A New Beacon of Comfort: Hackensack Hospital Chesed Apartment Opens Its Doors

Why Hackensack Needed a Chesed Apartment

Hackensack Medical Center is one of the largest hospitals in New Jersey. Patients come from across Bergen County, Passaic County, and beyond for specialized care, surgeries, and long-term treatment. For many families, this means daily trips from home—or expensive hotel stays that add financial stress to an already difficult situation.

Chesed 24/7 has operated chesed rooms at Hackensack for years, providing kosher food and supplies to patients and visitors. But families kept asking the same question: Is there Jewish lodging near Hackensack hospital? Until now, the answer was limited.

The new Hackensack hospital apartment changes that. Families now have access to free, fully equipped Hackensack medical lodging within easy reach of all Hackensack campus buildings—the Main Building, Women & Children's Pavilion, and Helene Theurer Pavilion.

The Ribbon Cutting Celebration

The ribbon cutting ceremony brought together Chesed 24/7 leadership, donors, community members, and hospital representatives to celebrate this milestone. The event marked not just the opening of a new apartment, but the deepening of Chesed 24/7's commitment to serving families across the entire tri-state area.

Speakers at the event highlighted the tremendous need for hospital housing NJ families can access without financial burden. For many attendees, the new space represented answered prayers—a tangible sign that the community cares about families facing medical crises.

What the New Hackensack Chesed Apartment Offers

Like all Chesed 24/7 apartments, the new chesed apartment in Hackensack is designed to feel like a home away from home. Families staying here will find:

• Comfortable sleeping accommodations for multiple family members
• Fully equipped kosher kitchen with stocked pantry
• Living and dining areas for family time
• Shabbos-friendly features including candle lighting area
• Fresh linens and regular professional cleaning
• Walking distance to all Hackensack Medical Center buildings

An important note for Shabbos-observant families: The Hackensack hospitals and nearby apartments are within an eruv approved by Rabbi Jachter of Teaneck. Families can contact the rav at 917-767-2490 for specific questions about the eruv boundaries.

Chesed 24/7's Full Hackensack Presence

The Hackensack hospital apartment joins an existing network of chesed rooms throughout the Hackensack Medical Center campus:

Hackensack Main Building

30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ – 4th Floor, Room #4654. Accessible from the first floor next to the elevator by stairs.

Hackensack Women's and Children's Pavilion

30 Prospect Ave., Hackensack, NJ – 5th Floor West, Room #5W 121.

Hackensack Helene Theurer Pavilion

59 2nd Street, Hackensack, NJ – 7th Floor, Room #7018.

Together with the new apartment, these resources mean families at Hackensack Medical Center now have comprehensive support—from snacks and supplies during hospital visits to a comfortable place to sleep at night.

Hospital Support Expansion Into New Jersey

The Hackensack apartment represents Chesed 24/7's growing commitment to serving families throughout New Jersey. While the organization's roots are in Rockland County, New York, the need for hospital housing NJ families can rely on has been clear for years.

Chesed 24/7 already operates chesed rooms at multiple New Jersey hospitals:

• Valley Hospital in Paramus (5th Floor and 7th Floor rooms, plus ER)
• Englewood Hospital – 3rd Floor, Room #3225
• Overlook Hospital in Summit – 4th Floor pantry
• Trinitas Hospital in Elizabeth – 6th Floor North
• Alaris Health/Select Home in Rochelle Park

The new chesed apartment in Hackensack is the first dedicated housing in New Jersey, with potential for additional apartments as donor support and community need grow.

Who the Hackensack Apartment Serves

The Hackensack medical lodging is available to any family who needs to stay close to a loved one at Hackensack Medical Center. This includes:

• Parents of children in the NICU or pediatric units
• Spouses supporting partners through surgery or treatment
• Adult children caring for elderly parents
• Out-of-area families who traveled for specialized care
• Anyone who needs a place to rest during a medical crisis

There is no cost to families. The apartment is fully funded by donors who believe that no family should have to choose between being present for their loved one and financial hardship.

How to Request the Hackensack Apartment

Families can request the Hackensack hospital apartment by contacting Chesed 24/7:

Phone: 845-354-3233

Provide information about your situation, which hospital building your family member is in, your family size, and expected length of stay. Booking in advance is recommended when possible, though Chesed 24/7 accommodates emergencies.

What Families Are Saying

"We drove from North Jersey every day for a week before we heard about the new apartment. Now I can walk to my mother's room in minutes. It has changed everything."

"I never expected something like this to exist. A real apartment, fully stocked, and they asked for nothing in return. The Jewish community takes care of its own."

How You Can Support the Hackensack Apartment

The hospital support expansion into Hackensack was made possible by generous donors. Here is how you can help sustain and grow this vital resource:

Sponsor Monthly Rent

Bergen County real estate is expensive. Monthly sponsorships ensure the apartment remains available year-round.

Fund Supplies and Maintenance

Pantry restocking, cleaning services, linens, and utilities all require ongoing support.

Help Expand the NJ Network

With donor support, Chesed 24/7 can open additional apartments near other New Jersey hospitals. Your contribution helps bring hospital housing NJ families need to more locations.

Support the Hackensack apartment at chesed247.org/donate or call 845-354-3233.

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