“How will they ever top this?” That was the question asked by more than a few attendees at last year’s first-ever COJO Flatbush Summer Garden Party as they took in the sights and sounds of hundreds of seniors caught up in four lively and truly memorable hours packed with fun, food, and friendship.
“No one wanted the music, the audience-participation games, and the Torah lectures to ever come to an end,” was how one participant put it.
Judging from the wide smiles, deep laughter, and excited buzz that resonated throughout the afternoon, this year’s Garden Party – held once again at the ultra-elegant Club House reception hall of Brooklyn’s historic and picturesque Dyker Beach Golf Course – more than met the sky-high expectations raised by last year’s event.
Billed as a celebration of “The 65+ Young at Heart in Our Community” and presented by the Pikus Senior Enrichment Programs of COJO Flatbush in partnership with the Boro Park Y, the program drew nearly 350 seniors and featured an animated round of “Simon Says,” expertly and humorously led by the beloved interactive entertainer Sholom Hyman, aka Simon Sez; an informative presentation on various aspects of elder law and eldercare by attorney Joseph Klein, a founding partner of Korsinsky & Klein, LLP; a thought-provoking talk by Rabbi Nate Segal, longtime leader in Jewish education, who spoke about the place of the elderly in society as influenced by Jewish values; and comedian Eli Lebowicz, who had everyone in stitches while they enjoyed a lavish dessert and ice cream buffet on the large outdoor patio overlooking the 18-hole championship golf course. Meanwhile, the talented Shmuly Zelishovsky provided a constant musical backdrop between activities and speakers.
The highlight of the afternoon was a rousing performance of memorable standards from the classic 1959 Broadway musical and 1965 film “The Sound of Music” by an ensemble of outstanding musicians and actors, brought together by Jordan Hirsch of Jordan Hirsch Music. Several of them had been on hand at last year’s Garden Party, performing old favorites from “Fiddler on the Roof.” This year they featured selections from The Sound of Music soundtrack that included the timeless title song along with “My Favorite Things,” “Sixteen Going on Seventeen,” “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” “Do-Re-Mi,” and “So Long, Farewell.”
City Council Member Kalman Yeger, who was on hand to greet the attendees, took note of the liveliness of the crowd and praised COJO for its service to the community.
“We are extremely pleased to have an event like this,” said Social Services Director Shulamis Shapiro. “The location is beautiful, the program is stimulating and entertaining, and the food is delightful, thanks to Events by Dovi. Most gratifying was the response from our seniors, who really enjoyed the afternoon; the only ‘complaint’ was that the time went by so quickly.”
Added COJO Flatbush CEO Louis Welz, “Offering seniors an array of invigorating events is an essential aspect of COJO’s senior programs, enabling them to remain vital and active.”
Welz and Shapiro credited the Boro Park Y and its Executive Director, Ellie Kastel, for “their enthusiastic partnership” in making the event such an enormous success. “We’re so thankful for their commitment and dedication to everything we do together,” said Shapiro.
The Garden Party is just one of the many services COJO Flatbush provides for seniors. For further information, call 718-377-2900, ext. 342.
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