“I cannot conceive of any higher or more charitable motive to induce humanity to do its best than that which lends comfort to the last moments of the human being,”

Rabbi Davis, 1903

When CEO of St Vincents, Sydney, Associate Professor Anthony Schembri, was working in the hospital’s archives recently, he came across a slender document, bound in green leather. It was the Sacred Heart Annual Report of 1903.

In it he found a quote from the Chief Rabbi of Sydney at the time, Rabbi Alexander Davis, which he quoted when he promoted Palliative Care Week at St Vincents at a special event on Monday.

Rabbi Davis remarked: “I have known of this institution for a period of 38 years and I always felt a liking for it. I have sent a number of my own people to be treated in this institution, and I can bear testimony to the care, attention and solicitude of the Sisters and nurses. The Hospice and Hospital are open to all denominations alike.

He then went on to say: “I cannot conceive any higher or more charitable motive to induce humanity to do its best than that which lends comfort to the last moments of the human being.”

Such a noble sentiment. True then and true today.

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