Charities team up for Rosh Hashanah hospital scheme 

Two Jewish charities have joined forces to support patients in hospital during Rosh Hashanah.

Learning disability charity Kisharon has partnered with Bedside Kosher, which provides fresh kosher meals for patients, to provide a kiddush box containing grape juice, honey, dried apple and a card printed with blessings to be recited on the Jewish new year for those in hospital.

Barnet General Hospital, the Royal Free and other hospitals in north London will have 220 kiddush boxes to distribute to Jewish patients.

Kisharon Chief Executive Richard Franklin said: “Increasingly Kisharon is moving into the space of cross-communal initiatives, and I am so pleased we can work alongside Bedside Kosher to mutually improve outcomes for people both charities will support. Collaboration for the greater good is core both to our social enterprises and to what we stand for at this important time of year.”

Anthony Shaw, Chief Executive of Bedside Kosher said: “We genuinely believe food is medicine and that maintaining good nutritional status during hospital is vital.

“During Rosh Hashanah, patients in hospital won’t get the chance to celebrate, and, due to Covid restrictions, they currently don’t have access to friends, family, or their local synagogue.

“This year we are thrilled to once again be able to offer a special L’shanah tovah meal, and thanks to the generosity of an anonymous donor and the amazing work of Kisharon, we are also able to provide these gifts for patients.”