Satmar Bikur Cholim, also known as Bikur Cholim D'Satmar or Ladies Bikur Cholim D'Satmar, is a New York-based non-profit organization which aids Jewish people in New York hospitals. According to its website, it delivers 2,000 meals to hospital patients every week.

Satmar Bikur Cholim
ביקור חולים דסאטמאר
AbbreviationSBC
Established1956
FoundersFeiga Teitelbaum
Gittel Kahn
Founded atBrooklyn, NY
TypeNonprofit
Legal statusCharity
PurposeBikur cholim
Headquarters545 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn NY 11211
Location
Coordinates40°42′17.03″N 73°57′41.08″W / 40.7047306°N 73.9614111°W / 40.7047306; -73.9614111
ServicesHospital meals
Transportation to hospitals
Apartments near hospitals
AffiliationsSatmar (Hasidic dynasty)
Websitesatmarlbc.org

Overview edit

History edit

Satmar Bikur Cholum was founded in 1956 by the Satmar Rebbetzin Faige Teitelbaum, wife of Rabbi Yoel Teitelbaum of Satmar, together with Gitel Kahn, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.[1][2][3] Food was prepared in Kahn's kitchen and delivered to hospitalized Jews in the area.[4] The organization has gained a reputation of helping all Jews, regardless of their backgrounds or affiliations.[5] In 2018, NYU Langone Medical Center expelled SBC after 30 years of cooperation, shocking the Orthodox Jewish community.[2]

Services edit

Currently, the organization runs "Bikur Cholim rooms" – rooms in hospitals that supply kosher food, including chalav yisrael milk, to patients,[6] and owns apartments located near hospitals for family members of patients to stay in.[7] They also shuttle volunteers, visitors, and patients on a private bus line between Williamsburg and hospitals throughout New York City.[7]

References edit

  1. ^ Hamodia Staff. "Mrs. Gitel Kahn, A"h". Hamodia.com. Hamodia. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  2. ^ a b Donn, Yochanan. "Bikur Cholim Mystified at Sudden Expulsion From Hospital". Hamodia.com. Hamodia. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  3. ^ Scheinbaum, Rabbi A. Leib (2004). Transmitting the Legacy. The Living Memorial/Hebrew Academy of Cleveland. pp. 315, 316. ISBN 1-57819-360-5.
  4. ^ "History". yelp.com. Yelp. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  5. ^ Zakon, Rabbi Nachman (June 2003). The Jewish Experience: 2,000 Years: A Collection of Significant Events (Second ed.). Shaar Press. p. 214. ISBN 1-57819-496-2. Satmar's bikur cholim society is famous throughout New York for its many activities to aid all Jews in need of help, without regard to their background or affiliation.
  6. ^ "Jewish - Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center" (PDF). mskcc.org. MSKCC. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Bus Line Bikur Cholim Williamsburg". chesedspot.org. Retrieved 17 January 2021.