DEDICATION OF NEW YORK STATE'S FIRST RESIDENTIAL JEWISH HOSPICE

The Mollie and Jack Zicklin Jewish Hospice Residence in Riverdale, NY, opened on February 8, 2005. The Jewish Communal Fund, through our Special Gifts Fund, contributed $500,000 to the residential hospice, believed to be the first of its kind in the nation.

The hospice is named in loving memory of the parents of Larry Zicklin and Rita Zicklin Peligal, whose generous gift helped make the facility a reality. Larry, the former president of JCF, became sensitized to the end-of-life care issue after his mother received hospice care at home. “Rita and I did this because it had to done. How you treat people at that point in their lives defines you as a society. Through these important efforts, people can be proud of us as a community,” said Larry.

The 7,600 square-foot space includes 17 apartment-style suites, a kosher kitchen on premises, chapel, meditative room, staff lounge and conference room, family lounge, dining room/library and laundry/utility room. Patients receive 24-hour medical, nursing, and social worker attention, the company of well-trained Jewish volunteers, rabbinic pastoral care, and the opportunity to savor and find meaning in life for as long as possible. Artwork throughout the hospice - spiritual paintings and ritual objects – was created by renowned Jewish artist Tobi Kahn as part of the healing environment.

Please click on the pictures to view full size photographs.

On the left: Plaque for the Jewish Communal Fund Center for Jewish Life and Spirituality. Right: Rita Zicklin Peligal cutting the ribbon with, from left, her husband Eli; her brother Larry Zicklin and his wife Carol; and John S. Ruskay, executive vice president and CEO of UJA-Federation of New York.

Both photos were taken by Jack Miller.

The Jewish Communal Fund Center for Jewish Life and Spirituality

For Jews whose entire lives have been shaped by their heritage, the need to continue living within a Jewish framework until the last possible moment is very strong, as is their desire that Jewish law and tradition guide the care that will be taken of them before and after death.

Just as the Mollie and Jack Zicklin Jewish Hospice Residence will offer kosher food and Shabbat elevators, The Jewish Communal Fund Center for Jewish Life and Spirituality at the Residence will enable patients to continue their lives in a framework that they feel is authentically Jewish, and that meets their spiritual needs.

This program, as it evolves, will be the prototype for instilling a greater Jewish presence into Jewish-sponsored hospices wherever they may be established.

Jewish Life and Spirituality programming will be conducted by a senior rabbinic chaplain, a Jewish social worker, and at least two rabbinic interns at a time, from Yeshiva University, Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute for Religion, and the Jewish Theological Seminary.

The Jewish Hospice Residence will offer Kabbalat Shabbat, observance of Jewish holidays, and programs with Jewish content – such as storytelling, singing, musical performances, Hebrew and /or Yiddish classes, movies, crafts and art. Programming will reflect the needs and interests of patients representing the full spectrum of Jewish life: Conservative, Reform, Orthodox and Reconstructionist Jews; those identified with Jewish cultural traditions but not affiliated with a synagogue; those who have let go of their Jewish identity; those married to people of a different culture and faith; and Holocaust survivors.

Through The Jewish Communal Fund Center for Jewish Life and Spirituality, the Jewish Hospice Residence is committed to speaking meaningfully to each hospice patient and his or her family in the language of their own Jewish identity.