The void in the “Mrs. Miriam Lubling Hospitality-Bikur Cholim Room” at the NYU Langone Medical Center in Manhattan has been filled. The room, honoring Los Angeles’s Rubin family, now boasts its own Sefer Torah – thanks to the generosity of Rav Shmiel Dovid Friedman.
The Shabbos and Yom Tov minyanim – with some 40 worshippers – complements the many respite resources used by patients’ family members at this valuable venue.
Holding the new Torah are (L-R) Thomas Tisch, hospital trustee; Dr. Robert Grossman, CEO and dean, NYU Medical Center; Senior Chaplain Rabbi Yakov Pollack; and Vice Dean Dr. Andrew Litt.
At the Torah dedication, witnessed by more than 100 doctors, Bikur Cholim personnel and NYU executive members, Senior Chaplain Rabbi Yakov Pollack expressed gratitude to the hospital’s CEO and dean, Dr. Robert Grossman, and hospital administration members for their true friendship to the Jewish community. He lauded their continuous efforts to improve their patients’ quality of lives.
On this day of convergence between the values of Torah and medicine, Grossman reiterated his and the hospital’s commitment to maintain the ever-growing close relationship between NYU and the Orthodox Jewish community. In a show of appreciation, Grossman had the zechus to hold the new Torah under the chuppah amid the singing and dancing.
Rabbi Boruch Halberstam has had the unique perspective of sharing his experiences at NYU and much-appreciated use of its Bikur Cholim Room both as a community leader visiting his congregants and as someone whose mother was recently cared for at the medical center. He was grateful for her care, as well as for the addition of the new Torah.
Rabbi Yechiel Kaufman, rav of the Sefardishe Shul in Boro Park (left), and Rav Shmiel Dovid Friedman, donor of the new Sefer Torah.
The selfless Miriam Lubling, whose name deservedly adorns the Bikur Cholim Room due to her 27-year dedication of tending to the needs of the hospital’s patients, was then singled out for praise and long life by Rabbi Halberstam.
In response, Mrs. Lubling said, “NYU’s executive leadership has amazing courtesy, kindness, compassion and, most important, sensitivity to the Orthodox Jewish needs of both the hospital patient and the patient’s family.” She cited their providing of kosher food and Shabbos needs as examples.
Others praised for their assistance in this realm were Dr. Andrew Litt, vice dean; Dr. Andrew Brattman, senior vice dean; Executive Director Stuart Ault; Thomas Tisch, trustee; Eileen Zenker, executive director for Social Services; and Diane Rosenstein, a director of Social Services.
Additional commendation was bestowed upon the honorable volunteers of Satmar, Chesed Shel Emes, Ridnick, Yad Yakov, Bobov, and others, for their enthusiastic assistance to the aforementioned worthy endeavors. Special mention was also made of the tireless labors of Rubin family member Tammy Klein and her husband, Feivel.
With great emotion the Torah was passed from rabbanim, doctors, hospital executives, and patients. The clergy staff of Rabbi Pollack, Rabbi Rabhan and Rabbi Katz gave those present the opportunity to participate.
PHOTO CREDITS: SHIMON GOLDING
Advertisement
