For Immediate Release: February 4, 2004
Bet Havarim's March Shabbat Worship service will be held on Friday evening, March 19th at St. David's Episcopal Church on Jamar Drive in Dewitt. Services begin at 7:30 p.m., followed by an Oneg Shabbat reception.
Guest speaker at the service will be Peter Sarver, Chief Executive Officer of Hospice of Central New York. "Mr. Sarver’s topic will focus on 'Barriers to Hospice Care: How Transitions Trip Us Up,'" according to Mel Shindler, Bet Havarim's Shabbat committee chairman. "We are indeed fortunate to be able to welcome Peter Sarver to Bet Havarim, for all of us at one time or another, in one way or another have been touched by Hospice and the care they provide whether it involved one of our family members, a friend or acquaintance or a co-worker," said Shindler, "and the transition from restorative to palliative care is indeed a major focus for many in our society."
Hospice is medically-supervised team-based interdisciplinary care provided to terminally ill patients and their families primarily in their residences. In addition, care may be provided in alternative settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, homes for the dying, and supportive housing for elderly and for persons living with HIV/AIDS.
Peter Sarver, associated with Hospice of Central New York since 1979, currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and is charged with overall management and planning of this $7 million agency and its 110 employees and hundreds of volunteers, as well as participating directly in an extensive education program for the community, volunteers and professionals.
Another guest at Bet Havarim's March 19th Shabbat service will be singer/soloist Michelle Rubel of Syracuse University's College of Visual and Performing Arts, where she is currently enrolled as a voice major student. "Michelle will be joining Jodi Benjaminson, chairwoman of Bet Havarim's Program & Music Committee, in the singing and chanting of our prayers," said Shindler, adding, "Michelle comes to Bet Havarim from a background in the Reform movement and, in addition, currently leads Shabbat Worship Services for Hillel at Syracuse University. While the participatory nature of our services both singing and in prayer will not change, we know that Michelle's participation will only serve to increase the experience of spirituality of those attending our Worship Services."
The public is cordially invited to Bet Havarim's Shabbat Worship services, which are held at St. David's Episcopal Church in Dewitt, on Jamar Drive, just off Maple Drive. (At the intersection of East Genesee St. and Maple Drive, across from Wegman's in Dewitt, follow Maple Drive and take the third right turn on Jamar Drive.) St. David's has ample parking and is handicapped accessible.
For information on March's service as well as Bet Havarim, schedule of services, D'vrei Torah, etc, visit Bet Havarim's website at www.BetHavarimSyr.org, email Info@BetHavarimSyr.org, or phone Marty Morganstein at 637-5390 or Mel Shindler at 478-6856.