Death with Dignity and Judaism

Death with dignity, mercy killing, euthanasia, physician assisted suicide... these are all terms for essentially the same thing. There sometimes comes a point in a person’s life when they may be forced to choose between a prolonged, painful terminal illness, or a quick, painless end to their life. This is a difficult and agonizing decision for the individual and their family and friends.

Several states including Oregon and Vermont have passed laws allowing physicians in specific circumstances to prescribe medication to a terminally ill patient to take their own life.

Recently a Nevada legislator wrote an article in the Review-Journal in which he talked about his plan to bring up a bill during the current Nevada legislative session that is similar to the law in Oregon.

The Board of Rabbis of Southern Nevada thought that we had the responsibility to educate members of the Jewish community about the Jewish perspective on the issue. To facilitate this, we have set up a panel discussion and learning session that will take place on Sunday, March 22 beginning at 1:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Sholom. You can check out the flyer for more information. You can click here to go straight to the registration page: http://bit.ly/1ApUbKV

We hope you will join us for this important discussion.

The program is free and open to the public.