* Due to COVID-19, hospitals are updating their visitor policies regularly. Click below to view updated information for these hospital systems.
Michigan Medicine (University of Michigan)
* If kosher cabinets cannot be accessed by patients or visitors, ask a staff member to help you access items. See hospital sections below for cabinet locations.
* We recommend that those who anticipate being in a hospital, either as an inpatient or outpatient, should be prepared that they still may not have access to typical amenities as walking around within hospitals may restricted. We advise that you plan to take along the supplies that you need, to be kept in your room, without refrigeration.
* SHABBOS KITS containing battery-operated candles, grape juice, bentcher, besomim and more, are available to enhance Shabbos or Yom Tov spent in a hospital or other care facility. Call Bikur Cholim at 248-278-8484 to request a kit.
Shabbos kits are sponsored in memory of Helen and Jack Lubliner.
* Below are the steps to follow to order kosher meals in hospitals. These can be completed by the patient themselves or by a family member (either from the hospital or from home.)
1. Speak to nursing staff to request or confirm that the patient is on the Kosher Diet. If time allows, ask the nurse about the patient’s current medical diet, for example soft diet. This can change from day to day depending on the patient’s condition.
2. Call number below to access Nutrition Services. Give patient name and room # (if you know it). Ask for Kosher menu options, or click links below, and make your selections.
3. Note that you can order meals in advance for multiple days, i.e. order on Friday for all Shabbos meals.
4. Patients are advised to double check their meal tray upon receipt, as the hospital does not have kosher supervision.
- ASCENSION PROVIDENCE Novi 248-465-3663
- ASCENSION PROVIDENCE Southfield 248-849-3663
- All other ASCENSION hospital locations – Call hospital’s Nutrition Services (directly or through main line)
- BEAUMONT Royal Oak 248-898-DINE (3463)
- Other BEAUMONT hospital locations – Call hospital’s Nutrition Services (directly or through main line) and ask what kosher options are available
- HENRY FORD West Bloomfield 248-325-2525 (limited selection)
- MICHIGAN MEDICINE Mott Children’s and von Voigtlander 734-232-3663
- MICHIGAN MEDICINE University Hospital & Cardiovascular Center 734-763-8080
Ascension Kosher Menu – All Hospitals
Chaplaincy
Ascension in Southfield currently has a Jewish chaplain on staff, Rabbi Yaakov Lasson. Rabbi Lasson can be reached on his cell phone at 410-209-7794 or by email at [email protected]. Chaplains can be also reached by dialing “0” from any hospital phone and asking to be connected to the Spiritual Care Office. In case you need help on Shabbos or Yom Tov, the office is located close to the Nine Mile Rd entrance, near the Chapel.
Kosher Food
Kosher cabinets
Food for Inpatients
The hospital provides kosher meals and various packaged, kosher items for inpatients. Patients can dial “0” from any hospital phone and ask to speak to someone from Dietary Services regarding kosher food. Hospital meals are commercially prepared and single serve (such as Meal Mart frozen dinners) and should be brought to patients with original packaging intact, along with disposable paper goods. Other typically available foods include individually wrapped foods with a hechsher, such as cereal, popsicles, etc. Patients are advised to double check their meal tray upon receipt, as the hospital does not have kosher supervision.
Additionally, patients may request a mini-fridge for their room for personal use. If none are available, · there are two Bikur Cholim fridges that can be accessed through the Spiritual Care Office. Please check with a nurse before requesting as not all rooms can accommodate the fridge.
Bikur Cholim can also provide home cooked Shabbos meals to Providence patients and family or friends staying with them. Contact us at 248-278-8484 to request meals. When possible, advance notice is appreciated.
Shabbos meals in hospitals are dedicated in loving memory of Helen and Jack Lubliner, a”h.
Through our parent lunch program, we can deliver lunches for parents of children hospitalized at Providence Hospital. Contact us at 248-278-8484 to request. When possible, advance notice is appreciated.
Shabbos Information
Shabbos Kits
Shabbos kits containing battery-operated candles, grape juice, bentcher, besomim and more, are available to enhance Shabbos or Yom Tov spent in a hospital or other care facility. Call Bikur Cholim at 248-278-8484 to request a kit.
Shabbos kits in hospitals are dedicated in loving memory of Helen and Jack Lubliner, a”h.
Electric Shabbos candles
Electric Shabbos Candles can be requested from the Spiritual Care Office or from a Bikur Cholim volunteer.
Light Sensors
Although we are not aware of specific floors or areas that have bathroom or stairwell lights that are motion activated, we recommend checking before Shabbos and planning accordingly.
Entrances
The hospital has non-power doors located on the Greenfield (East) side of the building. It is recommended that anyone planning to walk on Shabbos test the door before Shabbos, and also be aware that doors that are unlocked during the day may be locked at night.
Walking to Providence on Shabbos
Providence Hospital is within the eruv. The Eruv Hotline is updated every Friday afternoon and can be reached at 248-968-ERUV. To view a map and description of exact eruv coverage, go to http://www.frummichigan.com/home/organizations/eruv/project-eruv-of-oak-park.html
Non-Ambulance Transportation on Shabbos
> Shabbos Taxi – Project Eruv
- Taxi service is available through Ace Transportation at 248-543-1300. You will be billed after Shabbos. Please inform the vendor that you are with Project Eruv.
> FRUBER
- FRUBER (fruber.net) works with Uber and Lyft to ensure that customers can get affordable rides within 15 minutes. Fruber operators communicate, screen and supervise drivers to make sure every ride is safe and successful.
- When you set up a free account with Fruber, you will have 24-hour access to their service throughout the US and Canada with no monthly fee and with no need for a smartphone.
- When you set up an account, no cash will be needed to use this service on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
- Call 1-855-5-FRUBER (1-855-537-8237) to set up an account, or for any questions or information.
- In an emergency, contact 911 or Hatzala.
Chaplaincy
Beaumont in Royal Oak does not currently have a Jewish Chaplain on staff, however you can reach their Spiritual Care Office at 248-551-0239.
Kosher Food
Kosher cabinets
There are three kosher cabinets at Beaumont in Royal Oak. Cabinets contain Siddurim, Chumashim, tallis, Shabbos Halacha guide book, emergency Shabbos taxi service information, matzo, grape juice, gefilte fish, tuna, instant cups of soup, meals (double-wrapped and can be heated in any microwave), and snack foods.
> Emergency Center
- Located inside Family Pantry in Area B (“for Bikur Cholim”) of Emergency Center; ask for a Patient Representative if you need assistance.
> Family Birth Center
- For patients and families in Family Birth Center only. Located in 3 Center, inside the Family Pantry
> Pediatric Unit
- In Pediatric Unit 5 South, in Pantry B
Food for Inpatients
The hospital provides kosher meals year-round for inpatients, including Pesach; advise the nurse that you require a kosher diet and ask for a printed, kosher menu. Order meals by calling Nutrition Services at 248-898-3468 (DINE.) Meals for Shabbos can be ordered in advance, or from your server, in person, on Shabbos. Hospital meals are commercially prepared and single serve (such as Meal Mart frozen dinners) and should be brought to patients with original packaging intact, along with disposable paper goods. Patients are advised to double check their meal tray upon receipt, as the hospital does not have kosher supervision.
Bikur Cholim can also provide home cooked Shabbos meals to Beaumont patients and family or friends staying with them. Contact us at 248-278-8484 to request meals. When possible, advance notice is appreciated.
Shabbos meals in hospitals are dedicated in loving memory of Helen and Jack Lubliner, a”h.
Through our parent lunch program, we can deliver lunches for parents of children hospitalized at Beaumont Hospital. Contact us at 248-278-8484 to request. When possible, advance notice is appreciated.
Shabbos Information
Shabbos Kits
Shabbos kits containing battery-operated candles, grape juice, bentcher, besomim and more, are available to enhance Shabbos or Yom Tov spent in a hospital or other care facility. Call Bikur Cholim at 248-278-8484 to request a kit.
Shabbos kits are dedicated in loving memory of Helen and Jack Lubliner, a”h.
Volunteers distribute electric candles on Thursday afternoons. Additionally, candles can be requested from the Spiritual Care Office by calling 248-551-0239 on Mon-Fri from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. After office hours, contact the Beaumont Operator at 248-898-7000 and ask them to page a chaplain to bring candles.
Light Sensors in Bathrooms of South Tower Rooms
There are sensors that automatically turn on the light when entering the patient’s bathroom in the South Tower. Patients can ask a nurse or unit secretary to request that Maintenance bypass the sensor, leaving lights on continuously.
Walking to Beaumont on Shabbos
- Beaumont is not within the Eruv.
- Rather than walking from Greenfield to 13 Mile, turn right onto Webster (12 1/2 Mile) and walk towards the water tower (about halfway between Greenfield and Coolidge); there’s an opening in the fence at the south end of the Beaumont parking lot. Walk towards the South Tower of hospital.
- Many stairwells are Shabbos friendly, but some are not. If possible, plan your route in advance. Ask Security for help if needed; they are familiar with the stairwells and how to best access each floor.
Non-Ambulance Transportation on Shabbos
> Shabbos Taxi – Project Eruv
- Taxi service is available through Ace Transportation at 248-543-1300. You will be billed after Shabbos. Please inform the vendor that you are with Project Eruv.
> FRUBER
- FRUBER (fruber.net) works with Uber and Lyft to ensure that customers can get affordable rides within 15 minutes. Fruber operators communicate, screen and supervise drivers to make sure every ride is safe and successful.
- When you set up a free account with Fruber, you will have 24-hour access to their service throughout the US and Canada with no monthly fee and with no need for a smartphone.
- When you set up an account, no cash will be needed to use this service on Shabbos or Yom Tov.
- Call 1-855-5-FRUBER (1-855-537-8237) to set up an account, or for any questions or information.
- In an emergency, contact 911 or Hatzala.
Ohel Rephoel Condo
Ohel Rephoel Condo is a comfortable, one-bedroom condo available for individuals who are caring for a loved one receiving treatment over Shabbos or Yom Tov at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak.
Family can seek respite in a clean, beautifully furnished home-base, just minutes from the main hospital. The unit is fully stocked with kosher drinks and snacks, toiletries, siddurim, tallis and just about anything else needed for a complete Shabbos, or for just a few hours. Shabbos food is available upon request by contacting us at 248-278-8484.
- Two twin beds
- Living room and dining area
- Kosher microwaves
- Kosher pantry items and perishables
- Shabbos urn
- Siddurim, Tehillim, Chumash, Tallis
- Shabbos necessities (electric candles, besomim, grape juice etc.)
Ohel Rephoel is dedicated in loving memory of Raphael Maurice Herschfus, a”h.
Contact us at 248-278-8484 to inquire about availability,.
Shabbos kits containing battery-operated candles, grape juice, bentcher, besomim and more, are available to enhance Shabbos or Yom Tov spent in a hospital or other care facility. Call Bikur Cholim at 248-278-8484 to request a kit.
Please contact us at 248-278-8484 for assistance regarding other area hospitals.