About BCGW
Bikur Cholim of Greater Washington (BCGW) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit (federal tax ID 52-2026976), volunteer-based service organization that provides complimentary services to those facing medical and medical-related challenges in the Jewish community. We were founded in 1997 to honor the memory of Howie Wildman, and our mission is to deliver our service with confidentiality, kindness, and respect to Torah Law.
Our doors are open to all. We serve all segments of our community and assist patients who travel to the D.C. area seeking medical treatment at local hospitals. We have built great relationships with local health care providers and are now considered to be the go-to Jewish organization for clients receiving healthcare services in the Greater D.C. area. By offering all our services at no charge, we allow people to focus solely on their recovery without worrying about added financial stress.
Since our founding in 1997, BCGW has supported thousands of patients. We reenergize countless patients and their loved ones annually with over 3,000 kosher meals, countless loaves of challah, and bottles of grape juice. Our hospital pantries and Bernard Creeger Bikur Cholim House are magical spaces.
Bikur means to visit, but it is also the Hebrew root for investigate and that is what we do. We investigate in the most sensitive way possible to understand how we can help you while maintaining and ensuring your privacy.
Meet Our Staff
Audrey Berman Siegel, Executive Director
Audrey first came to us as a volunteer in 2000 before transitioning to working for the organization five years later. As our Executive Director, Audrey is responsible for making sure our services fit the organization's vision, meet the community's needs, and ensure our systems run smoothly and efficiently. Simply put, we like to say that Audrey is responsible for keeping the lights on.
Leah Snyder, Service Coordinator
Leah started with us as a volunteer and now coordinates many of BCGW’s services including Meir L'Olam kosher pantries at hospitals. She is often the first person you meet when you reach out to BCGW and her genuine warmth will quickly put you at ease.
Leah is a trained architect and specializes in interior design. Thankfully, she brings her design sensibilities to her work!
Leah lives in Silver Spring with her husband and three teenage boys. She enjoys walking in the woods and discovering new hiking trails and places of beauty in Montgomery County, MD.
Rabbi Elie Gayer, Service Director/Chaplain
Rabbi Gayer organizes volunteers to make sure the physical and spiritual needs of our clients are met. As staff Chaplain, he leads the Friendly Visitors program and is personally available to volunteers and clients to provide pastoral care when needed.
He received his Semicha, rabbinic ordination from the Rabbinical Seminary of America (Chofetz Chaim Yeshiva) in NY. He has chaplaincy training from Belleview Hospital in NY, Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville, and the Hebrew Home in MD. He currently lives in Silver Spring with his wife Adina, a preschool Morah, and their children. Rabbi Gayer enjoys the opportunity to be able to facilitate physical, emotional, and spiritual relief on a daily basis for community members in need.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Sharon Butler, President
Ori Carmel, Treasurer
Melanie Fleisher, Secretary
Jeremy Brown
Jennie Foont
Rabbi Ari Goldberg
Menachem Hamberger
Heidi Lamar
Dina Leener
Allen Minzer
Julia Frankston-Morris
Eddie Snyder
Julie Vogel
Gary Winters
Watch Last Year’s Hope & Healing Gala
Support BCGW
Your support allows us to help more people and host more community events. Consider making a donation to help support BCGW’s programs and events. When you go to the donate page you will have the option of choosing a specific program to support.