abc information brochure - july 2009

I S S U E # 1 1

Antwerp Bikur Cholim

The Help Centre for Jewish Patients and their Families

In Association with the existing Social Welfare Organisations in Antwerp

A B C P U B L I C AT I O N2

A.B.C. is a Help Center

that coordinates

Bikur Cholim Services

for the Patient

who is experiencing illness,

or is elderly or infirm.

I S S U E # 1 3

A.B.C. Services include:

Bikur Cholim VisitsA.B.C. coordinates home and hospital visits

to Patients. This popular service is made

possible by our dedicated team of devoted

and empathetic multi-lingual volunteers.

In extenuating circumstances

A.B.C. endeavour to provide rooming-in

company to be at a Patient’s bedside in

hospital at night.

Patient CompanionAt the Patient’s request, A.B.C. volunteers

will accompany patients to

medical appointments.

Senior CareA.B.C. offers a telephone monitoring and

home visits service to the aged and lonely,

to monitor their welfare and check on the

person’s safety.

Personal Alarm SystemA.B.C. oversees the application and

installation of a unique Personal Alarm

System, which is suitably adapted in

consideration with the needs

of the Jewish community.

This entails a unique

response plan for Shabbos

and Yom Tov when locating

relatives or key holders is

often problematic.

A B C P U B L I C AT I O N

Medical ReferralsAt the request of Patient’s family,

A.B.C. will refer medical files to the

specialist(s) in the appropriate field of

expertise for a second opinion,

in coordination with the local GP’s

and with the help of the local experienced

community activists.

Translation of medical dossiers is also

arranged, where necessary.

Diagnosis QuandaryIf Patients are in need of a diagnosis,

A.B.C. confidentially provides referrals to

medical consultants and leading specialists

in reputable medical centres, for a range

of general non-urgent medical disorders,

ailments, elective surgery, natural health and

alternative therapies.

4

I S S U E # 1 5

Local TransportationA.B.C. assists with Patient transportation

to Antwerp neighbouring hospitals such as

Wilrijk, Edegem, Mortsel and Braschaat.

Outlying TransportationIn cooperation and accordance with the

admirable organisation ‘Rechev’ (hospital

shuttle service), A.B.C. will attempt to

supplement their service when necessary,

and upon request assist in transportation

to out-of-town hospitals (Brussels, Leuven,

Aalst, Jette, etc.)

Nourishing MealsA.B.C. will attempt to supplement the

marvellous organisations ‘Shifru & Piyu’

and similar services where necessary,

supplying the patient (and companion) with

hot and cold nutritious meals.


Bikur Cholim RoomsA.B.C. oversees the management and

weekly replenishing of essential supplies

for the patient and their family in the

Bikur Cholim Rooms at Middelheim and

Eeuwfeest Kliniek Hospitals.

A.B.C. is in the process of negotiations with

other hospitals that service the local Jewish

community for further Bikur Cholim rooms

and kosher facilities.

I S S U E # 1 7


Audio-Visual and Recreation Library

A.B.C. provides therapeutic recreation and

entertainment for Patients.

A.B.C. has a book and audio-visual library,

containing Jewish reading material, music,

DVD’s, audio-visual equipment,

games and toys. Donations

or sponsorship is welcome

for these popular and

most appreciated items to

a Patient who is home or

hospital-bound.

I S S U E # 1 9

Mobility Aids and a range of Medical Equipment

A.B.C. oversees the supply of mobility

aids, medical equipment and materials;

wheelchairs, bedside ventilators,

etc., in cooperation

with Mutualiteit

Uitleendiensten,

and community-

based medical

equipment

libraries.

Expatriates Welcome Patients and accompanying family from

overseas who have come to Belgium for

medical reasons are welcomed at the airport,

taken to lodgings arranged by A.B.C., and

supplied with local medical help and many

practical amenities to ease their stay.

Global ReachA.B.C. liaises with similar Jewish Health

Services abroad to expand capabilities

in serving the community with broader

services and facilitate Patient

transfers abroad where

necessary.


Sensitivity TrainingA.B.C. are initiating a training program

and compiling a guidance booklet to attune

medical health providers to the unique

cultural and religious requirements of the

Jewish Patient.

Spiritual Care and Chaplaincy Services

A.B.C. takes care of the sometimes

overlooked but much appreciated religious

requirements of the Jewish patient.

A.B.C. can arrange; electric Shabbos candles

(which is the requirement in a hospital);

a yahrzeit minyan for the housebound;

pre-packed water for fasting on Yom Kippur;

and in cooperation with Kehilas Machsike

Hadass, Shofar blowing and Megilla reading

for the home and hospital-bound.

Consultation with Wetenschappelijk Instituut Volksgezondheid concerning Measles Epidemic Control

I S S U E # 1 11

Health Protection Alerts and Task Force

In conjunction with the federal health

agency, ‘Vlaams Agentschap Zorg en

Gezondheid’, A.B.C. provides infectious

disease prevention alerts and community-

wide vaccination programmes.

Feedback & Suggestions

A.B.C. exists to service the needs of the Patient and their families;

our mission is to offer the best possible Bikur Cholim Services.

We can improve A.B.C. Services with your helpful feedback;

constructive criticism and suggestions.

Please contact Client Services at:

Tel: 0.32.33.34.34

Email: [email protected]

A B C P U B L I C AT I O N

An Invitation to join Antwerp’s Bikur Cholim

בס”ד

The publication of this, our first Patient Services Brochure,

marks twenty months of Antwerp’s Bikur Cholim Service

in Belgium.

Since its inception in December ’07, A.B.C. has בעזהי"ת

earned a reputation for offering a confidential and personalised

Bikur Cholim Service that meets the needs of the Jewish Patient

and their families.

Antwerp’s Bikur Cholim are indebted to our dedicated

volunteers who give so willingly of their time at all hours of day

and night. A.B.C.’s success to date is due to the honorable

individuals and institutions that have contributed their counsel

and support to ensure A.B.C can offer the best possible

service to Patients in need.

We take this opportunity to invite you to join our community

of volunteers and support staff; to become an active member of

our team in fulfilling the rewarding mitzvah of Bikur Cholim.

A.B.C.’s vision is to expand and improve our range of

services בעזהי"ת, while maintaining a twenty-four hour

hot-line to service every request that comes to us for

Bikur Cholim assistance.

Your participation will help us help more Patients

in need.

בברכת והסירותי מחלה מקרבך,

רפואה להנזקקים והבריאים יתמידו בבריאותם.

On behalf of Antwerp’s Bikur Cholim

M. Bindinger

12

I S S U E # 1 13

9 Become a volunteer: visiting, driving, feeding,

dispatching, or cooking for Jewish Patients.

9 Tell us of your experience with particular

specialists / therapists / doctors and other medical

professionals so that others can benefit from your

information and insights.

9 Are you gifted with musical talent? A sense

of humour? Do you like reading out-loud?

Or sharing positive stories and having light

conversations with new people? Why not share

your interests with a lonely patient who would be

thrilled to have some pleasant, uplifting company

which is often also comforting and a distraction

to their personal situation which could last days,

weeks and sometimes years.

9 Donate used books, periodicals, music and Torah

tapes, CD’s & DVD’s to our library or sponsor new

items, all of which will be much appreciated by

Patients and their families.

9 Sponsor the maintenance of an A.B.C. room

for a week / month / year.

9 Sponsor a DVD player.

9 Sponsor a monthly phone bill.

Antwerp Bikur Cholim

Welcomes your participation and contribution.

How YOU can help?


Within forty-five minutes of Antwerp Bikur Cholim receiving a call of despair, a volunteer aide arrived at the home of Mr. C. who was in desperate need of assistance; he was unable to help himself. The willing and capable volunteer gave Mr. C. a bath, which due to circumstances beyond his control he had been unable to do for the past six weeks. From the day of this urgent call for help, Mr. C’s needs were taken care of by Antwerp Bikur Cholim. Mr. C’s wife told A.B.C. that our service have saved their family, saved Mr. C. from his then worsening depression and shown him he was living in a community that cared and he was not alone anymore.

Mrs. S. placed a call to A.B.C.; her husband had fever and is not eating, drinking or taking medication. A volunteer arrived within minutes managing to coach and encourage fluid and solid intake, and administered the medication, hence stabilizing the patient’s condition.

The following are a collection of Bikur Cholim experiences to

Inspire & Encourage you

to join us in our efforts for Jewish Patients:

I S S U E # 1 15

Mrs. F. an elderly sick widow had no warm water in her kitchen and bathroom. Numerous calls were made, a plumber was called to fix the boiler, and until eventually a new boiler had to be installed. Unbeknown to Mrs. F, the landlord refused to pay the bill and A.B.C carried the cost for this person in need.

Mrs. M. has told A.B.C. that our service has helped her more than words can say. Her husband is unfortunately not able to get out and about very much; he is unable to walk by himself. A.B.C. arranged visits to keep Mr. M. company while his wife tended to errands or had to make urgent out-of-town visits.


A.B.C can be relied to arrange social visits to home-bound patients on any day and night of the week and Shabbos. Occasionally, A.B.C. coordinators are entrusted with house keys to check patients are okay who prefer to stay alone when their spouse pops out or makes out-of-town visits.

Mrs. M. is blind and partially paralyzed. She is a post-operative patient and has spent the past few weeks crying out in agonizing pain due to her operation. Time plus patience are needed for her to recuperate. A.B.C arranged a kind volunteer to visit Mrs. M. daily to brighten her life and to distract her from her pain and discomfort; the volunteer had to walk a considerable distance to visit Mrs. M. for which Mrs. M. was very grateful. Bikur Cholim visits bring a ray of sunshine into her life and a smile to her face. When the time came for Mrs. M. to be transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation, a bed could not be found in the hospital of Mrs. M’s choice. A.B.C. pulled on its resources and managed to arrange for a room to be made available, in order to ease the way for Mrs. M. Kosher food was supplied three times a day. One of the A.B.C. coordinators said: “How do I explain the feeling of wholeness I receive from Mrs. M. when I

I S S U E # 1 17

hold her hand and talk to her? She cannot thank A.B.C. enough for their support and never tires telling me how much the daily visits mean to her.” Mrs. M., a kind, warm and caring person, has touched my heart and surely the hearts of all her other many visitors.

On a Tuesday night in April a call came in to A.B.C. from Miami concerning Family L. from Israel, who were scheduled to arrive very early the next day, Wednesday morning for emergency medical consultations. Food was quickly organized by Family B. Without any hesitation a volunteer collected the family at 5 ‘o clock in the morning from Brussels Airport and took them straight to UZ Leuven Hospital, remaining with them whilst they acclimatized and settled in. Cellular phones were supplied enabling them to keep in touch with their family abroad. After extensive tests at the hospital they were collected by a member of A.B.C. and brought to a local hotel in Antwerp according to their wishes; they were supported all time with supplies of wholesome meals and the loan of money. Over Shabbos Family L. were hosted in Antwerp and made to feel at home. At 7.30 Sunday morning the same A.B.C. Bikur Cholim volunteer drove them to Brussels Airport to check in their luggage and then drove them to UZ Leuven Hospital


for one final examination. Immediately afterwards they were driven back to the airport, managing to catch their flight back home to Israel. To date, A.B.C.

has kept in close contact with Family L. and B.H. they had an extremely positive outcome.

Mrs. X. had a serious contagious infection. Due to a family member being in hospital and the stress and strain of having to cope, Mrs. X. neglected herself. A.B.C. upon her request liaised with her GP to assess the situation and implemented various precautionary measures. A.B.C. was in daily contact with Mrs. X. offering help when required and encouraging her to follow the doctor’s advice; she B.H. found the strength to help her parent recover whilst taking care of her well-being, with the full support of A.B.C.

Mr. Y. received not only warm meals, but warmth from the heart that comes with the dedication of our A.B.C volunteers, that offered to help Mr. Y. three times a day with his meals. Due to his hospitalization Mr. Y. was unable to participate at his son’s wedding in New York. To try and compensate this, singing and dancing was arranged in Mr. Y.’s hospital room to give him a feeling of simcha. Additionally, A.B.C. arranged

I S S U E # 1 19

for a CD of the chassunah to be sent to Antwerp - within 2 days of the chassunah which gave Mr. Y. much joy to watch very soon after the chassunah took place; the joy on his face and the tears in the eyes of those that shared the experience made for a memorable occasion. For one month A.B.C. were honored to be able to help Mr. Y. three times daily, Shabbos included.

Mr. E. was hospitalized whilst his family was abroad. An A.B.C. volunteer was at his bedside making sure he was comfortable and had all his requirements. With the intention of bringing peace of mind and happiness to his concerned family overseas, the volunteer took photos of Mr. E. sending them immediately by email to the family to comfort them and show them Mr. E. was recovering nicely.


בע”ה, תמוז תשס”ט

To the devoted team of ביקור חולים עמו”ש,

It is not easy to express in words my feelings of

.for all your wonderful work הכרת הטוב

You’ve been helpful by always being there when

needed. In hot, cold or rainy weather, you were

always there. I could therefore avoid having

to schlep myself on the buses to and from the

hospital when visiting my mother ע”ה. I did not

have to wait in all types of difficult weather –

bitter cold, sweltering heat and rain while going

backwards and forwards – what a tremendous

kindness you did for me. Thank you.

Besides for the chessed you did for our family,

your Bikur Cholim team was always there with

a smile, a kind word never gave me the feeling

that I was a burden.

Therefore I daven that, ישלם לכם הקב”ה שכרכם הטוב

.בכפל כפליים עם בריאות ונחת וכל טוב בכל הענינים, אמן

,בהוקרה ובתודה מקרב לב

C.J.

Letters of gratitude

from Antwerp Bikur Cholim patients:

I S S U E # 1 21

ב”ה, ב’ חשון תשס”ט

Dear.....

Coming home from my Tehillim group one Sunday

morning, I met a gentleman parking his bicycle

outside our front door. I asked him in Yiddish if he

was coming to this house.

In excellent English he replied “Yes, Mrs. _____ - don’t

tell your husband ‘we’ are from Bikur Cholim”…

So began the end of my loneliness and the end of

many problems. Antwerp Bikur Cholim literally took

over; changing my life, but more importantly that of

my husband.

Almost daily people, from all walks of Jewish

life visit my husband. Every Yom Tov has been

celebrated by visiting volunteers with beautiful

voices, Rabbonim coming to wish my husband

Good Yom Tov or the delivery of many lovely

delicacies le-kovod Yom Tov from the community.

My husband was recently

hospitalised for two

months. The meals from

‘Shifru and Pua’ were

‘too delicious’ - so on Dr.’s

orders a new talented team

of cooks- our Jewish נשים

sent daily nourishing צדקניות

calorie controlled meals

served to someone whom

- had chosen yet again הקב”ה

to return to this - בזכות תפילת רבים

world, so that Bikur Cholim


could continue to act and shower kindness and

consideration.

Every day promptly at lunch time an אם בישראל

turned up with piping hot meals. For שבת the

3 x מן (Manna) was brought, carefully packed and

labelled so that the non-Jewish nurses could easily

decipher the instructions.

Rabbi Bindinger continued his pre-shabbes-

mincha visits even in hospital.

The only words I can use to wish you, selfless,

devoted members of Antwerp Bikur Cholim is:

כל מי שעוסקים בצרכי ציבור באמונה, הקב”ה ישלם שכרם,

ויסיר מהם כל מחלה, וירפא לכל גופם,..... וישלח ברכה והצלחה

בכל מעשי ידיהם עם כל ישראל אחיהם, ונאמר אמן.

בע”ה, תמוז תשס”ט

עבור ארגון ביקור חולים,

הייתי רוצה להביע את תודתי והערכתי הגדולה לארגון ‘ביקור חולים

אנטווערפן’ על הליוי הצמוד והמסור שלכם לאורך כל הדרך מאז שהיינו

זקוקים.

אם ברכב כדי לנסוע לרופא •

אם לשלוח אוכל לבעלי בשהותו בבה”ח •

מבקרים שיבקרו את בעלי בשהותו בבה”ח •

אנשים לסעוד אותו ולעזור לו כשלא יכל לרדת מהמטה •

בהיותו בבה”ח היו שולחים לו סעודות: בקר, צהרים, וערב. ימים רבים •

ממש סעודות שלימות וגם למי שהיה לידו בשעת הצורך.

מבקרים לבית בזמנים שלא יכל לצאת החוצה •

הארגון עוזר לנו גם בקבלת אביזרים שיקלו על חיי בעלי שיש לו אחוזי- •

נכות.

הם בקשר תמידי עם אנשי הצוות של קופ”ח מבררים איתם מה אפשר •

לקבל מהם ומזרזים אותם, הרבה דברים היו עלולים להתארך

חודשים ארוכים לולא התערבות הארגון.

כמו כן הם עוזרים לנו כעת בקבלת מעלית-כסא למדרגות הבנין שתסיע •

את בעלי במסילה במורד המדרגות על מנת לעזור לו לצאת מהבית.

I S S U E # 1 23

• יו”ר ארגון ביקור חולים יזם עזרה לשיקום של בעלי. הוא בעצמו יזם

פגישה עם רופא פיזיוטרפיה, ומאז בעלי החל בתרגיל פיזיוטרפיה קבוע

מספר פעמים בשבוע. וב”ה מצבו השתפר בהרבה מאז.

הארגון גם הביא לבעלי מכשיר נייד שבו הוא יכול לצפות בהצגות כשרות •

ובמעמדים תורניים מיוחדים כמו ברכת החמה וכו’ עם קלטות תורניות

שונות. ובעלי מאד נהנה מזה בזמן שישב ימים רבים בבית.

בעלי ואני מאד מתפעלים מהשירות הטוב והמסור ורואים שהכל נעשה לשם שמים

בלי שום נגיעות.

ה’ יהיה בעזרכם ויתן לכם את כל הטוב תמיד. בריאות שלימה לכם ולכל

משתתפותיכם ונחת מכל צאצאיכם.

מאת א.ש.פ.

ערב שבת פרשת קרח תשס”ט

לכבוד כל מי שעוסקים בענין ‘ביקור חולים’ עמו”ש,

אינני טובה בכתיבת מכתבים, אבל בענין הזה אני חייבת להודות לכל הצוות שעובד

עבור ביקור חולים.

היו לי שני מקרים:

בראשון, הגיעו זוג מישראל לLeuven והיו חסרי כל, את כל צורכי השבת הגישו

בצורה הכי מכובדת, ונוסף על כך סידרו גם ביקורים. לפי דברי הזוג, היה

להם הרבה יותר קל להתמודד עם השהייה בבית חולים בזכות האוכל

והמסירות.

Braschaatבמקרה השני, אני מטפלת באשה זקנה שלקחו אותה לבית חולים ב

והיא היתה צריכה לקבל אוכל בלי מלח. כל יום הביאו לה אוכל טרי שנשים

בשלו, וטרחו לנסוע להביא עד לשם.

גברת לאבין סידרה את ‘הכל’. חברת ביקור חולים דאגו לתת אוכל טעים

במיוחד )אפילו שזה היה בלי מלח( ולא קרה אף פעם שהאשה נשארה בלי

אוכל. ולא רק האוכל. גם הביקורים, גם הבדיקה של המקרר אם לא חסר

כלום, אם הכל עוד מספיק טרי ... וכולי.

אני כבר הרבה שנים עוזרת לאנשים זקנים והופתעתי מנשים צעירות, נשים עם

הרבה ילדים, שעזבו את הכל כדי להביא קצת שמחת חיים לאנשים חולים.

אני מברכת אתכם שהקדוש ברוך הוא יתן לכם - ביקור חולים - עוד הרבה

שנים וכח שתוכלו להמשיך במצוה רבה זו. וכל מי שעוסקים בצרכי ציבור

באמונה - ביקור חולים - הקדוש ברוך הוא ישלם שכרם כגמולכם הטוב.

בהוקרה רבהאסתי הכהן


A.B.C. - 0.32.33.34.35 ביקור חולים

Ambulance & Brandweer 100

Antigifcentrum 070-245.245

Antwerp Rollcar 03-230.02.23

Ambulance & Brandweer 100

Brandwondencentrum 03-217.75.95

Gasreuk 0800-65.065

Hatzoloh 03-289.00.00

Internationale Noodoproep 112

Infectieziekten - Preventie 02-553.35.09

Kind & Gezin 078-150.100

M’lev L’alev 03-232.22.27

Rechev 03-230.88.44 Shifru en Piyu 03-231.76.90

Babysitting in Hospital 0485-646.422

0484-914.376

GemachimMediotheek Morsel 03-231.78.14 0475-607.814

Mishan Lachole 03-230.12.95

Ezer Layoldos 03-232.46.06

Bedside Ventilators 0.32.33.34.35

Medicijnen GemachDranger (shabbos & yom tov only) Albertstraat 44

Eckstein 03-233.19.04

Heller (Pediatrie - Yad Latinok) 03-239.60.67

Relevant Contact Numbers:

I S S U E # 1 25

Medisch Laboratorium Centrum voor Medische AnalyseQuinten Matsijslei 48 03-234.37.95

Algemeen Medisch Laboratorium Belgiëlei 96 0476-64.12.72

WachtdienstenApothekers 0900-105.00 (0,50 € /min)

Huisartsen 0900-105.12 (0,50 € /min)

Tandartsen 0903 99 591 (1,12 € / min)

ZiekenhuizenEeuwfeestkliniek 03-240.20.20 Kosher Room, 1st floor, Opposite the Dienstliften

Middelheim 03-280.31.11Kosher Rooms (459 & Kitchen), 4th floor,

Gang B, #Lock C1248

O.L.V. Middelares 03-320.50.00

St. Augustinus 03-443.30.11

St. Elisabeth 03-234.41.11

St. Erasmus 03-270.80.11

St. Vincentius 03-285.20.00

Stuivenberg 03-217.71.11

UZ Antwerpen 03-821.30.00

UZ Leuven - Gasthuisberg 016-33.22.11- Kosher Room, 1st floor, near Sociale Dienst,

#Lock E1818


Our Sincere Thanks and Appreciation to the following Bikur Cholim partners and co-sponsors for their donations, support and advice:

• Dayanim שליט”א and Board of Machsike Hadass, Antwerp

• Directors of MONICA, ZNA, GZA, UZA, and UZ Leuven.

• Vlaams Agentschap Zorg en Gezondheid

• Our devoted Volunteers

• Family Daum, Antwerp

• Anonymous Supporters

• Stichting van het Jodendom van Belgie

• Mrs. T. Stern - Antwerp-Manchester

• Mrs. Doppelt, Mrs. Morsel, Mrs. Wasyng – Antwerp

• Rabbi A. Kohen - Rechev

• Mr. H. Guttman - Shifru en Piyu

• Mr. M.S. Arran - Antwerp

• Mr. Shea Friedman - Antwerp

• Bikur Cholim of Rockland County, U.S.A.

• Bikur Cholim of Satmar, London

• Chesed, Williamsburg

• Ezrah Umarpeh, London

• Hoffy’s, Antwerp

• ELISHA, Antwerp

• Toezicht Volksgezondheid Infectieziekten en Vaccinatie

• CLB Antwerpen

• Family Brach, Boro Park

I S S U E # 1 27

abc information brochure - july 2009

Documents

s s u e

antwerpa b c p u b

jewish patients

i o n2a

i o n6bikur cholim roomsa

i o nmedical referralsat

i o n8audiovisual

patients bedside