Chaplaincy Program

Often during the course of serious illnesses, patients and their families and friends can be caught up in a bewildering schedule of medications, treatments, doctor visits, surgeries and tests. They may struggle with fear and uncertainty about decisions and eventual outcomes. Sometimes end-of-life issues must be confronted.

At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, we understand that healing involves the whole person - body, mind, spirit and soul. For this reason, we offer chaplaincy services to patients and their loved ones.

Chapel Open to All

Our chapel is open to persons of all faiths 24 hours a day.

The chapel is centrally located on the Plaza Level, between the North and South Towers.

Spiritual Support for Patients and Visitors

Patients may request visitations with a Cedars-Sinai Chaplain of their choice at any time during their hospital stay. Spiritual counseling appointments may also be arranged with concerned family members.

Patients and visitors are welcome to ask for the help and guidance from Jewish, Catholic and Christian Chaplain. Rabbi Levi Meier is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Jewish. Father Lester Avestruz is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Catholic. Reverend Denise LaChance is available for prayer and spiritual counseling for all patients and their loved ones who are Christian (including Orthodox or Protestant). The Chaplains are available to assist all patients and their loved ones of other religions (other than Jewish, Catholic or Christian) with spiritual support or helping them contact a clergy person of their particular faith or religion.

Religious Services

Recorded Shabbat services are available on Fridays at 3:15 p.m. and on Saturdays a 9:00 p.m. Both Shabbat services will be broadcast on Channel 19 (in-house closed circuit television). Please see Channel 51 for more information about Channel 19 programming.

Catholic mass is celebrated in the chapel at 12 noon on Wednesdays and Fridays and at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays, unless otherwise announced.

Bible Study with the Christian Chaplain is held on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. with Reverend Denise LaChance. The class is held in the Becker Building's Plaza Level, Conference Room 116, unless otherwise announced.

Religious Observances

Cedars-Sinai's in-hospital Chaplaincy Program offers the following:

For Jewish Patients:

Special Note about Brit Milah/Circumcision:

To accommodate parents wishing to observe the Jewish tradition of brit milah, Cedars-Sinai's Chaplaincy Program can help make arrangements for a mohel to perform the circumcision. Recommended mohels are experienced and technically trained in this surgery. In the event a mohel is not available, one of our knowledgeable Jewish staff physicians may perform the brit after consulting with a rabbi.

For Catholic Patients:
  • Mass is celebrated in the chapel at noon on Wednesdays and Fridays and at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays
  • Anointing of the sick
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation
  • Communion services
  • Television broadcasts on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter
  • Christian Calendar (2002-2020)*

For All:
  • Perform Baptisms (only in an emergency situation)
  • Community services
  • Closed-circuit television programs on Channel 19
Community Outreach

Cedars-Sinai's Chaplaincy Program offers spiritual support to the community at large in a variety of helpful ways. Among them are:

  • Consultations
  • Memorial services
  • Special ecumenical programs
  • Guest speakers
  • Conferences
For More Information

For further details about religious and spiritual services and programs at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, please contact:

  • Rabbi Levi Meier, Jewish Chaplain
    (310) 423-5238
  • Father Lester Avestruz, Catholic Chaplain
    (310) 423-8040
  • Reverend Denise LaChance, Christian Chaplain
    (310) 423-8200


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