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A hospital stay can become logistically difficult for observant Jewish families: kosher food, Shabbos accommodations within walking distance, transportation, places to rest, and support for relatives who are far from home can all matter.
New York and New Jersey
Chesed 24/7
Free kosher hospital meals, hospitality rooms and apartments, Shabbos-in-a-Box kits, equipment loans, hospital liaisons, and transportation across dozens of hospitals in New York and New Jersey. 24-hour line: 845-354-3233.
Chesed of Williamsburg
Free non-emergency transportation to and from hospitals and clinics, plus an online and printed Kosher Hospital Guide covering kosher food, Bikur Cholim rooms, chaplaincy, and Shabbos apartments across the tri-state area. Dispatch: 718-218-9000.
Satmar Bikur Cholim (New York)
Delivers thousands of kosher meals weekly to Jewish patients across New York hospitals, with bedside visiting and family support. Phone: 718-854-2500.
Connecticut
The Haven (New Haven, CT)
A bikur cholim center near Yale New Haven's hospitals with lodging, kosher food pantries, meals, Shabbos accommodations within walking distance, and a shul on site. Phone: 203-902-1800.
New Haven Torah Center — Community Resources
Local resources for families at Yale New Haven Hospital: a Bikur Cholim pantry, the Friendship House at Yale, kosher food and eruv information, mikvah, and Chevra Kadisha contacts.
Philadelphia
Bikur Cholim of Philadelphia
Hospital hospitality support in Philadelphia coordinated by Mrs. Malky Schwartz, including pantry access, accommodations, transportation, and food packages to hospitals by arrangement. Phone: 215-805-8668. Email for transportation: bikurcholimphilly@gmail.com. Pantry note: 1st floor, between Ave. C and D. Information provided by Refuah by Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim.
Chicago
Chicago Mitzvah Campaign
Free kosher guest meals delivered to patients' visitors, hospitality suites, and in-hospital patient services across the Chicago area.
Cleveland
Bikur Cholim of Cleveland
Kosher hospital lounges, meals, lodging, and patient and family support in the Cleveland area.
Los Angeles
Bikur Cholim — Los Angeles
The West Coast's leading Jewish healthcare nonprofit, providing medical guidance, financial support, kosher food, lodging, and community services to patients and families. Phone: 323-852-1900.
Lakewood
Lev Rochel Bikur Cholim (Lakewood)
Daily-restocked food pantries and Shabbos accommodations for patients' families near Monmouth-area hospitals, plus a range of patient support services.
Also note
Most communities have a local Bikur Cholim. To find one near a specific hospital, use the Chesed Kosher Hospital Guide, Beineinu, or ChesedSpot.
Before you use these resources
In an emergency, call your local emergency number (911 in the U.S.) or your community Hatzalah.
These organizations are independent and are not operated by or formally affiliated with JMAR or the Jewish Physicians Network. We list them for educational and informational purposes. Coverage areas vary — some serve one city or hospital, others operate nationally or in Israel — so confirm scope and availability directly with each organization.
This page gathers kosher hospital food, Bikur Cholim, lodging, hospitality, and transportation resources by geography. For clinical teams, JMAR’s guide to Kosher Food in the Hospital explains the basics of sealed kosher meals, meat and dairy, Passover, and medication.
Related JMAR resources
Suggest a resource
Know a reliable organization, hotline, or patient-support service that belongs here? This directory is growing, and we welcome recommendations.