Jewish Hospital Patients Enjoyed Violin Music on Yom Kippur, Sept. 22

Kenwood-A violinist from the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Sylvia Samis, visited patients of Jewish faith in celebration of the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Jewish Hospital in Kenwood. Samis played a special song called "Kol Nidre."

Yom Kippur, which means "Day of Atonement," is a day set aside to atone for sins between man and God from the past year. During this holiday, people of Jewish faith attend prayer services in a synagogue and refrain from work, eating and drinking. The 25-hour fast begins before sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after nightfall on the day of Yom Kippur. However, any of these restrictions can be lifted if a threat to life or health is involved.

"Sylvia Samis has played for our Jewish patients for several years on Yom Kippur," says Rabbi Elena Stein, Jewish Hospital spiritual care department. "Since hospitalized Jewish patients cannot celebrate Yom Kippur as they normally would, this special music helps make the holiday more memorable and special during their stay."

Samis is the first Assistant Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, where she holds the James M. Ewell Chair. Born in Munich, Germany, Samis is a child of Holocaust survivors.

The Jewish Hospital is an acute care hospital located in Cincinnati?s northeast suburbs. It was established in 1850 as the first Jewish hospital in the United States and is part of the Health Alliance, an integrated health care delivery system. To view other Jewish Hospital news releases, go to www.health-alliance.com/pressroom <http://www.health-alliance.com/pressroom>.

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