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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter, Community Chaplain
Twenty-Five Year Review of my Chaplaincy Service
Kindling Lights and Lives of Local Jewish Seniors
I often found myself strolling through the corridors of Lutheran, Evangelical, Baptist, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Armenian care facilities – searching for a Jewish senior. I feel humbled when discovering those lone Jewish souls nestled amongst many other nations and languages.
A mezuzah affixed in Milford; shofar blown in Mt. Clemens; tefillin donned in Westland; prayers recited in Trenton; Chanukah entertainment in Howell; live Jewish music performed in Southfield; Oneg Shabbat enjoyed in Livonia; electric Shabbat lights lit in Northville; revealing a long forgotten Jewish name in Auburn Hills; celebrating a 100th birthday in Pontiac; end-of-life prayers recited in New Baltimore; support for a family in Port Huron; shabbat kit delivered in Chelsea Township; Bar Mitzvah for a 90 year old in Rochester Hills; a reflection newsletter left at a bedside in Shelby Township.
Geographic distance and lack of affiliation with anything Jewish never deterred the JSL chaplaincy program from including these residents in our outreach. In fact, it further supports our passion to go out and serve. Yaakov, a 96-year-old Russian speaking resident, would peak through the front window of his nursing care facility every Friday afternoon, and eagerly await my entrance. His words in Yiddish as I arrived were, “I wait for you like I wait for the Messiah!”
I realize that there are a variety of professionals who do similar work in skilled nursing care settings: Psychologists, therapists, counselors, and social workers —all of whom attempt to connect with the resident on an emotional level. I believe that the service of the chaplain and Rabbi is unique, offering solace, comfort, hope and courage culled from our vast and rich Torah heritage, traditional stories and Rabbinic insights.
It is not enough for the chaplain to merely be an empathic listener. The chaplain must discern where he can gently apply an instructive, comforting, or illuminating inspiration gleaned from our tradition.
Realizing that in the field of chaplaincy, it is the listening skills that are paramount, I have often been asked by residents and their families to offer words of wisdom and courage to help them cope with a dire situation. Toward the end of their lives, a majority of people discover the value and contribution that their faith and traditions offer.
Thousands of encounters with older adults have reaffirmed my already established belief that all encounters are from heaven. These encounters are meant to be learning experiences, and to offer insight whenever possible. These encounters may be witnessed in the many stories, homiletics and in the power of the Hebrew language. I believe this was my task at the time – to teach, inspire and guide residents to believe that everything is rooted in higher worlds.
For comments, remarks or questions, please contact Rabbi Polter directly.
248-592-5039 / dpolter@jslmi.org
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Rabbi Dovid S. Polter Jewish Community Chaplaincy Program
Jewish Senior Life 248-592-5039 • dpolter@jslmi.org
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