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Journey (from page 1) Robison resident loves music

They found their first jobs at the MJCC, BY SYDNEY CLEVENGER
Camp Gan Israel and B’nai B’rith Camp. As In 2017, Dan Lipski was in the prime of
they grew up, we all created a network of his career as a concert tour manager.
friends and support in Portland’s Jewish com- Dan had just finished working with Joe
munity. We attended b’nai mitzvah celebra- Jonas, who had announced a concert
tions at most of the community’s synagogues, break. He had recently made Oregon his
which have grown in number and size since home base, buying a house in Portland
we moved to town. As my sons have aged, I and fixing it up comfortably.
am pleased to see the community adding re- Then his parents, Vicki and Doug, re-
sources for young adults including Moishe ceived a call that changed their lives.
House Portland, PDX Pathways, Moishe Pod- “When the phone rang on election night,
West PDX and OneTable. we initially weren’t answering because we
I also had the pleasure of visiting Israel twice thought it was a belated call telling us to
on Jewish Federation missions (with a third vote,” says Vicki. “Then we realized it was
visit planned next March). The beauty of the the American Embassy in Washington.” Robison Jewish Health Center resident
country and people took my breath away. I Dan, 32, had been hit by a bus in Chi- Dan Lipski enjoys a moment outside with
was particularly touched by a visit to Neve natown in Bangkok, Thailand. He was administrative assistant Nina Washburn.
Michael Youth Village and the support it pro- taken to a Chinese-run hospital “where
vides for children whose families can no lon- he received excellent care,” says Vicki, room in CSP’s T. Robert and Mitzi Tobias
ger care for them. and had brain surgery. Second and third Hall are covered with music memorabil-
In addition to those intangible rewards, I brain surgeries were performed at an En- ia, and he frequently has music playing or
earned several awards during the 19 years I glish-speaking hospital in Thailand. is watching a music video.
worked for the Jewish Federation of Great- “His injuries were severe,” says Vicki. “When Dan arrived here, he would only
er Portland helping Paul produce the Jewish “He was hit on the right side and is hemi- nod and shake his head,” says Susie Wil-
Review as a print newspaper. I earned several plegic on that side.” lard, health information specialist. “Every
Simon Rockower Awards from the American Doug and Vicki spent five weeks in Thai- day, we worked on conversations so he has
Jewish Press Association for “Excellence in land to get Dan stabilized and transferred a voice. Dan has come a long way. He looks
Jewish Journalism,” including one for a series to the United States. Dan was Medivac-ed you in the eyes and reaches your soul.”
on domestic violence in the Jewish communi- to OHSU where he remained for a month, Lupe Garcia, CNA, says, “He’s such a
ty of which I am especially proud. undergoing tests and rehabilitating. sweet guy. He always appreciates what we
For my work organizing a Jewish genet- “And then we were lucky enough to find do for him. He asks, ‘How do you say thank
ic screening (at a time such screening was Cedar Sinai Park and, believe me, finding you in Spanish?’ I really care about him.”
scarce) as a member of the Federation’s Young a nursing home was a tall, tall order be- In April, Willard and Community Life
Women’s Division, I received the Song of Mir- cause of his age and physical challenges,” Director Jennifer Felberg took Dan to see
iam Award. Jewish Family & Child Service’s says Vicki. singer/songwriter LP.
TASK program honored me for my long-term “We tried everyplace,” she says. “Some- “It was neat, because his friends are all
support of its disability support services; I re- one recommended Cedar Sinai Park and tour guys, and they hadn’t had a chance
member sitting at the meeting of parents that … we took a look. It’s such a lovely facil- to see him because they’re traveling all
launched TASK as Treasuring and Accepting ity. Compared to what we had seen, this the time,” says Felberg. “His friends ar-
our Special Kids in the early 1990s. And I’ve looked pretty terrific.” ranged for VIP status and showered him
been pleased to report on the group’s expand- Dan was born in Beloit, Wisc., and at- with attention.”
ed role as Treasuring, Accepting, Supporting tended high school in Chicago. He didn’t “He got to be himself with his buddies, a lot
Kehillah (community). play an instrument, but he adored music. of handshakes and dudes and he even drank
When the Jewish Federation ceased publish- At age 20, he managed an Irish-American a beer,” she adds. “It was a magical night and
ing the Jewish Review in January 2012, I be- punk band for free, sleeping in his car, to reminded me again of our mission. ... “Dan
came editor of Oregon Jewish Life magazine. get his foot in the door of the business. could not say ‘thank you’ enough. It was
For seven years, I edited that Jewish lifestyle “He was very independent and was at the nice to make the night happen for him.”
magazine learning more about the food, busi- age of trying to find himself,” says Vicki. Dan is an avid reader and particularly
ness and arts scenes in Oregon. I had fun inter- Dan worked for other bands such as enjoys the Jewish history books shared
viewing celebrities including William Shatner, 3OH!3 and Barenaked Ladies. He loved by former volunteer and board chair
Ed Asner and Billy Crystal. working for Joe Jonas, but wasn’t keen on (1993-1994) Ruby Sachter, with whom
But in 2020, I returned to the Jewish Fed- taking a break when Joe decided on a rest. he still Facetimes.
eration to relaunch the Jewish Review as an “That was why he was in Thailand, be- After four years at Cedar Sinai Park,
e-newspaper. Reimmersing in the organized cause Shawn Mendes was playing there, Vicki hopes that Dan will be willing and
Jewish community and helping connect peo- and he went there for a job interview be- able to use a wheelchair at some point so
ple with all it has to offer has been so satisfy- cause he wanted to keep working,” says he can go to a group foster home. Pain
ing. I’ve heard from so many readers who are Vicki. management is another issue. Until then,
grateful to have the Jewish Review back. Ask Dan, “You like music, Dan?” and Vicki says she feels welcome when she
When I retire next summer, I want to intro- he replies, “Oh, my God!” visits Dan every Tuesday.
duce a new editor to the joys of this commu- “What kind of music? Heavy metal?” “I feel like I can get Dan what he needs
nity. I’m looking forward to the time I’ll have Dan just throws back his head and when he needs it,” she says.
to cycle, travel, garden and volunteer, but I’ll laughs. He favorite bands are Nirvana “I love you, mom,” says Dan.
miss the camaraderie and regular interactions and Thrice. He likes Major Pain and of- “I love you,” she replies. “See you next
with community members. ten wears a DNCE hat. The walls in his week. Bye, honey.”
Jewish Review Nov. 9, 2022 5