A moment of truth - Identifying victims of a disaster
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A moment of truth - Identifying victims of a disaster
True Virtue (Chesed Shel Emes) is the highly visible and emotionally demanding work for which ZAKA is best known. It is a unique unit with a singular mission: to honor the deceased and ensure a complete Jewish burial for those who die suddenly by collecting spilled blood and body parts at the scene of an attack or accident.
ZAKA volunteers are professionally trained in all aspects related to the identification of the deceased, preserving the honor of the dead, and ensuring a complete and appropriate Jewish burial. ZAKA is the only organization authorized by the Israeli police to handle any sudden death incident, whether it be road accidents, murders, suicides, terrorist attacks, mass incidents, or natural disasters.
ZAKA volunteers undergo professional training and work in cooperation with the Israeli police and its Forensic Department, the Home Front Command, and the National Institute of Forensic Medicine (Abu Kabir). They study all aspects of identifying the deceased, including how to maintain a sterile crime scene, take fingerprints, conduct DNA and dental tests, as well as forensic science and Jewish law.
ZAKA volunteers learn and practice body identification using the latest professional verification techniques and Jewish law. They use the most advanced equipment to identify bodies and body parts with certainty, thus avoiding any halakhic uncertainty and unnecessary distress.
With their unique experience, ZAKA volunteers also operate in similar circumstances worldwide, assisting Jews or Israelis caught in natural disasters or mass incidents. Additionally, ZAKA often responds to requests from families facing difficulties with local authorities abroad when trying to repatriate their loved ones’ bodies.
Chesed Shel Emes is the ultimate act of kindness and altruism (performing an action for which the recipient cannot express gratitude), and is the true emblem and foundation of ZAKA.
Professional emergency service—The leading non-governmental rescue and recovery organization in Israel, with over 3,000 volunteers. A Jewish mutual aid organization providing highly skilled volunteer services in various fields.
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