The JCFS Chicago Jewish Chaplaincy program is expanding its services to include two area hospices and Misericordia, while also growing its Russian-speaking Jewish Chaplaincy program. 

“I’m delighted that we’re growing the program,” said Rabbi Dr. Joseph S. Ozarowski, D. Min., BCC (Rabbi Joe), Rabbinic Counselor and Chaplain. “We’re hoping to help a lot of people, and we do it all through a Jewish lens.”

JCFS is now partnering with LifeChoice Hospice and Palliative Care, as well as Unity Hospice and Palliative Care. 

“If either LifeChoice or Unity requests a Jewish chaplain, then they come to us and we can provide the service,” Rabbi Joe said. “The chaplain offers a wide variety of support to the patient and/or the family depending on what they need and request.”

That can include spiritual conversation, companionship, life review, referrals to other Jewish community and religious resources, and prayer, (especially at the end of life). The chaplain usually visits regularly, and families following the death of their loved one.

Chaplaincy services recently also began supporting Misericordia, a Catholic residential community, which has approximately 40-50 Jewish residents, Rabbi Joe said. Misericordia’s mission is to provide a continuum of care and support for children and adults of all faiths and cultures who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). The chaplaincy team prepared for visits to Misericordia by undergoing training with JCFS Clinical Supervisor of Services for People with Disabilities Tammy Besser and Director of Services for People with Disabilities Allison Rodenhouse, who taught them more about interacting with individuals with IDD. They also received training on Jewish topics from Rabbi Shalom Ozarowski in Israel who has a master’s degree in special education and is Rabbi Joe’s son. 

Rabbi Paul Saiger’s first visit to Misericordia was in March. Current plans are for him to visit twice a month to provide Torah study and Jewish song leading. With additional funding, staff will build on this successful pilot program in the coming year by expanding chaplaincy support to more individuals with I/DD.

The Russian language Jewish Chaplaincy program is also growing, with Russian-speaking Chaplain Rabbi Dr. Pinchas Zusis visiting Warren Barr Lieberman in Skokie twice a month and providing services at Forever Young Adult Daycare in Wheeling. He also recently moderated an open meeting with a distinguished Russian-speaking panel to address and answer questions about addiction. Additionally, Rabbi Zusis has offered Russian language programs and support to CJE’s Holocaust Community Services, CJE’s residences, and the Ezra Multi-Service Center. 

“We’re very grateful that we have the ability to offer spiritual support in so many ways  to the Jewish community,” Rabbi Joe said.