Eliyahu Goodman, 7, (center) looks on as Joellen Friedman, 15, gives Nellie Blumin, 98, a manicure during the Chabad of East Brunswick Friendship Club’s visit to the Chelsea Assisted Living Center on Friday. The youths, ages 12 to 16, visit the residents weekly to provide artistic and theatrical activities, and to distribute mini-challah rolls and flowers in honor of Shabbat. EAST BRUNSWICK – A newly founded Friendship Club is dedicated to enlisting and empowering area teens to organize and demonstrate their care for the elderly.
Every Friday, kids between the ages of 12 and 16 mobilize and visit residents of the Chelsea Assisted Living Center, Cranbury Road, providing culturally artistic and theatrical activities. They also distribute mini-challah rolls, as well as flowers in honor of Shabbat, the Sabbath, sponsored in part by ShopRite of East Brunswick.
The teens, who are all part of Chabad of East Brunswick’s Bas Mitzvah Program, will also be conducting musical performances and participating in fun activities and projects for the senior participants.
PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Tova Koster plants a kiss on 2-year-old Shnieur Zalman Goodman, who accompanied youth from the Chabad of East Brunswick when they visited the Chelsea Assisted Living Center. “This has not only been a fun experience for the residents of Chelsea, but most of all a mitzvah [good deed] for all of the volunteers of this project,” said Rabbi Aryeh Goodman, director of Chabad of East Brunswick. The program’s goal for the teens is to foster a healthy, personal connection with each of the residents, he said.
“We really look forward to this program taking place,” said Gloria Petro, executive director of Chelsea of East Brunswick. “We always welcome new faces and especially the youth who bring joy and smiles into our residence. The youth are a wonderful remedy for those who may be lonely and a great prescription for making and maintaining relationships between the residents and the youth.”
She said Rabbi Goodman has been working closely with Lee Becourtney, the Chelsea’s program coordinator, to make the program a reality.
“I love coming on Fridays and seeing people who I can now call my friends,” said Madison Klarer, 13.
Ashleigh David, 12, from East Brunswick, noted, “They love our challahs too.”
The Friendship Club plans to expand its reach to different areas in the community. Those looking to volunteer, or to suggest a group to be visited, contact the Chabad House at (732) 579-8273.