About Us - We believe that no Jew should face illness alone.

Rabbi E.B. "Bunny" Freedman, Executive Director
bfreedman@jewishhospice.org

Rabbi Bunny Freedman is the Founding Director of Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network. He received Rabbinic Ordination (Doctorate of Divinity) from Beth Medrash Govoha in 1974. In 1991, Rabbi Freedman created the Jewish Hospice Services Program for Hospice of Michigan. He was then recruited by members of the community to organize the Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network. Rabbi Freedman is currently the Executive Director of JHCN focusing on community relations, fundraising and staff development. Rabbi Freedman is also a spiritual caregiver at Hospice of Michigan and at Beaumont Hospice.

Barbara Haddad, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., Program Director
bhaddad@jewishhospice.org

Barb Haddad has been an integral part of the JHCN staff since its inception. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Oakland University and a Master of Arts in Social Work from University of Michigan. Barbara has many years of experience working in medical and psychiatric settings and has been working in the hospice field for over 15 years. She has gained an appreciation for the all encompassing care that hospice provides for patients and their families during the end of life. Barbara is the director of Lifelinks, a program of Jewish Hospice and Chaplaincy Network and Jewish Family Service, that connects patients and their families to a myriad of local resources in the Jewish community.

Rabbi Irving Schnipper, Chaplain

Rabbi A. Irving Schnipper has been a chaplain at JHCN for the past five years. He received his Rabbinic Ordination and was the pulpit rabbi at Beth Moses / Beth Am from 1962 - 1996. Rabbi Schnipper first became involved in hospice when a member of his congregation was in need of end of life care. In 2004, Rabbi Schnipper joined the JHCN staff full time providing spiritual care to hospice patients and their families. Rabbi Schnipper became part of the Jewish Home and Aging Services Chaplaincy program in 1996.

Cheryl Weiss, Director of Special Projects & Education
cweiss@jfsdetroit.org

Cheryl Weiss was a hospice volunteer for ten years prior to becoming JHCN's Coordinator of Special Events and Education. Her responsibilities include coordinating conferences and fundraising. Cheryl's involvement with hospice began when her husband was a hospice patient in 1997. Cheryl is a former Detroit Public School teacher and is on the Board of Trustees of St. John Hospice and Home Care. Cheryl has a B.S. in Education and an M.A. in Educational Leadership, both from Wayne State University.

Michael Walch, M.S.W., Program Director, Shalom Providence
mwalch@jewishhospice.org

Following a 25-year career in law enforcement, Michael Walch entered the field of social work in 2000. He holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice, a M.S. in Administration, a Master of Social Work degree, and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy. Michael has experience as an oncology social worker, a hospice social worker, and a clinical social worker specializing in grief and loss. He has serves on the Mercy Hospice Advisory Committee, the Oakland County Medical Reserve Team, and is a facilitator of religious services during shiva for Temple Israel. He holds positions with JHCN as the Director of Palliative Care Services and Director of Shalom Providence, a community liaison initiative.

Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny, Chaplain
jkaluzny@temple-israel.org

Rabbi Jennifer Kaluzny joined the JHCN staff in 2001. She received her B.A. in Judaic Studies from the University of Michigan, her M.A. in Hebrew Letters and her Rabbinic Ordination from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. After a personal experience with hospice prior to the death of her beloved aunt, Rabbi Kaluzny made the decision to make pastoral care and end of life care a central part of her rabbinate. As a hospice rabbi she provides spiritual guidance for patients and their families, assists with medical issues as they pertain to Jewish tradition, and provides a comforting presence for patients and caregivers alike. Rabbi Kaluzny is also a pulpit rabbi at Temple Israel of West Bloomfield, Michigan.

Rabbi David Nelson, Chaplain
info@jewishhospice.org

Rabbi David Nelson joined the JHCN staff in 2006 after retiring from his pulpit position at Beth Shalom Synagogue in Oak Park. He received his Rabbinic Ordination from Jewish Theological Seminary in 1967. Rabbi Nelson became involved in hospice care because he felt that one of the most satisfying parts of his rabbinate was the mitzvah of Bikkur Cholim (visiting the sick) and JHCN gave him this opportunity. Rabbi Nelson works closely with Seasons and In-House Hospice providing spiritual care to Jewish patients. Rabbi Nelson also serves on the Executive Clemency Advisory Council to which he was appointed to by Governor Granholm in 2006.

Susan Lazar, Office Manager
slazar@jewishhospice.org

Sue joined the JHCN staff eight years ago and has played a large supporting role in helping expand and improve the JHCN organization. As the office manager she is in charge of bookkeeping, patient intake, phone triage and office administrative needs. She oversees all clerical work and assists in assuring that patients and their families are directed to the appropriate JHCN personnel.

Bashy Zeiler, Development Coordinator
bashyz@comcast.net

Bashy joined the staff of JHCN in 2008 to assist in coordinating new fundraising and educational programs. She has over 15 years experience working with various non-profit organizations. In addition, Bashy is the JHCN website coordinator. She was instrumental in building the JHCN's new website and is responsible for keeping it up to date.

Nathan Shiovitz, Coordinator of Hospice Patient Services
nshiovitz@jewishhospice.org

Nathan has been an integral part of the hospice team since 2000. As our Patient Care Coordinator, Nathan is responsible for patient admissions, crises intervention and care coordination for all JHCN patients. Nathan is extremely dedicated to all our patients and makes himself available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to make sure that anyone who contacts JHCN for help will be assisted immediately.

Rabbi Hershel Klainberg, Chaplain
hklainberg@jewishhospice.org

Rabbi Hershel Klainberg has been working in hospice care since 1995 when he started chaplaincy work at Danto Healthcare Center. He joined the JHCN staff in 2000. As a child of Holocaust survivors, Rabbi Klainberg feels a special connection when caring for the elderly especially to those that are survivors. Rabbi Klainberg works as a chaplain for Danto Healthcare and Beaumont Hospice. In addition, he also serves as Hospital Spiritual Director for Shalom Providence. Rabbi Klainberg holds a Masters degree in Jewish Law and History, as well as a certificate in Pastoral Care.

Rabbi Avie Shapiro, Director of Pastoral Care
ashapiro@jewishhospice.org

Rabbi Avie Shapiro received his BA in Jewish Studies from Yeshiva University in 1970 and his Teaching Certificate in Torah Studies in 1972. Rabbi Shapiro began working with the elderly when he joined the staff of Jewish Home and Aging Services in 1988. He provided spiritual care to many patients at end of life, which led to his involvement at JHCN. In addition to Rabbi Shapiro's hospice work, he is also the Religious Director at The Fleishman Residence in West Bloomfield.

Lindsay Leder, LMSW, MPA, Director of Volunteer Services
lleder@jfsdetroit.org

Lindsay Leder received her Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work. During her masters program she came to Jewish Family Service as an intern with the volunteer service department and the Mentor Connection program. After finishing her degree Lindsay remained on staff with Mentor Connection program where she worked for four years. During that time, she received an additional Master's degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management. Lindsay is currently the Director of Volunteer Services for JFS and works together with the staff at JHCN to coordinate volunteer services.