Unique Service in the guiding of Hani Cruiser, Designed to Assist Patients in Finding Resources to Cope with Challenging Health Conditions. The Spiritual Companions accompany the sick person while giving space and respect to their belief system and values with humility and curiosity.
"For I will still believe in man, and his powerful spirit."
- S. Tchernichovsky
In 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized spiritual support as an inseparable part of supportive medical treatment. Shaare Zedek Medical Center and the "B'Ruach" Association were pioneers in Israel in establishing a system of spiritual guidance and providing professional training in this field.
The "B'Ruach" program for spiritual guidance and training was founded in 2004 as part of the Supportive Care Unit (Palliative) in collaboration with Prof. Nathan Cherny at Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem.
Nineteen years ago, at the beginning of the journey, two spiritual guides worked in the oncology system at Shaare Zedek Medical Center, and the first training course for professional spiritual guidance was opened.
Since then, we have grown and developed:
The team at Shaare Zedek Medical Center now consists of eight spiritual guides, and there are around 60 graduates from ten training courses. More than half of them work as spiritual guides in various medical centers, such as Sheba Tel Hashomer, Rambam, Laniado, Nahariya - Upper Galilee, Lin's geriatric clinics, and more. Many others are influenced by the profession and even integrate its components into their diverse occupations.
The core of the program has always been and remains the spiritual guidance for patients and their families.
Guidance - Joining another in their journey
Avn Shoshan Dictionary
Throughout a person's life, there are periods of tranquility and routine and continuous periods of challenges and transitions. Within this, there are periods of uncertainty related to difficult health conditions, growth, aging, and the journey through the world.
Spiritual guidance is designed to allow a person who is in various situations of health and aging, growth and transition, a pause, a specific rest, in which he has the opportunity to relate to his spiritual resources, which he needs now.
The spiritual guides are ready to meet with patients and their families, treating their belief system, values, and worldviews, and discussing what is difficult now, what allows them to dream and hope, fears, and prayers.
The Office of Spiritual Guidance is located in the Palliative Care Unit, on the Day Treatment Floor of the Oncology Department.
Spiritual guides are available every day of the week, guiding patients and their families in various departments of the hospital, based on referrals from the professional staff and coordination with department teams and the Palliative Care Unit.