Advance Healthcare Directive
& Conversation Guide
Take the initiative
If not now, when?
Print and Complete as a PDF
To access the PDF file, you will need to enter your name and email address. This ensures that we can update you about any legal changes that your region may require in the future as well as any other pertinent updates. Â
Healthcare Directive
There are many pathways (netivot in Hebrew) that one’s healthcare journey can take them on. Completing the Netivot advance healthcare directive ensures that your healthcare decisions will be made by the person of your choice and according to your Jewish values.
The Netivot healthcare proxy and advance healthcare directive was created by Ematai with the advice of leading rabbis, healthcare professionals, social workers, & lawyers. This is a simple and easy-to-understand legal document that must be signed & witnessed. You designate your healthcare proxy who will make decisions on your behalf if you cannot. You further direct your proxy to make decisions in accordance with your Jewish values. The directive provides the option to approve organ donation when permitted by Jewish law and an opportunity to designate a rabbinic consultant.Â
Gift your loved ones with the clarity and knowledge to speak on your behalf.
Versions of the Netivot healthcare directive are currently available for the United States, Ontario, and Quebec. The Netivot Guide to the UK LPA is available further below on this page. The Israeli directives are available here.
Please contact us for more information.
The conversation guide, included below, is not a legal document and may be used anywhere in the world.
Conversation Guide
Family members may need to choose a plan of care in the face of medical uncertainties. Given the individualized nature of each case, end-of-life decision making requires a thoughtful and personalized approach.
By completing this guide, you will help those that care for you – your proxy, family, rabbi, and healthcare providers – to better understand your goals and preferences so they can apply them to each unique situation. The Conversation Guide will help you navigate the conversations which are difficult to start but essential to have. It is a gift to your loved ones to provide them with greater clarity and avoid tensions or guilt caused by speculating about your values and preferences. Meaningful conversations bring families together.
The Netivot conversation guide is not a formal legal directive. It does not need to be signed or witnessed and may be used anywhere in the world. The ultimate goal is to generate healthy communication and ongoing conversations about these topics in an open and loving manner.
Guide to the UK Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney
The Netivot Guide to the UK Health and Welfare Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) was created by Ematai with the advice of many rabbis, healthcare professionals, social workers, & lawyers.
This is an explanatory document to assist you in completing your LPA with specific attention paid to the concerns and values of the Jewish community. Nothing in this document constitutes the offer of legal advice from Ematai.
To complete and sign your own LPA, you must download and complete the official document from the Office of the Public Guardian at: gov.uk/power-of-attorney.Â
The Netivot conversation guide, found above, is not a formal legal document and may be used anywhere in the world.
Create an Account > >
If you prefer to complete the Netivot advance directive and conversation guide digitally, you can access it here.
Special US State Requirements:
Residents of Wisconsin, Texas, New Hampshire, or Ohio
must download and print your state’s mandatory disclosure statement. You should review the mandatory disclosure statement before you sign your healthcare directive. The mandatory disclosure statement must be attached and stored together with the healthcare directive.
Residents of Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, & West Virginia
must sign the healthcare directive before two witnesses and a notary. Notarization is optional for everyone else. A notarization form is provided on the directive’s signature page.
Netivot is a free service to the community. Please support this initiative with a donation.
You are encouraged to consult with your own attorney for any questions about your specific needs or local requirements. Nothing on this website or within any element of the Netivot healthcare directive or conversation guide constitutes the offer of legal advice from Ematai.
Sign up for our newsletter
Netivot was composed by Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Rabbi Dr. Shlomo Brody of Ematai.
It draws from the Jewish advance healthcare directive created for Cedars-Sinai. We are thankful to Cedars-Sinai for their encouragement of this project.