Grateful Heller Family Pays it Forward

Several days after my husband became a patient at Menorah Park Marcus Rehab Center, I received a letter of welcome from the executive director. Amongst other vital information, the letter informed me that Menorah Park is a “non-profit public charity that relies on the generous support from members of the community to be able to provide excellent service.” It went on to say that in the nursing home, almost 80 percent of long-term care residents are indigent and unable to pay anything for their care.

The candor impressed me, but as a brand new inductee into the Menorah Park family, I admit that the words resonated mostly in the abstract. After all, I had no idea whether the services would prove excellent or otherwise. After five weeks of world-class care for my husband who was recovering from hip surgery, the straightforward request for financial help was burnished upon my soul.

As Jews, one of the many strengths of our tradition is that we take care of our own. The mitzvah of tzedakah commands those who can, to help those who cannot. Menorah Park takes the notion of tzedakah to a new level.

Excellent service makes most people grateful, with the hope recipients will respond in kind. Such generosity, in turn, helps Menorah Park maintain the stellar service for which it is known. I was profoundly affected by this simple and fail-proof business model, which also motivated us to be generous in like manner.

The 24/7 challenges of serving an elderly and mostly frail population is a Herculean task. Five weeks of close daily observation gave me an inside view of just how well Menorah Park responds to the challenge.

What moved me most of all was the preservation of the dignity of the individual, no matter how demanding, infirm or memory-impaired. Watching staff respond to the non-stop challenge touched me deeply. These tireless foot soldiers are the backbone of all such institutions like Menorah Park; without them, the institution would cease to thrive, let alone exist. It is to Menorah Park’s credit that they have for the most part, such hardworking and attentive employees. I was also impressed with how Menorah Park holds the family’s hand through discharge and transition to home, with ongoing therapy and other types of support.

Thank you, Menorah Park, for helping my husband get well and enabling him to return home. For this, and so much more, we are and shall remain forever grateful.

Fran and Morry Heller

The Hellers donated to the endowed Grateful Family Fund. Expenditures from this fund are directed by our Board of Trustees to maintain Menorah Park’s excellent staff, facilities and programs, forever.

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