LIFELINKS

Connecting families to resources

New Jewish community program made possible by the Peter & Esther Shifrin Fund

T

he Lifelinks Program, created through the gen-
erosity of the Peter and Esther Shifrin Fund, is
directed by masters-level social worker Barbara
Haddad. Lifelinks is dedicated to helping Jewish patients
and their families cope with all aspects of the trauma and
challenge of terminal illness. Services include a compre-
hensive family assessment, help with understanding the
medical situation, assigning a volunteer and obtaining
practical support services to help with daily living. The
program also educates health, social service, and hospi-
tal chaplaincy professionals about the Jewish perspective
on end-of-life care, medical ethics, and Jewish customs
and practices, so that providers are more sensitive to the Making a difference: The Lifelinks
Program reaches more of the Jewish
cultural needs of Jewish patients and families. Lifelinks community because of the generosity of
is one of JHCN's core programs in that it helps families Peter and Esther Shifrin, of blessed
gain quick access to all the resources of the Jewish corn- memory.
runty when they are most vulnerable and scarcely able to obtain what they need on their own.
Our primary partners are Jewish Family Service (IFS), Jewish Home and Aging Services
(JHAS) and JVS through the Dorothy and Peter Brown Jewish Community Adult Day Care
Center, which cares for individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. For
more information, contact Barbara Haddad, MSW, ACSW at (248) 559-1500, ext. 150. ■

THE INTERNET

LOVE LETTERS

Learn about JHCN

Notes from those we help

A 24-hour resource

Joel and Diana Katz

Dear Rabbis and JHCN Staff:
A giant Thank You! to everyone at the Jewish
Hospice and Chaplaincy Network.
Your organization is such a wonderful oasis of
warmth, compassion and service that it is
impossible to put into words how we feel.
All of your staff from the receptionist to the
"visitors," were so warm and caring that Diana and
I were constantly amazed how truly nice people
could be.
The warmth toward our mother made her last
months bearable both for her and for us.

Sincerely and warmly,
Joel Er Diana Katz
West Bloomfield, Michigan

Jean Katz, mother of Joel Katz, was a JHCN patient
and passed away on December 14, 2003.

& A

Does JHCN charge for services?

There is no charge for JHCN services. Support from the Jewish community,
philanthropic grants and voluntary contributions are JHCN's primary
sources of funding. JHCN does not receive government or insurance
reimbursement.

THE PETER &
ESTHER SHIFRIN

LIFELINKS