The Heyman Interages^®Center is a program

of JCA^® - Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington.

For those who celebrate Jewish holidays this month, "gut yontif,” which means “(wishing you) a good holiday.” Sephardic Jews may offer a greeting in Ladino, "anyada bueno, dulse, i alegre," meaning "may you have a good, sweet, and happy new year." The Hebrew expression, "tizku leshanim rabot," meaning "may you merit many years."

Photo by Igal Ness on Unsplash

🌟 Join Us for a Volunteer Coffee Meet-Greet 🌟



🗓️ Date: Wednesday, October 18

⏰ Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Mark your calendar for our Volunteer Coffee Meet-Greet on Wednesday, October 18th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Bring friends! Find out about fall volunteer opportunities!

Here's what you can expect:

⭐ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Introductions and Q&A

⭐ 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM: Socializing and Lite Fare

• Enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with like-minded individuals.
• Savor delicious light fare and refreshments.
• Share your experiences, insights, and stories with new friends.

📍 Location: JCA Headquarters 12320 Parklawn Drive, Rockville MD 20852

RSVP today to secure your spot! For more information or to RSVP, please contact Indira Dingledine, Volunteer Manager at [email protected] or (301) 255 4239

Seeking Volunteers! Harmony Hills Readers Theater

Join the JCA Interages Readers Theater at Harmony Hills Elementary School!

Volunteers Aged 50+ Wanted!

Where: Harmony Hills Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD 20906

📅 When: Thursdays, 12:45 pm - 1:15 pm

Sessions:

1. 📖 Oct 12 - Dec 14 (No class on Oct 23)
2. 📖 Jan 11 - Mar 7
3. 📖 Apr 4 - Jun 6 (No class on May 23)

Why Volunteer?

✨ Bridge Generations: Inspire young minds with storytelling.

✨ Boost Literacy: Help kids develop reading and communication skills.

How to Join:

• Attend one or more sessions.
• Pre-screening and MCPS fingerprinting required.

📧 Contact Indira Dingledine: [email protected]

Join us for an enriching literary journey and make a difference in young readers' lives!

Seeking Volunteers! Kennedy High School Dialogues Across the Ages

🌟 Discover Interages' "Dialogues Across the Ages" at Kennedy High School! 🌟

Are you ready for a unique and inspiring experience? Join us in Wheaton-Glenmont, MD. for an intergenerational exchange.

📆 When: Every Friday from October 20th to December 15th, 2023

⏰ Time: 12:51 to 1:38 pm

"Dialogues Across the Ages" brings students and volunteers aged 50+ together for meaningful conversations. It's a golden opportunity for students to tap into the treasure trove of life experiences, wisdom, and insights from older generations.

If you're a volunteer aged 50+, this is your chance to connect with the younger generation, share your knowledge, and bridge the generation gap. Pre-screening and MCPS fingerprinting are required for volunteer participation.

For more information or to get involved, contact Indira Dingledine at [email protected].

Photo by charlesdeluvio on Unsplash

Interages Redland Middle School Dialogues/Alternative / Resource Group

🌟 Join Our Dialogues Across the Ages Program at Redland Middle School! 🌟

Are you aged 50 and above? We're calling all volunteers to make a real difference in the lives of students at Redland Middle School!

🗓️ When: Mondays, October 23rd to December 4th

🕒 Time: 9:08 – 10:01am

🌐 Where: Redland Middle School

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

• Engage in meaningful conversations with the younger generation
• Bridge the generation gap and foster valuable connections
• Expand horizons and build lasting relationships

Your presence matters! Help our students grow and learn while enriching your own life.

• Pre-screening is required
• MCPS fingerprinting is necessary

For inquiries or to express your interest, contact Indira Dingledine at [email protected].

WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING BACK THIS AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM! SEEKING VOLUNTEERS!

🌟 Interages' Daly Elementary's Bridges Program! 🌟

Ready to make a difference while having fun? Join our program as a 50+ volunteer and connect with kids whose first language is Spanish, French, and more, even if you only speak English!

🕓 Program Details:

✨ Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM on Wednesdays

✨ Starting Date: October 18th

✨ Fun, educational activities.

✨ Language and cultural exchange.

✨ No second language required!

✨ Training and support provided.

Pre-screening and MCPS fingerprinting are required for volunteer participation. Contact Indira Dingledine if you are interested or have questions. [email protected]

See volunteer opportunities anytime through our Volunteer Portal

Please note, all opportunities require

preregistration and a background check.

Opening Minds Through Art (OMA): Andy and Artist

This summer, we kicked off our inaugural Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) program. OMA is an award-winning, intergenerational art making program that builds bridges across age and cognitive barriers.

One of our youth volunteers, Andy, who is a high school student seen in this photo, wrote the following reflective piece to share OMA's powerful impact with you:

This past summer, I joined fellow teens from Montgomery County and older adults with early-stage memory loss to create abstract art through a program called Opening Minds Through Art (OMA) through JCA. The other teens and I were paired with older adults with short-term memory loss to create abstract art projects, Working with older adults with memory loss through the art program was a very rewarding and fun experience. I was paired up with an older adult who had a fondness for painting houses. This creative outlet not only allowed us to explore our artistic sides but also served as a bridge to connect with one another. The most remarkable aspect of this program was witnessing the joy and engagement it brought to the older adults. The simple act of creating art triggered conversations about their lives, families, and cherished memories. As I assisted and encouraged my partner in the art projects, it became evident that art was not just a medium for expression but also a tool that could help stimulate memory and foster social interaction.

One of my responsibilities as a teen volunteer was to provide support when needed. There were moments when my partner hesitated or expressed reluctance to participate, but through gentle encouragement and compliments on her work, I was able to motivate her. I found that building a sense of trust and companionship was important in ensuring a positive experience for both of us. Moreover, the program's impact extended beyond the art itself; it created a space where meaningful relationships grew between teens and older adults. Our leaders, Karen and Rachel, were instrumental in choosing and guiding our projects. Whether we were working with acrylic paints, watercolors, or abstract objects like paper towel rolls, each session was a new opportunity for creative exploration and bonding.



Reflecting on this experience, I believe that art plays a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for the older adults involved. It provides them with a sense of purpose, social interaction, and a means to express themselves when words might fail them due to their condition. The program not only fostered artistic growth but also created an environment filled with smiles and laughter. It was a testament to the power of human connection and the positive impact that intergenerational programs can have on individuals living with memory loss and their teenage counterparts. It taught me the value of empathy, patience, and the simple joy of creating art together.

Close-Up Collage

Arts for the Aging returned to the JCA this summer, bringing together youth and Kensington Club members once again. Together, they learned digital photography using iPads and traditional collage techniques to create hand-made collaborative photo collages. Great fun was had by all! 

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Middle school campers from Camp JCC joined residents at the Landow House this summer for conversation, arts and crafts, STEM activities, and games. Everyone enjoyed getting to know their 'neighbors' and making meaningful connections. 

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Our partnership with Milton Gottesman Jewish Day School continued with pre-kindergarten students visiting Kensington Club members to celebrate the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. Students and members created apple art, heard a story, sang songs and enjoyed a special new year treat of apples and honey, pomegranates, challah and honey cake.

MONTHLY READING TUTOR TRAINING SERIES

We hope you will join us on Zoom for our monthly Reading Tutor Training series. Stay tuned for dates. We are so grateful to presenter Megan Bainbridge, Reading Specialist of the Captain James E. Daly Elementary School, who is providing the sessions. Each session focuses on a different Reading Tutor Training topic, and lasts about an hour. Pre-registration online is required. 

Please note, these sessions provide broad tips and are not intended to be certification level training.

Next session Thursday, October 19th at 1:00pm : Decoding by Grade Level

Register in advance for this meeting:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYvdO6qrTksHdOF1ds4V3jSI1_9oP10CSvg 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

RECORDED SESSIONS

To view past recordings of the Reading Tutor Training sessions, visit our Volunteer Portal

Fall Adventures Begin in Montgomery County, MD

See Visit Montgomery for more information, Click Here.

Make a gift to support the good work that we do.

You can designate your gift to intergenerational programs on the donation form.

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched - they must be felt with the heart."

Hellen Keller

For your convenience, past issues of the JCA Interages Connector are available on the JCA Interages website. Or hold your phone camera over this QR code or take a screenshot of the QR code and it will take you to our website.