In the heart of Teaneck lies a special place that many people may not be aware of — a place where spiritual healing and the mitzvah of bikur cholim come together every Shabbat. This place is the Shabbat minyan at CareOne, a hidden gem that offers both physical and spiritual rejuvenation for its residents and the greater community.
It’s not often that you have the opportunity to fulfill multiple mitzvot at once, but the CareOne minyan provides just that. Each Friday night, a beautiful Carlebach-style davening fills the room with song and spirit. On Shabbat morning, there’s a traditional davening, followed by a hot kiddush, and Mincha later in the day is followed by soulful song and a shiur delivered by Rabbi Michael Belgrade, the dedicated rabbi of the CareOne minyan.
But what truly sets this minyan apart is the impact it has on the CareOne residents who attend. These individuals are dealing with illness and the minyan provides a vital sense of connection and community that they look forward to all week. As Rabbi Belgrade shared, “Residents have told me they wait all week for Shabbat so they can daven with a minyan, sing the tefillot and have kiddush with members of the Jewish community.” For many residents, the minyan serves as a source of strength and healing — emotionally, physically and spiritually.
On numerous occasions, I’ve witnessed firsthand just how much the residents appreciate and depend on this minyan. I’ve seen residents who are able to walk in and others who arrive in wheelchairs, yet they all light up when they see community members coming to support the minyan. It’s a reminder that no matter what challenges they are facing, they are not alone. Rabbi Belgrade echoed this sentiment, explaining, “Any part of healing includes a spiritual and mental dimension. Being away from home, family and friends is extremely difficult. Having a place to daven on Shabbat with people from the community uplifts their spirits significantly, which has a direct effect on their ability to improve physically.”
One particular moment that stands out for me happened after Lecha Dodi one Friday night. A man stood up, visibly moved, and said, “I love you all.” He later told me that being part of the minyan broke up the monotony of his time in the rehab facility. It gave him something to look forward to, something to uplift his spirits. He felt part of something larger than himself, despite the challenges he was facing.
In addition to the adults who attend, children are also a frequent and joyful presence at the CareOne minyan. The presence of children enhances the atmosphere and brings a breath of fresh air, providing residents with a wonderful reminder of youth and vitality. It’s a beautiful interaction when young and old come together, connecting generations and further enriching the experience. Rabbi Belgrade remarked, “You’d be surprised how special the davening is at CareOne. Children’s voices fill the room, bringing a unique warmth and vitality that makes the residents feel even more connected.”
This minyan is more than just a place to pray — it’s a community. Yet, despite its significance, there have been times when we’ve struggled to get a full minyan. This is surprising given the number of Jews and shuls in the immediate area. Rabbi Belgrade has often pointed out, “In a town like Teaneck, there should be zero excuses that the community cannot support a consistent weekly minyan. The chesed of this community demands no less. How can it be okay that a kosher facility in Teaneck that serves our community cannot attract a consistent weekly base of volunteers to ensure a minyan?”
Everyone has reasons why they can’t attend, but if each of us could set aside those reasons even just once a month, we could have a tremendous impact. Rabbi Belgrade continued, “Every week is different. Sometimes we have many residents who daven with us, sometimes fewer. Our goal is to have a minyan ready for all contingencies. Sometimes, despite their best intentions, a resident is too sick or tired to attend. The point is to have the support ready for them.”
As a community that values unity and chesed, this is an opportunity right in our backyard. Imagine for a moment what it must be like to be in a rehab facility — missing your family, your regular shul and the simple routines that bring comfort and joy. Now imagine how much chizuk it would give you to have community members come together to support you during that difficult time. It’s something we are all capable of doing and it doesn’t require much effort — just a small commitment.
With the Yamin Noraim approaching, many of us are thinking about how we can improve ourselves and our middot. Supporting this minyan is a meaningful way to do just that. It’s a chance to bring comfort to those who are ill and to make a real difference in their lives. One resident, reflecting on the experience, said, “I can’t see very well, but I could feel the warmth of the minyan. That’s the power of community.”
Rabbi Belgrade also emphasized the spiritual importance of praying on behalf of others: “Our tefillot are more likely to be heard when we pray with and on behalf of others who need Hashem’s rachamim. We provide a space for spiritual healing for Jewish men and women through tefillot, Torah and camaraderie. Come join us and see what makes davening at CareOne on Shabbat so special.”
In addition to the regular Shabbat minyan, there is an added bonus during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. CareOne offers free seats for the High Holidays, making it even easier for community members to fulfill this important mitzvah while securing a place to daven. It’s a win-win situation: the opportunity to support those in need and enjoy a meaningful High Holiday experience in a warm, welcoming environment.
Rabbi Belgrade invited the community to experience the unique atmosphere of the CareOne minyan. “You’d be surprised how special the davening is at CareOne. It’s the secret of Teaneck. Everyone partakes and helps — we all know each other. We engage in a beautiful tefillah of song and kavana, thoughtful shiurim, discussions and a hot kiddush after Musaf.”
As the High Holidays draw near and we reflect on ways to improve our lives and our acts of kindness, let’s consider making a small, yet impactful commitment to this special minyan. The residents of CareOne are waiting for us and the opportunity to uplift both their spirits and our own is just a short walk away.
To find out more about the minyan or to get added to the minyan WhatsApp, contact Rabbi Belgrade at [email protected] or Simeon Ratner at [email protected].
Dr. Josh Schwarzbaum is a physician, speaker, coach and author. He is triple board-certified in emergency medicine, addiction medicine and emergency medical services. His newest book, “Healthy Inside: 10 Life Lessons on Finding Inner Peace,” is now available on Amazon.
