Smiles and laughter, along with an abundance of good feelings, fill the room whenever COJO Flatbush holds a Senior Luncheon at Bnos Leah Prospect Park Yeshiva. As was the case with the most recent Luncheon, dozens of attendees meet up with old friends and make new ones, enjoy a savory lunch, engage in some surprisingly competitive rounds of Bingo, and delight in the hearty singing and dancing of Bnos Leah students, who socialize and have pictures taken with the seniors.
The coming together of generations is what makes the Luncheons really stand out, says COJO Flatbush Social Services Director Shulamis Shapiro. “The students gain new insight from chatting with the seniors and learning about their lives and the seniors are invigorated by the students’ youthful enthusiasm.”
Bnos Leah’s Nechama Shreibman, who handles the logistics of the Luncheons from the school’s end, always marvels at the warm connection between the students and COJO’s senior clients. She says she particularly enjoys watching when they dance together and “create a literal link between the generations.”
An especially sweet moment during the recent Luncheon, says Naomi Shapiro, Volunteers Coordinator for COJO’s Pikus Senior Enrichment Programs, occurred when the Bnos Leah girls sang “Happy Birthday” to a happily surprised senior client.
For information on upcoming events for seniors, including arts parties and Luncheons, as well as details about other Seniors Division programs and services, call 718-377-2900, ext. 342.
