FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. โ More than 100 county sheriffs from roughly 30 states attended a ZAKA Search and Rescue training and reception in Fort Lauderdale aimed at equipping American law enforcement with practical knowledge of Jewish customs for treating the deceased. The session was held in coordination with the National Sheriffsโ Association.
ZAKA presented the religious and cultural imperatives that guide Jewish care for the dead, including the value placed on rapid burial, respectful handling of remains, and close coordination with clergy and community leaders. The training addressed how to preserve dignity and faith obligations even during violent deaths or mass casualty incidents.
One of the eveningโs most poignant moments came when Ilay David, brother of Hamas hostage Evyatar David, addressed attendees. โIn our tradition, we do not leave the dead behind,โ he said, adding that ZAKA helped many families recover and identify loved ones after the October 7 terror attacks.
โJewish law and tradition place profound importance on honoring the dignity of those who have passed,โ said Moshe Rosenberg, executive director of ZAKA North. He emphasized ZAKAโs mission to protect the living while ensuring proper treatment of the dead and urged sheriffs to build relationships with local Jewish communities.
Attendees received concrete guidance on matters such as when autopsies can be avoided, how to work with Jewish clergy or chaplains, and the procedures for the timely release of bodies to families. The session also explored how sheriffs can incorporate cultural sensitivity into mass casualty response protocols.
The program closed with a memorial ceremony honouring the victims of the October 7 attacks. Law enforcement leaders at the conference pledged to bring these lessons home and to adapt training and protocols to better serve Jewish residents in their jurisdictions.
The ZAKA program builds on a broader partnership with the National Sheriffsโ Association that was formalized earlier this year. The collaboration, supported in part by U.S. homeland security exchanges, aims to expand training, resource development, and joint response planning across the United States. Organizers said additional training programs and resources are planned.
For Jewish and Zionist communities, the sessions represent an important step toward ensuring that first responders understand sacred traditions and the special needs of Jewish families after loss. The training also reinforces international bonds of solidarity between Israeli volunteer responders and U.S. law enforcement.
This article is based on verified information from ZAKA, the National Sheriffsโ Association, JNS, The Jerusalem Post, and JINSA.