Elders. kids make magic

By DEBORAH MOON

article created on: 2010-02-04T00:00:00

Singing, hopping, hugs, snacks and crafts were in ample supply when more than a dozen children descended for their monthly visit to their adopted bubbes and zeydes Jan. 14.

The transitional kindergarten/kindergarten class at Maimonides Jewish Day School has been visiting the “Bubbes and Zeydes” of the Robison’s Adult Day Services program every month this school year. Robison Jewish Health Care Center is part of Cedar Sinai Park.

“This is a wonderful joy-filled time for our seniors to engage directly with the children,” said Nancy Heckler, adult day services program coordinator. “We love their energy, hugs and smiles.”

The hour visit each month begins with the seniors and children singing together accompanied by Margie Spector on the piano. Spector moved from Maryland to Portland with her husband Harry Spector to be near her son Marshal Spector and three of her own grandchildren, Max, Jennie and Joseph Spector.

One song about frogs had the children hopping around in the middle of a circle of elders, who smiled and clapped.

Day service participant Lucille Weiss said, “They are wonderful children. They are priceless.”

Weiss, who lives on the CSP campus in an assisted living apartment at Rose Schnitzer Manor said that she enjoys coming to the activities at the day services program.

“I love coming to all the activities,” she said. “My daughter knew I wanted to be with people so she signed me up.”

MJDS Education Director Sharon Pollin said, “The children love visiting their ‘bubbies and zeydes.’ They understand that their visit and the hugs they share help the bubbies and zeydes feel happy inside, and that this is a big mitzvah, especially for people who are older than we are. As the months have passed and the newness of our time together has worn away, the children are comfortable talking, playing, singing, dancing, and doing activities together.”

Pollin said that after one recent visit one little boy told her that when he hugged one of the bubbes, “her skin felt kind of squishy.” When Pollin asked him how he thought she felt on the inside, he replied, “Happy.”

When Pollin asked him, “Did you feel happy, too?,” he replied “Yes.”

“This is so much what it’s all about, and we are grateful that we are able to have this beautiful experience together,” concluded Pollin.