Rose Schnitzer Manor Hires Elliott

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2010-02-25T00:00:00

Rose Schnitzer Manor at Cedar Sinai Park has hired Deborah Elliott as its new marketing director. Elliott will assume the role of Marcia Thom, who is retiring in March after 15 years with the organization. The two of them are working together to assure a smooth transition of leadership.

Rose Schnitzer Manor, located in Southwest Portland, offers both independent and assisted living services in an environment based on Jewish values. Elliott will work with prospective residents and their families to facilitate their residency at the Manor. She will also develop and implement marketing, public relations and community outreach activities.

“Community outreach will play an important role in Deborah’s new position,” said David Kohnstamm, RSM administrator. “Relationships have always been the heart and soul of our community, and we’re looking forward to strengthening these connections. Deborah’s the right person to take us in this direction.”

Before moving to Portland two years ago, Elliott was active at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland for 14 years, the last two of which she served as the congregation’s cantorial soloist. Elliott calls the two-year stint as cantorial soloist her “spiritual sabbatical.”

She said she stepped into the post when the congregation’s previous cantor moved to Tucson. To help Emek Shalom through the transition and search process, Elliott drew on the musical talents she had used in the congregation’s resident ensemble. She said she had been studying with Rabbi Marc Sirinsky so she knew most of the melodies and nigguns used by the congregation.

“It was a wonderful blend of serendipitiy that allowed me to be available at the time the congregation was in need.”

After helping the new cantor transition into the position, Elliott moved to Portland to resume her public relations’ career.

She said her new job is the first that enables her to unite her Jewish and professional public relations personas.

“I am able to work in an environment based on Jewish life and values,” she said. “The fact I am actively Jewish is an asset in this job. I get to be who I am all the time.”

Elliott’s focus on public relations and community outreach will build upon the Manor’s existing outreach programs. Among these programs is the CSP Lecture Series, a program open to residents and community members that features talks on topics such as modern technology, music and culture. A goal of this program is to make lifelong learning easily accessible to residents and community members alike.

Elliott’s marketing and community relations background includes 17 years of experience with non-profit organizations in healthcare and the arts, ranging from Providence Medford Medical Center to the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Since arriving in Portland two years ago, she has provided marketing, public relations and special event consulting services to Artists Repertory Theatre, Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center, Oregon Arts Commission, Portland Center for the Performing Arts, and Young Audiences of Oregon and SW Washington. Elliott volunteers with several local organizations, including P’nai Or of Portland.

For more information or to schedule a tour of Rose Schnitzer Manor, call 503-535-4004 or visit www.cedarsinaipark.org.