Long Beach Medical Center appreciates and is responsive to the religious practices of the observant Jewish patients and their families. We have worked with the rabbinic community to develop the following Sabbath accommodations:
The Sabbath:
Electric Sabbath candles, grape juice and challah are available through our Volunteer Department (Ext. 1180).
Sabbath Room:
Family members who do not live within walking distance to the hospital may stay overnight at the hospital in a room designated for this purpose. The room is equipped with twin beds, a kosher cabinet containing a refrigerator and microwave and a nightlight. Families may order a Sabbath dinner, which will be delivered by our kosher caterer. Separate Sabbath entrances are identified and available. Long Beach Medical Center is located within the Long Beach Community Eruv.
Members of the Bikur Cholim Society of Long Beach visit Jewish patients admitted to the Hospital and will also make arrangements for families to stay with a host family. You may reach Bikur Cholim at 516-431-2068; 516-431-7420; or 516-432-0732. The Medical Center’s Jewish Chaplain, Rabbi Amos Miller is available by calling 516-432-8670. Friday night Sabbath services and holiday services are conducted at the Komanoff Center for Geriatric and Rehabilitative Medicine.
Kashrut:
Although the main kitchens of the hospital and nursing home are not kosher, Long Beach Medical Center offers a separate kosher service for its patients and residents. All prepared foods are brought in from caterers approved by Vaad Hakashrut of the Five Towns & Far Rockaway, Vaad HaRabbanim of Oceanside and South Shore Vaad. Our hospital and Nursing Home cafeterias offer a kosher corner with dinners and sandwiches supplied by our kosher caterer. Patients preferring to bring in their own food may do so with the approval of the physician. All items should be double-wrapped, labeled with the patient’s name, room number and date. These items will be stored by the hospital and served to the patient.