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IS THERE AN ADDICT IN YOUR SHUL?

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Rabbis continue to develop skills

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FRIENDS HP
CIRCLE

World-renowned expert in treating chemical dependency chairs rabbinic roundtable

M

ore than 50 rabbis representing all
streams of Judaism converged at the
Jewish Community Center in West
Bloomfield on February 25 to meet with
Rabbi Abraham Twerski, M.D. and explore
the question, "Is there an addict in your
Shul?" Since chemical dependency presents
many barriers to helping families who are
overwhelmed by terminal illness and end-of-
life care, this topic is of particular interest to
JHCN rabbis. This rabbinic roundtable is just
the beginning of more extensive training
being planned for rabbis on the subject of

chemical dependency. Edu-
cation about the subject will
enable them to better serve all
families in our community.
Dr. Twerski is an ordained
rabbi, psychiatrist, author,
lecturer, and founder of the Rabbi Twerski
highly acclaimed Gateway Rehabilitation
Center in Pennsylvania. Dr. Twerski is also
recognized as an international authority in the
field of chemical dependency. ■

tThis program ices made possible by the generosity of The Friendship Circle.)

THE NANCY GROSFELD EDUCATION FUND

Supporting JHCN's educational mission

F

riends of Nancy Grosfeld recently established an Education
Fund at JHCN in honor of her birthday in 2003. This fund will
help support three critical areas of JHCN's work:
■ Patient and family education for those confronting terminal illness;
■ Training of JHCN and congregational rabbis in end-of-life care;
■ Sensitivity and cultural awareness education for medical,
hospice, and other health and social service professionals dealing
with Jewish end-of-life issues.

CLINICAL PASTORAL EDUCATION (CPE)

Educating rabbis about end-of-life care

Eight rabbis accredited by the Association of Clinical Pastoral Education (ACPE)

(.XA
c,/
Mai is the mission of
the Jewish Hospice &
Chaplaincy Network?

The JHCN is a non-profit

organization dedicated to

ensuring that "No Jew Is Ever

Alone" when facing terminal

illness or in need of end-of-life

care. JHCN provides a compre-

hensive range of health, family

support, social services, and

practical resources to Jewish

patients, families, and

caregivers.

A

n effective rabbi must be proficient in many areas of
Jewish law, tradition, and interpersonal skills. A
hospice rabbi requires additional skills, not always
taught in rabbinical school. The rabbi must learn how to
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work hand-in-hand with medical and social service pro-
fessionals on behalf of families coping with terminal ill-
ness. Initially funded by grants from The Jewish Fund,
the Clinical Pastoral Education Program is instrumental in preparing JHCN's rabbinical staff,
along with a select group of congregational rabbis, to work effectively with families who are
coping with terminal illness. The training focuses on the many medical, clinical, and emo-
tional challenges of end-of-life care. This specialized training and certification also makes it
possible for JHCN rabbis to work as contingent staff at several hospitals and hospices in the
Detroit metropolitan area, further expanding our scope of service. To date, eight rabbis have
each completed a total of 1,600 hours of CPE training, and two are in the process of obtaining
certification as clinical supervisors. JHCN is the first, and only, Jewish Hospice and
Chaplaincy Network to incorporate this unique program into its core curriculum. ■

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