Members aid Robison

By Deborah Moon

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Cedar Sinai Park’s annual membership phone-a-thon raised $43,000 in 90 minutes on Nov. 26.

Led by Membership Committee co-chairs Sherry Fishman and Karen Blauer, 13 volunteers phoned members and asked them to renew their membership as supporters of the Robison Jewish Health Center, CSP’s nursing and residential care facility. 

“Community support is critical to our mission,” said Debbi Bodie, CSP Chief Development Officer. “These contributions support a Portland legacy and fulfills a promise to love, honor and respect our elders.”
   
“Our community’s support for the Robison Jewish Health Center runs  deep,” agreed Blauer. “It’s a firmly held value, timeless commitment and part of our legacy. Afterall, we’re talking about caring for our parents and grandparents, our friends and neighbors. This is our extended family.”

   
Fishman noted that community support enables RJHC to provide quality care to all its residents regardless of their financial situation.
   
“About 50 percent of the residents are on Medicaid,” she said. “They worked hard all their life, but they’ve spent down their money. And Medicaid is covering a lower percentage of the cost. Robison makes up the difference through the generosity of our community.”
   
Fishman said she has had relatives living at the home for the past couple of decades. Her father lived there until his death and her 88-year-old mother Pearl Lipkin still lives there.
   
“Because of Robison, she lives a full life despite being debilitated,” said Fishman, mentioning Robison’s extensive activities schedule as well as Shabbat and holiday services and overall Jewish culture.
   
Fishman said Robison also helps families who want to celebrate special events with family members who can’t get out. She noted that her family has held many celebrations at Robison over the years, including her son’s bris. She said the family even sat shiva at Robison after her father died.
   
“Robison has been home for my family in many ways,” she said.
   
And the members called on Nov. 26 seemed to feel the same.
   
“It was anything but your typical rainy night in Portland,” said Blauer. “Our volunteer callers and members renewing pledges made the clouds part and sunlight stream in. It was our community at its finest and brightest.”