The Office of the Chief Rabbi has released a video for Organ Donation Week encouraging observant Jews to sign up for the NHS organ donor register.

The new system of organ donation introduced into England in May last year will ensure that a person's religious beliefs will be respected, the video explains.

"For the first time, observant Jews are able to respond positively to the call for organ donation, safe in the knowledge that our religious wishes will be respected," it says.

Whereas previously potential donors had to indicate a willingness to give their ogans on the register, now under the new "opt-out" system the state presumes that a person's organs will be available unless they declare otherwise. But there are safeguards to take into account religious beliefs.

On the register, a person can declare that their faith is important to them. "The NHS then provides a written commitment explaining that it will work with your family and your rabbi before any donation takes place to ensure that halachah is kep at all times," the video explains.

While there are times when it is not halachically possible to donate an organ, "there are also scenarios in which it is indeed possible and it will potentially give another person the gift of life".