Program Planned to Promote Jewish Medical Awareness

A new program to be offered in Port Washington next month will allow participants to ponder a range of ethical questions including end of life issues, preventive measures and respect due to the body after death. 

Presented by the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute in partnership with Chabad of Port Washington, the six-session Life in the Balance: Jewish Perspectives on Everyday Medical Dilemmas course will begin in October.

Conducted by Rabbi Shalom Paltiel of Chabad of Port Washington, the Sunday sessions begin at 10 a.m. on Oct. 27 at Chabad’s center, 80 Shore Rd. in Port Washington.

“Nowadays, at some point or another, everyone faces an extremely difficult medical decision that they aren’t equipped to handle,” said Rabbi Paltiel in a press release. “Our objective with this course is to acquaint the public with fascinating Jewish perspectives on some of the most cutting-edge dilemmas in medical ethics.”

Organizers say the program is designed to appeal to people at all levels of Jewish knowledge, including those without any prior experience or background in Jewish learning. The course is accredited to offer AMA PRA Category 1 CME credits for medical professionals, CLE credits for attorneys in most states, and AGD PACE credits for dentists. 

The program will discuss questions such as: Must we prolong life at the expense of immense suffering? Should we legalize compensation for organs to save the lives of those on the transplant list? And where do we draw the line between keen vigilance to safeguard one’s health and pointless panic? The course will also explore ethical ramifications of fascinating new technologies such as digital autopsies, and uterine transplants.

All JLI courses are open to the public, and attendees need not be affiliated with a particular synagogue, temple, or other house of worship.

Interested students may call 516-767-8672 or visit www.chabadpw.org/jli for registration and other course-related information.