Jewish Healing Program

The Jewish Healing Program of JFCS Sarasota-Manatee is dedicated to offering support, comfort and hope through Jewish traditions, rituals and wisdom in assisting people who are experiencing life challenges, such as illness, isolation, spiritual crisis, loss, grief and dying, while also providing community outreach education and prevention.

Program services are community based throughout Sarasota and Manatee and are accomplished through the dedication of numerous compassionate volunteers. This program is a community collaboration between JFCS and the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation. Funding is obtained in part through the generosity the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation, our JFCS donors and individuals using the services of the program.

Other collaborations include:

• Chaplaincy services in six hospitals
• Sarasota Memorial Cancer Care Services
• The Wellness Center
• TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care
• The Women’s Resource Center
• The National Center for Jewish Healing in New York City
• The Shira Ruskay Institute in New York City
• The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Chaplaincy
• Desoto Correctional Institution
• The Sarasota Ministerial Association
• The Grief, Loss and End of Life Coalition
• 22 Senior Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities with Jewish residents
• Area Temples and Jewish Organizations

Program Components and Services:

• Bikkur Cholim – Trained Para-Chaplain Volunteers provide Jewish connection to individuals through offering of spiritual support, comfort and hope in hospitals, senior residences, and in their homes.

• Bereavement Services – Licensed staff and volunteers offer a variety of support groups, as well as individual, couple and family bereavement therapy.

• Jewish Observances - Shabbat, High Holy Day and Jewish Festivals are celebrated in assisted and skilled nursing facilities by committed volunteers, providing the Jewish connection to those who are no longer able to attend services.

• Doula Services - Specially trained volunteers are matched in a one-to-one relationship with Care Recipients to accompany them and their families during illness, advanced aging and the end of life transition, offering companionship, support, practical assistance and advocacy.

• Prison Ministry – Weekly Torah study, spiritual guidance, Shabbat and holiday services are offered to Jewish inmates in Desoto Correctional Institution; comfort, support and spiritual guidance is available to Sarasota County inmates as needed.

• Grace Rosen Magill Jewish Healing Resource and Lending Library – Books, videos and resource pamphlets for inspiration, support and training are available through the library.  Inspirational speakers are annually featured through the Grace Rosen Magill Lecture Series.

• Community Collaboration and Outreach – The Healing Program works with local Jewish institutions and Rabbis to provide support, volunteer training, spiritual groups and other programs as needed in their congregations.  Educational and prevention programs regarding Jewish life, traditions and rituals are offered throughout the community to increase Jewish awareness and cultural sensitivity.

• Resource and Referral – Knowledgeable staff offer information and connection regarding Jewish community resources, especially to those who are new to the community or unaffiliated with other Jewish organizations.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

There are many opportunities for volunteering within each component of the JFCS Healing Program.  As trained representatives of JFCS, volunteers are the backbone of the Jewish Healing Program, providing Jewish connection, comfort, hope and support to people who are experiencing life’s challenges.  Through identifying their passion, volunteers choose an area of commitment and always state that they receive more than they give, truly a mitzvah for all.

Links:

www.ncjh.org (National Center for Jewish Healing)

www.shiraruskay.org/doula.html (Shira Ruskay Institute, Doula to Accompany and Comfort)

Prison Ministry was featured in the Sarasota Herald Tribune article titled “Rabbi tends to his flock – in prison” (K. Dale. June 24, 2007)

Doula Services was featured in the Sarasota Herald Tribune article titled “Doulas are a godsend to ailing, aged” (C. Kane, September 14, 2007)

JEWISH HEALING SUCCESS STORIES

1. Prison Ministry with Rabbi Ari Shapiro, Desoto Correctional Institution:

More than 20 prisoners are gathering for weekly Torah study and Kabalat Shabbat Services.  Success there is measured in terms of listening to each other, sharing openly, having a positive attitude and demeanor which extends beyond the Friday sessions.  When the Rabbi asks what they are getting out of the time together, they tell him, “We are learning Jewish history, Jewish alphabet, Torah, ethics and songs.”  “We share opinions, listen to each other, and learn that there is more than one explanation of text.”  “We have a joyous Jewish service which we would not normally have.”  These men are experiencing themselves differently because of this wonderful mitzvah and the administration is noticing changes in their attitude and demeanor throughout their daily interactions at the facility – surely a powerful measure of success!

A sixteen year old female inmate at the Desoto Juvenile Correctional Facility asked to see Rabbi Shapiro when she heard there was a Rabbi at the adult male facility.  She asked him if he would work with her toward her Bat Mitzvah which was interrupted at age 13 because of her behaviors leading eventually to her incarceration.  She completed her studies and had her Bat Mitzvah while still incarcerated.  It was one of the most moving ceremonies ever witnessed. She was released in Feb. 2007, is now getting ready to graduate high school and has successfully stayed clean and sober.  Rabbi Shapiro says, “If we’ve helped one more soul onto the right path, then it is all worthwhile.”

2. A Hurricane Katrina survivor entered the Jewish Healing Program through the hospital visitation program.  She started over from nothing, having been relocated to Sarasota by FEMA after loosing 8 family members and possessing only the clothes she wore.  With JFCS and the Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation’s assistance she has an apartment, has stable employment, has received medical assistance and is now able to meet her own basic needs.  She states, “You’ve given me back my hope.”  “I still need help with the healing process, but I’ve come a long way.”  She is an amazing woman of strong Jewish faith.

3. Bereavement Group Success:

Often we think of women being the ones to initiate counseling and access support groups.  However, many men have joined and benefited from our bereavement support group.  One such man, in his early 60’s, lost his second wife and didn’t know where to turn.  He was feeling isolated, lonely and severely bereft.  He had no family here in Sarasota and lacked friends because, “My wife was all I needed.”   He joined the group, allowed himself to received support from the other men and women, learned about the normal process of grief and allowed himself to feel the pain and talk about it.  Although he still misses his wife, he says, “I’m peaceful with it now and I’m ready to move on to the next phase of my life.”

4.Bikkur Cholim Hospital Visitation:

Almost every week calls come in to the Program Director from Jewish patients in one of the six hospitals where there are trained Jewish Para-Chaplains making visits as part of the Jewish Healing Program.  The calls vary, but the message is always one of gratefulness: “Thank you so much for caring enough to visit, even though you don’t know me.”  “My wife really appreciated talking with your caring and devoted visitors.”  “The Rabbi you sent came and prayed with us before my surgery and all went well.”  “I am not religious, but having a Jewish visitor meant the world to me when I felt so alone.”  Even one brief contact can mean so much when it is offered with loving kindness.

5.Doula Services:

Doula volunteers have long provided emotional and physical support to women in labor. A new type of Doula has emerged to companion with and assist people as they approach the end of their lives.  This is what one 96 year old woman says about her volunteer, “She is an angel who I don’t know how I lived without. She does things for me that she doesn't have to do. For one, she knows I'm a chocoholic. She brings me chocolate.”  This woman is unable to walk or see, but her mind is excellent, and she loves life, her family, fine foods and good company.  This Doula and Care-Recipient agree, “We were bonded from the minute we met.” Great care is taken to match the trained volunteers with the Care-Recipient who is right for them.  This one seems to be a match made in heaven.

For additional information, please call Dale Block, Director of the Jewish Healing Program, at 366-2224.