When Ematai established our Robert M. Beren Medical Halacha Helpline in 2023, we articulated ten guiding principles for our approach to end-of-life care and halacha. These principles are rooted in the general halachic approaches of leading poskim of previous generations, including Rabbi Moshe Feinstein zt”l, Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zt”l, and Rabbi Zalman Nechemia Goldberg zt”l.

As Ematai’s work has expanded, so too has the number of families and healthcare professionals turning to our helpline for guidance. Every question carries tremendous weight, often involving decisions that profoundly affect patients and their loved ones. Most cases involve familiar halachic questions addressed by Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner or myself, the helpline’s primary meshivim. Others present particularly complex circumstances, requiring careful consideration of both established halachic principles and evolving medical realities.

Throughout our work, we are committed to ensuring that our guidance reflects the approaches of the leading poskim of our generation, grounded in the great halachic authorities who preceded them.

To further strengthen this commitment, Ematai is honored to announce the formation of its Senior Rabbinic Council for Medical Halacha, comprising seven distinguished poskim:

• Rabbi Hershel Schachter, shlit”a — New York
• Rabbi Mordechai Willig, shlit”a — New York
• Rabbi Tzvi Sobolofsky, shlit”a — New Jersey
• Rabbi Yosef Tzvi Rimon, shlit”a — Gush Etzion
• Rabbi Prof. Avraham Steinberg, shlit”a — Jerusalem
• Rabbi Yehoram Ulman, shlit”a — Sydney
• Rabbi Moshe Gutnick, shlit”a — Sydney

These distinguished rabbinic authorities have graciously agreed to serve as resources for consultation on challenging cases and to provide broader guidance regarding our halachic approach. When additional consultation is needed, our meshivim will turn to individual Council members, depending on the circumstances of the case and their availability. At times, we may also consult other respected poskim with whom we maintain relationships, taking into account a family’s particular circumstances, communal background, and other relevant considerations.

Individual Council members may also be asked to review specific Ematai programs and resources, with their names listed individually only when they have endorsed those initiatives.

Alongside this new Council, Ematai will continue to maintain its broader Rabbinic and Medical Advisory Committee, whose members provide valuable medical and communal advice to support our work.

We are deeply grateful for the willingness of these distinguished poskim to share their wisdom, experience, and Torah scholarship in support of Ematai’s mission. Their involvement strengthens our ability to address difficult medical questions with the seriousness, sensitivity, and halachic rigor they demand.

Above all, this Council represents our commitment to the families who place their trust in us.

When you turn to Ematai at some of life’s most difficult moments, you can feel confident that the guidance you receive is grounded in the wisdom of our generation’s leading poskim, informed by contemporary medical expertise, and delivered with compassion and care.