Hadassah Hospital Staff Volunteer to Organize Circumcision Celebration for New Mom

Tuesday, Nov 19 2019

There were tears of joy at Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus recently as the staff mobilized to create a special circumcision ceremony for a new mother.

The new mom and dad had immigrated to Israel alone from Ethiopia, and they did not have family or friends or the financial means to organize and host a circumcision celebration for their new baby boy.

“As part of my job, I hand out birth certificates,” relates Flora Ben-Hamo, head of the maternity department. “In one of the rooms, I saw a woman who looked so sad. I inquired if she was okay and, through her tears, she asked me if we arrange circumcision ceremonies inside the hospital.” Typically, the hospital does not, but the mom’s predicament touched Ben-Hamo.

Ben-Hamo enlisted help across the Mount Scopus campus and was amazed at the response.  Everyone was eager to assist, volunteering time and collecting money.

When hospital Rabbi Moshe Klein set out to locate a volunteer mohel (ritual circumciser) he was inundated with offers. 

“When Rabbi Ofer Rhoda was selected, the others expressed disappointment that they could not participate in this joyous occasion,” says Rabbi Klein. “This was Israel at its best, pulling together just for the sake of giving.”

The maintenance team happily took the time to decorate the area around the hospital synagogue, and the hospital kitchen staff contributed by laying out delicious refreshments to celebrate the event.

Hospital staff made a special effort to take the time from their work to come to the synagogue as they, together with mobile patients and hospital visitors (including several from Hadassah International), all gathered to participate in the joyous ceremony. The synagogue was full to overflowing with well-wishers.

Happy tears flowed down the mother’s face as she watched her baby being lovingly cuddled, carefully and expertly circumcised, and welcomed into the Jewish covenant with the responsive prayers of everyone present. The crowning joy was the naming part of the ceremony, when the Rabbi proclaimed that the baby would now be known as Daniel. 

As baby Daniel was handed back to his loving parents, participants came forward to wish them Mazel Tov. The sound of joyful music flowed out into the corridors of the hospital.

“It was very exciting,” says Ben-Hamo. “The kindness, the donations, seeing way beyond just a patient’s medical case. The hospital staff enveloped the couple with everything they required.”

The new mom spoke for both the delighted parents:

“Thank you, dear Flora and all the hospital staff. I can’t believe how everyone embraced my husband, me, and baby Daniel. Flora was attentive to me from the beginning and made me feel like we were family. Thank you everyone. This is our people in all its glory.”

See the story in Arutz Sheva.  

Learn more about the Hadassah Medical Organization.

Related Stories

alt_text

Tuesday, Jan 12 2021

Hadassah Speedily Vaccinates Its Staff Against COVID-19

As of January 11, out of the 6,500 individuals who work at the Hadassah Medical Organization, 4,800 had received their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and 1,000 had received the second dose.

READ MORE ›
alt_text

Tuesday, Jan 5 2021

Mary, From Bethlehem, Experiences Personal Christmas Miracle at Hadassah

Christmas Eve is always a special time for Mary A, an 86-year-old resident of Bethlehem.

READ MORE ›
alt_text

Tuesday, Dec 29 2020

Nurses Inject Hope at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem

The sun has just come up. It is 6 am and 18 pairs of eyes are staring at two Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem nurses. One nurse is seated and the other is standing over her, a needle in hand.

READ MORE ›
alt_text

Monday, Dec 21 2020

What Are Organoids? Welcome to a Revolution in Basic Medical Science

Classically, researchers in basic medical science have had two tools: in vitro cultures and animal models. The challenges posed by their limitations are many.

READ MORE ›

Donation Questions

donorservices@hadassah.org

(800) 928-0685

Membership Questions

membership@hadassah.org

(800) 664-5646

Israel Travel

israeltravel@hadassah.org

(800) 237-1517

Contact Us

40 Wall Street

New York, NY 10005

More ›

Show More