|
What is Ohr Ami?
Ohr Ami is a Hebrew phrase meaning "Light of My People". It is the name
of The Jewish Hospice Program, the first Hospice program in San Diego
County specifically dedicated to the needs and concerns of the
Jewish community.
Where is Ohr Ami?
Hospice is not a place but a concept of care. Ohr Ami provides Hospice care
wherever the patient resides -- at home, in a skilled nursing facility, hospital
or other healthcare facility. Ohr Ami does not have its own Hospice building.
What is the mission of Ohr Ami?
Ohr Ami strives to be a living embodiment of the Jewish value of hesed
(loving-kindness). Hospice staff exemplify this value and the services they
render provide a continuous stream of acts of hesed to their patients and
families. Providing comfort, dignity and peace of mind is both our mission
and our passion. Our commitment is to bring to patients and their loved
ones physical, emotional and spiritual support, all within a Jewish context.
Ohr Ami is accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice.
Is Hospice really a Jewish concept?
It is true that the word "Hospice" stems from the Latin word "hospitium"
meaning guest house and was originally used to describe a place of shelter
for weary and sick travelers returning from Christian pilgrimages. During the
1960's, Dame Cicely Saunders, a British physician began the modern Hospice
movement by establishing a Christian Hospice, St. Christopher's Hospice, near
London. However the philosophy of Hospice is in consonance with basic Jewish
values, including the recognition of the Divine image in each human being and
the sacred responsibilities involved in caring for one who is critically ill.
Doesn't Hospice contradict the Jewish emphasis on
preserving life?
No, it does not. Hospice is devoted to caring for terminally ill individuals whose
life expectancy has been measured in months rather than years and for whom
cure is no longer a realistic expectation. Under Hospice care, the desired goals
are to maximize patient comfort and improve the quality of life. Ohr Ami affirms
the Jewish imperative u'va'harta ba'hayyim, "choose life". By helping to assure
that a patient is kept as comfortable and pain-free as possible, by assisting the
patient and family to attend to end-of-life issues and by maximizing the
quality of their time together, Ohr Ami honors the mandate to cherish
life and live every day to its fullest.
What is unique about Ohr Ami?
Ohr Ami staff members have all been educated in the religious traditions,
culture and history of Judaism and the Jewish people. They are aware of
the rhythm of Jewish life that may affect their Jewish clients and families,
including the Jewish holiday cycle and the significance of Jewish life cycle
events. Families who keep kosher can rest assured that Ohr Ami staff and
volunteers will be familiar with, and sensitive to, their dietary needs. All
Ohr Ami personnel have been familiarized with Jewish laws and customs
related to end-of-life procedures as well as Jewish funeral and
mourning practices.
Spiritual care and guidance are available to the patient and/or family from
a rabbi. Whereas all Hospices have chaplains, who usually are not Jewish
yet offer spiritual support to Jews and non-Jews alike, the chaplain for
Ohr Ami Hospice will always be a rabbi. The Ohr Ami rabbi offers spiritual
counseling, is a resource for information regarding Jewish rituals and
traditions and provides assistance in dealing with end-of-life concerns
within a Jewish context. Ohr Ami's Rabbinic Director oversees all the
specifically Jewish aspects of the Program.
All members of the Ohr Ami care team are familiar with, appreciative of,
and sensitive to, the diversity of Jewish expression within the community.
They understand that the spectrum of Jewish life is such that their Jewish
clients may range from very religiously observant to those who would
identify themselves as secular. While some Jewish families may choose
Ohr Ami Hospice to assure that Jewish traditions will be understood
and followed, others may simply prefer that their Hospice have a
Jewish
context. In any case, the team always respects and addresses the specific
spiritual and comfort care needs of each individual.
The bereavement program for Ohr Ami families has unique aspects which
recognize and address the specific ways in which Jewish tradition might
impact the grieving process.
What if I already have my own rabbi?
The Ohr Ami rabbi does not take the place of a person's synagogue rabbi.
In fact, with a patient's permission, the Ohr Ami rabbi will be in contact with
the congregational rabbi so that both can be of maximum support to the
patient and family. The Ohr Ami staff values the role of the family rabbi
and will always view the family rabbi as the leader in providing spiritual
support when that is the wish of the patient and/or family. After death
takes place, Ohr Ami urges the family to turn to their family rabbi for
funeral officiation and for guidance through the period of mourning.
Does Ohr Ami want volunteers?
Absolutely! Ohr Ami offers members of the Jewish community the
opportunity
to fulfill the mitzvah of bikkur holim (visiting the sick). For further information
contact the Director of Volunteer Services at 858-458-3602. Ohr Ami welcomes
the opportunity to coordinate with congregational groups in providing support
to patients and families who are affiliated with a particular synagogue.
Who sponsors Ohr Ami?
Ohr Ami, The Jewish Hospice Program, is a freestanding project of LightBridge
Hospice. LightBridge Hospice is accredited by The Joint Commission.
Is Ohr Ami connected to Jewish community organizations?
Ohr Ami was developed in collaboration with Seacrest Village Retirement
Communities, Jewish Family Service of San Diego and the United Jewish
Federation of San Diego County. It is the Hospice of choice of Seacrest
Village Retirement Communities.
How can I make a contribution to Ohr Ami?
Ohr Ami accepts donations via a non-profit foundation that LightBridge
Hospice has established through the Jewish Community Foundation.
Donations to Ohr Ami made through this non-profit foundation are
tax-deductible and are exclusively used to benefit the Jewish community
of San Diego County.
Tax-deductible donations can be made by check payable to the
JEWISH COMMUNITY FOUNDATION with a note designating it for
THE SAN DIEGO JEWISH Hospice PROGRAM FUND.
Contributions should be mailed to:
The Jewish Hospice Program
5280 Carroll Canyon Road, Suite 310, San Diego, CA. 92121
How can I get further information about Ohr Ami?
Contact Executive Director Pamela Hough or
Rabbinic Director Rabbi Ralph Dalin at 858-458-3602
|
