JSSA chaplain planning to retire this year

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008

JSSA chaplain planning to retire this year

Contessa Crisostomo |

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After 16 years as director of the Jewish Chaplaincy Services at the Jewish Social Service Agency, Rabbi Saul Koss will retire on May 31.

JCS volunteers provide spiritual and religious counseling to Jews in hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and assisted living facilities.

While at JSSA, Koss also served as administrative director of the Washington Board of Rabbis and rabbinical consultant and fundraiser for the Chesed Shel Emes (Hebrew Free Burial Society).

Koss has also spent time as the Shomrim Chaplain for police, fire and federal law enforcement agencies in the greater metropolitan area and has worn an MPD uniform.

Prior to his work at the JSSA, Koss served as executive director of the Yeshiva of Greater Washington for three years. He retired as a lieutenant colonel after serving 20 years as an Army chaplain in Vietnam, Germany, Italy and throughout the United States.

Shady Grove appointsboard members

Shady Grove Adventist Hospital in Rockville appointed four new members to its Governance Board. The 19-member board consists of hospital officials, physicians and members of the community.

The new members are:

*Brian K. Johnson, Montgomery College president.

*Dr. Robert Eisdorfer, gastroenterologist and immediate past president of Shady Grove’s Medical and Affiliate staff.

*Jeanne Pettit, owner and secretary of Pettit Homes LLC and president of the Shady Grove Adventist Hospital Foundation Board.

*Dr. Priscilla Callahan-Lyon, internal medicine physician and vice president of Shady Grove’s Medical and Affiliate staff.

*Dr. Mark Peterson, orthopedic physician at Shady Grove Adventist Hospital.

The new board members began their terms on Jan. 8.

Tikvat Israel laudedfor energy savings

A Washington area interfaith organization awarded Tikvat Israel in November for taking steps in the past year resulting in sharply lower utility usage in the building and lower utility bills.

The synagogue saved energy by tweaking the thermostat at night and buying energy-efficient light bulbs. It also bought $1,800 in yearly renewable energy certificates, which makes the synagogue carbon neutral for electricity use.

Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light is a nonprofit that helps congregations and religious institutions work for a healthier, more sustainable environment.