The aftermath of a tragic death is something no human eye want to see.

 

Body parts strewn across highway lanes, blood streaked across the apartment walls…

 

And yet, Jewish law requires us to bury the deceased with all their limbs and life blood.

 

As gruesome as the task of cleaning up is, there are hidden heroes among us who rise above their nature and face the horror head on, only so victims can have a proper Jewish burial.

 

It takes hours. Hours of work no human being wants to do.

 

And yet, in every disaster scene and every tragedy in Florida where a Jewish person has been killed, the dedicated volunteers of Chesed shel Emes quietly and resolutely take mind-defying steps to provide kovod hameis to the sudden victims of horrific accidents and disasters. No matter who they are or where they’re coming from. Every Jewish soul is given the highest level of respect.

 

Jewish law requires us to collect all the blood of the deceased and bury it together with them. We’re grateful to the Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement for their understanding, tremendous sensitivity, and cooperation.

 

Our volunteers have driven for hours and flown with barely any notice, at the crack of dawn and just when they turned in for the night. They’ve seen the goriest of sights and most grisly of scenes.

 

And yet, they continue to scour highways with special sponges to catch all the blood. They collect the severed limbs to bury them with the victim. They clean up heartbreaking suicide scenes.

 

It’s work we can’t imagine anyone doing. And yet, they do it. Faithfully there, every time they’re needed, so that casualties can be buried as Jewish law requires.