Staff Suggestion Brings Sukkah to Holy Name

Holy Name Medical Center offered Jewish staffers, guests and patient family members a Sukkah during the recent Jewish Festival of Succoth. 

Deb Ross, a Holy Name nurse, suggested the idea to Medical Center President Mike Maron in light of the large Jewish population at the facility, according to a press release.

“That Holy Name, a Catholic institution founded 88 years ago by the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Peace, would decide to install a Sukkah, should not be a surprise to anyone who has visited the medical center in the last decade. In addition to accommodating Jewish patients who stay overnight on the Sabbath and holidays in the Sabbath room, there's a Sabbath elevator, Sabbath lounge, kosher meals for patients and guests, mammograms on Sundays and hospice programs accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice,” the release said.

Holy Name’s Sukkah was purchased from Sukkah Depot with help from the Judaica House on Cedar Lane. Maayanot Yeshiva High School for Girls students made decorations to hang in the Sukkah.

Director of Pastoral Care Sister Breda Boyle said providing a Sukkah was "very much in keeping with the Holy Name tradition of caring that addresses the medical, cultural and spiritual needs of every patient and our Mission to serve every member of our community."

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