A New Home Away From Home:  Margaret Tietz Unveils Spacious Shabbat House

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For nearly two decades, Margaret Tietz Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has provided Shabbat accommodations for families who want to remain near loved ones receiving care. As demand grew, however, its longtime hospitality apartment could get crowded.

Now, Margaret Tietz has replaced it with a dedicated three-level Shabbat House, comfortably accommodating up to 10 guests.

Rabbanim, elected officials, healthcare partners, staff, and community leaders gathered for the opening, touring the home from its main floor through its upper level and finished attic before relaxing together in the living room. In the backyard, hors d’oeuvres and refreshments were served beneath a spacious tent as a keyboard musician performed throughout the afternoon.

Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs at Margaret Tietz, served as emcee and described the new house as “an amazing brachah” for those who need to remain near a loved one over Shabbat. With demand for accommodations continuing to grow, she said the new house will allow Margaret Tietz to host considerably more people in comfort.

Spiegel also credited Alex Solovey, CEO of Cassenna Care, with giving her the support and latitude to move the project forward, noting his willingness to back initiatives benefiting the community.

The longtime hospitality program offered families furnished accommodations and complimentary Glatt Kosher meals, but its real value was allowing relatives to remain nearby through Shabbat and Yom Tov. Rabbi Shlomo Nisanov, Rav of Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavat Achim, previously shared his family’s experience when his mother underwent rehabilitation at Margaret Tietz following knee replacement surgery over the Yamim Tovim.

“They went beyond making her feel comfortable,” Rabbi Nisanov said, recalling the accommodations made for family members who stayed overnight so they could remain close to her.

Rabbi Zavel Pearlman, Spiritual Guide and full-time Facility Rabbi at Margaret Tietz, has seen that same need repeatedly. He recalled occasions when several families had to share the former apartment, making for cramped conditions.

“The house now, it’s a whole different story,” Rabbi Pearlman said.

Several families had already spent Shabbat in the new house before the ribbon cutting, giving Margaret Tietz an opportunity to see the expanded accommodations in use. Rabbi Pearlman described the hospitality as an extension of the mitzvah of bikur cholim.

With the Yamim Tovim underway, the rabbanim placed the opening in the context of the season. Rabbi Shmuel Marcus, Mara D’Atra of Young Israel of Queens Valley and President Emeritus of the Vaad Harabonim of Queens, cited Rabbi Yisrael Salanter’s teaching that one of the greatest merits on the Day of Judgment is to make oneself indispensable to the community.

Rabbi Marcus noted that the Shabbat House represents an institution going beyond providing rehabilitation alone. Its message to families, he said, is simple: “Come. Stay here. We’ll provide you with hospitality.”

Rav Noach Isaac Oelbaum, Mara D’Atra of Khal Nachlas Yitzchok, likewise described the house as an act of chesed. Invoking midah k’neged midah Rav Oelbaum offered a brachah that Margaret Tietz continue its chesed for families and klal Yisrael for many years.

Assemblymember David Weprin, joined by Assemblymembers Sam Berger and Andrew Hevesi, presented a New York State Assembly proclamation marking the opening.

When Solovey took the microphone, he deflected the credit, saying his role was simply to give the go-ahead while Spiegel and the Margaret Tietz team did the work. His larger message centered on the facility’s relationship with the surrounding community.

“We don’t feel like outsiders,” Solovey said. “We feel like insiders.”

Spiegel also recognized NYPD 107th Precinct Community Affairs Officer Tim Gorman and thanked the NYPD for its continued partnership.

Also joining the celebration was Rabbi Daniel Pollack, Jewish Liaison to Congress Member Grace Meng, a longtime friend of Margaret Tietz, who attended on the Congress Member’s behalf.

The gathering then moved to the front steps, where rabbanim, Assemblymembers, Margaret Tietz leadership, and community representatives gathered around the ribbon. With an oversized pair of scissors and calls of “Mazal tov,” the new Shabbat House was officially opened.

For families spending Shabbat near a parent, spouse, or loved one in rehabilitation, what matters can be remarkably simple: a comfortable place to stay, kosher food, and the ability to walk over and be there.

With its new Shabbat House, Margaret Tietz can now welcome more families who need to do just that.

By Shabsie Saphirstein