Community, rabbis provide support for Shabbat cabinets at UPMC facilities
About eight years ago, Shabbat cabinets were installed in UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Shadyside hospitals.
A recent article mentioned that approximately eight years ago, Shabbat cabinets were installed in UPMC Presbyterian, UPMC Montefiore and UPMC Shadyside hospitals (“Bikur Cholim of Pittsburgh becomes official organization,” Feb. 9).
It failed to explain that when the concept first came to Rabbi Larry Heimer’s attention from Tzipy Rosenberg and other community members, he took the initiative to reach out to the UPMC Facilities Management department in having the carpentry shops construct the cabinets.
At about the same time, Rabbi Nosson Sachs reached out to Rabbi Heimer, who provided him with the blueprint and suggestions for the placement of the cabinet at the UPMC Shadyside site. Rabbi Heimer also obtained the support of the UPMC Presbyterian-Shadyside Food and Nutrition Services department in providing nonperishable food items as well as kosher grape juice, and he continues to ensure that the cabinets are well stocked.
Various congregations and organizations have donated siddurim, chumashim, tefillin and kippot, among other things, to enhance the usefulness of the Shabbat cabinets. More recently, Rabbi Heimer worked with Rabbi Doris Dyen to have a Shabbat cabinet installed at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital, providing her with support and guidance in its installation.
Rabbis Heimer and Dyen have sent emails about the Shabbat cabinets to rabbis and congregations in the Pittsburgh area, indicating that staff at the information desks at each hospital site can assist in directing patients and family members to the cabinets.
Rabbi Doris J. Dyen
Clergy, UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital
Dr. Nina Butler
Bikur Cholim of Pittsburgh
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