M ." ! 1%...:WWftifitilNSIMIEtataIESIWAIMti.MttERIIIIPSFMNWAIS:e,3NLTMZfgr:=L..IJSSPJBEZZIMr"Sttiflk inIESSINEREI 7VANOIN Mitzvah Visits Do-gooders help the sick and elderly feel better. PHYWS MEER SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS Borman Hall residents enjoy visits from Beth Jacob students. Sylvia Ascher enjoys a private musical presentation from Beth Jacob students. M iriam Seagle, a lo- cal social worker, recently recov- ered from major surgery. During her hospital stay, close family members were at her bedside. Friends dropped by to wish her well. Ms. Seagle felt wonder- ful knowing people cared. Visiting the sick is an act of kindness, the Torah teaches. The Torah first mentions this mitzvah in Genesis 18:1, when God visited Abraham while he was recovering from circumci- sion. The Talmud states that there is no limit to visiting the sick, so long as the visitor does not burden the patient. Rabbi Leonard Perlstein, di- rector of pastoral care at Sinai Hospital, says good visitors ex- press total concern for the pa- tient. Compassion is a key element of the mitzvah. Well- wishers should attend to the pa- tient's physical, as well as emo- tional and psychological needs. "(Compassion) is a complete empathy that comes from un- derstanding people and their feelings, not just their medical problems," write Chana Shof- nas and Bat Tova Zwebner in The Healing Visit. The book goes on to state that a show of compassion for pa- tients becomes a prayer for their recovery. In the metro Detroit area, Jews have formed sever- al groups aimed at accomplish- ing this mitzvah. Nearly 50 Orthodox women are active in Ahavas Chesed- "Visiting the sick is one of the central mitzvot of our faith." Rabbi Paul Yedwab Bikur Cholim, a group led by Pearl Biber and Sonia Ribiat. Members take turns visiting area hospitals and nursing fa- cilities. They also drop in on peo- ple who cannot leave their homes. Bikur Cholim volunteers keep patients company, read their mail aloud and keep an our faith." As a clergyman, he extends a listening ear and sympathetic shoulder to the ail- ing and bereaved. During hos- pital visits, he kibbutzes with patients, discusses philosophy and prays for them. His efforts are reinforced by the "Hands" committee, chaired by Russel Barett and June Kamil. The committee makes trips to comfort, cheer and as- sist members of the congrega- tion. Local Jewish youngsters also participate in "mitzvah visits." Students often choose to en- tertain the sick and elderly as preparation for their bar or bat mitzvah. Hebrew day schools in the area include bikur cholim (visiting the sick) in their cir- ricula. The Sally Allan Alexander Beth Jacob School for Girls co- ordinates a program to visit res- idents of Federation Apartments and Borman Hall nursing home. The senior stu- dent leaders this year are Ser- ena Friedman and Ettie Nachlas. The girls schedule vol- unteer drivers and visitors to these facilities. Carol Rosenberg, director of community relations and de- velopment at Borman Hall, trains the young volunteers, who shine residents' shoes, pol- ish their fingernails, comb their hair. "Besides helping our elderly population with nice deeds, the young women share religious holidays, rituals and customs — things that both generations have in common," Ms. Rosen- berg says. "It makes the resi- dents feel that they are still part of the community, that they are still remembered." LI Phyllis Meer is a registered pedi- atric nurse practitioner living in West Bloomfield. eye on sick individuals while family members run errands. Most recently, members of Bikur Cholim started a kosher food pantry at Providence Hos- pital. Kosher food is available to patients and their families in the emergency and surgical waiting rooms. Ms. Ribiat says, "Volunteers get more out of it than they give. "One volunteer was pleas- antly surprised to find a resident of a nursing home speak in her native tongue, Hungarian," she * Although the Torah tells Jews to visit the sick, it is important that says. Area synagogues and well-wishers do not overstay their welcome. People who are ailing or re- temples coordinate sim- cuperating tire easily. Deliver your greetings warmly and sincerely, but ilar groups. Recently, Ali- don't linger in the hospital room. This defeats the purpose of your visit. * Unless you are a close family member, it is best not to visit a sick per- cia Nelson, adviser to the sisterhood of Beth son immediately after he or she undergoes surgery. Wait until the patient Shalom, founded Yadanu feels better and is more apt to appreciate your company. * Sending flowers is a nice get-well gesture, but many patients are al- (our hands). This organi- zation assists clergy and lergic to them. You'd be better off sending cards and balloons. Healthy helps family members of snacks are another alternative. * Help can take many forms. Adults can lend a hand by cutting pa- the sick during stressful tients' fingernails, making phone calls, shopping, accompanying patients times. Local sisterhoods also provide help to new to the doctor, cleaning house, babysitting, as well as delivering and read- ing mail. mothers. * Children can help the sick by sending cards, drawing pictures, mak- Rabbi Paul Yedwab of ing tapes and performing puppet shows. Temple Israel describes * There are many other ways to perform acts of lovingkindness for the visiting the sick as "one of the central mitzvot of sick. For information, call Bikur Cholim at 967-3606. Tips For Visitors