The Bikur Cholim room at Maimonides Medical Center was beginning to burst at its seams. The small room is disproportionate to the numbers it served. Everyone agreed–it had reached its capacity and could no longer adequately serve the needs of the community. The same tables were used to store, prepare and serve food, in a room that is small to begin with.

But thanks to a new annex that was inaugurated Monday, families with relatives at the hospital can look forward to streamlined services to meet their needs. The turnover at Bikur Cholim is so fast, that on an average week they serve over 2,000 cups of coffee.

“The annex will enable our operation in the hospital to become easier and more efficient,” said Rabbi Steinharter, executive director of Bikur Cholim Borough Park. “This way we have access to stock items 24 hours a day.”

The rabbonim were welcomed by Rabbi Steinharter and the Executive Officers of Bikur Cholim, Chaim Schoenblum and Yisroel Hershkowitz.  Alexander Rapaport, a consultant to Bikur Cholim of Boro Park opened the event and introduced Harav Friedlander, Hivnover Rov and Chief Chaplain of Maimonides Medical Center, who spoke divrei bracha.  Rabbonim who attended the inauguration were: Viznitzer Rosh Yeshiva, Harav Yechiel Mechel Daskal; Satmar Dayan, Harav Moshe Freidman; Pupa Dayan, Harav Moshe Menachem Weiss; Burshtyner Rebbe, Harav Duvid Eichenstein; Eizenshtater Rov, Harav Yakov Miller; Bolchover Rov, Harav Yisroel Schneebalg; and Kamenitzer Rov, Harav Aaron Glick. The rabbonim gave a lechayim and brocho to the Hanhala   of Bikur Cholim.

The new annex is located one block away from Maimonides Hospital at 5017 10th Avenue, and will now serve as a convenient storage and preparation center for Bikur Cholim of Boro Park, making hospital space more user friendly ..  The hundreds of dollars worth of cake, which was previously cut and packaged in the hospital room, will now be taken care of at the annex.

“The hospital room will now be a showcase,” said Executive Officer Yisroel Hershkowitz . “People can take what they want, and they won’t be held up by work being done in the room itself.”

The annex will also be used to host different support groups for the elderly, the diabetic the blind and others. Such support groups are a vital necessity for members of the community. A recent study showed that prior to belonging to a Bikur Cholim Support Group, 20 elderly people suffering from Diabetes were hospitalized at least once a month. But following the establishment of a Diabetes Group, where they learn to care for themselves, almost none were hospitalized the following year.

Bikur Cholim also offers several support groups for Holocaust survivors with a range of difficulties, be it macular degeneration, diabetes or various health issues. The organization tries to identify a common need and bring people together to form a support system to better enable them to cope with their disability.

“Survivors dealing with new trauma, there are many issues that come up. They can’t see the time, they can’t read their mail. We find common needs and professionals to facilitate. It’s been very meaningful,” said Executive Officer Chaim Schoenblum.

The annex will allow for more such support groups and make them accessible to more people. Currently Bikur Cholim is planning on adding an afternoon support group for retired men.  They will offer a very meaningful program.

The new annex will also be open twice a day on Pesach for Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed serving hot Kosher-for-Pesach food. Due to different minhagim, people are very particular with Pesach food, and having a separate room where hot food will be served will ease their concerns and help accommodate their traditional standards.