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April 2, 2004/Nisan 11 5764, Vol. 56, No. 28
Hospice addresses needs of faith-based community
BARRY COHEN
Editor
To better serve the needs of both the local Jewish and non-Jewish communities, Hospice of the Valley has hired Rachel Pitt as the new faith community outreach coordinator.
"I will help offer last-stage life services that are sensitive to Jewish needs and traditions," said Pitt, who is Jewish.
Hospice is making greater efforts to reach out to the Valley's faith-based community, said Susan Levine, hospice executive director. Hospice receives many referrals from the Jewish community but needs to do a better job and reaching out to them, she said.
"Rachel came along ... and was a beam of light and had all the right talents and background," said Levine.
Before joining the hospice staff, Pitt worked in San Diego at the Jewish Healing Center, in association with Jewish Family Services of San Diego and the United Jewish Federation of San Diego. The Jewish Healing Center served both the affiliated and non-affiliated with end of life and bereavement issues, said Pitt.
Pitt, who also has a master's degree in social work, said she'll be able to transfer these experiences to hospice.
In addition to serving hospice, Pitt will do clinical work at Kivel Campus of Care, providing medical and social work services to patients and their families, she noted.
To help identify the needs of the Jewish community, hospice will organize two community forums in mid-June, one for rabbis and one for lay leaders, said Pitt. Registration is required.
Another member of the Jewish community who served hospice was Rabbi Zev Wellins, but he is no longer on the chaplaincy staff, said Pitt.
To contact Pitt or to find out more about the community forums, call 602-530-6900.
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