Margaret Tietz Hires Assistant Administrator To Increase Patients’ Comfort And Connection To Jewish Community

Margaret Tietz Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a unique institution in our community. Founded in 1971 with the mission of serving Holocaust survivors, it continues with that mission and, today, this kosher facility offers many services to the Orthodox Jewish community as well as to the community at large. 

Recently, Margaret Tietz created a special new position unique to their facility when they hired Mr. Emanuel Lichtik as Assistant Administrator. Mrs. Linda Spiegel, Director of Public Affairs at Margaret Tietz, noted, “Emanuel’s position doesn’t exist anywhere else. It shows the commitment of Margaret Tietz.” Mr. Lichtik is on the premises six days a week from early afternoon until 11 p.m. “The idea is that he is here to make sure everything runs smoothly, and patients’ and residents’ needs are met.” He helps prioritize needs when, for example, many call bells go off at once and he helps support the staff at night. Mrs. Spiegel shared, “We’re trying to grow the Jewish population in Margaret Tietz. This is important to us.” 

She noted that Margaret Tietz has relations with all the local rabbanim in Queens. Every Shabbos there are guests in the facility’s bikur cholim apartment. Shabbos meals are offered in the facility and there are religious services on Shabbos. Margaret Tietz offers a daily minyan and it has a full-time rabbi on staff, which is unique. 

Mr. Lichtik’s experience includes working at HASC and at Women’s League. He holds an MBA in Health Care Management from Hofstra University. It was clear when meeting him that he is well-suited to this job, because of his enthusiasm for what he does and his compassion for the elderly and those in need. 

Mrs. Spiegel noted, “The residents and families all love him.” She pointed out how there are Holocaust survivors in the facility and Mr. Lichtik is attuned to their needs. She stated, “He has a big heart.” 

Mr. Lichtik shared that the best part of the job is working with the patients and trying to make sure people get what they need. “I do whatever I can to make sure they are comfortable.” 

When asked about his advice for working with the elderly, Mr. Lichtik stated that activities are important for the elderly and receiving visitors. A friendly hello or good-bye changes their day. He shared how a few days ago an elderly man asked him to take him for a spin. “I took him all over and he had a good time. I felt he had a nice time and I felt it vicariously.” 

Mr. Lichtik noted, “Without the elderly, we would not be here. Yiddishkeit is about tradition.” He lamented that sometimes we forget the elderly. His advice to people relating to the elderly is to be a good listener. “Just listen to them. Hear what they can’t say. They want to be heard. Listening to them can help them think. They may have a lot bottled up inside. You can accomplish a lot by just listening.” 

He shared how once he caught a health issue by listening and noticing someone wasn’t breathing right. He stated, “Listening can save a life.” 

When asked for his vision for Margaret Tietz, he suggested offering regular shiurim at Margaret Tietz and having more minyanim that would bring in more people from the community. Currently, men from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim come to make a minyan in the morning. He noted that there are patients who can’t walk, and they feel confined. This is especially true of Holocaust survivors. It would be nice if people from the community would come and take them outside. They would feel the community is there for them. Mrs. Spiegel shared that the facility receives patients from every hospital. “You would be surprised how many people come with
no family.” 

Mr. Lichtik commented that he never saw a facility with so many private rooms. 

The community is grateful for all the services provided by Margaret Tietz, and we wish Mr. Lichtik much hatzlachah and brachah in his new job.

By Susie Garber