The Kosher side of Organ Donation

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The Rabbinical Council of Victoria has met with the Federal Government Organ and Tissue Authority following the RCV support for the DonateLife program and its impact on halacha.

Joint statement

Rabbinical Council of Victoria’s (RCV) president, Rabbi Meir Shlomo Kluwgant met this week with Ms Yael Cass, CEO of the Australian Government’s Organ and Tissue Authority, to discuss the Donatelife
program which promotes organ and tissue donation.

Rabbi Kluwgant and Yael Cass

Earlier this year the RCV Executive Committee endorsed a Statement of Support for Donatelife  which focussed on the importance of organ donation and ensuring that it is done in accordance with halacha.

“This is a very important issue, and I am encouraged by the progress being made in addressing the halachic complexities associated with organ donation” Rabbi Kluwgant said.

It is expected that a statement of halachic guidelines will be developed and finalised in the near future, with plans also underway for the training of rabbis and medical practitioners in the field of halachically acceptable guidelines and processes for organ and tissue donation.
The RCV also invited the Council of Orthodox Synagogues (COSV) to participate in the discussions. A COSV representative, Mr Yossi Aron, was present at the recent talks between the RCV and Donatelife.

COSV president Isaac Teller was very supportive of the process. “The COSV looks to the RCV for guidance on all matters of halacha. We are excited about the prospects and look forward to working in partnership with the RCV on this project” Mr Teller said.

Yael Cass welcomed the discussions with the RCV and the COSV. “Our aim is to work closely with major faith groups across Australia to confirm the support of religious leaders for organ donation and to
educate community members about the immense benefits of organ donation for transplantation. We are currently working with religious and community leaders across the Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu and Eastern Orthodox faiths. Each organ donor has the potential to save several lives. This is a generous and altruistic decision for each individual to make.”