The Driving Deacon

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An elderly Jewish woman got help on the holidays
from a non-Jewish friend.

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LONNY GOLDSMITH

StaffWriter

S

ally Gersick had been going
to Rosh Hashanah services
for most of her life. But since
she began using a wheelchair,
her nephew has been unable to take
her because he had heart surgery.
Thanks to Deacon Dan Sweeney,
who works for Prime Care in-home
health care, Gersick was able to again
make it to services at the Millenium
Theatre in Southfield (formerly the
Northland Theatre), rented by the
Downtown Synagogue.
"I had no other way to get there,"
Gersick said. "He insisted on taking
me, dropping me off, and then com-
ing back after the services to pick me
up for the first day of services. I think
it's beautiful."
The 86-year-old Gersick, who lives
at The Fountains at Franklin Club in
Southfield, said there is normally a
shuttle van available for residents, but
she wasn't able to use it on this occa-
sion because it was in use for others.

"I told her it was
important."

— Deacon Dan

"He's a friend who comes by to
visit me," Gersick said. "He knows I'm
Jewish and he respects my religion.
We just talk and enjoy visiting."
Gersick tries to rely on a walker,
but the pain of her arthritis usually
keeps her wheelchair-bound. Deacon
Dan helped her in and out of his car,
and folded the wheelchair.
"I told her it was important to be
there," said Deacon Sweeney, who
serves as lay religious leader at St.
Joseph's Catholic Parish in Wyandotte.
"The Jewish tradition is so beautiful; I
couldn't let it slip away. I kept calling
to give her the motivation."
Deacon Sweeney is most impressed

Sally Gersick got holiday help from a friend.

with Gersick's open attitude towards
those who aren't Jewish.
"Sally has people that are African-
American, Filipino, and myself to help
her, and she welcomes all equally," he
said. "She expresses her appreciation
to all, and no one walks away without
feeling fulfilled." Sweeney is Irish-

Catholic.
Gersick wasn't able to make it to
Yom Kippur services last weekend,
despite her desire to be there.
"I just wasn't feeling well," she said.
"It's a lot of work getting in and out
of the car." ❑