The Holiest Work

A Conversation with Miriam Neumark Shalev of the IDF Chevra Kadisha’s Women’s Unit

October 7 will forever be known as a day of infamy for Jews. The atrocities wrought on our brethren are still too horrific to contemplate, as is the fact that over 125 hostages remain in captivity as we go to press. Yet we Jews, in our age-old response to calamity, stepped up to help Acheinu Bnei Yisrael. One prominent example is the Israel Defense Forces’ chevra kadisha, which operates under the most challenging of circumstances. Lesser-known but as compelling is the Metaplot HaChalalot (chalalah is a fallen female soldier), the IDF chevra kadisha’s women’s unit, which functions under the IDF Rabbinate.