Austin Shmirah: To serve as a shomer(et) through Austin Shmirah, please fill out this survey.

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1. Please provide your name and contact information. Include ALL phone numbers and ALL e-mail addresses.

Please provide your name and contact information. Include ALL phone numbers and ALL e-mail addresses.   First Name
Last Name
Cell Phone
Home Phone
Work Phone
e-mail 1
e-mail 2
e-mail 3

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2. Shomrim under 18 years of age may serve alone during funeral home office hours, or with an adult at other times.

Are you at least 18 years old?

Shomrim under 18 years of age may serve alone during funeral home office hours, or with an adult at other times. Are you at least 18 years old?   Yes No

If you answered "No," when will you turn 18? Give month and year.

3. What is your affiliation? Check all that apply.

What is your affiliation? Check all that apply.   Chabad Center for Jewish Living Congregation Agudas Achim Congregation Beth El Congregation Beth Israel Congregation Kol Halev Congregation Shir Ami Congregation Tiferet Israel Temple Beth Shalom None Other

4. CONGREGATION-SHOMER MATCH

Different congregations in our community follow different traditions regarding who may participate as a shomer. Austin Shmirah is dedicated to upholding each congregation’s traditions so that the mitzvah of shmirah can be performed in a way that honors each deceased and is comforting to each family. We are equally committed to safeguarding the dignity of every shomer. Only congregations that are able to use your services may add you to their contact lists. By checking boxes in this section, you are authorizing the shmirah coordinators from those congregations to contact you.

Each member congregation’s requirements for shomrim are listed below. Please check-mark ALL AND ONLY those for which (1) you meet all stated requirements and (2) you are willing to serve.

CONGREGATION-SHOMER MATCH Different congregations in our community follow different traditions regarding who may participate as a shomer. Austin Shmirah is dedicated to upholding each congregation’s traditions so that the mitzvah of shmirah can be performed in a way that honors each deceased and is comforting to each family. We are equally committed to safeguarding the dignity of every shomer. Only congregations that are able to use your services may add you to their contact lists. By checking boxes in this section, you are authorizing the shmirah coordinators from those congregations to contact you. Each member congregation’s requirements for shomrim are listed below. Please check-mark ALL AND ONLY those for which (1) you meet all stated requirements and (2) you are willing to serve.   Chabad Center for Jewish Living (Chabad): Male kohanim may not serve; female kohanim may serve. Shomrim must be considered Jewish by (Orthodox) halachic standards. Please consult Rabbi Levertov (512-343-2500) or another Orthodox rabbi if you need further clarification. We ask that shomrim engage in appropriate reading (preferably Tehilim), prayer, or meditation during their shifts. Congregation Agudas Achim (Conservative): Shomrim must be born of a Jewish mother or have undergone a formal conversion that included mikvah (ritual immersion) and beit din (rabbinical court) and is recognized as binding by the rabbi of their own Austin congregation. Please consult your rabbi if you need further clarification. Kohanim may not serve. We ask that shomrim engage in appropriate reading, prayer, or meditation during their shifts. Congregation Beth El (Traditional Conservative): Jews by birth to a Jewish mother or by formal conversion are invited to participate in shmirah. Male Kohanim are not eligible, but b'not Kohanim (women from Kohen families) are eligible. We prefer that shomrim read T'hillim (psalms), but other appropriate reading is acceptable. Congregation Beth Israel (Reform): We welcome all who wish to serve as Shomrim (watchers), Jewish or not, and will provide Tehilim (Psalms) and other texts for use during their shifts. (Tahara--body washing--requires the recitation of sacred prayers and, for this reason, we request that Tahara be performed by those who are Jewish by birth or through conversion.) Congregation Kol Halev (Unaffiliated): No congregational restrictions. If an individual family requests restrictions, these will be specified in the e-mail calling for shomrim. Congregation Shir Ami (Reform): We welcome all who wish to serve as shomrim. Our Clergy/Spiritual Leader, Cantor Betcher, will meet with families to discuss any personal requests or preferences they have. We provide Shomrim with Tehilim and other texts for their shifts. Congregation Tiferet Israel (Orthodox): We welcome those who wish to share in this ultimate mitzvah of kavod hamet. Men and women who are born of a Jewish mother or who underwent an Orthodox conversion are invited to serve. Please consult Rabbi Langer (512-340-0899) if you need further clarification about your status. Male kohanim may not serve as shomrim, although they may be involved in the administrative portions of the mitzvah. We welcome both those who are fluent in Hebrew and those not yet fluent, and ask that shomrim engage in appropriate readings (preferably Tehilim), prayer, or meditation during their shifts. Temple Beth Shalom (Reform): We welcome all who wish to serve as shomrim. If an individual family makes specific requests, these will be communicated in the e-mail calling for shomrim.

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5. Please check all times when you are GENERALLY willing and able to serve.

This information is meant to help the coordinator determine whom to call first to fill approaching shifts. Stating that you are usually available at a given time does not obligate you to serve on any particular occasion. Please check every time slot that you can REASONABLY expect to be available.

	Weekdays	Weekends
Mornings (8AM to noon)	*Please check all times when you are GENERALLY willing and able to serve. This information is meant to help the coordinator determine whom to call first to fill approaching shifts. Stating that you are usually available at a given time does not obligate you to serve on any particular occasion. Please check every time slot that you can REASONABLY expect to be available. Mornings (8AM to noon) Weekdays	Mornings (8AM to noon) Weekends
Afternoons (noon to 6PM)	Afternoons (noon to 6PM) Weekdays	Afternoons (noon to 6PM) Weekends
Evening/night (6PM to 12:30 a.m.)	Evening/night (6PM to 12:30 a.m.) Weekdays	Evening/night (6PM to 12:30 a.m.) Weekends
12:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.	12:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Weekdays	12:30 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Weekends
3:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m.	3:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Weekdays	3:00 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. Weekends
5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.	5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Weekdays	5:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Weekends

Please list any days you usually CANNOT serve during the times you checked above:

6. Please check all items that apply to you:

Please check all items that apply to you:   I would like to serve my first shift with a more experienced shomer. My schedule is flexible (for example, retired, self-employed). If you need someone right away on days/times when I'm most available, call me first!

7. Please add any comments or additional information here.

Please add any comments or additional information here.