Students, Elders Come Together As Part Of ‘The Ties That Bind Generations’

LONGMEADOW – Jewish 7th grade students from the Sandi Kupperman Learning Center at Temple Beth El in Springfield and 6th grade students from Heritage Academy in Longmeadow recently received the unique opportunity to interact with and learn from elders at the various subsidiaries of Jewish Geriatric Services (JGS) as part of ‘The Ties That Bind Generations’ program.

Now in its 11th year, the award winning, eight-week program brings the students together with residents of the Julian J. Leavitt Jewish Family Nursing Home, Ruth’s House – An Assisted Living Residence and Genesis House to provide a concrete expression to the traditional Jewish value of honoring older persons (in Hebrew, the transliteration for this value is “Hiddur P’nai Zaken). The program is funded by JGS, with partial funding from the Jewish Endowment Foundation.

This year’s program began by having the students partake in sensitivity training and elder care education classes, which were led by JGS staff and provided an overview of the aging process. After the first phase of the program was completed, the students and elders were given the opportunity to interact directly with each other through participation in a series of intergenerational activities.

According to Sharon Schwartz, who has served as coordinator of ‘Ties That Bind’ since its inception, the program was conceived as a way for young people to learn about the specific challenges faced by elders, as well as vehicle to bring the two generations together to share experiences and learn from one another.

“It really is a testament to the strength of ‘The Ties That Bind Generations’ that the program is still based upon the very same principles and goals that inspired it over a decade ago,” she said. “The program continues to be an outlet for young people to gain a better understanding of their culture and heritage, while learning the types of lessons and values that can be handed down through generations.”

For the elders, spending time and participating in activities with a younger generation can bring great enjoyment. Sulema Andreoli, activity director for the Julian J. Leavitt Family Jewish Nursing Home, notes that the residents look forward each week to the time they get to share with the students.

“The friendships that the elders establish with the students is very special,” she says. “Just being around a younger generation, and having the opportunity to share their life experiences, can be very motivating and rewarding for the residents.”