This past Sunday, students from Central’s AP Biology, AP Chemistry, and AP Physics classes were invited by Mrs. Ruth Fried to attend Yeshiva University’s 13th Annual Medical Ethics Symposium, honoring Rabbi Dr. Moshe Tendler. The title of the conference was “Who Shall Live and Who Shall Die,” and it included presentations and panels on topics pertaining to the beginning and end of life, including physician-assisted suicide and assisted reproductive technology. Junior Eliana Wachstock, an AP Chemistry student, said, “I was impressed that after every doctor or other medical professional spoke, there was also a rav giving halachic insight on the matter. It felt like there was a seamless connection between the two worlds we live in as frum Jews.” Senior Hannah Hamerman, a student in AP Physics, added that the conference was “a truly intriguing event. In general, I feel that these are topics that are shied away from. People are tentative when speaking about patient autonomy and issues regarding life support. But, this conference allowed these topics to be explained and discussed in an open manner.”
