The sweet interaction between generations was once again the defining characteristic of the most recent COJO Flatbush/Bnos Leah Prospect Park Yeshiva High School (BLOPPY) senior luncheon, held in the school’s auditorium.
COJO’s senior clients schmoozed with friends; played competitive rounds of Bingo; enjoyed a delicious dairy meal provided by the school; and sang, danced, and chatted with BLOPPY high school and elementary-grade students.
The emotional connection between COJO’s seniors and the Bnos Leah girls is clear to everyone present at the luncheons. Student Breindy Engelberg said she enjoys “making new friends and learning from the experiences of the seniors,” while Shaindel Finkelstein said she “loves making new friends, engaging in conversations with seniors about their lives, and receiving Berachos from them.”
For their part, the seniors described themselves as “impressed,” “inspired,” even “enchanted” by the BLOPPY students. Mrs. Tzivia Wohlberg always looks forward to “spending time with the girls, talking and dancing, and being with my sister and sister-in-law, who also attend COJO luncheons.” Mrs. Mildred Lomner, referring to the weather outside, said “the girls bring sunshine into the room when it’s cloudy outside.” Mrs. Leah Vigonskaia enjoys “speaking with the girls and sharing details of my life.” She added that she’s “excited about this new Jewish generation.”
The bonding of generations “makes these luncheons truly special,” said COJO Flatbush Social Services Director Shulamis Shapiro. “The students learn a lot about life and history from talking with the seniors and the seniors love the students’ youthful enthusiasm.”
BLOPPY’s Nechama Shreibman, who does an outstanding job overseeing the luncheons, said the connection between students and seniors is “something so beautiful, especially when they dance together, creating a literal link between them.”
COJO Flatbush CEO Louis Welz observed that “it’s always inspiring to see the close connection that forms between Jews wherever they are and whatever their age. It’s especially inspiring when our seniors, a number of whom are Holocaust survivors, can experience first-hand the commitment to Judaism and Jewish survival exemplified by this new generation of young Jews whom they get to know at our luncheons.”
Seniors Luncheons are just one of the many events, activities, and services COJO Flatbush offers seniors. For more information, or if you (or a parent) would like to join us for these events, call 718-377-2900, ext. 342.
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