Rabbi Working at Camden Hospice

For the first time in its history, the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead has its own chaplain.

Seriously ill patients at the Royal Free Hospital have access to a multi-faith chaplaincy for their spiritual comfort. But the one and only chaplain at the Hospice is a rabbi. Why? Because, they say, he is simply the best man for the job.

Markus Lange is young, modern – he has guitar and poetry sessions on Fridays – and his approach, like the hospice, is strictly non-denominational, as is his style: “Hello, my name is Markus – I’m here if you need a chat.”

And the chat is not about religion. One of the best and longest conversations he has had, he says, was with a man who said: “I’m afraid you’re talking to the biggest atheist in town.”

Mr Lange was born in Germany, had a quiet, rural upbringing there, left when he was 20 and spent the next years travelling and studying in Europe and, perhaps most significantly, in New York; an important step, he says, because in America there is a holistic approach to chaplaincy.

“I studied there with a team of specialists from all faiths,” said Mr Lange. “Our group was Baptist, Catholic, Lutheran – a great mix of people. Which is what you find when you go into a hospice.”

He thought he’d end up in Jewish education but friends persuaded him to go for the rabbinate. The studying continues – he will be ordained in July – but the 19 hours a week he spends in the hospice are of great importance to him. He is there, he says, for everyone: friends, doctors, neighbours, carers, and staff, as well as patients – and for the receptionists, too, who see so many people come and go and who can suffer their own share of distress. Mr Lange gives them all time, and he listens.

He makes sure that the practical lines of communication work well (he has a bleeper) but says that it is rare to have an emergency.

“If we have already spent a lot of time with people, then we have helped them along the way,” Mr Lange said. “It’s about being spiritually present.”

How often do you actually talk about God? There is wisdom that has operated for thousands of years, and there can be connections, but it is not, says Mr Lange firmly, about religion or religious ritual. The hospice provides another dimension.

He said: “It’s not, ‘are you Catholic?’ or ‘are you Jewish?’ or whatever faith. “The talk can be about plans, about concern for the family, about contacting a brother someone hasn’t seen for years. It is above all taking care of people’s emotional needs.”

What if someone needs a religious context, or indeed asks for a prayer? “I ask if there is a text that matters to them,” said Mr Lange. “We can all link into ancient wisdom, cultures and traditions. A chaplain is there to tap into people’s own spiritual resources. I do not have to be of the same faith.”

He smiles, and sums up his position in a few trenchant words: “They have a Jewish chaplain at the Royal Free. Here we have a chaplain who happens to be Jewish.”

Care at the hospice is provided free of charge to residents of north London. It will cost £4.6million to run it for the next 12 months, and half of that depends on voluntary contributions.

Fundraising is of the utmost importance, therefore, and in June there will be a repeat of a concert and afternoon tea, one of the most delightful fundraising events of the season, which last year raised more than £40,000 for the hospice.

This year’s concert, “Mostly Beethoven and Cream Tea”, will take place at Hampstead Parish Church, Church Row, Hampstead, at 3pm on Sunday, June 13, and will feature the Fidelio Piano Quartet – among them the Hampstead cellist Gemma Rosefield. The concert will be followed by a cream tea donated by Hampstead patisseries.

Tickets for the tea and the concert are £12.50. To book call Mary on 0207 853 3415 or Emma on 0207 853 3436.http://www.camdennewjournal.com/news/2010/jun/health-news-rabbi-explains-his-approach-offering-spiritual-comfort-patients-all-faiths