The acclaimed Notre Dame Law School — which is ranked as one of the oldest and most respected law schools in the United States — hosted an important seminar on the topic of “Religious Liberty Issues in Healthcare.”
Distinguished speakers from across the country were invited to discuss the legal challenges facing patients and their families, health care systems, current issues in medical regulation and cultural challenges facing medical students and doctors.
As leaders in the field of end-of-life care, Chayim Aruchim, a project of Agudath Israel of America, is known for advising and advocating patients and their families and educating both law and healthcare professionals on the tenets of Jewish end-of-life values. Understanding and respecting patient values plays an integral role in preventing conflict in times of crisis.
Rabbi Lefkowitz was invited to speak alongside other notable academic leaders, including Peter Banko, CEO of Centura Health, Dr. Lydia Dugdale, director of the Columbia Center for Clinical Medical Ethics, and Louis Brown, executive director of Christ Medicus Foundation.
O. Carter Snead, a professor of law at Notre Dame Law School and the director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture moderated the discussion, and introduced Rabbi Lefkowitz to the appreciative crowd.
HIGHLIGHTING CHAYIM ARUCHIM’S MISSION TO PRESERVE LIFE
Rabbi Lefkowitz began his presentation by explaining the value the Torah places on the sanctity of Jewish life, and the challenges that patients may face for various health matters, such as brain death and palliative care, two issues he addressed during his talk
“For me, my actions are guided by the Torah, the Jewish Bible,” he said. “The Bible teaches us that the sanctity of human life outweighs all our earthly possessions. This applies even to a severely neurologically impaired person or a person who is destined to die due to a fatal illness or accident… The leading principle is that life is of supreme value ― every life.”
He spoke in great depth about the importance of values in health care: “The United States of America has the most outstanding medical institutions in the world. … However, when it is determined that a patient cannot be cured, but could be treated and that their life will be extended through the treatment, this is where the religious values and the new progressive liberal values collide.”
“We recognize that we are not going to change other people’s values. But what Chayim Aruchim demands is that they recognize and respect those whose values differ, and provide the medical care in accordance with the patient’s values. Such care is consistent with the hallowed American principle of self-determination.”
Rabbi Lefkowitz noted that medical schools should inculcate respect for a patient’s religious values in medical school.
“It seems to me that the most important educational lessons a medical professional can learn are that there are numerous values out there and that the most important thing is to respect and treat the patient according to the patient’s values. I understand that in medical school, they teach ethics. I don’t understand whose ethics they are teaching,” he said, drawing some laughs from the attendees. “If they really want [students] to learn about ethics, they should bring in people from various different backgrounds to teach them what their values are. … That way, they will be sensitized that medical care needs to be given in a culturally sensitive manner,” Lefkowitz continued. “Each faith should have their own Chayim Aruchim.”
He also explained the diverse and complex scenarios that Chayim Aruchim will often encounter when dealing with a healthcare crisis.
“There are a wide variety of issues such as a refusal to put in feeding tubes, refusing intubation, discharging people to hospice, or being told to give up,” he noted. “So Chayim Aruchim has a phone hotline staffed by knowledgeable Rabbinical leaders”.
ADVOCATING FOR CRITICALLY-ILL JEWISH PATIENTS
When the life of a critically ill relative or elderly loved one is on the line, the people around them end up in uncharted territory. Families are confused and terrified. The lack of direction is frustrating and scary. Feelings of guilt and trepidation creep in. Nobody knows what questions to ask or what steps to take. And then, they call Chayim Aruchim.
“When an individual is seriously ill, the patient and the family are not equipped to properly evaluate the critical medical decisions that they are faced with,” emphasized Rabbi Lefkowitz. “Chayim Aruchim was founded to guide, advocate, and protect the religious rights of critically ill Jewish patients and provide end-of-life Halachic guidance.”
Thanks to a 24-hour crisis hotline, families from across the world can make proper decisions that are in the best interests of their loved ones. If you are dealing with a situation that requires end-of-life advocacy or counseling, call Chayim Aruchim’s phone hotline at 718-ARUCHIM (718-278-2446).
{Matzav.com}
Amazing!