Rabbinical Council of America Names Cedars-Sinai Rabbi ‘Chaplain of the Year’

Felisa Pivko is still moved when she remembers how Rabbi Jason Weiner, PhD, BCC, senior rabbi and director of the Spiritual Care Department at Cedars-Sinai, went out of his way to get to know her husband, Jack, when he was in the hospital. How the two men shared a love of joke-telling, and how before Jack died 15 years ago, he asked Weiner to lead his funeral sermon—and to personalize it with a few favorite jokes.

Today, Weiner remains close with the Pivko family—on Rosh Hashanah, he’ll call Felisa with a new year’s blessing. She’ll attend his High Holidays services at the medical center, admiring his “infectious positivity” and noting how his messages always manage to be “both deeply spiritual and deeply human.”

These likely are among the reasons Weiner was recognized by the Rabbinical Council of America, the leading membership organization of orthodox rabbis in North America, as Chaplain of the Year during the organization’s annual conference this past spring.

“I deeply appreciate receiving this great honor from the Rabbinical Council of America when there are so many chaplains who deserve an award for the holy work that they do,” Weiner said. “I’m grateful to serve Cedars-Sinai patients, families, staff and our community, helping bring more light, kindness and warmth to the world.”

It’s been 17 years since Weiner joined Cedars-Sinai as a full-time rabbi. He chose religion for his profession because he wanted to be a source of good, he said.

“Although working in a hospital was not my initial plan, helping people who are vulnerable and in need certainly was,” Weiner said. “I soon realized I could do that even more in a hospital than I could in a synagogue.”

Weiner said he likes that every day is different in the Spiritual Care Department.

Patient care can involve making rounds, handling urgent situations and crises, helping patients and families with a challenge or struggles, and guiding decisions that may impact Jewish laws and practices. Weiner also oversees a team of 12 Cedars-Sinai chaplains, teaches Judaic classes, leads holiday observances and sermons, helps ensure spiritual wellbeing, and fosters a meaningful connection to Jewish ideals and culture within the hospital.

“Rabbi Weiner’s weekly Torah class is attended by an array of employees, some of whom have never studied the Hebrew Bible,” said Cedars-Sinai postdoctoral scientist Rebecca Benhaghnazar, PhD. “He leads with humility and inclusivity, and his insight and wisdom based on the scriptures further inspire us to perform our jobs with righteousness and excellence.”

Cedars-Sinai Lead Christian Chaplain the Rev. Peggy Kelley has worked closely with Weiner for 14 years.  

“Despite having different faiths, we respect each other’s deeply rooted convictions,” Kelley said. “Rabbi is an incredible leader—he brings light, a safe presence, comfort and a brilliant mind—a rare combination.”

Jonathan Schreiber, vice president of Community Engagement at Cedars-Sinai, agreed.

“Cedars-Sinai’s commitment has always been to ‘be a blessing’ for those in need,” Schreiber said. “No one lives this model more than Rabbi Dr. Weiner. We are fortunate that Cedars-Sinai patients, loved ones and staff all benefit from his expertise, compassion and caring. He is not only deserving of Chaplain of the Year—he’s also our Chaplain of Every Day, and we are grateful to him for that.”

Weiner himself is quick to credit his Cedars-Sinai colleagues, especially those providing patient care.

“They show up and work so hard for the betterment of humanity and our patients,” he said of faculty and staff. “They recognize that supporting people means helping the whole person—not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally. It’s very special to see.”

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