Kosher respite opens at St. John’s Hospital

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St. John’s Episcopal Hospital that serves the Rockaway Peninsula, Five Towns a several other South Shore communities celebrated the Oct. 28 grand opening of its new Achiezer kosher respite room is run by the Lawrence-based organization. Achiezer Community Resource Center, which works with other groups to help families enduring hardships ranging from illness to financial troubles.

The room offers patient families a quiet space on the Far Rockaway hospital’s first floor. It will be restocked weekly with a selection of kosher foods and be open 24 hours, seven days a week, hospital officials said.

“As the closest hospital that many families in the Rockaways and Five Towns have access to, it is extremely important that we are able to serve the unique needs of all our patients, including the Jewish community,” said Gerard Walsh, St. John’s chief executive officer. “We are committed to continuing to serve these needs as we make further positive changes throughout the hospital.”