Broward Health Coral Springs introduces new kosher room offering comfort, food, and a space for faith to Jewish patients and their families in need
Coral Springs, Florida – Broward Health Coral Springs has unveiled a new space that brings comfort, nourishment, and a sense of community to Jewish patients and their families. The newly created kosher room, located on the first floor of the hospital, is designed to meet the religious and dietary needs of Jewish patients, providing a quiet, 24/7 space for prayer, reflection, and fresh kosher food.
The room features a well-stocked refrigerator filled with fresh kosher salads, sandwiches, and yogurt. There’s always a hot cup of coffee ready to pour, while shelves are lined with prayer books and tefillin, tools for Jewish prayer and ritual. In one corner, a Sabbath kit, complete with electric candles, grape juice, and spices, is prepared for those observing Shabbat. This thoughtfully curated space ensures that patients and their families can practice their faith and find comfort in a hospital environment.
This new addition is a result of collaboration between local rabbis and hospital administrators, with significant support from Healing Hearts, a nonprofit organization led by Rabbi Yochanon Klein of Hollywood. The initiative was launched to accommodate the growing Jewish community in Coral Springs, especially the Orthodox families who have moved to the area in recent years. Rabbi Yankie Denburg, of the Chabad Jewish Center in Coral Springs, and Rabbi Moshe Yaras, of Chabad of Coral Springs, worked closely with the hospital to bring this vision to life.
While Broward Health Coral Springs generously provided the space, Healing Hearts plays a critical role in ensuring the room is continually stocked with fresh kosher food and supplies. For many Jewish families, hospital visits present added challenges—such as finding kosher food, securing a place to pray, or observing religious traditions. The kosher room at Broward Health now addresses these challenges, offering a space that caters to the unique needs of Jewish patients and their loved ones.
Rabbi Denburg, who also serves as a hospital chaplain, expressed the impact the room has had on the community. “Having a space to go for prayers and to get fresh food means a lot to people in the hospital and their families,” he said. “It makes for a more welcoming environment for Jewish families visiting the hospital. It’s a huge value.”
But the kosher room offers more than just physical sustenance—it reflects the Jewish tradition of bikur cholim, the commandment to visit and care for the sick. “The idea of visiting the sick is one of the commandments in the Torah,” Rabbi Denburg explained. “The Jewish community has historically been known for visiting Jewish people in the hospital, and this room is a physical manifestation of that commitment to care and compassion.”
The space not only serves those receiving medical care but also provides a sense of connection to the Jewish faith and community for families and visitors. The room’s presence is a gesture of respect for Jewish traditions and practices, allowing families to maintain their religious observances while navigating the challenges of hospital visits.
The kosher room at Broward Health Coral Springs is an important step forward in making the hospital a more inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of the community. It ensures that Jewish patients and their families can feel supported, nourished, and spiritually at peace during what can be a stressful and emotional time. This initiative is a shining example of how collaboration and care can create spaces of comfort and faith within healthcare settings.
