Nov 14, 2012 By: yunews
RIETS and Calvary Hospital Form Collaboration to Serve Orthodox Community
Yeshiva University’s affiliated Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary (RIETS) and Calvary Hospital today announced a collaboration to serve the needs of observant Jews in the metropolitan area in need of information and access to the best end-of-life care.
Jewish families seeking halachically appropriate, highest quality end-of-life medical care often lack familiarity with the intricate religious laws that govern such care.
To address this important need, Yeshiva University has formed the YU/RIETS End-of-Life Halachic Advisory Program to provide rabbinic consultation for families and community rabbis. It includes:
- A rabbinic panel comprised of four roshei yeshiva who have extensive experience with end-of-life halachic issues. Rabbi Herschel Schachter, Rabbi Yaakov Neuberger, Rabbi Mordechai Willig and Rabbi Moshe Tendler will serve on a rotating basis as pre-hospice advisors, answering questions from patients’ families and community rabbis after a physician has recommended that an individual receive hospice care.
- A panel of physicians associated with the Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University and its affiliates will be available to advise community rabbis on the clinical issues surrounding the terminally ill. The medical panel includes Dr. Edward Burns, Dr. Seymour Huberfeld, Dr. Beth Popp, Dr. Edward Reichman and Dr. Robert Sidlow.
- Pastoral care by the Hospital’s two staff rabbis, both of whom are graduates of RIETS;
- End-of-life counseling in accordance with Jewish tradition;
- Kosher meals and cholov yisroel dairy products available upon request;
- Kosher food pantry with two microwave ovens, refrigerator and sink;
- Celebration of Shabbat and all major Jewish holidays;
- Shabbat lounge;
- Inclusion in the Einstein and Pelham Parkway eruv; and
- Being part of the Einstein and Pelham Parkway communities.