Chaplaincy

Providing connection and compassion

During Covid, Rabbi Beiner is continuing to provide chaplaincy services by phone and video conference. We hope to be able to return to in-person visits soon.

At JF&CS, we aim to promote a healthier and more integrated community by providing spiritual care, comfort and support to members of Atlanta’s Jewish Community.

Illness and increasing frailty often lead to isolation and disconnection from the Jewish community. Our Community Chaplain, Rabbi Judith Beiner, and Bikur Cholim volunteers visit in hospitals, hospices, care facilities, prisons and on occasion, in the home.

Community Chaplain

Rabbi Judith Beiner communicates with local rabbis about their congregants in health care facilities, conducts indigent burials and provides emergency visits to members of the Jewish community in need. She provides information and referrals for JF&CS as well as support and collaboration with our clinical staff. She also provides outreach to both the Jewish and general communities through training and presentations to chaplaincy students and professional staff at area health facilities.

Spreading Jewish Sunshine: Watch Rabbi Beiner visit area hospitals and senior living facilities providing support to the community.

Read the latest edition of our Quarterly Chaplaincy Newsletter

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Bikur Cholim Volunteers

Volunteers extend a ‘hug’ from the Jewish community through our Bikkur Cholim program. Volunteers visit with Jewish elders in local hospitals and area care facilities providing a friendly and warm connection to those who might otherwise feel alone or disconnected. Volunteers are placed at four area hospitals and several assisted living facilities throughout the Atlanta area.Volunteers receive training with Rabbi Beiner prior to volunteering and receive ongoing support from the JF&CS Chaplaincy department. Schedules are flexible and participants are encouraged to make bi-monthly visits.

Volunteer Spotlight

Jaana Garber

Janna Garber has been volunteering with JF&CS in the Chaplaincy department since January of 2011. She visits Jewish patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

Her favorite part about volunteering is meeting so many wonderful people even though it is under challenging circumstances. Janna always enters a hospital room with a smile on her face and introduces herself as a volunteer with JF&CS. She starts by asking the patient how they are doing and where they are from. The conversation flows easily from that point. Jaana has found that most people appreciate the visit and enjoy the respite that comes from talking with someone new.

Jaana counts her blessings every day. She was fortunate enough to retire early allowing her time to volunteer. Since she no longer has to “rush” through her day, she is able to enjoy visiting with people during a vulnerable time in their lives. When Jaana is not volunteering, she lives to read and paint and keeps active with Zumba and tennis. She lives to travel with her husband and also helps out with her neighbor’s children.

Chaplaincy by the numbers:

Over the last year, 12 volunteers and Rabbi Beiner have provided:

1462 hospital visits
518 care facility visits
10 Trainings for care facility staff and hospital chaplains

About Rabbi Beiner: Rabbi Beiner has a Rabbinic Ordination and Masters in Hebrew Letters from the Hebrew Union College in New York City. She holds a Master of Arts in Education from the American Jewish University in Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan. If you or someone you know are in need of support from our Chaplain, please contact Rabbi Beiner at 770.677.9352 or

Bikur Cholim

Read: Bikur Cholim Volunteers, Carl & Rosalie Rosenthal

Read: Spread A Little Jewish Sunshine

Testimonials

Why do I volunteer? It’s simple. I like to put smiles on people’s faces.

Bikur Cholim Volunteer

It takes very little effort to share a smile, a story and say a prayer of healing to those in need. Performing these acts of loving kindness brings me personal joy and satisfaction.

Bikur Cholim Volunteer

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