Celebrating 50 years of growth with the Detroit Jewish Community HE JEWISH NEWS 9 KISLEV 5753/DECEMBER 4, 1992 Home Gets Reprieve Federation, JHA plan for future as Borman Hall passes state inspection. KIMBERLY LIFTON STAFF WRITER is community in- vestment into the Jewish Home for Aged's Borman Hall paid off when state investigators late Wednesday recommended the facility remain open. "This is a rebirth for the Jewish Home for Aged," said Carol Rosenberg, JHA director of community relations and devel- opment. "We have everyone's at- tention, and the appropriate community leaders are available now to make things happen." At a meeting following three days of surveying Borman Hall, State Investigative Team Leader Eileen Colgan removed 45 of 68 code violations, including four of the highest level health viola- tions that could have resulted in closing the Seven Mile Road fa- cility. very short time. We are very im- pressed," said surveyor Lorraine Woodard. "I am going home feel- ing good. We went home last time not feeling good." Since August, Borman twice has failed the state survey. In September, inspectors found four of the highest level violations, leaving the fate of this Jewish in- stitution in the hands of the gov- ernment. After two failed reviews, one serious violation could have put the facility out of business. State inspectors began comb- "This is a monumental job," Ms. Colgan said. "But you are not out of the woods yet. It would be easy to fall behind. As good as it is, you are not quite there yet." The seven-mem- flarif ber team of nurs- ing, pharmaceu- tical, nutritional, occupational and psychological sur- veyors praised the staff and Jewish community for their interest in the Home's future. The state team will recommend to the federal agency that oversees nursing Borman Hall in Detroit. homes, the Health ing Borman on Monday, check- Care Financing Administration, ing all aspects of health care at that the 212-bed Borman Hall, the facility. They watched aides now down to 27 less serious code dress residents and nurses bathe violations, including three new patients infected with skin dis- ones, continue operating. "You have learned things in a BORMAN page 26 Aside BACKGROUND Past Images Neo-Nazis in Germany stir emotions in Israel. Page 33 ENTERTAINMENT Emmy Vindication Curt Sobel finds Oak Park and Hollywood can mix. Page 71 CLOSE-UP Defending Dr. Death Attorney Michael Alan Schwartz prepares for a constitutional battle in his defense of Dr. Jack Kevorkian. KIMBERLY LIFTON STAFF WRITER M ichigan senators this week were expected to ban doctor-assisted sui- cide, leaving the state's six Jewish legislators (three sen- ators and three representatives) in the minority voting bloc. Reps. Maxine Berman, (D- Southfield); Burton Leland, (D- Detroit); and David Gubow, (D-Huntington Woods); and Sens. David Honigman, (R-West Bloomfield); Lana Pollack, (D- Ann Arbor); and Jack Faxon, (D- Farmington Hills), all voted against the bill that essentially puts Dr. Jack Kevorkian out of the death business while a corn- mission studies the issue. The Senate decision, which fol- lows a similar House vote to ban assisted suicide, was made quick- ly after last week's Kevorkian- assisted suicide. Though the Jewish legislators do not condone what they call Dr. Kevorkian's sensational behavior, they say the decision to live or die is per- sonal and that regulations, not a ban, are needed. "If this were (television show doctor) Marcus Welby, no one would question it," Ms. Berman said. "We need limits, but where do you draw the line? Whom do you limit it to? What about a per- son who can't do anything with- out assistance but could linger on for 10 to 20 years? There are a lot of ifs." Ms. Berman, who spoke against the ban on the House floor, said no one should play God. But, she warned, "You DR. DEATH page 28 A Chanukah party brought together a flourishing Jewish community in Grosse Pointe. East Side Story Page 22 OWN WORDS Sharon Schaffer Rediscovering Judaism changed her life. Page 97 Contents on page 5