Life's Journeys
I
n the midst of so much sorrowful
news related to our nation, I'm
happy to offer good news: Hospice
of Michigan has moved into new
headquarters, and by doing so we
have become part of Detroit's rebirth.
Hospice of Michigan has always
been a people organization; we're
not about buildings. Nonetheless,
this move speaks to our growth and
reputation as the largest hospice in
Michigan and one of the largest in
the country.
Our new corporate headquarters
located in Detroit's historic Brush
Park neighborhood, places us in the
midst of the city's medical and
cultural center. At the same time we
have become a welcome neighbor.
During the dedication ceremonies
last month, Detroit Councilwoman
Kay Everett recalled her own child-
hood on the same street, and she
was clearly moved to see Hospice's
stately red brick and glass structure
reclaiming a desolate field in this his-
toric area. Mayor Dennis Archer rel-
ished knowing our re-location would
bring 150 new jobs from the suburbs.
Our move is particularly significant
as we observe November as National
Hospice Month. Much has changed
in our society from the days when
death was spoken of in whispers.
The dying were generally shuttled to
hospitals and nursing homes, and
death was often welcomed for its
cessation of pain.The growing
demand for a better way — a good
death — found an answer in the
hospice movement and far more
support for our programs.
This support, however, led to sig-
nificant crowding at our Southfield
offices. We were hard pressed to find
space for research, education, training
and conferencing. Our new corporate
FUTURE from page 23
says, The world stands on three pil-
lars: the study of Torah, serving God
and acts of kindness.' "
Honoring Penny
The Golden Torah Award, the Yeshiva's
highest institutional honor, was present-
ed to Penny Blumenstein, immediate
past president of the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit.
It was no accident that the reins of
leadership were given to a woman
whose accomplishments, talents and
dedication were legendary throughout
the ranks of our local and national
headquarters is a jewel, technologi-
cally state-of-the art while aestheti-
cally pleasing, and spacious enough
to meet the increased need for our
services. It will enhance our patient
care services by assuring that all our
teams across the state will have up-
to-date information on patients with-
out technical interruptions.
Our building also houses our new
Maggie Allesee Center for Quality of
Life, dedicated to being a hub for
end-of-life research and educational
projects at the local, state and
national levels. It will foster a new
way of looking at the end of life's
journey. You will learn more about
this unique Center in the months to
come.
If life can be compared to a,
three-act play, then the final act, like
any good drama, should be the best.
It is only in the past decade that this
concept has gained momentum with
housing, recreation, health care and
end-of-life issues re-evaluated and
improved. While the last years or
months of a life ma not be golden,
surely they Should.be peaceful and
humane.
We are very proud of the people
and programs that comprise Hospice
of Michigan. Still, I must be allowed
my pride in our new headquarters
and in honor of National Hospice
Month, I hope you will stop by 400
Mack Avenue, admire this new addi-
tion to the Detroit landscape and
come in for a tour.
I'd also like to invite you to come
and hear Leonard Fein, author of
"Against the Dying of the Light," next
Thursday, November 15 at 8 pm at
the Jewish Community Center in
West Bloomfield. We will sponsor his
talk as part of the Jewish Book Fair
Should you have questions about
our Jewish Hospice Program, please
call Bobbie Blitz at 248-253-2580,
ext. 4543.
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Let its lend a hand
r
V KUM&
Penny Blumenstein
Federation," Torgow said of
Blumentstein. "If any leader of
Federation would ever be called the
"education president" that tide would
most appropriately be given to her."
Describing Blumenstein as "charm-
ingly tenacious, vigorous in her .
accomplishments for the Jewish peo-
ple, and an wishes ch. ayil (woman of
valor) par excellance," Torgow
announced the inauguration of the
Penny Blumenstein Educational Fund,
to benefit students of the Yeshiva.
Blumenstein spoke of the children
of the future, adding, "Never have we
needed unity more than we need it
now. At times like these, when terror-
ists threaten our freedoms and the way
of life we cherish, we tend to hug our
children closer to us that ever." She
said children need a moral structure to
protect them, that can be provided
through Judaism and Torah.
"This evening is a resounding
response to the insane acts of our ene-
mies," she said. "We come together to
celebrate our children, our faith in
God and our optimism that we can
shape a bright tomorrow for our com-
munity and our people." El