More than 100 sheriffs from 30 states gathered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for a training session and reception hosted by ZAKA search and rescue, an Israeli volunteer emergency response and disaster victim recovery organization.
Held in coordination with the National Sheriffs’ Association, with which ZAKA partners in the United States, the event marked a significant step toward expanding cultural and religious sensitivity training within American law enforcement, particularly regarding Jewish traditions related to honoring the dead.
Sheriffs in attendance heard directly from ZAKA leaders about Jewish laws and customs governing the treatment of human remains, including the religious imperative for rapid burial, the respectful handling of the deceased, and the importance of close coordination with Jewish communities during times of crisis.
The event aimed to equip law-enforcement agencies with the knowledge and tools needed to better serve Jewish residents in their jurisdictions, ensuring that faith-based traditions are respected and upheld, even in the most challenging situations, such as violent deaths or mass casualty events.
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when Ilay David, the brother of Hamas hostage Evyatar David, addressed the audience. Evyatar was abducted by Hamas during the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks in southern Israel and remains in captivity.
“In our tradition, we do not leave the dead behind,” said Ilay David. “And we don’t let go of hope for the living. My brother is still not home. But ZAKA was there for so many other families, helping them recover the bodies of their loved ones, identifying them, and ensuring they received a proper Jewish burial. That is dignity. That is honor. That is what every human deserves.”
Moshe Rosenberg, executive director of ZAKA North America, emphasized that Jewish law and tradition place great importance on honoring the dignity of those who have passed, recognizing the human body as sacred even in death.
“Our mission is to protect the living while upholding the dignity of the deceased, and we are here to share that mission with you,” he said.
The training equipped sheriffs with practical knowledge of Jewish customs surrounding death, including the prohibition on unnecessary autopsies; the importance of involving Jewish clergy or chaplains; and the need to facilitate the timely release of bodies in coordination with families and faith leaders. Attendees learned how to build relationships with local Jewish communities based on mutual understanding and how to respond appropriately to a tragedy affecting Jewish residents.
Founded to honor the dead in accordance with religious tradition, ZAKA has grown into a comprehensive emergency response network, with more than 4,000 trained volunteers operating around the clock across Israel. Today, the organization runs a wide range of specialized units, including rapid medical response, urban search-and-rescue, water recovery and culturally sensitive burial teams that serve Israel’s Jewish, Bedouin, Arab and Druze communities.
