Spirituality is part of being human. It can be understood as something that:

• Everyone can experience
• Helps us find meaning and purpose
• Brings hope in times of suffering and loss
• Encourages us to find peace within ourselves, with others and with what lies beyond

It is important to remember that people with learning disabilities or other conditions like dementia experience spirituality as much as anyone else. In fact, spirituality is especially meaningful in times of distress, emotional stress, physical and mental illness, loss or bereavement.

At Baycrest, we define spirituality as the search for wholeness, meaning and purpose in life. We affirm each individual’s inherent dignity and value, and we respect all religious and spiritual paths. Guided by the beliefs and values of our Jewish heritage, we encourage people to find comfort, courage and strength in their own beliefs and traditions.

You can contact a chaplain if you or your family need emotional or spiritual support while coping with illness or aging.

You don’t have to be religious to talk with a chaplain. They work with people of any faith and focus on listening, counselling and helping you connect with your own values and beliefs.

We encourage you to contact a chaplain for any reason, including:

• A request for religious support or sacramental rites
• Questions or concerns about religion or spirituality
• Spiritual or emotional distress
• End-of-life planning
• Ethical concerns
• To request religious items like Shabbat candles, sacred texts or others

We provide the following spaces for religious services and personal reflection.

• The Wolinsky Synagogue (2nd floor, Posluns Building)
• The Beth Abraham Jacob Synagogue (1st floor, the Terraces)
• The Beth Chaverim Synagogue (Common Room, lower level, the Terraces)
• The Slan Multifaith Prayer and Meditation Room (1st floor, across from the Bathurst Street entrance, Baycrest Hospital)