Jewish Journal Rabbi Jason Weiner—The Calm Unanxious Presence Skip to main content Close Select your preferred language English عربى 简体中文 繁體中文 فارسي עִברִית 日本語 한국어 Русский Español Tagalog Menu Close Call 1-800-CEDARS-1 toggle search form Close Los Angeles, 17 October 2021 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles Jewish Journal Rabbi Jason Weiner—The Calm Unanxious Presence Being a hospital chaplain during the COVID-19 pandemic sometimes feels like a privilege, says Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai. Photo by Cedars-Sinai. Rabbi Dr. Jason Weiner, BCC Torah donation to Spiritual Care The Jewish Journal recently interviewed Jason Weiner, PhD, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai, about his experience as a hospital chaplain and how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected him. Weiner recalled how challenging he found his job when he first began serving as a chaplain at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center 15 years ago. He felt unprepared to comfort or counsel patients and families grappling with intense experiences and life-or-death decisions. "I found it very difficult at first," Weiner told the Jewish Journal. "People were dealing with really severe crises, asking me questions about life and death. If I gave the wrong answer, it could impact someone's life in a very significant way." But after several years of training, he found chaplaincy to be sincere and meaningful work. "Every day you are on the front lines of life and death, so things matter in the hospital in ways that are sometimes more profound and feel more important than in other areas of life," Weiner told the Jewish Journal. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced hospitals to limit visitors, Weiner improvised to comfort patients who often felt isolated. He delivered homemade meals to them and held up smartphones so they could see their families over FaceTime. He even stood outside the room of a Jewish COVID-19 patient who died early in the pandemic to recite prayers over the phone with their family. "I was for sure putting myself at severe risk," Weiner told the Jewish Journal. "But I had this attitude of, 'I have to do this. People are counting on me.' Sometimes it was a burden, but it also felt like a privilege." Click here to read the complete article from the Jewish Journal. Related Stories RSS feed - Related Stories (opens in new window) View all headlines - Related Stories HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries October 07, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles HealthDay recently interviewed Rebecca J. Schneyer, MD, a resident in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Residency Program at Cedars-Sinai, about a study she led that found Black and Hispanic women were less likely than white women to receive minimally … Read more KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot October 06, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles KCRW program Press Play recently featured Rita Shane, PharmD, vice president and chief pharmacy officer at Cedars-Sinai, discussing who qualifies for the updated COVID-19 booster and how long patients must wait before getting the shot.The Centers … Read more ABC 7 Spider-Man Swings by 4-Year-Old Leukemia Patient s Birthday Party at Cedars-Sinai September 30, 2022 09:00 AM America/Los_Angeles ABC 7 recently profiled Cedars-Sinai patient Jabari Henley, who celebrated his fourth birthday with a special superhero at Guerin Children's newly opened inpatient facility.The Lifedriven Foundation helped throw Henley a surprise party in the Guerin … Read more Show previous items Show next items Contact the Media Team Email: [email protected] Share this release Jewish Journal Rabbi Jason Weiner—The Calm Unanxious Presence Share on: Twitter Share on: Facebook Share on: LinkedIn Search Our Newsroom Social media Visit our Facebook page (opens in new window) Follow us on Twitter (opens in new window) Visit our Youtube profile (opens in new window) (opens in new window) Latest news 07 Oct 2022 - HealthDay Black Women Less Likely to Get Laparoscopic Fibroid Surgeries 07 Oct 2022 - Faculty Publications: Sept. 29-Oct. 6 07 Oct 2022 - Fine-Tuning Organ-Chip Technology 06 Oct 2022 - KCRW Want New Omicron Booster Wait at Least 2 Months After Last Shot 05 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Schedules Free Flu Vaccine Clinics 04 Oct 2022 - Cedars-Sinai Showcases Hispanic and Latinx Art Newsroom Home