The Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy program, led by Rabbi Rick Brody, focuses on providing direct spiritual care, comfort, and counseling to unaffiliated Jews in the greater Denver area and beyond who are ill, in crisis, or near the end of their lives. Rabbi Rick offers these services in hospitals, nursing homes, mental health institutions, correctional facilities, and people’s homes. When he cannot help someone directly, he has a wealth of knowledge about community resources and other JFS programs.

As you can imagine, with the breadth of issues people face each day, no two days are the same in Rabbi Rick’s work! Below are some recent glimpses into a day in the life of a community chaplain.

Rounds at Hospitals

Before the pandemic, Rabbi Rick was working to increase his time spent making rounds at local hospitals, starting with UCHealth, offering support to Jewish patients beyond those who explicitly request a visit from him. This was put on hold during COVID and pre-vaccine but resumed this past July. He has recently added four hospitals to his rotation. Rabbi Rick finds that most people are not aware JFS provides this service. The patients he sees are grateful for his support and take comfort in having someone to talk to.

“I recently had a request from a patient in her mid-80s,” shares Rabbi Rick. “When I got to her room, she told me she hadn’t checked the box on her intake forms that she was open to having a rabbi visit, but she agreed to meet. We ended up having a wonderful conversation.”

She is a poet and recited classic poems and some of her original writing. She is a Colorado native and loves nature, which is the focus of most of her poems. She also uses poetry to express her spirituality. During the visit, she shared that she has lost the ability to walk, needs rehab, and has a long recovery ahead.

Rabbi Rick says, “I encouraged her to use poetry to help her through this life transition and hold onto the memory of prior experiences walking in nature. She cried and appreciated the chance to talk through her emotions. It was a meaningful interaction for us both.”

First-time Service for a Non-Jew

A hospice chaplain called Rabbi Rick about a patient who had moved to three different facilities in one year. The patient had dementia and had just died. He was not Jewish, but his wife was. The chaplain wanted Rabbi Rick to take care of the wife’s needs to help her mourn the loss of her husband. Rabbi Rick says, “When I met with her, it was clear she needed someone to talk to. Her husband felt isolated when he first went to a facility, so she took on the role of caregiver to spend time with him during COVID. When he moved to a different facility, she was no longer in a caregiver role. She could only visit with him via Zoom, which was difficult and took its toll on them emotionally. Fortunately, she was allowed to visit in person during his final days.”

She told Rabbi Rick she wanted to include a Jewish component at the service, which was a small gathering at the facility. Rabbi Rick guided the widow in reciting the Kaddish memorial prayer, and the hospice chaplain said another prayer. Rabbi Rick adds, “She was very grateful that I could be there, and I was honored to provide comfort and support for the widow. Believe it or not, it was the first time I performed a service following the death of a non-Jew.”

The Full Life Cycle in One Day

Before he was vaccinated, Rabbi Rick assisted two families on opposite ends of the life cycle on the same day. First, he officiated at a graveside funeral for a man who had died in his early forties. “I had talked with the parents and sister via Zoom to learn about their son and brother and provide support during the funeral planning and grieving process,” Rabbi Rick explains. “I then performed the funeral ceremony for a small gathering of the immediate family and some friends.”

Later that day, he was on the phone with Liz Weston and Jadon Williams, whose newborn son, Aurum had been premature and was finally being discharged from the hospital. Liz and Jadon were having hospital staff perform a medical circumcision for Aurum and wished to add the appropriate Jewish components to the process to make it a b’rit milah (bris) ritual. Rabbi Rick joined the ceremony via Zoom—along with grandparents from out of state—and transformed a secular medical procedure into a joyful, Jewish event.

“That day was a good reminder of how my work allows me to serve individuals during every stage of life,” reflects Rabbi Rick, “and I am grateful for each interaction and the variety of ways I can help the community.”

Learn more about the Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program and schedule an appointment with Rabbi Rick.

The Baskin Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program is funded in partnership with JEWISHcolorado who has supplied a PIN grant of $79,000 or 79% of the overall program. We are appreciative of their support.