HEALTH & FITNESS
Shalom Providence
Providence Hospital steps up service to Jewish patients.
creating and supporting a structure for
Shalom Providence!'
She hopes that "each and every one of
our Providence associates will develop a
deep understanding of the deep spiritual
traditions of the Jewish faith — and with
this understanding deliver exceptional
care!'
Building Knowledge
Michael Walch directs Shalom
Providence.
Rabbi David Nelson talks to hospital staffers during a
Shalom Providence program.
Sinai Hospital;' said Ida Warshay, senior
development officer at Providence Health
Foundation.
"Providence is the hospital that is with-
in close proximity to the largest concentra-
tion of the Jewish community in Southeast
Michigan;' she said. "Ninety percent of the
area's 75,000 Jews live within 10 miles of
the hospital. It is only natural for us to try
and meet those community needs."
The three-year project, primarily funded
by the Providence Hospital Mission Fund,
is designed as a model that can be applied
to other ethnic and religious groups. It
officially debuted earlier this month.
The Journey Begins
Rabbi Hershel Klainberg, ritual director of Shalom Providence, tells hospital staffers
that "Judaism isn't just a belief system but a complex legal system" as Rabbis E.B.
"Bunny" Freedman, center, and Joseph Hirsch listen.
Judith Doner Berne
Special to the Jewish News
A
s Providence Hospital spreads
its wings to create a new hospi-
tal in Novi, it is targeting Metro
Detroit's Jewish population as a first step
in creating a broader base of patients for
its original Southfield site.
The hospital, part of the St. John Health
System, has launched Project Shalom
Providence in conjunction with the Jewish
Hospice and Chaplaincy Network to
ensure that every person identifying him-
self as Jewish feels welcome.
It's also a move designed to highlight
this Catholic institution's ecumenical
philosophy as competition among Metro
Detroit hospitals continues at fever pitch.
"The idea is to have all Jewish patients
feel they are not isolated from their
Jewish community;' said Rabbi E.B.
(Bunny) Freedman, director of the Jewish
Hospice and Chaplaincy Network in West
Bloomfield.
"The reality is that there is no more
"This has been one of the most exciting
projects I've ever been involved in," said
Providence President Diane Radloff, who
is also interim chief operating officer of St.
John Health System.
"I am an east-side Catholic who knew
very little about the Jewish faith',' Radloff
said. "It has been extremely fulfilling for
me to learn about the deep and spiritual
traditions of Judaism!'
Through Warshay and Rabbi Freedman,
Radloff met with more than 20 rabbinical
leaders to listen to their ideas about "how
we could close some gaps in our services.
"From this meeting, and with the drive
of Ida Warshay, we have begun our jour-
ney," Radloff said. "Her outgoing and gen-
erous personality has opened doors that
would have taken years to open without
her. And Rabbi Freedman has assisted in
It's not an easy task, Freedman explained
at one of six forums held to introduce
Shalom Providence to hospital staff.
"Every Jewish patient will have his
or her own idea of what Judaism is,"
Freedman told them. "We will teach you to
be Orthodox friendly, but 90 percent of the
patients won't be Orthodox!'
Nonetheless, an important step is
to extend the eruv that surrounds
the Orthodox Jewish communities of
Huntington Woods, Oak Park, Lathrup
Village and Southfield to include
Providence Hospital. An eruv permits car-
rying into public areas on the Sabbath.
(See related story).
Another step is to adapt certain hos-
pital elevators, doors and bathrooms for
Shabbat use. And a better kosher food ser-
vice, including its availability for visitors
who use the cafeteria, is in place.
A small library with prayer books and
more Jewish volunteers are also proposed.
You don't have to have all the answers,
Freedman assured Providence staff. That's
because rabbis representing Reform,
Conservative and Orthodox beliefs will
make regularly scheduled rounds and a
telephone number and e-mail address for
staff or patient questions will be posted.
"We want you to have access to profession-
als," he said.
Freedman introduced Orthodox Rabbi
Hershel Klainberg, director of pastoral
care at several local nursing homes, who
will provide ritual services and holiday
celebrations for patients; Conservative
Rabbi David Nelson, rabbi emeritus,
Congregation Beth Shalom, Oak Park;
Reform Rabbi Jennifer Tisdale, Temple
Israel, West Bloomfield; and Orthodox
Rabbi Joseph Hirsch, a retired Detroit
Public Schools administrator who has
been a volunteer chaplain at Providence
Providence on page 32
July 26 • 2007
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