Jewish Chaplaincy Services serving Stanford Medicine
- Provides spiritual care and guidance to hospital patients, their families and staff.
- Fosters connection to Jewish community.
- Educates medical professionals and students on the healing role of spirituality in health care.
Bridging the worlds of Jewish wisdom and tradition with medicine and spiritual care guides our work.
Our professional chaplains and specially trained volunteers bring spiritual comfort during times of anguish and uncertainty. Through community events, as well as professional conferences and trainings, Jewish Chaplaincy Services integrates spirituality and meaning into healthcare and everyday life.
As part of JFCS’ Spiritual Care and Healing program, Jewish Chaplaincy Services can connect patients to a continuum of care and services for children, youth, adults, and seniors.
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Spiritual Care
We care for patients from all over the world in the midst of illness or trauma, including at the end of life. They range from newborns to the elderly, representing a wide range of Jewish and other religious and cultural backgrounds.
At the bedside, our chaplains and spiritual care volunteers provide a compassionate presence and a listening ear. They recognize patient needs, offering comfort and support, including prayers and blessings when appropriate. Our spiritual care volunteers are trained by Stanford Health Care and Jewish Chaplaincy Services.
Our chaplains, who are Jewish spiritual care specialists, work with other hospital chaplains and staff to provide a comprehensive level of spiritual care. As members of the health care team, our chaplains advocate on behalf of our patient’s well-being. They connect patients and families to resources in the hospital and community, and enable the medical team to understand and honor a patient’s deepest values. For patients with special needs—such as keeping kosher or ritual observance in the hospital—we are here to help.
See a list of community resources for patients at Stanford Medicine >
Community Connection and Resources
Supporting patients, families and staff also means connecting them with local Jewish organizations and resources including JFCS’ wider network of volunteers and services. For people who are members of a synagogue or other organization, we will coordinate with their clergy or staff as appropriate. For families who are far from home, Jewish Chaplaincy Services can help find short-term housing, kosher food, local services, and perhaps above all, a caring community.
Education and Training
Education is fundamental in supporting people who are unfamiliar with the essential role of spirituality in healing.
JFCS’ Jewish Chaplaincy Services offers a wide variety of educational programs for volunteers, clergy, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, including an award-winning curriculum on spirituality and well-being for medical students and faculty at Stanford School of Medicine.
Founding, Organization, and Funding >
To learn more about Jewish Chaplaincy Services, upcoming events, and volunteer opportunities, contact Dana Doctorow, Program Coordinator, at [email protected] or 650-723-3808.
Jewish Chaplaincy Services serving Stanford Medicine, a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, is made possible by generous donations from individuals, foundations, and fees. Major support is provided by Koret Foundation; Stanford Medicine; Jewish Community Federation Newhouse Fund; Myra Reinhard Family Foundation; Terry Winograd and Carol Winograd, MD; Mrs. Barbara Oshman; Miriam Roland; Taube Foundation for Jewish Life & Culture.
With special thanks to Jeff Astor Foundation and PJ Library for their contribution to our newborn baby bags.
To support JFCS’ Jewish Chaplaincy Services serving Stanford Medicine, make a donation online by clicking here, or contact Barbara Farber at [email protected] or 415-449-3858.
