The program is part of the Partnership2gether initiative of the Jewish Federation of North Jersey, which pairs professionals, students and community members from Bergen County with those in Nahariya, which is the county's "sister city."
The students study English in school, and some of the residents know rudimentary Hebrew, so communication was smooth and connections quickly formed. Over a lunch of burgers, frankfurters, apple pie and Coca-Cola, the visitors watched a video of some of the residents' recent trip to Israel, as part of the Jewish Home Family's Centennial Mission to Israel.
"It was a pleasure hosting the students from Nahariya," said Jewish Home Family President and CEO Carol Silver Elliott. "Intergenerational programming is always meaningful, but the added element of bridging the cultural divide and discovering common ground, shared laughter and thoughtful observations is something that we will all remember."
"The Jewish Home Assisted Living Kaplen Family Senior Residence offers an elegant community which promotes resident dignity in a home-like environment," a news release notes. The facility was awarded Advanced Standing status, granted by the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for outstanding quality and consistency of service. The facility is a non-sectarian community open to all seniors regardless of race, religion or national origin.
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