THE JEWI S H NEWS

UP FRONT

This Week's T o p Stories

Sinai Sale Still
Percolating

s of Wednesday, our press deadline,
Sinai Hospital had not been sold.
By the time you read this article, it
might be. Then again, it might not.
This weekend is the latest target for a deci-
sion on Sinai, a transaction that could make the
hospital part of the Detroit Medical Center.
While nobody is confirming the DMC is the po-
tential affiliation partner, it is the name most
frequently mentioned across the community.
As of press time, negotiations had reached a
critical stage, according to Sinai CEO Philip
Schaengold.
`There are a number of outstanding issues
which I'm confident well be able to resolve in a
satisfactory manner, but which still require ad-
ditional discussion," said Mr. Schaengold.
Sinai's top administrator did say that should
the affiliation be completed, he is not yet sure
of his own future.
"I developed a strategic plan for Sinai Hos-
pital to become part of a system," Mr. Schaen-
gold said. "This is the last part of the plan I have
not yet implemented. If I can execute this and
help lead this to a successful ending, then I've
done what I was asked to do. At this point, no
specific future role has been identified for me."
Sinai board chairman Mark Schlussel added
that the negotiations are continuing.
"We want to ensure that the interests of the
Jewish community, our physicians, employees
and all of those who make Sinai the outstand-
ing institution that it is will be dealt with in an
equitable and appropriate manner."
The sale price of Sinai is also a question mark
At this time, estimates run in the tens of mil-
lions of dollars.
Because of Sinai's growing economic strength
over recent years and the growth of hospital
systems instead of independent facilities, the
time seemed right to seek an affiliation.
One certainty is that the sale will result in
the creation of a foundation, the Jewish Fund.
This foundation would accommodate the social
and health needs of the Detroit Jewish com-
munity. Ill

A

A Day
In The Life

The most senior employee at
Prentis Manor reflects on
three decades of tending to
the sick and the frail.

JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER

In the days following the '67 riots in
Detroit a few intrepid souls ventured
out into the shaken streets.
Etka Zomberg was among them.
She recalls making br,ea4
patients at the old Petosk4' me
cause none of the kitchen staff showed.
That fearlessness and dedication
have been the hallmarks of her 37-year
career as a nurse's assistant. Ms.
Zomberg says proudly that she's nev-
er missed a day of work — either at
Petoskey, the old Jewish Home for
Aged nursing home in Detroit, or at
Prentis Manor Jewish florae for Aged
in Southfield, where she worked for
the past 36 years.

DAY IN THE LIFE page 24

.

A Change Of Scene

The last of Prentis Manor's residents
left the building this week, bound for their new home
in West Bloomfield.

JULIE EDGAR SENIOR WRITER

nn Feldman sat in the lobby of Peterson, a nurse's aide at Prentis for
Prentis Manor on Monday morn- over 30 years. "She's a lot of fun. She's
ing with a box of Kleenex on her a big, spoiled baby."
Ms. Peterson remembers driving
lap. Bundled in a winter coat and
pale-pink knit cap, she waited for a van around Detroit some 31 years ago with
to take her and another resident to their a few girlfriends who were looking for
new home, the Marvin and Betty Dan- work. They stopped at Petoskey, the old
to Family Health Care Center in West Jewish Home for Aged nursing home,
and put in applications. All of
Bloomfield.
Try as she might, she Ann Feldman bids them got hired.
"When I started this job, I'd
couldn't stifle the sobs that farewell to nurse's
wracked her frail body as assistants Henrie never been around sick people
before," she said. "I haven't
Ellison (left) and
staffers stopped by to hug her
and wish her well. She blew her Mable Peterson. missed a day here. rm going to
miss the residents."
nose.
Ms. Feldman, 90, moved to Prentis
"I know you put up with a lot of s—
from me," Ms. Feldman said to Lou, a Manor seven years ago from Franklin
dietitian who leaned over her wheelchair Club Apartments with her husband,
to say goodbye. Employees who stood Nathan. The two shared a room until he
nearby shook with laughter, and wiped died three years ago, just short of their
72nd wedding anniversary.
away tears, too.
"I'm used to it here, so rm not happy,"
"From the day she walked in, she's
always been the boss here," said Mable CHANGE OF SCENE page 24

Administrative
Downsizing

Leah Ann Kleinfeldt, the JCC's
associate executive director,
to leave the Center.

JENNIFER FINER STAFF WRITER

I

o leadership at the Jewish Community

Center, the elimination of the associate
executive director's position means the
agency will save over $100,000. For Leah
Arm Kleinfeldt, who holds the position, the elim-
ination marks the end of a 14-year career with
the Jewish center movement.

DOWNSIZING page 28