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Q: What is the HOD Society?
A: The HOD Society is an organization that educates Jews around the world about the halachic and medical issues surrounding organ donation. It also has a Living Kidney Donor Program, which tries to pair altruistic kidney donors with recipients in Israel and the larger Jewish community.
Q: What kind of outreach programs does the HOD Society offer?
A: The HOD Society offers Shabbat lectures, school lectures, one-day regional seminars, Shabbat Scholar-in-Residence programs and printed materials.
Q: Does the HOD Society issue piskei halacha (religious rulings)?
A: No. The HOD Society recognizes a plurality of halachic positions concerning organ donation and determining the moment of death. Therefore, it offers a unique organ donor card that allows people to become donors based on their preferred halachic beliefs.
Q: What is unique about a HODS donor card?
A: The HOD Society organ donor card allows you to choose between two definitions of death that is debated in Jewish law. In addition, by registering for a HOD organ donor card you build HOD numbers showing the world that Jews are also donating organs.
Q: Does the HOD Society take a position on brain-stem death?
A: No. It recognizes this issue as a legitimate topic for rabbinic consideration and attempts to clarify the arguments on both sides of the debate. Ultimately, individuals should educate themselves about the issues and consult with their Rabbi.
Q: Has the HOD Society saved any lives?
A: Yes. The HOD Society has helped save hundreds of lives. Some organ donations were directly enabled by the HOD Society, like the pairing of Eric Swim of the United States, an altruistic living kidney donor, with Moshiko Sharon of Israel, a ten-year-old recipient. In dozens of other cases, the HOD Society has been invited to the hospital to consult about organ donation, and a decision to donate was ultimately made by the family of the deceased.
Indirectly, the educational efforts of the HOD Society -- on our website, through printed material, at our lectures, in the press, and even in the advertisement listing over 100 Rabbis who have HOD Society organ donor cards -- have motivated people to donate the organs of a loved one. The introduction to issues surrounding organ donation and halacha has raised awareness for many people, and encouraged them to consult their Rabbi.
Q: Does the HOD Society help only Jews?
A: No. The HOD Society encourages organ donation from Jews to the general population.
Q: Can the HOD Society help me get an organ?
A: Not directly. The HOD Society has, in the past, paired altruistic live kidney donors with recipients, but its main mission is to save lives by increasing organ donation by Jews to the general public (i.e. whoever is next on the UNOS list.) For more information visit our Living Kidney Donor Program.
Q: What is the first step I can take to help this cause?
A: Ask your Rabbi to get an organ donor card and lecture about the issue. Arrange for a HOD speaker to speak in your local community center, synagogue or school.
Q: Is the HOD Society active in America only?
A: No. The HOD Society is active in Israel and the United States, and has outreach programs in many countries, including England, Greece, Italy, Poland and Germany.
Q: How does the HOD Society support itself?
A: The HOD Society supports itself through donations by individuals, foundation grants, sales of remembrance bracelets and raffles. It is a recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization in the U.S., but not in Israel. Click here to make a donation.
Q: Is the HOD Society a recognized non-profit organization?
A: Yes. The HOD Society has 501(c)3 status, and financial donations are tax-deductible. It is not yet a recognized non-profit organization in Israel.
Q. What happens when I call the HOD emergency # 877-700-HODS?
A. If you are faced with an actual question of organ donation, you may call this number and you will be supplied with the name and phone number of an Orthodox Rabbi in your area who will go to the hospital and make sure the proper tests have been done to determine death and approve of organ donation.
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