/—/ `The longer a person stays un- buried, the longer a soul is con- fused. It needs to be buried to go where it has to go and also for the body to begin decaying. The Torah says a person is made in the image of God, so we have to make sure that image remains in an honorable state as long as it can," Rabbi Levin explained. In 1995, Hebrew Memorial fought the state over its refusal to cover burial expenses for a "Izabella is a very fine woman and wants to help pay the bill. I don't want her to think we didn't fight hard enough. We are sym- pathetic to her and will support her every step of the way. If it's necessary, we'll write a letter to the director of the FIA," he said. Hebrew Memorial serves many families from the former Soviet Union, some of which rely on state assistance for funeral ex- penses. In the past year, Rabbi Levin said, the chapel absorbed $120,000 in expenses that went unpaid, "mainly because new Americans receive benefits, and benefits don't cover the entire amount by a long shot." The av- erage cost of a no-frills funeral, including a casket, burial plot and service, is about $3,600. Hebrew Memorial was found- ed in 1916 and continues to op- erate as one of the only nonprofit funeral homes in the United States. Ms. Ferreri acknowledged that the Family Independence Agency has denied funeral benefits in the past for reasons stemming from a quick burial, but said it has cov- ered the funerals of many Jew- ish families. The state will pay a maximum of $1,060 for funeral expenses. Ms. Ferreri said anyone without financial means is eligible for the funds. ❑ "The longer a person stays unburied, the longer a soul is confused." family that had failed to apply for benefits before their loved one was buried. 'We battled and won. We went one step after the next step after the next step. We found a Jew who was sympathetic. But I don't think it's anti-Semitic. We took it to Lansing, but it was a case that came out of Detroit. There H were no surviving relatives, so we took responsibility," Rabbi Levin said. He said he'll do whatever he can to help Ms. Gorivodskaya. Sidon Foundation's Role Too Early To Tell PHIL JACOBS EDITOR W ith the sale of Sinai Hospital to the Detroit Medical Center, spe- cifics of the affiliation continue to be clarified. One of those questions con- cerns the foundation or fund re- sulting from the sale. Officials have said that the foundation, which will consist of some $50 million in proceeds from the sale, will benefit the health and wel- fare needs of Jewish families. Still, officials have added, it is too early to say specifically what the monies will go toward. There is also a question about foundation monies being granted to applicants within the general community. Any organization, Jewish or not Jewish, would be General, Jewish communities could vie for funds. permitted to apply to the foun- dation for a grant. "The fund is a work in progress," said Sinai board chair- man Mark Schlussel. "Its focus and direction are being general- ly outlined at this time. "Nothing as far as the general Detroit community is precluded at this time. The fund will be re- ceptive to entertaining requests from the community as long as these requests are in line with the mission of our fund and con- sistent with the mission of the [Jewish] Federation. The Feder- ation has done many remarkable things in terms of the general community." The foundation will consist of 22 members, including Sinai board members, Jewish Federa- tion of Metropolitan Detroit offi- cers and members of the Sinai Health Care Foundation. Federation Executive Vice President Robert Aronson has said that the foundation needs to be connected with the general mission and purpose of Sinai. It will be a "safety net" for social ser- vices. The foundation will not be controlled by Federation, yet it will be strongly associated with the Federation. While the words "general com- munity" have been talked about in terms of the foundation, Mr. Aronson said it is too early to tell what that will mean. "There is a legitimate call to se- cure part of the fund for the gen- eral community," he has said. ❑ Publicity Deadlines The normal deadline for local news and publicity items is noon Thursday, eight days prior to issue date. The deadline for out-of-town obituaries is 10 a.m. Tuesday, three days prior to issue date. All material must be typewritten, double-spaced, on 8 1/2x 11 paper and include the name and day- time telephone number of sender. • COLORWORKS STUDIO OF INTERIOR DESIGN Tables filled with Shoes & Boots 875 prs. Values to S 30°3 Children's Shoes Leather & Athletic 2 90 Values to S6500 — omen's Shoes & Boots Greg SHOES 90 Values to S4500. 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