Bikur Cholim of Baltimore and MedStar Union Memorial Unite to Launch New Kosher Hospitality Room (2 Videos & Photos)

By BJLife Newsroom
Posted on 11/19/24

Baltimore, MD – Nov. 19, 2024 - Baltimore Bikur Cholim continues to serve the community with an impressive array of services. In the past 12 months alone, these have included:

• Approximately 12,000 meal deliveries to local hospitals
• Over 3,000 meals to patients and their families at home
• 470 pieces of medical equipment loaned from their Gmach
• Over 14,000 visits to patients in hospitals or at home
• 2,000 rides to medical appointments
• Six fully stocked apartments for out-of-town patients and their families
• Five Bikur Cholim Kosher Hospitality Rooms in hospitals

The newest Kosher Hospitality Room, active since before Rosh Hashanah, is located at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital.

Last night, Union Memorial hosted an official ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by MedStar leadership, including:

• T.J. Senker, President, MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
• Brian Cawley, VP of Operations
• Joan Carlson, AVP of Mission Integration
  
  

Other key attendees included:

• Rabbi Zvi Teichman, Rav of Congregation Ohel Moshe
• Rabbi Jonathan Seideman, Rav of Kehilath Bnai Torah
• Rabbi Yosef Neuberger, Ner Israel Rabbinical College
• Bikur Cholim Executive Board Members Mordechai Gotlieb and Shlomo Grunhut
• Community leaders and Jewish doctors and staff from Union Memorial

The event began with opening remarks from Joan Carlson, AVP of Mission Integration, who welcomed guests and spoke about the ongoing partnership over the past year. She highlighted how Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz, Bikur Cholim Director of Clinical and Religious Services, has educated the hospital staff on caring for Orthodox Jewish patients, including lectures for nursing staff and training sessions with department heads such as dietary, EVS, transport, and security.

T.J. Senker, President of MedStar Union Memorial Hospital & Good Samaritan Hospital, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of partnering with Bikur Cholim to meet the needs of Baltimore’s Jewish community. He also spoke about the hospital's commitment to providing top-notch services.

Two Jewish associates working at Union Memorial shared how the new Kosher Hospitality Room would benefit not only Jewish patients and their families but also Jewish clinicians and associates. The room provides kosher food, a space to daven and learn, and a reprieve from the stress of bedside caregiving.

Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz expressed gratitude to MedStar leadership, including:

• T.J. Senker, President
• Brian Cawley, VP of Operations
• Joan Carlson, AVP of Mission Integration

He also thanked:

• Reverend Oscar Hernandez, Chaplain
• Rabbi Moshe Dear, for his instrumental role in establishing the room
• Mrs. Beiley Rosen and her team, for coordinating the ongoing stocking of the pantry

Rabbi Rabinowitz emphasized the critical role of spiritual and family involvement in the healing process.

Rabbi Zvi Teichman, Rav of Congregation Ohel Moshe, echoed these sentiments, underscoring how healing in a positive environment contributes significantly to recovery. The Kosher Hospitality Room, he noted, provides patients and their families with a much-needed space for rejuvenation.

The ceremony concluded with the ribbon-cutting at the new hospitality room, led by T.J. Senker, Brian Cawley, and Rabbi Pinchos Rabinowitz. Rabbi Rabinowitz presented MedStar leadership with a beautiful Tefilas Harofeh (Prayer for Physicians) plaque as a token of appreciation for their partnership.

Following this, Rabbi Jonathan Seideman and Rabbi Yosef Neuberger affixed a mezuzah to the room’s door. Rabbi Rabinowitz explained the mitzvah of mezuzah to all present.

Guests entered the Kosher Hospitality Room, where light refreshments were served. Attendees admired the calming atmosphere and thoughtful details, including:

• A large selection of seforim and English books
• Two microwaves
• A large refrigerator
• Closets stocked with kosher food and snacks
• Thoughtfully designed seating area, complete with comfortable couches, a welcoming table, and chairs to provide a serene and inviting space for relaxation and reflection.

The event highlighted Bikur Cholim’s unwavering dedication to supporting the community and the hospital’s commitment to accommodating the needs of Jewish patients and their families.