Bikur Cholim Trains Volunteers

Over a hundred active volunteers attended a recent Bikur Cholim of Crown Heights Information and Training Session at the events hall at 580 Crown Street.

The evening began with the featured speaker, Mr. Yingi Bistritzky of Crown Heights Hatzolah, recounting his years of experience dealing with crisis in the community.

Bistritzky spoke for close to an hour, telling many wonderful and inspirational stories that gave chizuk to the volunteers, acknowledging the both the sacrifice and the reward in being a volunteer.

“I know those calls from your leaders always come at the wrong time, the wrong day, the wrong hour… your husband’s home, your kids are coming from school. You know how I know? Because I’ve been there and done that in Hatzolah… There’s never a right time. You just do it.”

The women were privileged to hear firsthand from someone who has been servicing the community for over 30 years. He explained that with time, the desire to help does not diminish.

“When you see how rewarding it is to help somebody, you’re going to want to do more.” Bistritzky said, “You’ll call up and say, give me someone else to drive, who can I cook a meal for tomorrow night?” He reiterated to the crowd several times, “You women can and will make a difference to the people of Crown Heights.

The topic of patient confidentiality came up over and over again “The cardinal rule is never talk about what you saw,” Bistritzky instructed, highlighting the sensitive nature of dealing with families in medical crisis. The message of the evening was clear and powerful– the dedicated and compassionate work of a Bikur Cholim Volunteer is crucial to a patient’s well being, and there is truly nothing greater than giving of oneself to help others.

Each volunteer received a 40 page handbook containing all the necessary information on being a Bikur Cholim volunteer.

Chapter topics include: visiting skills, hospital etiquette, working with frail and older adults, looking after yourself and setting boundaries, etc.

The handbook includes a complete hospital directory with estimated travel times and driving directions to every hospital and medical care facility in the surrounding NY Metropolitan area, plus sections containing sample menus, nutrition and hechsher guidelines, and more.

The Bikur Cholim leaders took turns speaking at the podium about the demands of their respective committees.

Five of the most active and involved volunteers were acknowledged and awarded a gift as a token of appreciation from Bikur Cholim, after which the floor was opened to Q&A’s.

Finally, the Bikur Cholim committee announced their next project, Bikur Cholim Month, with an original and entertaining video presentation (more details coming soon).

The event was beautifully set up, featuring an open bar, chocolate fondue station, many interesting hors devours and tasteful snacks.

While the guests mingled at the end of the evening, many of the volunteers signed up for more projects and other areas in which to get involved, having been impressed with the great need while also empowered to do more. One woman expressed her gratitude to a Bikur Cholim Director saying, “Thank you for giving me this amazing opportunity to get involved with my community. Thank you for giving me a chance to give back.”

Bikur Cholim is a volunteer based organization that is able to do its work thanks entirely to the incredible volunteers. You too can get involved by signing up online at bikurcholimch.org/VOLUNTEERS.htm or emailing [email protected].

For more information visit, www.bikurcholimch.org or become a fan on facebook.