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Elaine Chan on not spending Passover alone
A Different Kind of Seder
On the eve of Passover I got a call from the hospital administration concerning a patient who had inquired about a Seder at the hospital. I explained that we were not going to have one and asked for the name and room number of the patient so that I could follow up. For some reason, the information I was given was incorrect. I went all over the hospital but was unable to find the patient. I found a few Orthodox patients but not one of them had asked about a Seder. Finally I tracked the patient down. She was Catholic! Her friend and caregiver was Jewish and did not want to spend Passover alone.
Since I did not know where the closest Seder was being held, I arranged for a tray for the patient’s caregiver so she could join her friend for this important evening. She and her friend were very grateful, especially since the friend was very ill and needed someone to help with her with her meal. And they both clearly appreciated the company.
This sweet and wonderful sharing of a meal reminded me of the custom of leaving the door open for Elijah at a Seder. As a Roman Catholic I am also reminded of the presence of the Lord in the breaking of the bread, sharing communion and Eucharist. I felt God was pleased.
Elaine Chan has been a full-time chaplain at Beth Israel Kings Highway, Brooklyn, NY, for three years. Last spring, she completed her 4th extended unit of CPE and has applied for certification with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. Elaine has an M.Div. from New York Theological Seminary. She previously worked for almost 20 years in community development on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. She also worked briefly for a city-wide nutrition program as well as for a women's foundation.
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