MIAMI – Nicklaus Children’s Hospital is pleased to unveil a new kosher food lounge that will provide a dedicated space for Jewish patients and families to maintain  their kosher food practices during a hospital stay. The new space on the first floor of the hospital’s Advanced Pediatric Care Pavilion (APCP) was dedicated in a special ribbon-cutting ceremony, thanks to a generous gift from the nonprofit organization, Healing Hearts.

Healing Hearts was established by Rabbi Yochanon Klein and his wife Esther after their family experienced their own medical crisis. After going through this medical journey, they decided to make it easier for other families by providing crucial support through kindness and care.

“It’s fulfilling for us because it’s our passion. We live, breathe and sleep helping families going through crisis, and there’s nothing bigger than that,” said Rabbi Klein from Healing Hearts. “From this moment on, after the grand opening of the kosher lounge, a parent can come down for a fresh, home-cooked meal. That feeling is almost tangible and heat-warming for us all.”

The Healing Hearts Kosher Lounge will be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, featuring a food prep station, storage space and areas for families to relax and pray. Healing Hearts will be providing food on a weekly basis to keep the storage space stocked with kosher food options. Families will be able to enjoy kosher wraps, sandwiches and other lunch alternatives. During the weekend, or Shabbat, full meals will be provided for families to enjoy.

“While patients who keep kosher have their dietary needs met, the same isn't always true for the families when a child is admitted to the hospital for extended periods of time,” said Matthew A. Love, president and CEO of Nicklaus Children’s Health System. “This is a huge diversity, equity and inclusion advancement for our Jewish patient population – something that aligns with our commitment to enhance the patient family experience at Nicklaus Children’s. We are grateful to Healing Hearts for their support to make this space a reality.”

The Healing Hearts Kosher Lounge complements other resources, such as Shabbat kits that Nicklaus Children’s Victor Center for the Prevention of Jewish Genetic Diseases already provides to Jewish families. The Victor Center is dedicated to providing a variety of services and resources that support the Jewish patient and family experience.

Learn more at https://www.nicklauschildrens.org/VictorCenter.