Testimonials & Hospice Stories

Hospice Stories

Our Promise to Orna

When you see Orna smile, you don't notice the chair she's in. You forget about the multiple sclerosis that robs her of the ability to stand or answer the phone or simply feed herself. Instead, what you see is a happy, inspiring individual determined to live a Jewish life and not be trapped by her diagnosis. "Orna has decided to explore her spirituality and connect with her Jewish heritage," says Rabbi Hershel Klainberg. The Jewish Hospice & Chaplaincy Network chaplain visits weekly to help Orna find meaning in her Jewish roots. And Nathan Shiovitz, JHCN's Patient Care Coordinator, counsels Orna and acts as her "lifeline" to get things done. "Before Rabbi Klainberg and Nathan, my faith was lost," Orna says. "I now feel very fortunate to have G-d back in my life."

Orna always celebrates Shabbat with dinner, as a host or as a guest with family and friends. She finds new meaning in inspirational stories read to her by Rabbi Klainberg and is committed to Torah study in preparation for her Bat Mitzvah. Orna also looks forward to celebrating her daughter's wedding next year, along with a visit from her aunt from Israel.

Orna describes the influence of Nathan and Rabbi Klainberg as life-sustaining. "I had buried my faith and kept asking Why has G-d abondoned me? Why am I being punished with this MS,'" she says. "I had resigned myself to expiring in the near future and had accepted my demise. But now that Nathan and Rabbi Klainberg are in my life, I want to keep going."

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