Nadav Spiritual Volunteers Program

The Nadav Spiritual Program connects para-chaplains with seniors looking to build a stronger spiritual connection.  Rabbi Sharon Mars, Zusman Hospice Jewish Chaplain and Assistant Director of Spiritual Life at Wexner Heritage Village, created this program in late 2010, calling it ”Nadav” (meaning “generous” in Hebrew).  This program blossomed because of dozens of Jewish elderly throughout Columbus who are in need of companionship and connection with their community.

In conjunction with Wexner Heritage Village and the Columbus Jewish Federation, Rabbi Mars is gathering volunteers whom she will train to become para-chaplains.  Once trained, para-chaplains visit Jewish residents in extended care facilities scattered throughout the Columbus area.  Nadav Spiritual Volunteers should be prepared to give of their time, energy and souls to Jewish seniors who might otherwise feel acutely isolated from their Jewish community, celebrating holidays together, meeting their families, building spiritual companionship, and more.

As more and more Jewish seniors are being identified in Columbus, Nadav plans on expanding its reach, to embrace even more seniors in need of spiritual connection.

Complete the Nadav Spiritual Volunteer Application.

Watch the TV segment below about the Nadav Spiritual Volunteer Program, featured on local TV station WCMH NBC-4 in December of 2010.