In today’s world, where convenience often overshadows tradition, one of the most urgent and sacred missions of the Torah Outreach Program (TOP) is to fight the growing trend of cremation and ensure that every Jewish soul is given the dignity of Kevuras Yisroel—a proper Jewish burial.
Each year, Rabbi Yisroel Bodkins brings in Rabbi Yerucham Kopelman of the Neshama Foundation to speak to seniors across South Florida about the spiritual and halachic dangers of cremation. These deeply moving talks are more than educational—they are transformational. After each session, seniors are encouraged to sign a Living Will declaration stating their desire to refuse cremation and requesting that Rabbi Bodkins be involved in their end-of-life decisions. This simple yet powerful document has changed lives—and saved countless neshamos.
Turning the Tide—One Soul at a Time
Thanks to these efforts, TOP has prevented many cremations and crypt interments—sometimes by working with the individual before their passing, and at other times by navigating difficult conversations with grieving families afterward. One particularly emotional case involved a man who signed the Living Will but, after his passing, his son refused to honor his wishes. The man died on the first day of Sukkos.
What followed was an intense and heart-wrenching week: while most were celebrating Chol Hamoed, Rabbi Bodkins was tirelessly advocating for the soul of the deceased. With guidance from a Rav and legal backing, a non-Jew was permitted to call the crematorium on Simchas Torah, warning them of an impending lawsuit. After countless hours of negotiation, the man was finally buried with honor the day after Sukkos.
It’s Not About the Money—It’s About the Mitzvah
Too often, cremation is justified as a cost-saving measure. But Rabbi Bodkins refuses to let money dictate the fate of a Jewish soul. He’s spent countless hours on the phone raising funds to cover burial expenses, ensuring that no Jew is ever denied a proper burial due to financial hardship.
Rabbi Bodkins works closely with two incredible partners—Rabbi Kopelman of the Neshama Foundation, a nonprofit funeral home, and Rabbi Kay Lyons of the South Florida Jewish Cemetery, a nonprofit cemetery. Remarkably, both organizations came into existence after TOP was founded, and they’ve made it significantly easier to carry out this sacred work. Rabbi Bodkins recalls one instance where he needed to raise $7,000 for a burial—and ended up collecting $10,000. The extra $3,000 now sits in a dedicated fund, ready for the next meis mitzvah.
Empowering Our Elders to Choose Life After Life
Recently, a group of seniors asked Rabbi Bodkins to take them on a “field trip” to the South Florida Jewish Cemetery. They wanted to see the grounds before signing the Living Will. Rabbi Bodkins saw this as an opportunity—not just to educate, but to uplift. He organized the visit and treated the group to a kosher meal afterward. For some, it was the first kosher meal they had eaten in decades. It wasn’t just a trip; it was a reconnection with their heritage.
The photos from that day—Rabbi Kopelman giving a heartfelt talk, the seniors walking through the cemetery with quiet dignity—tell a powerful story: that even in the twilight years, it’s never too late to choose Kavod HaMeis and to honor our past, our people, and our eternal values.
They Gave Us Our Future. Let Us Protect Their Legacy.
Rabbi Bodkins’ work is more than outreach—it’s chesed shel emes, the truest kindness. By educating, advocating, and often fundraising, he ensures that no Jewish soul is forgotten, and no tradition is abandoned. Through TOP, Rabbi Bodkins continues to shine light in places most would never go—bringing honor to those who built our past, and hope to those seeking peace in their final chapter.
To support this critical mission or learn more, visit torahoutreachprogram.com .
