Life's Journeys News Digest A message from Dottie Deremo, President/CEO, Hospice of Michigan "A great burden was lifted once we learned about Hospice Home in Farmington Hills. I wish we had known about it sooner. From the moment we walked in the door, we had a feeling of peace — Teri Craine." This statement appears in our most recent advertisement in the Detroit Jewish News. It conveys what we believe is the greatest strength of Hospice of Michigan and also reminds us of a weakness we hope to remedy as we become better known in the community. Teri Craine's mother, Bess. Gonte, had just a short time to live. Her family suffered because she was suffering, and they felt they must do something to mitigate her pain and their concern. A call to Hospice of Michigan brought immediate relief to all. Hospice physicians, Dr Kathleen Murphy and Dr. Michael Paletta, promised this ending could he peaceful. A meeting with the Hospice Home staff brought more assurances and comfort. "They don't just promise; they deliver," Teri commented. "We found loving, round-the-clock care for our mom and our family." Bess Gonte had been a feisty woman all her life. At age 83, while still living in California, she had volunteered regularly at the Jewish Home for the Aged. After returning to Michigan, she was adamant that she would not move in with family members when her illness reached its final stage. But the family wanted to be with her. Hospice Home in Farmington Hills was the answer. Bess's room was furnished with a day bed so Bobbie Blitz, our Jewish liaison staff member, at 248-966-8262. n Israel Mission that a family member could stay at night. The Hospice cook provided continental breakfasts ; the Hospice staff arranged for laundry, for mas- sage, for bathing, for whatever else was needed. And when there were moments of emotional pain, the family walked in the garden or sat quietly in the chapel provided by the DeRoy Testamentary Foundation. Visits from two different rabbi's also brought comfort. The Bess Gonte family has been unanimous in its praise for Hospice of Michigan. Such responses are - not unusual. As the largest hospice in Michigan, we take pride in our reputation for compassionate care, both in patients' homes and at our Hospice Home. What then is our weakness? We know we have to better educate the Jewish community about our organization. We hope that no one will say regretfiilly, "We wish we had called sooner." When there is any thought that Hospice of Michigan might be needed, please call ADVERTISEMENT For- your best- price, selection end person service Hospice of Michigan is committed to providing hospice care to patients and tneir families that is both culturally and religiously sensitive. In that context, I'm pleased to tell you that, since 1996 we have worked closely with Lois and the late Milton Shiffman and the Partnership 2000 project to create and provide continuing education to the Lois and Milton Shiffman Home Hospice of the Valleys in Central Galilee. Last May, a group of Israeli hospice staff spent time with our Hospice of Michigan staff seeing patients, visiting our Hospice Home in Farmington Hills and learning about our research efforts. Last month, we were happy to he able to send two senior staff members — Terry Barclay, senior vice president for community and employee relations, and Pola Friedman, senior development officer — on the Jewish Federation's Solidarity Mission to Israel. They described to me their great pride in seeing the dream of an Israeli hos- pice come to fruition. Two other HoSpice of Michigan staff members, Rabbi E.B. Freedman and Bonnie Topper, RN, also participated in the mission under the auspices of the- Federation. At present, the Shiffman hospice only takes care of patients in the hospital but there are plans to expand the service to include home care, as well. We look forward to continuing to work closely with the Federation and the Shiffman Hospice. BetterS af e CINDY n Sorry! SCHLUSSEL ►■ ∎ CHRYSLER Plymouth :Human motor scluies, walled loke, rni NMI 2 Complete Show Rooms of Floor Safes, Wall Safes, Gun Safes & DrOp Safes. t). Jeep Eagle TL 15 & TL 30 Safes in Stock ONLY AT THE SHIRT 13,0X The Shirt Box, Shirts and a Whole Lot More. Always 20%-35% Off Retail 2- HOURS: Mon.-Sat. 9:30-6 • Thurs. till 7 Open Sunday 12-4 2/2 20-01 30 Courtyard Center • 32500 Northwestern Hwy. • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 • (248) 851-6770 ritb. rc) WE CAN PROTECT YOU! 248-85877100 AFFIL ti UNITE 1991 ORCHARD LAKE RD SYLVAN LAKE, MI Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9:00-5:00 Wed 9:00-2:00 - Sat 2:00-5:00 NEWS DIGEST from page 29 head a newly created U.S. office on faith-based organizations. Instead, Stephen Goldsmith was- named to lead a council that will advise the new office, which in turn will seek to distribute billions of dollars in feder- al funds to religious groups that provide social services. Goldsmith was thought to be the top candidate to head the office, but University of Pennsylvania Professor John Dilulio Jr. was tapped for the post instead. At a meeting, when he announced the outlines of his faith-based plan, President George W. Bush reassured the president of the Orthodox Union, Harvey Blitz, that religious minorities would be protected under the plan. The O.U. and other Orthodox groups have long supported the initiative. Groups Help Quake Victims New York/JTA — The American Jewish joint Distribution Committee, B'nai B'rith International and the American Jewish World Service are col- lecting contributions to help victims of the earthquake that has killed thou- sands in India. Further information is available at jdc.org, bnaibrith.org and ajws.org STAR Initiative Funds Projects New York/JTA — A philanthropy pro- moting synagogue renewal allocated more than $565,000 in funding to 25 U.S. communities. Among the largest recipients of STAR'S first round of grants are a multi-synagogue effort to provide lead- ership training for Boston Jews in their 20s, a project in which Orthodox rab- bis serve as an educational resource to the goca Raton Jewish community, and expansion of a home-based outreach project for unaffiliated Jews in Portland, Ore. Europe Holds Shoah Memorials Rome/JTA — Britain and Italy held their first-eyer Holocaust memorial days. Shoah.commemQrations — marked annually on the anniversary of the Jan. 27, 1945, liberation of - Auschwitz by Allied forces — also were held in other countries, includ- ing Sweden, Lithuania, Germany and Poland.