the mitzvah gram - Chicago Mitzvah Campaign
Transcription
the mitzvah gram - Chicago Mitzvah Campaign
Kislev 5772 December 2011 Volume 2, Issue 4 B”H THE MITZVAH GRAM Partially funded by the Chicago Department of Family and Social Services, Senior Division CMC Chaplaincy and Senior Services Division Hospital visitations Weekly “Shabbos packages” delivered to hospital patients “ S e n i o r Friendship” (home outreach for isolated seniors) Monthly Jewish discussion at dozens of retirement and nursing facilities Subsidized emergency response systems Free kosher guest meals in hospitals Free medicar transportation for the elderly and infirm Delivering shabbos and holiday meals to patients Holiday awareness and celebrations at retirement and nursing homes Patient support and family Telephone reassurance program Promoting traditional Jewish funeral practices Musical rendition Hospice Patients Family Suites” for “Hospi tali ty The Monthly Publication of The Chicago Mitzvah Campaign 1-866-MY-RABBI www.chicagomitzvahcampaign.com New Hospitality Suite Adjacent to Skokie Hospital The Chicago Mitzvah Campaign is spend Shabbos or Jewish holidays as excited to announce that on January 1st close as possible to the hospital. we are opening up a special Already the word has spread “hospitality suite” to serve the Jewish among Chicagoans concerning this patients, family members, and staff of new center, and Skokie Hospital. the feedback The facility will be received by the located just east of CMC has been the hospital overwhelmingly grounds, at 9631 appreciative. Gross Point Road, Physicians and (suite 8 in lower patients alike level) and will have responded include three very positively private rooms and a to this most kitchenette. recent CMC The new CMC hospitality suite adjacent to The new facility project. Skokie hospital, at 9631 Gross Point Road is intended to The new facility provide Jewish patients, family near Skokie hospital is in addition to members, and staff of Skokie Hospital the Philip Coleman hospitality suite with a number of functions and that is adjacent to the University of a m e n i t i e s . K o s h e r f o o d a n d Chicago hospital, and the food and refreshments will be available in the lodging available near Evanston kitchenette at anytime for anyone hospital. spending long hours in the hospital. The CMC is looking to continue The private rooms will be used to expanding in order to provide similar provide sleeping accommodation for hospitality suites in many other patients who need to be in the hospital locati ons as well. For more the next day for an early morning information regarding food and appointment, for out-of-town family hospitality centers near hospitals in the members who have come to be near Chicago metropolitan area, please call their loved one in the hospital, or for the CMC office at 1-866-MY RABBI. local family members who wish to Donation to Facilitate Hospital Patients’ Study and Prayer Jewish tradition places great emphasis on the importance of praying for an ill patient, whether the prayer is said by others or by the patient on his own behalf. Studying Torah and performing mitzvos are also traditional ways of drawing closer to G-d in response to a crisis. But what happens when a patient or family member rushes to hospital in an emergency, and does not have his usual books and other resources available? The CMC is pleased to announce that we have recently distributed a large number of Siddurim, Tehillim and Chumashim to all hospitals that are located in Chicagoland neighborhoods where Jewish populations reside. This donation was made possible by the generous sponsorship of ManagCare Healthcare and Rehabilitation Network, in the memory of Simcha Eliezer David ben Yosef Chaim. The Tzemach Tzedek said: "If one would only know the power of verses in Tehillim, and their effect on high, one would recite them continuously. The verses of Tehillim transcend all barriers and ascend higher and higher, imploring the Master of the Universe until they achieve results of kindness and mercy.” The Siddurim and Chumashim have now joined the sets of Tallit and Tefillin that the CMC distributed to hospitals earlier this year. Patients or family members who wish to pray, study, or use the tallit and/ or tefillin while in hospital may do so by calling the hospital’s chaplain or pastoral care office. …And Special Shabbat Meals Available Too Aside from prayer and study, and as every Jewish mother will tell you, eating a hearty meal of good Jewish food is a critical component of taking care of one’s health! From grape juice and challah and all the way through to dessert, the CMC provides full-course Shabbat and holiday meals to patients in hospital or undergoing treatment in a short-term rehabilitation facility. Nothing expresses the message of caring more than a delicious, specially-prepared meal. And there is no mistaking the fact that when a hospital patient is able to partake of the traditional Shabbat or holiday dishes, it can give him a spiritual boost and a psychological lift, thereby providing him comfort and even aiding in his recovery. sponsoring challah and baked goods for this program, and to Kol Tuv for helping with this important weekly mitzvah. If you know of anyone who can benefit from these delicious catered meals that can be delivered to patients at The CMC extends special bedside, please call the CMC. thanks to Tel Aviv bakery for Notification by Thursday is preferred, but we will send emergency meals on Friday when necessary. In addition, the CMC will help facilitate kosher food for any person receiving rehabilitation at a non-kosher nursing facility. Specializing in Weddings! The CMC’s medicar vans routinely transport patients to medical appointments such as chemotherapy, dialysis, physical therapy, and much more. But enabling a Bubbie, Zeidie, or other elderly or disabled family member to attend a family celebration such as a wedding is something that we always regard as a very special mitzvah opportunity. Recently, Mr. Don Kirshner had the opportunity to benefit from this special transportation service. Because of his very low level of mobility, Mr. Kirshner’s transportation choices are very limited indeed. In fact, he has been in a wheelchair scooter for four years now, and can only use wheelchair-accessible transportation services. So when the wedding plans for Don’s greatnephew were announced, he was determined to make special transportation arrangements in order to be able to attend. One day, a stroke of good fortune had Don sitting outside his residence when one of the CMC’s medicar vans pulled up on the block in order to pick someone up for a scheduled ride. From the details emblazoned on the side of the van Don made a note of the CMC’s phone number, and in no time at all he had a ride scheduled to attend his great-nephew’s wedding in downtown Chicago. “I can’t emphasize enough how convenient and user-friendly the transportation service is,” Don declared. My entire family and I are extremely grateful to the CMC for enabling me to attend our family celebration. It was an amazing gift to be able to participate in the immense joy and happiness that we felt at the wedding. Without the CMC’s medicar van I don’t know how I would have been able to make it to the hotel in downtown Chicago.” Mr. Don Kirshner in his wheelchair, celebrating on the dance floor at his great-nephew’s wedding Chanukah Celebrations Chanukah is around the corner! With less than a month to go until the “festival of lights” begins, the CMC is in full preparation mode for its annual Chanukah volunteer project. As it does every year, the CMC is organizing volunteers to run menorah lightings and holiday programs at scores of retirement homes, nursing facilities, and private residences. and distribute Chanukah packages. Other fun Chanukah activities to share with the residents include spinning the dreidle, relating stories and singing songs. And the residents always love interacting with children, so don’t forget to bring them along! The CMC highly encourages everyone to go out and share the Chanukah holiday spirit of light and joy with those individuals who would otherwise lack this opportunity. To participate in this volunteer effort, call the CMC office at 1866-MY RABBI The volunteers and their families visit with the Jewish residents at these locations, light the menorah We wish a speedy recovery and good health to: Shoshana bas Sara Refoel ben Yehudis Rivka bas Leba Leah bas Chana Rivka bas Sara Faiga bas Tzila Gittel bas Kreindel Yehudit bas Sara Chava Ronya bas Chadvera Yehuda Dovid ben Rochel Sima Refoel Yakov ben Gitel Yitzchok ben Sara Mordechai ben Rachel Baruch Berl ben Liba Leah Aviva bas Sara Yisrael Mazal ben Raizel Miriam Devasha Golda bas Chanah Chana bas Yulia Sheina bas Madeline Tzivia Leeba bas Hoshe Yehudit Rachil bas Hinda Shlomo Zundel ben Chinkel Aidel bas Faige Dov ben Rus Pesa Leah bas Rivka Aharon HaLevi ben Gittel Prayer is Healing Bring “light” to seniors... On Sunday, December 25th and Monday, December 26th, the CMC will be sending volunteers to dozens of nursing homes and other residences to celebrate Chanukah with senior citizens. Volunteer one hour and be part of this great mitzvah! For more information and to sign up, please call 1-866-MY RABBI (1-866-697-2224) v Light the menorah v D istribute CMC’s special gift packages v Sing Chanukah songs v Spin the dreidel v Bring along the children v Rejoice! THE MITZVAH GRAM Monthly Publication of The Chicago Mitzvah Campaign 6241 North Sacramento Avenue, Chicago, IL 60659 1-866-MY-RABBI www.ChicagoMitzvahCampaign.com This newsletter is dedicated in memory of: Benzion ben Yaakov Roshass, Sara bas Yaakov Sommer, Leeba bas Avrohom Heiferman and Binyomin ben Michoel Jacobs.