Women’s Chevra Kadisha Leadership Conference

Rabbi Zohn is a world-renowned halachic expert in afterlife care. His extensive knowledge and experience make him a trusted advisor to rabbonim, chevros kadisha, crisis management organizations, and funeral and cemetery directors worldwide, ensuring the highest levels of kavod hameis. 

In 1997, he founded NASCK – the National Association of Chevros Kadisha – which today supports over 200 chevros kadisha throughout the world. Rabbi Zohn also serves as the director of the Chevra Kadisha of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, where he has dedicated over four decades to assisting the greater Jewish community of Queens and Long Island.

Rabbi Moshe Hauer has served the Orthodox Union (OU) as its Executive Vice President since 2020. In this role he serves as the organization’s rabbinic leader, heading its communal-oriented efforts and serving as its professional religious/policy leader and primary spokesman.

 Prior to joining the OU, Rabbi Hauer served as the senior Rabbi of the Bnai Jacob Shaarei Zion Congregation in Baltimore, MD for 26 years. He received his rabbinic ordination and doctor of Talmudic law from Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and received his master’s of science from John Hopkins University.

Zahava Farbman, MSW is a veteran crisis intervention, trauma, and bereavement specialist with nearly 30 years of experience guiding individuals, families, and communities through crises and tragedies.

A widely recognized expert in crisis response within the Jewish community, Zahava has spoken nationally and internationally, providing critical support in times of need. She dedicated 25 years to Chai Lifeline, first as Associate Director of Camp Simcha and later as a director of Project Chai, the organization’s crisis intervention department.

Now working independently, Zahava continues her commitment as the Mental Health Responder for Hatzolah of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, a consultant for other Hatzolah branches, and a Crisis Consultant for The Aleph Institute, supporting Jewish inmates and their families.

From 2018 to 2025, she was the founder and voice of Soul Sisters, a widely distributed daily message offering chizuk and inspiration through Torah wisdom, psychology, and her personal and professional experiences. These messages remain accessible on Yeshiva Ateres Shimon’s website.

Zahava can be reached at ZahavaFarbman@gmail.com

Dena is a certified personal trainer with over 20 years of experience. She helps clients of all ages and fitness levels, specializing in strength training, core development, and improving mobility and flexibility, including post-rehab conditioning.

Dena is particularly passionate about empowering women to recognize their full strength and muscle-building potential. She also has extensive experience in pre- and postnatal fitness, guiding women through safe and effective training before, during, and after pregnancy. Additionally, she provides science-based nutritional guidance, helping women develop sustainable strategies to achieve their health and wellness goals.

Dena’s appreciation for the chevra kadisha began with her mother’s dedication to this mitzvah. Today, she carries that legacy forward by helping chevra members develop the strength and mobility needed to perform tahara with care and ease.

Dena can be reached at denagoldfinger@gmail.com

I have been a member of the Chevra Kadisha of Rockland County under the leadership of Rabbi Ephraim Pessin for approximately 25 years.

I am married, blessed with five children, several grandchildren, and great grandchildren B”AH. Originally from Melbourne Australia, I moved to the United States in 1977.  Soon after our arrival, we settled in Monsey, where we still reside.

I work as an office manager in my husband’s CPA firm, Bernath & Rosenberg.  Since my husband is one of the firm’s founding partners, I have the flexibility to respond to Rabbi Pessin’s calls to perform a tahara at almost any time – whether in the middle of the work day, early morning or afternoon. Additionally, Rabbi Bayer, Director of the Chevra Kadisha in New Square, often calls our Chevra to do taharas for the New Square Chevra Kadisha. 

I am deeply grateful to Rabbi Pessin and Rabbi Bayer for giving me the opportunity to be involved in this special mitzvah. I ask Hashem for continued good health, strength and the ability to continue doing taharas in accordance with Halacha and with the proper kavod hameis.

Tovah (Michelle) Kirschner served as the President of the Cincinnati Chevra Kadisha from 1994 until 2024. She is currently the President Elect, Head of the women’s division and Secretary for NASCK.  

Tovah is a nurse practitioner that has experience in the ICU, cardiology, interventional pulmonology and oncology supportive care.  She is currently the Director of Program Development for the Cancer Survivorship Provider Network (CSPN), an online community that provides supportive care education, resources and mentorship to oncology professionals and cancer programs throughout the US and internationally.

Tovah brings her medical experience to lead the complex tahara team and fields questions on device removal and other challenges.  She collaborated with Rabbi Zohn to map the taharah process and create a comprehensive tahara manual for Cincinnati when she first became the Chevra President.  She continues to innovate to meet the needs of the community.