Rabbi’s forum

One of the most important ideas that they impressed upon us while we were still students in Rabbinical School was the idea of confidentiality. “It is essential,” we were taught, “that you keep people's confidences. Without that trust, they won’t come to you with their problems. If they don't come to you with their problems, how can you help?” The idea of confidentiality is one I am personally committed to and strive to maintain.

Most of us know that members of the clergy, much like attorneys, can be bound by the bonds of confidentiality. What is told to me in the confines of my office does not leave the confines of my office, except in the instance of a minor who might be in danger or might endanger someone else. What many of us don't realize is that a great number of things in modern society have themselves come under the rubric of keeping things private.

One such rubric is the set of laws collectively known as HIPAA. Originally passed in the 1990s, HIPAA at the time set out to standardize many of the issues related to health care that had previously been much more haphazard from state to state, or even from one system to another. HIPAA was amended in April of 2003 to include guidelines on protecting the privacy of individuals’ health related information. Many of you have been to hospitals in the area or even around the country and have seen signs in public places like elevators reminding staff not to discuss the health of patients in an effort to maintain their privacy. Surely, you have all had to sign forms and slips giving clear instruction to your physician as to who may receive your health care information and under what circumstances.

HIPAA has, of course, also affected members of the clergy as well. Once upon a time it was easy for a Rabbi, Cantor, or other religious leader to visit the hospital, or even call, and simply peruse the patient census for the names of congregation members or even just co-religionists. HIPAA has largely made that a thing of the past. Once upon a time, it was easy for a clergy person to visit the nurse’s station and get a fairly good update on how a specific individual was faring. This, too, is now a thing of the past. Medical information is now a much more closely guarded secret. Whether this is good or bad, I cannot say. Like so many things in our very busy and often confusing world, it is a matter of how it is applied more than anything else.

How and why this figures importantly for our congregation is that we cannot expect when going into the hospital that we will automatically know that you are there. Frequently the Cantor and I know someone has been hospitalized when a congregant takes the time to tell us. More often than not, we only find out after the fact. That we didn't know, that we perhaps did not visit, can be frustrating or even hurtful. But...unless we know, we cannot go.

Please know, the Cantor and I zealously guard the information with which we are entrusted. At the same time, we want to be there for you in your time of need. When faced with challenges, health or otherwise, feel free to confide in us as you might a family member.

After all, that is what the congregation is truly supposed to be: an extension of your family.

Shalom,

Rabbi Fratello

Updated 3/2/10