The Tzohar Modern Orthodox rabbinic organization has launched an initiative to provide support for bereaved families, in addition to its core service of officiating at Jewish weddings. The program, to be run by the organization's team of volunteer rabbis, will offer support to bereaved families and assist in arranging halachic burials and funerals as an alternative to those arranged by traditional religious authorities. Bereavement program counselors are currently operating in central Israel, but Tzohar plans to expand the service nationwide. Tzohar founder Rabbi David Stav said the bereavement program is a natural evolution of the organization's mission to respond to all relevant needs in the Jewish lifecycle. Tzohar already offers wedding ceremonies that enable couples to marry under Jewish and Israeli law as an alternative to what many feel is the bureaucracy of the Chief Rabbinate. "Our intention in this program is to help support these families emotionally and logistically and give them the understanding that Halachah and Jewish tradition should not be perceived as any sort of burden. We wish to show them that they are being supported and cared for by our rabbinic community at all times of life," Stav said. "Over the past two decades, we have been blessed to participate in countless happy occasions and share them with millions of Israelis, but we understand that our commitment is also to ensure our services and support are available at less joyful periods of life."
Modern Orthodox group Tzohar launches bereavement program
Rabbinic organization, known for conducting weddings, aims to provide halachic alternative to traditional religious authorities in burials and funerals • Founder: Program is natural evolution of mission to meet all relevant needs in Jewish lifecycle.
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