By Linda Wisch-Davidsohn

VITAS Healthcare earns accreditation from the National Institute For Jewish Hospice

Good wishes to VITAS Healthcare, the nation’s leading provider of end-of-life care, which recently announced that its Dallas and Fort Worth programs have been accredited by the National Institute for Jewish Hospice (NIJH). The VITAS Houston program also earned this accreditation.
NIJH accreditation, which VITAS first received in 2003, enables the company to receive on-site training designed to deepen its caregivers’ knowledge and understanding of Jewish religious rituals and the unique concerns of Jews at the end of life and during mourning.
“We are proud to continue our affiliation with the National Institute for Jewish Hospice, which further evidences our longstanding commitment to provide the highest quality end-of-life care for Jewish patients and their families,” said Senior General Manager Kevin Yarrow of VITAS Healthcare of Dallas.
VITAS of Dallas and Fort Worth were accredited during the NIJH Accreditation Conference in November. The event brought together professionals from hospices across the country along with others in related fields, including rabbis, administrators, and chaplains of all faiths as well as psychologists, nurses, bereavement counselors and social workers. Sessions featured industry thought leaders such as Dr. Barry Kinzbrunner, VITAS executive vice president and chief medical officer, who shared the latest insights and information related to all aspects of hospice and the Jewish terminally ill.
“We congratulate VITAS Healthcare of Dallas and Fort Worth for earning this important accreditation, which enables it to be included in the database of Texas hospices where the National Institute for Jewish Hospice refers patients, families and rabbis seeking the best end-of-life care for the Jewish terminally ill,” said NIJH Executive Director Shirley Lamm.
NIJH was established in 1985 to help alleviate suffering in serious and terminal illness. Its 52,000 members comprise business and professional leaders and a consortium of endowing foundations. It serves as a resource and educational center for hospices, hospitals, family service, medical organizations and all healthcare agencies, providing education about the issues and challenges of serving terminally ill Jewish patients.
For more information about VITAS, please contact their Dallas office at 214-424-5600 or their Fort Worth office at 817-870-7070, or visit www.vitas.com/Texas.

Iconic Watergate journalist, Carl Bernstein, to be featured Wednesday, March 11 at Edgemere Dallas

Carl Bernstein was one of two key investigative reporters during Watergate. His work earned The Washington Post the 1973 Pulitzer Prize — and ultimately changed our country forever. “All the President’s Men,” a timeless best-seller, was co-authored by Carl Bernstein and Bob Woodward. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear an insider’s perspective, and ask a few questions of your own.
Bernstein will have two presentations and book signings — at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please RSVP by calling 1-877-802-5905 or visit www.EdgemereDallas.com/Bernstein.
Following the presentations, attendees can stay and tour the beautiful community and model apartments. The Edgemere is located at 8523 Thackery Street in Dallas.

JCRC hosts expert on challenges to Israel, world Jewry

On Thursday, Feb. 12, more than 50 people gathered at The Legacy Willow Bend for “Challenges to Israel and World Jewry” presented by the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas. The program featured remarks by Susan Heller Pinto, director of Middle Eastern Affairs at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
Pinto, who has worked with the Anti-Defamation League for more than 20 years, provided insight into a wide range of topics relevant to the Dallas Jewish community, including the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the status of nuclear negotiation between Iran and the West. Pinto also touched upon the complexities surrounding Israel’s upcoming elections March 17.
The rise of European anti-Semitism was discussed as well, in the context of last year’s ADL Global 100, an international survey that sought to explore the prevalence of anti-Semitic attitudes in 100 countries across the globe. Pinto shared several troubling statistics from the survey with the audience, such as the fact that only 54 percent of all respondents had heard of the Holocaust, and of that 54 percent, another 32 percent believe it to be over exaggerated or fabricated.
“We are proud that, through our JCRC, we are able to bring topical programs to the Jewish community,” said Federation Board Chair Cindy Moskowitz. “It is essential that we engage and educate our community on pressing issues of the day, and right now the issue of global anti-Semitism is front and center. We appreciate the excellent opportunities that JCRC continues to bring to the community,” she added.
Anita Zusman Eddy, executive director of the JCRC, presented opening remarks, and The Legacy Willow Bend Executive Director Marilyn Israel and ADL North Texas Regional Director Roberta Clark gave further remarks. Co-sponsoring organizations included National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Hadassah, The Legacy, and Congregations Adat Chaverim, and Anshai Torah as well as the ADL. The event served as one in a series of JCRC Speakers Breakfasts that seek to educate and inform the Dallas Jewish community on Israel and other issues of interest. This is a significant part of the JCRC’s mission, which also includes community outreach, legislative affairs and social action.
“It was very valuable to have Ms. Pinto speak to us about the growth of anti-Semitism,” said JCRC Advisor Dawn Strauss. “It is important for American Jews to hear about the challenges that our people face in other parts of the world, so that we will continue to support Jewish communities wherever they exist,” she added.