Program Inspired by Friendship

Compassionate Community Program Inspired by CSP Resident/Staff Friendship

Post Date: 12/31/2009

Florence Moore was a resident at Robison Jewish Health Center through April of 2008. Florence was known for her vibrant personality, quick wit and lovely shade of red lipstick. But she was also known for touching the hearts of staff here at Cedar Sinai Park.

When Florence passed away, she had an especially powerful effect on her friend Debbi Bodie. Deborah Moon with the Jewish Review explains:

When Florence Moore died in April 2008 without a burial plan, her friend Debbi Bodie resolved then and there to get her a proper Jewish burial and to create a program to ensure all Jews in Oregon and Southwest Washington would have access to the same.

Debbi Bodie, chief development officer of Cedar Sinai Park and chair of the cemetery committee at Congregation Neveh Shalom, joined efforts with Rabbi Ariel Stone to create a community-wide program that assures low-income Jewish residents of Oregon and Southwest Washington can be buried with dignity and in accordance with Jewish laws and customs.

This program, known as Hesed Shel Emet, has the support and involvement of 32 rabbis, 11 Jewish cemeteries, three hevra kadisha (burial societies), four agencies and both Holman’s Funeral Service and Riverview Cemetery Funeral Home.

The program will be funded by a Hesed Shel Emet Endowment fund at the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. To learn more about this program or to make a donation, please visit our Hesed Shel Emet web page or contact Debbi Bodie at 503-423-7845.