Seniors, students learn together at Hattie Ide Chaffee

EAST PROVIDENCE – On a bright June day, a group of seniors gathered in the dining room at the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home eagerly awaiting the fourth graders from the Jewish Community Day School of Rhode Island (JCDSRI). The two groups had spent several visits getting to know each other through activities and socializing as part of the home's Jewish Culture series, funded with a grant from the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.

When they arrived, they were greeted by the staff and residents. After some introductions, they paired up with tables of seniors for an exercise to learn more about each other by drawing hands and writing about what each person's hands had done in their lifetimes. The students and seniors had a great time learning about each other. The students shared some songs and music with the audience and at the end they enjoyed a delicious snack of rugelach.

This visit was part of an intergenerational program at the home, one part of the Culture Series. The seniors were also treated to matzah ball soup and challah from Shoshana Laufer of Chabad of West Bay. They learned to bake challah and discussed baking when they were young.

Fishel Bresler, Providence area musician and music teacher, led several music programs themed around the holidays of Purim, Shavuot and counting of the Omer.

And Rachel Balaban, dancer and teacher, taught Israel folk dance adapted for those who must remain seated.

Several middle school students accompanying a teacher from Providence Hebrew Day School helped the residents make matzah for Passover and then they shared their memories of the holidays. Susie Adler, community outreach manager at Hattie Ide Chaffee, led a seder for interested residents.

Barry Marshall, a drama specialist, helped guide the seniors with prompts and discussion, especially during the JCDSRI visits. On that final visit for the JCDSRI students in June, which was the culmination of the grant-funded Culture Series, Marshall had the students hang the drawings along the windows so all could see their handiwork.

From the intense discussions during this visit to the reports by the staff and residents of the home, you could tell that the participants – Jewish and not Jewish – were enriched and heart warmed by the culture series.

"The seniors really enjoyed the program," said Adler, who was in charge of overseeing the project. "They really engaged with the children."

This six-month program was partially funded by a grant from the The Jewish Alliance Community Microgrants Initiative. It’s aim was to reconnect seniors with Jewish culture and create a sense of community with children. Barry Zeltzer, CEO of the Hattie Ide Chaffee Home, said that the staff is working on getting additional funding to continue this kind of programming at the facility.

FRAN OSTENDORF (fostendorf@jewishallianceri.org) is the editor of Jewish Rhode Island.