Rabbi's Corner - Summer 2019

Federation Housing’s Rabbi Sandra Berliner was the recipient of the NAJC (Neshama: Association of Jewish Chaplains) Award for Outstanding Service. A dinner was held in her honor at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Cherry Hill, NJ on May 7, 2019.

In September 2007, “Rabbi Sandi” began her career at Federation Housing as our part-time in-house Rabbi/Chaplain. She now wears “2 yarmulkes” for Federation Housing, in her additional role as part-time Service Coordinator for Sidewater Apts. and the Florence E. Green House.

Rabbi Sandi has a long history working with older adults. For 12 years she directed Yedid Nefesh, one of the first Jewish hospice programs. She serves on the Spiritual Care Coalition of the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging and on Pennsylvania’s Department on Aging’s Cultural Diversity Commission. She is also the first Vice-President of NAJC.

Rabbi Sandi received her MSW from Case Western Reserve. She is also a graduate of Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, where she received an honorary doctorate. Rabbi Sandi and her husband Roy Berliner are blessed with 3 sons, Benjamin, Jonathan and Jacob, 2 daughters-in-law, Imelda and Ece and their first grandson, Gabriel Chaim.

The Board, staff and especially the residents of Federation Housing are truly grateful for the wonderful holiday celebrations, educational programs and pastoral care that Rabbi Sandi provides through our Chaplaincy Program and as a Service Coordinator. Federation Housing is proud to acknowledge Rabbi Sandi’s long-term commitment to our organization.

We recently received a donation in Rabbi Sandi’s honor from a resident and her mother that aptly represents Rabbi Sandi’s impact on our residents and their families:

“In honor of Rabbi Sandi, for being a wonderful representative of Federation Housing. She is what a chaplain is all about”.