The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis visited the Royal Free Hospital to wish Bernd Koschland, the Jewish chaplain a happy retirement. 

Bernd, 85, has been a chaplain at the hospital for 20 years. He retired on Thursday 27 October.

Rabbi Mirvis said: “Bernd, you have been a star. Just being with one person that is enough to be able to justify all this enterprise. You have done this for countless people. The Jewish community is immensely proud of your achievements. – it’s my privilege to be associated with you.”

Bernd said that his 20 years as a chaplain has given him a new insight in to life.

“I’ve learned how to speak to people, deal with people, and to do something for them,” said Bernd.

“Lots of people think that being chaplain is just visiting people – but over the years I began to see it as something quite different – it’s dealing with people, their joys, their sorrows,  their problems and their troubles.  It’s not just about patients of your own faith and it’s not just about visiting patients, it’s about doing so much more.”

Bernd was born in Germany in 1931. In order to escape Nazi persecution Bernd’s parents sent him to England when he was eight years old. He travelled here as one of the Kindertransport children. Sadly, he never saw his parents again.

Bernd, who is a grandfather of six, will continue with work with the charity the Jews’ Temporary shelter as a trustee and the UK Kindertransport committee and he speaks to schools and adults on his experiences.   

Ends

Image: The Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis with Bernd Koschland

Notes to editors

Media contacts: rf.mediaenquiries@nhs.net or call 020 7472 6665

About the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

The Royal Free began as a pioneering organisation and continues to play a leading role in the care of patients. Our mission is to provide world class expertise and local care. In the 21st century, the Royal Free London continues to lead improvements in healthcare.

The Royal Free London attracts patients from across the country and beyond to its specialist services in liver and kidney transplantation, haemophilia, renal care, HIV, infectious diseases, plastic surgery, immunology, Parkinson's disease, vascular surgery, cardiology, amyloidosis and scleroderma and we are a member of the academic health science partnership UCLPartners.

In July 2014 Barnet Hospital and Chase Farm Hospital became part of the Royal Free London. Read 'A bigger trust, a better future'.