New Brunswick—Hospital administrators, Orthodox leaders and members of the city community recently gathered in the halls of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) on Wednesday, September 7, to celebrate the opening of the hospital’s new Bikur Cholim Hospitality Room. In partnership with Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley, RWJUH hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new room. Continuing RWJUH’s rich history of serving the hospital’s diverse community of patients, the Bikur Cholim Hospitality Room was created to ensure that resources provided by the hospital meet the needs of members of the local and regional Orthodox community who are hospitalized or are in need of medical care.
“Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital continues to seek opportunities to enhance the experience and meet the needs of every patient and family that walks through our doors,” said Michael Antoniades, President and Chief Executive Officer of Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. “We enjoyed working with Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley on the new Bikur Cholim Hospitality Room, just one of the many important offerings we provide to our community of patients to ensure a more comfortable stay.”
Located on the main floor of the hospital, the hospitality room is graciously stocked each week with kosher essentials by volunteers from Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley. The room is equipped with special Shabbat food, prayer books, electric candlesticks and reading material as well as a microwave, urn, sink, table and chairs to accommodate patients and their families while receiving care at RWJUH. The room is now available for use.
Speakers who participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony included Antoniades; Jack Morris, RWJUH Board of Directors President; Rabbi David Bassous, spiritual leader of Congregation Etz Ahaim in Highland Park and Rahel Baruh from Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley. Attendees included New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill, numerous volunteers from Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley and members of the New Brunswick community.
Bikur Cholim of Raritan Valley has compassionately addressed the needs of Orthodox patients since the organization was founded more than 20 years ago. The volunteer organization provides services in Edison, Highland Park, East Brunswick and New Brunswick, New Jersey and in surrounding areas. The organization supports members of the local community and serves all Jewish families seeking medical care in area hospitals and facilities. It also offers ancillary services to hospitalized and homebound patients and their families.
By JLNJ Staff
