Devorah Jacobson
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
As Director of Spiritual Life at JGS Lifecare, Rabbi Devorah Jacobson supports seniors and their families spiritually during difficult transitions of aging. She radiates empathy and compassion and provides strength and hope. She is responsible for the spiritual well-being of residents of all faiths in long-term skilled nursing and assisted-living facilities and also in memory impaired, adult day health, home health and hospice programs. She meets with residents individually and determines what is important to them, then designs a program addressing their needs. She draws on her resources of prayer, conversation, spiritual readings, music, singing, guitar, upbeat group activities and holiday celebrations. At Purim, in addition to the traditional Megillah reading, she wrote and produced a play starring the senior staff in costumes. She offers counseling related to the loss of home, independence and physical well-being. She helps with end-of-life planning. For hospice home care patients, she provides spiritual support. She trains staff in Jewish values of caring. She harnesses the energies of trained volunteers and community clergy of all faiths to assist her. Devorah Jacobson is truly an inspirational rabbi.
— Marian Broder
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