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Children's National Unveils Kosher Pantry

Washington, DC – Children’s National Medical Center has opened a new pantry to meet the dietary needs of families who keep kosher while their children are being treated at the hospital. The facility gives families a dedicated place to eat prepared kosher meals and snacks.

“This is an important addition to the services we offer the children and families we care for,” said Kurt Newman, MD, President and CEO of Children’s National Medical Center. “Because of our location in the nation’s capital, it is important for us to meet the needs of a diverse population; this is one of many ways that we meet both the medical and cultural needs of families while they’re with us.

The new facility was made possible through support from the Gregory Mark Taubin Memorial Fund and in partnership with Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington, a charitable organization that works with hospitals around the Washington area to help Jewish patients and their families.  The pantry includes a refrigerator, dairy and meat microwaves, and disposable utensils.  Bikur Cholim of Greater  Washington volunteers will stock the pantry with microwaveable meals and snacks all bearing symbols of national kosher supervision organizations. To date, Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington has received support for this project from the Meir L’Olam Fund dedicated in memory of Rabbi Melvin Rishe and from Judy and Louis Morris in memory of Chazzan Akiva and Helen Ostrovsky.

Audrey Siegel, executive director of Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington, said, “When a child is in the hospital, families want to devote their full attention to the needs of their child. The new kosher pantry will help observant families do just that, by making sure they have easy access to kosher food and snacks. The entire staff at Children's National Medical Center has been understanding and supportive, and we are honored by this opportunity to work together.

Dr. Newman said, “We are so grateful to Bikur Cholim for making it possible to expand our services to be more accommodating to families. It’s a wonderful partnership that will benefit so many people.

For more information, contact Erin Corcoran at 301-565-8523 or [email protected] or Adam Segal at 301-593-4247 or [email protected].

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