Hospital haven for parents
THE generosity of a pair of communal donors has given Jewish parents a chance to ease the emotional burdens of having sick children in hospital by remaining close by.
THE generosity of a pair of communal donors has given Jewish parents a chance to ease the emotional burdens of having sick children in hospital by remaining close by.
“When a child is hospitalised, their greatest comfort is the presence of family,” said Shimon Allen, a member Melbourne’s Jewish community.
He and his wife Adina have established a home in North Melbourne that enables parents of children staying at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) to remain in close proximity.
“Adina suggested it one morning and we thought it was a great idea,” Allen told The AJN.
Named after Adina’s late father Rafael, as well as after the archangel of healing in Jewish tradition, Rafael, Beit Rafael is “a quiet place where family members can relax and recover their emotions in a private setting”, he said.
At no charge to users, the seven-day-a-week facility for bikkur cholim (visiting the sick), located on Flemington Road, directly across from the RCH, offers a fully furnished and serviced two-bedroom apartment, including a pantry stocked with kosher non-perishables and a freezer containing kosher meals.
Beit Rafael’s location, accessible across Flemington Road from the RCH on a pedestrian crossing, is also close to the Royal Women’s and Royal Melbourne hospitals.
“It’s not just for families of sick children, but can help in cases of premature babies,” Allen said.
RCH offers parents an in-hospital stay and also has paid accommodation offsite. “But sometimes you just want some fresh air and a place where you can gather your thoughts,” said Allen.
Staying in the Beit Rafael apartment means loved ones can remain close at hand, especially on Shabbat and yom tovim, when religiously observant families are precluded from travel. But Allen emphasised the facility is for the whole Jewish community, not just for observant Jews.
Parents will be welcome to remain at Beit Rafael for the duration of their child’s treatment. Privacy and confidentiality are respected, said Allen.
If more than one family should require the service at the same time, Beit Rafael will contact the existing users and ask them if they would be prepared to share the apartment for a time, he said.
Allen encouraged parents to note the telephone number of Beit Rafael, so that the facility can have adequate notice of families’ needs to use the premises, where possible.
Enquiries 0421 408 522; on Shabbat and yom tovim
0421 327 859.
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