2.  According to the Congressional Kidney Caucus in 2001 there were 79,000 U.S. patients waiting for organ transplant with 3,000 new patients added each month.  It is estimated that everyday 16-17 people in the U.S. die while waiting for an organ transplant

3.  It is also estimated that between 10,000 – 14,000 people who would be candidates for donation die every year in the U.S. Sadly less than half of that number donate

4.  Jews believe that the body is the property of God and as such the body must not be desecrated especially after death  Jewish law places great value on the preservation of life and as such live organ donation such as bone marrow or kidney where both parties are alive and will remain so has been common place in the Jewish community for many years

5.  However the idea of organ donation after death is felt by many Jews to be against the laws of God.

6.  In 1990 the Rabbinical Assembly of America reviewed the idea of organ donation after death for the Jewish people.  They examined –  Jews believe life is sacred and as such must be preserved.  If the idea that organ donation between live donors are ok why not between a died donor?

7.  The assembly put forth the idea to encourage all Jews to become enrolled as an organ and tissue donors.  The assembly supported the idea that organs once harvested should go to a waiting patient not into an organ bank or for research.

8.  (Congressional Kidney Caucus 2002 25 Facts About Organ Donation and Transplantation)Congressional Kidney Caucus. (2002, Febuary). 25 Facts About Organ Donation and Transplantation. Retrieved February 21, 2010, from http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/kidneycaucus/25facts.ht ml http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/kidneycaucus/25facts.ht ml  (Loeb G 2008 Judaism’s perspectives on Organ Donation After Death)Loeb, G. (2008). Judaism’s perspectives on Organ Donation After Death. Retrieved February 21, 2010, from http://www.pjvoice.com/v38/38700judaism.aspxhttp://www.pjvoice.com/v38/38700judaism.aspx  (Simmons S 2009 Ask the Rabbi)Simmons, S. (2009). Ask the Rabbi. Retrieved February 21, 2010, from http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_o rgandonation.htm http://judaism.about.com/library/3_askrabbi_o/bl_simmons_o rgandonation.htm