Chaplaincy Program

Chaplaincy Program

Often during the course of serious illnesses, patients and their families and friends can be caught up in a bewildering schedule of medications, treatments, doctor visits, surgeries and tests. They may struggle with fear and uncertainty about decisions and eventual outcomes. Sometimes end-of-life issues must be confronted.

At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, we understand that healing involves the whole person - body, mind, spirit and soul. For this reason, we offer chaplaincy services to patients and their loved ones.

Chapel Open to All

Our chapel is open 24 hours a day and available to persons of all faiths.

The chapel is centrally located on the Plaza Level, between the North and South Towers.

Spiritual Support for Patients and Visitors

Patients may request visits with a Cedars-Sinai Chaplain of their choice at any time during their hospital stay. Spiritual counseling appointments may also be arranged with concerned family members.

Patients and visitors are welcome to ask for the help and guidance from the Jewish, Catholic and Christian Chaplains. Rabbi Jason Weiner is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Jewish. Father Lester Avestruz is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Catholic. Reverend Denise LaChance is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Christian (including Orthodox or Protestant). The Chaplains are available to assist all patients and their loved ones of religions other than Jewish, Catholic or Christian with spiritual support or by helping them contact a clergy person of their particular faith or religion.

Religious Services

Recorded Shabbat services are available on Fridays at 3:15 p.m. and on Saturdays a 9:00 p.m. on Channel 19 (in-house closed circuit television). Please see Channel 51 for more information about Channel 19 programming.

Catholic mass is celebrated in the chapel at 12 noon on Tuesdays and Fridays and at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays, unless otherwise announced.

Bible Study with the Christian Chaplain Reverend Denise LaChance is held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. The class is held in the Becker Building's Plaza Level, Conference Room 116, unless otherwise announced.

Religious Observances

Cedars-Sinai's in-hospital Chaplaincy Program offers the following:

For Jewish Patients and Their Families:

• Shabbat (Sabbath) candles
• Sabbath and holiday elevator
• Jewish Sabbath observance
• Kosher food, call (310) 423-4444 or (310) 423-4797
• Local Kosher restaurants and markets
• Local area hotels
• Pre-Sabbath taped services (televised Friday at 3:15 p.m. on Channel 19)
• Post-Sabbath taped services (televised Saturday at 9 p.m. on Channel 19)
• "Healing through Jewish Songs and Stories" (televised daily at 1:45 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Channel 19)
• Pre-taped holiday services (televised on Channel 19)
• Yahrzeit observance
• Brit Milah/Circumcision assistance
• Jewish Calendar (2006-2015)*

Special Note about Brit Milah/Circumcision:

To accommodate parents wishing to observe the Jewish tradition of brit milah, Cedars-Sinai's Chaplaincy Program can help make arrangements for a mohel to perform the circumcision. Recommended mohels are experienced and technically trained in this surgery. In the event a mohel is not available, one of our knowledgeable Jewish staff physicians may perform the brit after consulting with a rabbi.

For Christian Patients and Their Families: (Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant and Non-Denominational)

• Weekly Bible Study with the Christian Chaplain at noon on Tuesdays in the Becker Building Room 116, Plaza Level
• Mass is celebrated in the chapel at noon on Tuesdays and Fridays and at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays
• Anointing of the sick
• Sacrament of Reconciliation
• Communion
• Services on Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday and Easter, televised on Channel 19
• Emergency baptisms
• New Testament and Bibles
• Devotional reading and Holy Cards
• Rosaries
• Music for Healing volunteer gospel/worship singers
• Christian Calendar (2002-2020)*

For All:

• Assistance contacting community clergy
• Visits by Chaplaincy Department volunteers
• Inspirational programs on Channel 19

For More Information

For further details about religious and spiritual services and programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, please contact:

• Rabbi Jason Weiner, Jewish Chaplain
  (310) 423-5238
• Father Lester Avestruz, Catholic Chaplain
  (310) 423-8040
• Reverend Denise LaChance, Christian Chaplain
  (310) 423-8200