Publisher's Synopsis
The former senior chaplain of Mt Sinai Medical Center in New York relates anecdotes from his nearly legendary career of providing compassionate and effective care to innumerable patients. This book of 'case histories' can be read by anyone interested in the human dynamics of hospital patients, and provides a blueprint for clergy involved in hospital visitations. A native of France, Rabbi Charles Spirn escaped the German invasion as a teenager. He received his BA and Semicha ordination from Yeshiva University and served in the Orthodox pulpit rabbinate for 28 years. He received his PhD in French Literature from Columbia University in 1976, writing his thesis on Jean-Jacques Rousseau. In 1979, Rabbi Spirn was appointed the first Head Chaplain of the Mt Sinai Medical Center in New York. He is the recipient of numerous awards and honours in recognition of his achievements in the rabbinate and in hospital chaplaincy.
