New Ambulance Victoria chaplains
Both Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of the ARK Centre, and Rabbi Michael Lewis from Hatzolah will be taking up positions providing support to the large staff.
Two new Jewish chaplains have been announced for Ambulance Victoria.
Both Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann of the ARK Centre, and Rabbi Michael Lewis from Hatzolah will be taking up positions providing support to the large staff.
Senior chaplain at Ambulance Victoria, Gary Grant told The AJN, “We are very pleased to have welcomed Rabbi Michael Lewis as a volunteer chaplain into our team of 34 chaplains statewide in Victoria. One of our goals is to provide multi-faith pastoral care support across our 8000-plus staff and Rabbi Michael brings a strong pastoral presence for the Jewish faith into our team.”
Grant added, “Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, along with Judy Fetter, joins us also, as multi-faith advisers for the Jewish faith in our newly formed multi-faith advisory group.”
This multi-faith advisory group was developed to provide guidance and support for multi-faith pastoral care to the Ambulance Victoria team, as well as directly to the senior chaplain.
Rabbi Kaltmann told The AJN, “Being endorsed as a chaplain to Ambulance Victoria by the JCCV together with Michael Lewis from Hatzolah is a huge honour.”
He said he is looking forward to “providing pastoral, spiritual and general support to the 8500 employees of Ambulance Victoria”.
“Working with other faith and cultural leaders to promote understanding and education to first responders will be a huge asset to all Victorians,” Rabbi Kaltmann said.
Rabbi Lewis said, “In our daily lives we often overlook the need to ‘check in’ with our co-workers, family and friends. Having seen firsthand some of the incredible work performed by Ambulance Victoria paramedics over the past 18 years as a Hatzolah first responder, I was excited by the opportunity to join Ambulance Victoria as a volunteer chaplain. I believe our shared experiences will enable me to be a valuable member of this multi-faith team.”
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