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About RJNN | Program Guidelines | Other Resources | FAQ's | Contact Us
Program Guidlines
There are a few things that you should know in order to create a congregational nurse program in your community. We know that in attempting to address the needs of the community, it may be difficult to discern a starting point. With this in mind, we have compiled some guidelines, and program ideas for you. You will need  to access the materials below. If you do not have this program, you can download it by clicking here.
About RJNN
As part of the continuing development of the Caring Community program, Kehilat Chesed, there has been a slowly evolving interest in the creation of congregation based programs that focus on wellness and health. Part of this interest has been concentrated in the creation of congregational nurses.
The program material that you will find here is an adaptation of the “parish nurse” program that originated in the Christian community and is now a major part of many church communities. Within our URJ family we have had some successes and some less than successful experiences. However, given the renewed interest in health, the dynamic aging population and the reality of chronic illness that impacts so many, Jewish Family Concerns is trying to promote the creation of the congregational nurse program.
Below are two selections on “how to” create such programs in your community. They are drawn from existing operations in two of our URJ communities in Bridgeport, CT and Greensboro, NC. We encourage you to explore the development of such programs as part of your total Caring Community.
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Other Resources
Medical Directives and End of Life Decisions | Organ Donation & Transplantation | Mental Health and Wellness | Adolescent Issues | Sacred Choices | Working with Compassion | SARS
Medical Directives and End of Life Decisions
A Time to Prepare by Rabbi Richard Address–an informational resources and workbook that will help you consolidate and record important information that may be need in the case of emergencies such as serious illness or even death. Visit our End of Life Decisions website for more information on how to prepare for emergencies such as serious illness or death.
Organ Donation & Transplantation
Promote the Jewish value of Matan Chaim–The Gift of Life in your community. For more information, please visit our Organ Donation and Tissue Transplantation website.
Download your free brochure.
Mental Health and Wellness
Mental illness and addiction are not uniquely Jewish problems, and neither are they ones that bypass the Jewish community. As a community we must be armed with the tools of knowledge and relevance to give these challenges uniquely Jewish approaches. Visit our Mental Health and Wellness website for more information such as program ideas, resources and ways to offer support, comfort and healing to families coping with issues. You can also visit URJPress.com to order your copy of Caring for the Soul: R'fuat HaNefesh, the Reform Movement's programmatic response to mental illness.
- WHY has depression, eating disorders, binge drinking, substance abuse, self-inflicted violence and suicide among teenagers become a dangerous phenomena in our community?
- WHAT can we do to PREVENT these illnesses and to HELP members of our community who are suffering?
- HOW do we COPE with the loss of a loved one to suicide?
The Department of Jewish Family Concerns has several publications that present Jewish text material and personal reflections in a context of developing the means through which communities and families can begin to deal with these issues. For resources and further information, visit the following websites:
Sacred Choices
Adolescent Relationships and Sexual Ethics is a comprehensive curriculum designed for congregations and camps to use to teach sexual ethics to teens. Visit the Sacred Choices website for more information. To order the curriculum, visit the URJPress.com.
Listen to the Podcast
Working with Compassion
Rabbi Edythe Mencher, Associate Director of the Department of Jewish Family Concerns, was recently interviewed by Aron-Hirt Manheimer, Editor of Reform Judaism, and Joy Weinberg, Managing editor. The subject of their conversation is one that many of us could relate to as we seek to help our loved ones who are ill, addicted, aged or suffering in the many ways one can suffer. Compassion is the Best Medicine, has been published in Reform Judaism magazine's fall 2007 issue.
Sexual Assault Resource Service (SARS) is designed for nursing professionals involved in providing evaluations of sexually abused victims. SARS’ website provides information and technical assistance to individuals and organizations interested in developing new SANE-SART programs or improving existing ones. Visit our End Domestic Violence website for more resources.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Printable Version
 Q: What is a congregational Nurse Program?
A: Congregations have been promoting health and wholeness for centuries through worship, music, sharing, and caring. A new dimension is the addition of a registered nurse to the ministry team. The nurse promotes the relationship between faith and health, and serves as a liason between the healthcare system and the congregation.
Q: What are the roles of a congregational nurses?
A: The Congregational Nurse has several functions in the community. They include, but are not limited to being a:
- teacher--teaching health and wellness programs, and facilitating support groups
- Health counselor-- community referrals
- Community resource-- coordinate services, collaborate with physicians, teachers, and other health care professionals
- Health promoter-- blood pressure screening, flu shots, health fairs
- Advocate-- assists congregants to foster effective communication between home, hospital, and nursing home
- Spiritual comforter-- in consultation with Rabbi, provide healing services, offer prayer during times of crisis and celebration
Q: What are the qualities of a congregational nurse?
A: A congregational nurse has many roles in the community and therefore must possess certain qualities to meet the challenge(s) of the position.
- He/She must be a registered nurse with at least five years experience
- Possess an abiding awareness of jis/her own spiritual and faith commitment
- excellent communication, interpersonal and caring skills
- ability to comprehend and communicate the importance of health and wellness of the body, mind and spirit
- an understanding and firm commitment to the vital mission of fostering wellness in today's society
Q: What does a congregational nurse do?
A: Congregational nurses have many responsiblities. They:
- Listen
- Assess health needs for your community
- Provide screening clinics(blood pressure, glucose, etc.)
- Make home, hospital, and nursing home visits as appropriate
- Offer support groups for grief, divorce, aging, youth related concerns, etc.
- Refer congregants to specific health/social service agencies
- Coordinate volunteers for supportive ministries
- Attend meetings to network with other health care professionals and congregational nurses
Q: What does a congregational nurse NOT do?
A: Congregational nurses do NOT practice direct or hands-on healthcare in the synagogue community. He/She does not dispense or administer medications, do wound care, draw blood, or any nursing function that would be paid by a third party payer such as Medicare, Medicaid or an Insurance company. The parish nurse does not take the place of, or compete with, existing community or parish resources.
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