Jewish Chaplaincy & Kosher Services
Rabbi David Goldfield Overview
No member of the community should be lonely, isolated, forgotten or abandoned because of illness, disabilities or advancement in age, and therefore the Rabbi reaches out with a warm heart and an understanding spirit, and makes a commitment to share in their suffering. As he nourishes their spirits, offers comfort, friendship and consolation, he brings a sense of wholeness and connection to the Jewish community of Montreal.
The mission of the Rabbi in the context of the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital is to fulfill the commandment of Bikkur Cholim, visiting the sick, in hopes of shortening the distance between the client and a Refuah Shelemah, a complete recovery. In addition to this, his aim is to enrich the lives of the entire hospital population by means of actively maintaining and strengthening its Jewish identity through the services that he provides.
The Rabbi provides a particular kind of care for the Jewish population of the hospital (he is also available for anyone else who seeks his counseling) dealing with illness, loss, crisis, or institutionalization. He is an integral part of a team that includes medical professionals, social workers and volunteers. His expertise is spiritual-care, addressing clients’ needs for meaning, wholeness and connection within the context of Judaism. He has an active presence in the hospital, and extends himself and his services to whoever requires them.
A Kosher Environment
Also holding the title of Mashgiach, the Rabbi continually seeks not only to maintain Kashruth (Jewish dietary law) according to the standards of the Jewish Community Council of Montreal (Vaad Haiir), but also to find new ways to facilitate it. All food services at the Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital observe the laws of Kashruth, including the main kitchen, two Occupational Therapy kitchens, cafeteria and coffee shop. Rabbi Goldfield targets and identifies pitfalls that may challenge our standard of Kashruth and, working in unison with the Dietary team, resolves to find a feasible solution that accommodates all parties. Kosher orientations and Kosher updates are provided to staff members and all other interested parties. A non-kosher cafeteria is made available to all staff, clients and families wishing to consume non-kosher foods.
Jewish Religious Services
Central to the character of the JRH community is the commitment to ensuring that Jewish tradition and religious observances are maintained, as well as serving the religious needs of Jewish clients and their families. Rabbi Goldfield lectures regularly on a gamut of Jewish related topics stretching from holidays to essential Jewish issues, open to the entire hospital population.
- The hospital holds Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, and Yizkor services.
- A Shabbat candle-lighting table, complete with Grape juice, Challah rolls, and 'fire-safe', flat candles, is offered each week to all interested parties. As well, a special Shabbat elevator – one that stops automatically at every client floor – is offered.
- Passover Seders are offered to clients and their families.
- A variety of activities are provided for the holiday of Channuka, including a special candle-lighting table for clients and their families, audio-visual presentations (as done for all other Jewish holidays) which foster a 'hands-on' approach and encourage audience participation, and a Channuka party with live entertainment and holiday refreshments hosted by the Recreation Department.
- The Megillat Esther is read on the holiday of Purim and is complimented by other holiday customs and delicacies.
- During the Holiday of Sukkot, a special Sukkah booth is built on our patio and decorated by the Rabbi in the theme of the holiday, and is offered to clients, staff, and families. Throughout the course of the holiday, lectures/discussions are given in the Sukkah, Lulav and Etrog (the four species taken on the holiday) are provided for the clients to recite the bracha,the benediction, over. A Sukkah party is hosted by the Recreation Department with live entertainment and refreshments.
- Jewish literature of a wide variety is available to the client upon request.
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