Caring for Jewish Patients & Their Families

Jersey Shore University Medical Center offers specialized services and dedicated facilities designed to meet the needs of our Jewish patients and their families.

Kosher Food
The Food & Nutrition Services Department offers a complete breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu of kosher foods which comply with Jewish dietary laws. Simply ask your nurse or the representative from Food & Nutrition, and you will be given a menu. If you have special needs not addressed by the menu, please call extension 55021, and the Food & Nutrition staff will be happy to assist you.

Kosher Pantries
Kosher pantries, stocked by the Bikur Cholim, are currently available in two locations:

• Hospitality Room – Booker 358
• Maternity – Brennan 2

In addition, pantries with snack items are found in the following locations:

• Main Emergency Department Small Family Waiting Room
• ICU Waiting Area – Brennan 4

To request a kosher refrigerator, contact the specialty patient liaison at
732-995-6905 or have your nurse contact the patient representative or Pastoral Care.

Hospitality Room (Bikur Cholim Room)
Jersey Shore University Medical Center offers a hospitality room for the use of a spouse or family member during the Sabbath or holiday periods. The room contains facilities for sleeping, showering, eating (complete with Kosher pantry), or just resting. Ask your nurse manager or contact the specialty patient liaison at
732-995-6905 or a patient representative at 64447 for more details.

Prayer Books
Prayer books are available at all kosher pantry locations.

Sabbath Candles
Regular candles are prohibited due to fire regulations. Electric candles are available for use by calling the specialty patient liaison at 732-995-6905 or by asking your nurse to contact a patient representative.

Sabbath Entrance
On the Sabbath or during holidays, visitors can enter or exit through the manual door next to the revolving doors in the Atrium, the manual door next to the revolving Emergency Room entrance, or the manual door next to the revolving Brennan entrance. Our security personnel have been alerted to your needs and will assist you.

Stairwells
To make it possible for you to avoid elevators and electric doors on the Sabbath and holidays, a map of Jersey Shore University Medical Center stairwells is available at the main desk in the Atrium, at the Security desk upon entering the Emergency Department, or by contacting the specialty patient liaison.

Holidays
During Sukkos, a Sukkah is available in the Brennan Courtyard.

Single-Room Maternity
The Maternity Unit features private rooms that offer a spacious environment for moms, dads, and families to be more comfortable throughout the birthing process. Fathers are encouraged to stay overnight in the room, and the atmosphere is welcoming to family or guest visits during the hospital stay. For convenience, a kosher kitchen is located within the unit and is accessible 24/7.

Hospital/Specialty Patient Liaison
The Senior Manager of Guest Relations, patient representatives, and pastoral care team are committed to provide support and to help fulfill your requests. Simply call the specialty patient liaison at 732-995-6905 or have your nurse contact the patient representative or pastoral care.

Patient Advocate
The Bikur Cholim of Lakewood has a wide range of programs that can alleviate the concerns of patients and their families and provide for the various needs associated with hospitalization. They are available 24 hours through their hotline at 1-866-905-3020.

Important Numbers