Ep. 45 : Grief & Dignity: Respectful Death Practices and Their Impact on Survivors ft. ZAKA Simcha Greiniman

Simcha Greiniman, a 47-year-old husband, father of five, and grandfather of four, has dedicated over three decades to ZAKA, Israel’s premier volunteer emergency response and humanitarian aid organization. As the Deputy Commander of ZAKA Modi'in Illit, Simcha has played a crucial role in search and rescue missions, international disaster relief, and the sacred duty of kavod ha’met (respect for the deceased). In addition to his volunteer work, Simcha is a skilled carpenter and designer, owning a furniture factory in Modi'in Illit, where he resides with his family. Despite the demands of his profession, he has remained steadfast in his ZAKA responsibilities, responding to emergencies in Israel and abroad. Founded in 1995, ZAKA (Hebrew acronym for Disaster Victim Identification) has become Israel’s leading non-governmental rescue and recovery organization, with over 4,000 volunteers on call 24/7. Its volunteers, many of whom come from medical and emergency response backgrounds, work closely with security forces to respond to terrorist attacks, natural disasters, mass casualty incidents, and humanitarian crises worldwide. ZAKA is recognized by the United Nations for its international humanitarian efforts, transcending religious, racial, and political boundaries. The organization operates with a dual mission: kavod ha’chayim (honoring the living) through search, rescue, and emergency medical aid, and kavod ha’met (honoring the dead) by ensuring proper Jewish burial for victims of unnatural death. One of ZAKA’s most sacred duties is the collection of every drop of blood, bone, and tissue, in accordance with Jewish law, reflecting the belief that human life—and death—must be treated with the utmost respect.