After a national search, The Chaplaincy has appointed

Jeanne Lee as its new executive vice president and

chief operating officer. Jeanne comes to The

Chaplaincy with more than twenty years of experience

in healthcare administration. For the past eleven years,

she was chief executive officer of the Franciscan

Health System of New York, which was acquired by the

Bon Secours Health System in 2000.

“This is a natural fit for me,” said Jeanne. “My experi-

ence in healthcare administration has shown me the

BeaconNews from The HealthCare Chaplaincy – A Multifaith Center for Pastoral Care, Education & Research

The

SPRING 2004

INSIDE

BeaconT

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Vol.29/No.1 The HealthCare Chaplaincy isthe nation’s largest non-denominational multifaith center for pastoral care, education, and research. TheChaplaincy is one of the mostefficient charities in the country, with more than 80%of its funds going directly toprograms that support its mission. This newsletter is published three times a yearfor friends, supporters, andalumni/ae. Please send addresscorrections and other correspondence to TheHealthCare Chaplaincy.

Managing Editor/Writer: Nicole LaRosaDesign: Envy DesignPhotography: Brian Kim, Grant LeDuc

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8 The Beacon Spring 2004

An estimated ten percent of the Jewish population is

affected by chemical dependency and alcoholism. Yet many

rabbis receive no formal training in how to address these

potentially devastating issues in their congregations.

The HealthCare Chaplaincy’s Jewish Institute for Pastoral

Care (JIPC) addressed this need in a Kallah entitled Is Therean Addict in Your Shul? Substance Abuse and Mental Health: aJewish Response. This intensive study program was presented in

conjunction with JACS (Jewish Alcoholics, Chemically-depend-

ent persons, and Significant Others), a volunteer organization

that helps chemically-dependent persons and their loved ones

explore recovery in a nurturing Jewish environment. The

week-long program offered congregational rabbis and cantors

the opportunity to visit substance abuse agencies, participate in

C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 8

6Community-Based

CPE at The Riverside Church

4Interview withRabbi AbrahamTwerski, M.D.

STUDY PROGRAM OFFERS HANDS-ON LEARNING TOJEWISH CLERGY AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

C O N T I N U E D O N P A G E 4

value of spiritual care and how it enhances the healing

process.” Jeanne looks forward to taking the operational

practices she’s learned over the years and applying them to a

new organization. “I believe so strongly in The Chaplaincy’s

work—I feel this is part of God’s plan.”

Jeanne’s experience with the pastoral care department of

the Franciscan Health System of New York made clear to her

the important role chaplains play for patients, families, and

staff members. “Spiritual care adds an additional dimension

to the quality of care provided by a healthcare facility, and

distinguishes a mediocre organization from a superb organi-

zation,” she said.

Jeanne has held executive leadership positions in several

New York healthcare institutions, including the Chinatown

Health Clinic, Metropolitan Hospital Center, and the Frances

Schervier Home and Hospital. She has also served as

member and chair of the New York State Board of

Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators and is a licensed

nursing home administrator in New York and New Jersey.

“The Chaplaincy is fortunate to welcome Jeanne to this

position of executive leadership at a time when the entire

organization is energetically engaged in planning its future

mission and works,” said the Rev. Dr. Walter J. Smith, S.J.,

The Chaplaincy’s CEO.

Born in Washington D.C. to parents who emigrated form

the Guangzhou region of China, Jeanne earned a BS in

Medical Technology and a MA in Health Services

Administration at George Washington University. Her

husband, James Lee, is a lawyer and the pro bono legal

counsel to the their church. The couple has a seven-year-

old daughter, Morgan. Raised as a Baptist, Jeanne is now an

active Episcopalian.

“Spirituality has always been part of my personal and profes-

sional journey,” Jeanne said. “This is a perfect way for me to

continue that journey.” She looks forward to getting to know

the organization and its many constituents, and to “putting

some meat” on the operational vision set forth in The

Chaplaincy’s new strategic plan. “The Chaplaincy is a won-

derful organization,” she said. “I look forward to supporting

the growth of its mission and vision.” ■

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

Chaplaincy Names New Executive VP and COO

Seasoned Healthcare AdministratorNamed Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The HealthCare Chaplaincy

Substance Abuse and Mental Health

Rabbi Sheldon Zimmerman presents “The Rabbi as Counselor – Torah based 12 steps” at the Kallah’s substance abuse training session.

3 The Beacon Spring 2004

mother. But she madetime for this importantvolunteer ministry, andnothing preempted hercommitment on Mondayand Wednesday evenings.“It’s very important,” shesaid, “for patients to knowthat there’s someonebesides the healthcarestaff who cares aboutthem. It brings reaffirmation that God loves them and will neverdesert them.” Anne readily acknowledges that her own faith isstrengthened by her volunteer work, and her volunteer work isempowered by her faith.

what was happening. We all knew my mother was dying,” he said, “but having Sarah around reminded us that she wasgoing to a better place.” Alex recalls several occasions wherehis mother willfully refused to discuss feeding tubes and othertreatment decisions with the doctors or her family. “Then wewould call Sarah. She and my mother would talk quietly, andmy mother would make her decision. It was amazing.”

It is no wonder, then, that Judith wanted to share with theworld how much Chaplain Fogg had helped her. When The

Wall Street Journal article was published, she got as manycopies as she could. “She was very proud,” said Alex. “Sheshowed all her friends. She was so pleased that she couldhelp Sarah in some way.”

Judith lost her battle with breast cancer on January 21, 2004.Alex and his family were surprised and very moved to seeSarah at Judith’s funeral mass. “You could see that it wasn’tjust a job to her—she really cared about my mother,” he said.

On March 9th, Alex wrote a letter to Lawrence Hospital’sadministration in recognition of Chaplain Fogg’s ministry tohis mother and the family. “My mom was scared of dying,” hewrote. “You could see the fear on her face. When she real-ized her time was near, she summoned Sarah and they prayedtogether, and suddenly my mom was smiling. To put a smileon the face of a terminally ill patient? That’s why I call Sarahan angel.” ■

Judith Caraluzzo with her son Alex and Chaplain Fogg at her side.

Pastoral Volunteer Anne Connor visits with apatient at Lenox Hill Hospital.

You can understand The Chaplaincy’s pride when Anne wasrecently honored at the Waldorf=Astoria by the UnitedHospital Fund with its 2004 Hospital Auxillian andVolunteer Achievement Award. True to her character,Anne downplayed this public recognition of her extraordinary service, but she rejoiced that pastoral carewas appropriately highlighted by this honor. We thank and bless Anne Connor and other skilled and compassion-ate volunteers like her who ‘work the perennial miracle of this world.’

Walter J. Smith, S.J.President & CEO

Each spring, the peren-nial plantings and flow-ering trees on The

Chaplaincy’s terrace sprout anew.As the days grow longer and theair on Second Avenue is sweet-ened by their blossoms, we all

experience a sense of renewal, greeting the miracleof the world with vigor and hope. But our staffwould not have this welcome delight if someone didnot first plant and nurture those trees and flowers.

The HealthCare Chaplaincy is fortunate to have itsshare of seed sowers and planters. Many dedicatedteachers, caregivers, and supporters have tended thisunique garden since 1961, but few have toiled aslong and as generously as Anne S. Connor, pastoralcare volunteer at Lenox Hill Hospital, one of TheChaplaincy’s original partner institutions. Unlikeperennial flowers, Anne has never been dormant.For thirty-two years, she has devotedly visited patientseach week, through every season— first on Mondaynights, and then, when they needed her more often,on Wednesday nights as well. Anne is a welcome pres-ence on the surgical, cardiac, and orthopedic floors,

talking with patients, sometimes offering prayer, andalways—and she is unwavering about this— blessingeach patient before she leaves.

Like many dedicated caregivers, it’s clear that Annefeels a calling to her volunteer lay ministry and herwork at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church, one ofthe original churches that helped establish TheHealthCare Chaplaincy forty-three years ago. TheChaplaincy helped to prepare Anne many years agofor her volunteer pastoral ministry. “We were trainedextraordinarily well,” Anne recalls.

Make no mistake; Anne did not have a lot of freetime on her hands. In addition to being a deacon,elder, and trustee of her church, she worked success-fully as a trade show and seminar producer, wife, and

When Chaplain Sarah Fogg, director of pastoral care atLawrence Hospital Center, received a request from The WallStreet Journal for a patient to interview about pastoral care, sheknew just the person to call. Within twenty minutes, thereporter was speaking to Judith Caraluzzo.

Judith told the reporter how Chaplain Fogg had ministered toher during her battle with breast cancer. “She helped me getthrough some very bad days,” the article quotes. Chaplain Foggvisited Judith frequently over the six-month course of her hospi-talizations, and the two became very close.

Judith was a savvy woman. A devoted Catholic, she was secureenough in her faith to question it, and to accept spiritual sup-port from Chaplain Fogg, an American Baptist minister. “Sheknew that the umbrella that God gave us all to meet under waswider than most thought,” Chaplain Fogg said. As she lookedback over her life, Judith confided in Chaplain Fogg about herpain and suffering, about family relationships, about the timeswhen things didn’t go so well, and about how she came to knowGod. “Judith invited me under that umbrella on her walktoward death. There is no higher compliment.”

Chaplain Fogg also developed a close relationship with Judith’sfamily. “Sarah made us feel at ease,” said Alex Anagnostidis,Judith’s son. “She prayed with us, and helped us to understand

A M

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2 The Beacon Spring 2004

Healing Moments

Sharing the Umbrella

SpiritLifting the

5

“The world is the perennial miracle which

the soul worketh.”Ralph Waldo Emerson,

“The Over-Soul,” Essays, First Series (1841, repr. 1847)

4 The Beacon Spring 2004

an open Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, and attend case

reviews and didactic sessions focused on spiritual diagnosis

and building healing relationships. “There are so many sub-

stance abuse treatment resources in the Jewish community,”

said JIPC Director Rabbi Shira Stern, “the challenge is let-

ting clergy know they’re out there.”

In a room nearly bursting at the seams, JACS and JIPC

professionals also presented a two-day training session on

addiction in the synagogue to over 60 Jewish clergy, stu-

dents, social workers and other professionals. Elena Fine,

JACS’s vice president for outreach, was pleased that JACS

first clergy training in years could be done in conjunction

with the JIPC. “It helped promote…the need on the part

of addicts and their families for love and acceptance from

the Jewish community,” she said.

“We’ve learned so much about the connection between

spirituality and treatment,” said Karen Goldstein, an

M.S.W. who attended the training, “particularly from the

[on-site] Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.” Fellow

attendee Rabbi Stephen Fuchs agreed: “By attending

seminars like this one, I hope to send a message to my

community that it would be a safe place to come if they

want to discuss [substance abuse] issues.” He added that

the problem of substance abuse among Jews is more

prevalent than “most of us think.”

“It may be convenient to adhere to the myth that Jews

cannot be alcoholics, but this denial constitutes a serious

dereliction of duty,” said Rabbi Abraham Twerski, M.D.

the Kallah’s keynote speaker. Rabbi Twerski is a nationally

acknowledged expert in the field of alcoholism and chem-

ical dependency, and medical director of the Gateway

Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh. “Chemical depend-

ency, whether it involves alcohol, narcotics, cocaine, or

other addictive substances, is …like a cancer: progressive,

destructive, and lethal,” he said. “It may claim as its victims

not only the user, but the family members as well. … we

can no longer afford to deny or hide our need for help.”

(See adjacent interview with Rabbi Twerski.) ■

Rabbi Abraham Twerski, M.D. is the medical director of the

Gateway Rehabilitation Center in Pittsburgh, as well as an

associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh

School Of Medicine. The author of several books, Dr. Twerski

has written extensively and lectured world-wide about the

problem of chemical dependency in the Jewish community.

Why is it important to educate congregationalclergy about substance abuse issues?Rabbis are the first line of defense. People go to them before

anyone else. The stigma associated with seeing a psychiatrist or

psychologist is too great. But people will talk to their rabbi.

Another reason is that rabbis are in a unique position to be

proactive. They can go to the family as an uninvited helper

and say, “I’ve noticed something that concerns me. Let’s talk

about it.”

And a third reason is that rabbis, like all clergy, are highly

respected members of the community. People will listen to

them. But in order to offer the appropriate help, they must be

properly educated. The road to hell is paved with good inten-

tions. Bad advice is never intentional, but it could cause harm

instead of good.

When did you realize that there was an unmetneed here?My own rabbinic education was totally deficient in this area.

When I was a young congregational rabbi, I could have tripped

over an alcoholic and not known. Rabbis come out of seminary

with an excellent knowledge of theology and the Talmud, but

they don’t always get enough “real-world” education.

Even as a psychiatrist, I was treating a woman with the

wrong medications until she did me a favor one day and

came in drunk. And I have heard of many rabbis and other

clergy who don’t know how to recognize or refer a

substance-abusing individual.

Is there a denial among Jewsthat substance abuse existsin their community?Denial about substance abuse exists in every community. But in

the Jewish community it can be intense. There is an expression,

“A shikor (alcoholic) is a goy.” Jews feel there was no such

thing as a Jewish alcoholic. And drug addicts are seen as

junkies lying in an alley somewhere. There is a refusal to know

that their lawyers and stockbrokers are using cocaine, or that

their wives are abusing valium. I had a woman come to me

worried sick about her husband’s cocaine problem. When I told

her to bring him to my clinic, she said she couldn’t because

other Jews from New York would be there and it might get

back to people she knows.

Also, in orthodox communities where matchmaking is a com-

mon form of meeting potential spouses, families research the

family history of their potential daughter- or son-in-law.

Disclosing that someone has a substance abuse problem could

be very damaging.

C O N T I N U E D F R O M P A G E 1

Substance Abuse and Mental Health sInterview

Rabbi Abraham Twerski, M.D.January 2004

Can you share a “success story?”In 40 years in this field, I’ve been exposed to 50,000 patients

of all religions and ethnicities. I am fortunate to say that there

have been many success stories. One that comes to mind is

that of a young man from a fine Jewish family who began

using drugs in college. He became alienated from his family

and dropped out of school. He started living the life of a

junkie—never settled in one place, served time in jail. At 27

he contacted a rabbi for help. That rabbi called me, we got

him into the Gateway clinic in Pittsburgh, and he did very

well. He reconciled with his family, went to graduate school,

and became a very successful professional. He is now married

with two children, has a lovely home and is a stellar member

of the community. But to look at him when he was 27, you

never would have thought that any of this would be possible.

How do you think the opportunities for hands-on clinical observation offered by The HealthCareChaplaincy’s JIPC/JACSKallah will benefit participating rabbis and cantors?The more clinical exposure clergy can have, the more they

will realize the problem is right in front of their face.

Ignorance has been our worst enemy. I had a young English

rabbi as a student at Gateway. After several months with us,

he returned to England as a chaplain and then became a

therapist. His practice is thriving because he is one of few

rabbis in the community who knows anything about sub-

stance abuse. So there is a need. The clinical experience

these Kallah participants gain will be invaluable to them and

to their communities. ■n

5 The Beacon Spring 2004

7 The Beacon Spring 2004

The Department of Pastoral Care at North GeneralHospital, directed by the Rev. Carlos Alejandro, was featured in an exemplary case study in The JointCommission on Accreditation of HealthcareOrganizations’ new text book, The Joint Commission'sGuide to Priority Focus Areas. The essay entitled, "NorthGeneral Hospital Meets the Cultural and Spiritual Needsof its Community," explores how pastoral care has beenwoven into the fabric of healthcare at the hospital.

The Rev. Stephen Harding (Beth Israel Medical Center)was appointed as Protestant Chaplain for the New YorkCity Fire Department.

The Rev. Peggie Muncie (St. Luke’s-Roosevelt HospitalCenter) traveled to India to offer professional pastoraleducation to the Madras Diocese of the Church of South India.

The Rev. A. Meigs Ross (St. Luke’s-Roosevelt HospitalCenter) led a day-long workshop in "Pastoral Care Basics"for Lay Eucharistic Visitors who have been licensed in theNew York Diocese of the Episcopal Church.

Rabbi Stephen Shulman (Memorial Sloan-KetteringCancer Center) participated in a panel with HCC LifeTrustees Dr. Samuel Klagsbrun and Rabbi Harlan Wechslerat Congregation Or Zarua. The topic was "JewishPerspectives on Death, Dying, and the Afterlife," and theprogram was sponsored by the Hevra Kadisha (SacredBurial Society) of Or Zarua.

Rabbi Shira Stern (JIPC at The HealthCare Chaplaincy)presented a workshop at the National Association ofJewish Chaplains (NAJC) on chaplaining to more challenging patients, entitled: "Is There a Blessing for Me?Responding to Esau's Plea." Rabbi Stern finished her termas membership chair and was installed as the treasurer of the NAJC.

Chaplaincy Briefs

HCC Researchers PublishThree-year Study ofChaplaincy Services inPrestigious Medical JournalResearch provides first benchmark data for pastoral care referrals and interventions

“A Three-Year Study of Chaplains’ Professional Activities

at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York

City,” was published by HealthCare Chaplaincy

researchers in the December 2003 issue of

Psycho-Oncology. The study examines the work of a

multifaith group of chaplains and chaplain interns at

the world-renowned cancer facility from 1995-1997.

“We have now laid the groundwork for establishing

benchmark measures of chaplains’ professional activities

in healthcare settings,” said principle researcher Dr.

Kevin Flannelly, assistant director of research at The

HealthCare Chaplaincy. “As we proceed further with

planned research on professional chaplaincy, we need a

picture of what the dynamics are between hospital profes-

sionals and chaplains. This study gives us that picture.”

The study examined patterns in referrals for chaplaincy

services, the nature of pastoral visits with patients and

their loved ones, how visit duration varied with a patient’s

condition and status, and chaplains’ referrals to other

staff and outside clergy.

Prayer and “emotional enabling” were the most common

types of chaplaincy interventions, according to study

results. “Religious ritual or blessing” was, predictably,

common upon a patient’s death, and “faith affirmation”

was an important intervention during a patient “code”

(e.g. cardiac or respiratory arrest). The study included

Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim patients, and

patients who professed no faith affiliation but received

pastoral care services.

“The publication of this study,” said the Rev. George

Handzo, The Chaplaincy’s director of clinical services,

“demonstrates how routine data can make a significant

contribution to the literature that is so important in

advancing the profession of chaplaincy.” ■

The HealthCare Chaplaincy has successfully launched

publication of PlainViews: an e-newsletter connecting

chaplains and other spiritual care providers. Readers

from as far away as Australia and South Africa have

sent positive feedback on the biweekly publication.

For a free subscription or to submit an article forpublication, visit www.plainviews.org.

6 The Beacon Spring 2004

“I’ve always been a good listener, but

now I can make sense out of what I

hear,” said Marjorie Nicholson-Horton, a student in The

Chaplaincy’s community-based Clinical Pastoral Education

(CPE) program at The Riverside Church. A layperson and

active congregant at Riverside for many years, Marjorie cred-

its her CPE training with enriching her pastoral visits and

other church activities. “CPE has given me self-awareness,”

she said. "There is much more depth to my interactions

now, and I strive to be fully present.”

CPE at Riverside is done within the context of existing

church programs. Unlike hospital-based CPE, students

follow the rhythm of congregational life as participants/

observers as well as direct care givers. Students have the

opportunity to work with the elderly, the addicted, shut-ins

and other community members in need as well as with

Riverside’s general membership as they come together for

worship and fellowship. Because The Chaplaincy and

Riverside Church share a common vision of wellness—the

integration of mind, body, and spirit—the two organizations

saw a natural opportunity for an educational partnership.

“The program provides pastoral students with a different

type of educational opportunity,” said the Rev. Johnny Bush,

Riverside’s CPE supervisor who completed his supervisory

education at The HealthCare Chaplaincy. Because congre-

gants’ needs are not obvious, students must develop skills

that allow them to take the pastoral initiative, and to engage

in meaningful conversation. "People are not necessarily sick

or crying," said Chaplain Bush. "So the work is to invite

them to open up and be themselves.”

Marjorie has learned to extend such invitations in a subtle,

skillful way at programs like Space for Grace, a Wednesday

night service and cof-

fee hour. "I sit down

and introduce myself,

and see what might

come of it,” she said.

She and other stu-

dents perform “spiri-

tual triage," sometimes

referring congregants

to spiritual support

groups or appropriate social services. They also act as mem-

bers of the prayer team, offering individual prayer and con-

versation after Sunday services. “The students project an

image of deep faith and joy," said Chaplain Bush, "and that

is infectious.”

“For a long time, I had hoped to see CPE programs in con-

gregations," said the Rev. Dr. James Forbes, senior minister

at The Riverside Church. "At last, that dream has been real-

ized through the effective program at Riverside led by the

Rev. Johnny Bush. I hope congregations across the nation

will consider this innovative form of improving the quality of

pastoral care leadership.”

Beverly Dempsey is taking CPE at Riverside as part of her

training at Union Theological Seminary, where she is on an

ordination track. “It’s wonderful to work with people in a

‘real-life’ setting as I prepare for parish ministry,” she said.

“It’s amazing how much I’ve already used the skills I’ve

learned here.” She recalled a recent trip to Florida, where

she came upon a group of homeless veterans. One of them

had been hit by a car, and Beverly talked with them as they

waited for an ambulance. “I found out that one of the men

recently became homeless after his father died," she said.

Beverly listened as he shared his grief experience, and even

bought him a sympathy card. "Through my pastoral conver-

sation and listening skills, I let them know that even though

they are homeless, they are cared for in this world.” ■

Community-Based CPE at Riverside Church:

Following the Rhythm

“I hope congregations across thenation will consider this innovative

form of improving the quality of pastoral care leadership.”

--The Rev. Dr. James Forbes, Senior Minister, The Riverside Church

CPE supervisor the Rev. Johnny Bush provides guidance for student BeverlyDempsey (far right) as she puts her pastoralskills to work with church food pantry internMargaret Blake at The Riverside Church

Chaplain Bush provides individual clinical supervisionfor CPE student Marjorie Nicholson-Horton