New Rochelle, NY - Willow Towers Assisted Living, a Westchester County provider of senior housing in New Rochelle, New York, has formed an innovative Intergenerational learning program with The Pelham Jewish Center.

Willow Towers is part of the United Hebrew of New Rochelle continuum of care campus of services. The program brings seniors and students together as Jewish study partners called “Hevruta”.  The students, post Bar and Bat Mitzvah, meet with Willow Towers residents once a month to study Jewish topics of interest predetermined by the students and their teacher, Ethan Witkovsky.  Mr. Witkovsky, a rabbinical student, guides the intergenerational group to interact, voice opinions and learn together.

In one of the initial meetings the seniors and students were asked to play a game of Personal Bingo.  Mr. Witkovsky asked, “How many of you speak another language?” “Who is an only child? Who can play a musical instrument?”  These were just a few questions asked as a means of furthering the new “Hevruta” partnership session sparking lively conversation. As the bingo squares got filled, the participants from different generations came together and new friendships were ignited.  The room was filled with excitement, joy and enthusiasm.

After these new bonds were formed, the round table topic of discussion began and was of a more serious nature. That evening the conversation was centered on the release of the Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit.  At a prior session, the conversation was based on the Jewish New Year as they answered questions and shared experiences and memories of past holidays.

“The commencement of our new year-long partnership with the Pelham Jewish Center has only reinforced our commitment to engaging our residents in thought-provoking and mind expanding activities.”  said Jean Dunphy, Willow Towers Executive Director. “Our philosophy of care is to assist our Willow Towers residents in continuing a connection with their community and religious beliefs.”

Willow Towers Assisted Living was the first residence in Westchester County to receive the new New York State Department of Health assisted living license with dual certifications.  The not-for-profit community offers a wide array of amenities, including activity rooms, exercise room, transportation, a library with internet computers, and an art studio.   The Pelham Jewish Center project is just one of the many recreational activities created to keep the older adult residents mentally and spiritually active.

Rabbi David Schuck of the Pelham Jewish Center and many congregants were involved in planning the partnership with Willow Towers. The leadership of Pelham Jewish Center are committed to giving their teens an experience that will teach them the mitzvah of honoring their elders.

"The Jewish tradition suggests that cultivating a deep respect for our elders and shaping our lives around them, with their needs at the center, is of utmost importance. We are trying to live up to this expectation indeed, not just in the abstract. The partnership between our school and Willow Towers offers us the opportunity to do this, to better fulfill our Jewish mandate.” said Rabbi Schuck, “The time that our kids spend with the residents at Willow Towers is not out of pity; our students are deeply enriched by the encounters and relationships as much as anyone else."

As the sages say, “Take yourself a friend, go and study”, a message Willow Towers understands, as spiritual roots continue through the generations.

For more information about Willow Towers Assisted Living contact Jean Dunphy, Executive Director at 914.636.6565 or visit www.willowtowers.com.