ZAKA Search & Rescue volunteers are entering 2026 with a renewed focus on training and preparedness, conducting intensive disaster exercises alongside the IDF Home Front Command. The drills test volunteers’ skills in search and rescue, casualty extraction, operation of specialized equipment and multi-agency coordination under pressure, preparing responders for both the rescue of the living and the dignified recovery of the deceased.
“Training is the foundation of everything we do,” said CEO Dubi Weissenstern. “Our volunteers must be ready not only to save lives, but also to honor those who have passed. Every exercise ensures that we respond with professionalism, precision and compassion, giving families a measure of closure in their darkest moments.”
ZAKA’s dual mission is central to its philosophy when it comes to training. Volunteers practice rapid response to emergencies—from car accidents to collapsed buildings to mass-casualty events, while also emphasizing kavod hameis, the dignified handling of human remains, in accordance with Jewish faith and tradition. These exercises ensure that victims are treated with respect, and that families can trust their loved ones are cared for when they cannot be present.
“What we do in drills translates directly to how we respond to real-life emergencies,” said Chaim Weingarten, ZAKA vice president of operations. “Working alongside the IDF Home Front Command allows our volunteers to integrate and operate seamlessly alongside Israel’s emergency services, ensuring that both lives and the dignity of the deceased are protected when every second matters.”
Beyond its drills for volunteers in Israel, ZAKA is expanding its awareness and training programs for U.S. law enforcement leaders. It continues to offer its “Kavod Hameis Awareness” seminar nationwide and, in early 2026, will host a more intensive program in Israel for senior law enforcement officials, homicide investigators and medical examiners. These courses help U.S. agencies understand the religious and cultural needs of the Jewish community in fatal incidents while integrating these considerations into investigative practices.
“By sharing our expertise with U.S. agencies, we help investigators across the United States to better understand the unique customs surrounding Jewish fatalities,” said Moshe Rozenberg, U.S. executive director. “We showcase how Israel has integrated these customs into its emergency and investigative practices and discuss what can be adapted in their own jurisdictions.”
Weissenstern added that “every drill, every training session, every partnership matters. We are investing in preparedness today so that when disaster strikes tomorrow, our volunteers and partners are ready to save lives and honor those who have passed.”
