Rabbi Hauer. “Eisek b’tzarchei tzibbur, communal work, can be both taxing and lonely and it was a privilege to see and feel the energy and camaraderie in the room.”
Other sessions fostering networking and collaboration included Sacred Duty, Safe Practice: Preventing Injury During Tahara — Addressing Proper Body Mechanics and Lifting Techniques; and When Chesed Feels Heavy: Navigating Difficult Taharos with Emotional Resilience, a workshop that particularly resonated with Malka Forshner of Estero, Florida.
The latter session was led by Malkie Klaristenfeld, Founding Director of Knafayim, an organization devoted to supporting families through high-risk pregnancies, perinatal and infant loss, and reproductive trauma. Klaristenfeld addressed the challenges of managing trauma and sustaining emotional well-being while performing the holy work of the Chevra Kadisha.
“As the head of a small-town Chevra Kadisha, Malkie’s deep compassion and genuine concern, expressed on so many levels, provided a powerful spiritual and emotional recharge for me,” says Forshner, who administers the South West Florida Chevra Kadisha with her husband, Shmuel Aaron.
For Forshner, the highlight of the conference was the profound sense of achdus shared by everyone present.
“We may have different minhagim and hashkafos, and run our Chevros Kadisha differently, but we all are equal in our shared purpose and devotion to our collective mission,” she says.
Grayson agrees.
“This conference was spectacular on so many levels,” she says. “Bringing together such a diverse group of people who all share the same goal created a powerful sense of unity. Whether we were drawing strength from mutual experiences, or simply forming new friendships, it was phenomenal.”
This achdus, she notes, was a testament to the OU and NASCK, who brought everyone together so seamlessly.
“I think a very important takeaway message from the conference is that when we all put aside our political, religious and personal differences and act as one for a common cause, we can accomplish remarkable things.”
Reflecting on the conference, Rabbi Zohn expressed deep gratitude to the OU for partnering with NASCK on this exciting new initiative.
“With the expertise and professionalism the OU brings to Jewish community educational programming, the Women’s Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference was a huge success. Providing an opportunity to network and learn from each other, gain inspiration, practical ideas and guidance from professionals, the atmosphere was positively exuberant. Ultimately, this will translate into greater Kavod Hameis, which is what Chevra Kadisha and Chesed Shel Emes are all about.”