Jewish Advance Medical Directives (1997)

WHEREAS, Jewish Law and values have always viewed life as a blessing from God and place the preservation of life at the center of our tradition; and

WHEREAS, modern advances in medicine have greatly expanded the means by which life may be preserved; and

WHEREAS, in society at large numerous complex questions are raised as to the means by which life is preserved - for example, distinguishing treatment that truly preserves life from that which only delays death, evaluation life-preserving measures that carry high degrees of risk or adverse side affects, and determining who should make the decision as to how long life should be preserved and determining the permissibility oh physician-assisted suicide; and

WHEREAS, it is incumbent on Conservative Jews to understand how Conservative Judaism deals with these issues; and

WHEREAS, each individual possesses autonomy and may determine aspects of his or her own medical care by appropriate discussions with their families, advisors, and personal physicians, and by executing certain documents indicating their views, called "advanced directives"; and

WHEREAS, the Committee of Jewish Law and Standards of the Rabbinical Assembly has approved "Jewish Medical Directive for Health Care"., and educational booklet containing sample documents designed to permit an individual to make certain that his or her wished on medical treatment decisions are respected and that these wishes will be guided by Jewish law and values, as interpreted within Conservative Judaism.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM affirms the vital importance of a laity informed on Jewish thinking on these issues, and the importance of each individual assuring appropriate decision-making governing treatment during the last stages of life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM will provide suitable educational material and urges all affiliated congregations to make this material particularly "Jewish Medical Directives for Health Care", available to their members and to provide sessions designed to educate them about the issues involved in making choices governing medical treatment during the last stages of life that are consonant with the values of Conservative Judaism and the dictates of sound medical practice and applicable law; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that THE UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM encourages all members of affiliated congregations to consult with their families, their personal physicians, and appropriate legal counsel on these matters and to execute advanced directives indicating their views - a durable power of attorney for health care and living will.