Spirituality

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Photos by Peter Robe rts

Two rabbinic interns from Detroit
spent their summer dispensing a
special kind of spiritual medicine at
Beaumont Hospital.

9/1
2000

64

"While hospitals take care
of the patient's body,
we take care of their soul."

Network in Southfield, for his generous support,
especially through the program's lengthy applica-
Editorial Assistant
tion process.
Nine interns of different faiths worked 8:3C
abbinic intern Jason A. Miller strides
a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays during the 10-week
into a patient's room at William
program. They would spend a half-day in
Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak and
seminars and the other half with patients, in
says, mostly to himself, "I see the
power of prayer here."
addition to taking a rotation in the Beaumont
emergency room.
Jason is saying goodbye to Lynn Johnston, in
"It s a wonderful opportunity we won't have
her mid-40s, who has gained more than
anywhere else," Miller says.
improved health during her four-week hospital
Tisdale, who now is considering hospital
stay. With Miller's encouragement, Johnston of
chaplaincy as a career, is also enthusiastic about
Madison Heights has re-embraced her faith in
her experiences at Beaumont. "This program is
Judaism. Though still physically weak, she clearly
lot about self-awareness. It sharpens your listen-
speaks one word when asked how the rabbinic
intern has helped her: "Peace."
ing and empathic skills, indispensable
Rabbini c students
Miller, in turn, lets Johnston know
in becoming a rabbi."
Jason A. Miller and
that she has also been his teacher.
Though pastoral care is addressed
Jennifer Ti sdale were in their rabbinic training, neither
That spiritual give and take is the
interns in Beaumont believes their schooling provides
crux of the hospital's Clinical Pastoral
Hospital s Clinical
enough.
Education program. Miller, 24, a
Pastoral
Education
third-year student at New York City's
"I'm a hands-on person," Miller
Pro gram.
Jewish Theological Seminary of
says. "I appreciate the theoretical, but
America, and Jennifer A. Tisdale, 23, a
I also need the practical."
second-year rabbinic student at Hebrew Union
During the program, they talked to their
patients, prayed with them and helped them
College - Jewish Institute of Religion in
deal with difficult times. Once a week, the
Cincinnati, are the first rabbinical students to
participate in the CPE program.
interns worked the "God Squad," covering the
emergency room and other areas of the hospi-
Good friends, Miller and Tisdale grew up in
West Bloomfield and together attended Hillel
tal. They were asked to do everything from
Day School of Metropolitan Detroit in
assessing a family's needs, to answering ques-
Farmington Hills. Both were active in their
tions about organ donations and autopsies, to
accompanying people about to view the
respective Jewish youth programs — he at Adat
Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, she at
remains of a friend or loved one.
Temple Israel in West Bloomfield.
"It was exciting to see these young, fresh-
faced rabbinic students grow in their empathetic
A grant from the Michigan Board of Rabbis,
made through the community's Jewish Fund,
skills as the program progressed," says Rabbi
provided Miller and Tisdale with tuition and a
Freedman. "I watched them have experiences I
small stipend to join the CPE program. The stu-
only experienced later in life. Having that
dents also credit Rabbi E.B. "Bunny" Freedman,
youthful perspective will help them develop
their pastoral skills."
director of the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy

SHARON LUCKERMAN

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