happenings at achiezer
Achiezer Hosts Dr. Jason Graham, Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, for Groundbreaking Tour of Tahara Facility
August 18, 2025
Achiezer is proud to announce that Dr. Jason Graham, Chief Medical Examiner of New York City, recently visited its state-of-the-art tahara facility. Dr. Graham, who oversees the largest medical examiner's office in the world, was joined by senior members of his team for a thorough and educational tour of the center. This marks a significant step in strengthening the relationship between the medical examiner's office and Achiezer's Zichron Dovid Chevra Kadisha, shedding light on the importance of preserving Jewish traditions while integrating modern medical practices.
The delegation included First Deputy Commissioner Nicholas Schultz, Chief Advisor Carly Berdan, Logistics Specialist Alex Dron, and Executive Director of Mortuary Response Operations Vincent Ruggiero III. The group was introduced to Achiezer's tahara center, which hosts the only genuine tahara mikvah of its kind in the Rockaways, Five Towns and surrounding communities. This unique facility offers a dedicated space for performing the ritual of tahara with the utmost respect for Jewish law and tradition.
Achiezer CEO Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, board members/Chevra Kadisha coordinators Meir Krengel and Aron Rosenberg as well as Shalom Jaroslawicz (a key architect of the center), operational staff including Daniel Goldfeder and logistics specialist Sholom Fruchter, Chaplain Matis Melnicke, and Meyer Weil of Misaskim as well as officials from the NYPD and NCPD, warmly welcomed the delegation. Despite the visit initially being scheduled for only 30 minutes, the group remained at the facility for over an hour, captivated by the sacred process of tahara and burial.
During the tour, discussions centered on various levels of Achiezer's Chevra Kadisha response, including removals from homes, hospitals, and tragic scenes. Rabbi Bender also discussed a separate volunteer group that ensures the requisite 10 men are present for a Jewish burial, a vital component of the Jewish burial process. The delegation also learned about the strategic location of the tahara center near JFK Airport, which provides invaluable convenience for families wishing to fulfill the wish of burying their loved ones in Israel.
A significant portion of the conversation revolved around the holiness and sanctity of the tahara process. Rabbi Bender shared with Dr. Graham that he himself was trained in this sacred mitzvah by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of NASCK, an authority in the field, who emphasized the perfectionism required to ensure that the tahara process is performed with the highest level of care and sanctity.
Dr. Graham, who has more than two decades of experience in forensic medicine, noted that this was his first opportunity to observe the Chevra Kadisha's operations firsthand. "In my entire career as a medical examiner and forensic specialist, I had never had an education like I had today," Dr. Graham remarked following the tour. "The experience was profoundly educational, shedding light on the deep respect and care with which the Jewish community honors the deceased."
The visit provided Dr. Graham and his colleagues with valuable insight into the meticulous care involved in the tahara process, from the moment of petirah (passing) through to kevurah (burial). The delegation was deeply impressed by the reverence with which each stage is carried out, underscoring the commitment to preserving the dignity of the deceased.
Meir Krengel of the Achiezer Board highlighted the significance of this visit in fostering greater understanding between medical professionals and religious traditions. "Dr. Graham's visit is a pivotal moment for our community," Krengel said. "Not only does it enhance our operations here in New York, but it also provides a model that could inspire similar initiatives across the country."
Rabbi Bender also underscored that despite Achiezer's large-scale operation and the critical services it provides, there is never a charge for any of these services. "Our mission is to ensure that every Jewish person receives the dignity they deserve, without financial barriers," Rabbi Bender emphasized.
Achiezer remains committed to its mission of providing compassionate, sacred services that preserve the sanctity of Jewish tradition. The visit was a powerful reminder of the profound connection between the world of forensics and the sacred rituals surrounding life and death.
The delegation included First Deputy Commissioner Nicholas Schultz, Chief Advisor Carly Berdan, Logistics Specialist Alex Dron, and Executive Director of Mortuary Response Operations Vincent Ruggiero III. The group was introduced to Achiezer's tahara center, which hosts the only genuine tahara mikvah of its kind in the Rockaways, Five Towns and surrounding communities. This unique facility offers a dedicated space for performing the ritual of tahara with the utmost respect for Jewish law and tradition.
Achiezer CEO Rabbi Boruch Ber Bender, board members/Chevra Kadisha coordinators Meir Krengel and Aron Rosenberg as well as Shalom Jaroslawicz (a key architect of the center), operational staff including Daniel Goldfeder and logistics specialist Sholom Fruchter, Chaplain Matis Melnicke, and Meyer Weil of Misaskim as well as officials from the NYPD and NCPD, warmly welcomed the delegation. Despite the visit initially being scheduled for only 30 minutes, the group remained at the facility for over an hour, captivated by the sacred process of tahara and burial.
During the tour, discussions centered on various levels of Achiezer's Chevra Kadisha response, including removals from homes, hospitals, and tragic scenes. Rabbi Bender also discussed a separate volunteer group that ensures the requisite 10 men are present for a Jewish burial, a vital component of the Jewish burial process. The delegation also learned about the strategic location of the tahara center near JFK Airport, which provides invaluable convenience for families wishing to fulfill the wish of burying their loved ones in Israel.
A significant portion of the conversation revolved around the holiness and sanctity of the tahara process. Rabbi Bender shared with Dr. Graham that he himself was trained in this sacred mitzvah by Rabbi Elchonon Zohn of NASCK, an authority in the field, who emphasized the perfectionism required to ensure that the tahara process is performed with the highest level of care and sanctity.
Dr. Graham, who has more than two decades of experience in forensic medicine, noted that this was his first opportunity to observe the Chevra Kadisha's operations firsthand. "In my entire career as a medical examiner and forensic specialist, I had never had an education like I had today," Dr. Graham remarked following the tour. "The experience was profoundly educational, shedding light on the deep respect and care with which the Jewish community honors the deceased."
The visit provided Dr. Graham and his colleagues with valuable insight into the meticulous care involved in the tahara process, from the moment of petirah (passing) through to kevurah (burial). The delegation was deeply impressed by the reverence with which each stage is carried out, underscoring the commitment to preserving the dignity of the deceased.
Meir Krengel of the Achiezer Board highlighted the significance of this visit in fostering greater understanding between medical professionals and religious traditions. "Dr. Graham's visit is a pivotal moment for our community," Krengel said. "Not only does it enhance our operations here in New York, but it also provides a model that could inspire similar initiatives across the country."
Rabbi Bender also underscored that despite Achiezer's large-scale operation and the critical services it provides, there is never a charge for any of these services. "Our mission is to ensure that every Jewish person receives the dignity they deserve, without financial barriers," Rabbi Bender emphasized.
Achiezer remains committed to its mission of providing compassionate, sacred services that preserve the sanctity of Jewish tradition. The visit was a powerful reminder of the profound connection between the world of forensics and the sacred rituals surrounding life and death.
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