Written by Nathalie Gelineau, Communications Lead, Hillel Lodge
On June 19th, Hillel Lodge hosted a special “Lifetime Achievement Ceremony” where grade 4 students from the Ottawa Jewish Community School (OJCS) presented booklets they created about the residents they connected with through the V’Hadarta Pnei Zaken program.
The V’Hadarta Pnei Zaken educational program began in 2006 when Ruthie Lebovitch’s students from Hillel Academy (now the OJCS) sought to support her mother at Hillel Lodge, inspiring a project that celebrates, honours, and respects the elderly through meaningful interactions.
The program Ruthie developed, working along with Rachel Kugler and Marilyn Adler (then Recreation Program Manager at Hillel Lodge, now as Life Enrichment Manager), has succeeded beyond all expectations in building connections between the students and the residents. After a hiatus during the pandemic, the program resumed this year, much to everyone's delight.
Orchestrated by the Life Enrichment Team at Hillel Lodge, the initiative aims to foster meaningful interactions between the OJSC students and the residents, celebrating, honouring, and respecting their lives. The students visited Hillel Lodge twice to interview residents about their histories, memories, likes, and dislikes, engaging in meaningful conversations and creating a booklet on their lives, all while accompanied by Hillel Lodge volunteers or staff members. A heartfelt thank you goes to the volunteers who participated in the whole journey of the program.
Ted Cohen, CEO of Hillel Lodge, discusses the program's impact: “There’s a beautiful Jewish teaching that comes from Leviticus, ‘V’Hadarta Pnei Zaken’ (You shall honour the presence of the elderly). But honoring our elders means more than just respecting them; it means listening deeply and creating space for their stories. This program is a living example of that. Through conversations and their writing, the students have become keepers of memory, while our residents have found a voice and a new audience.”
The “Lifetime Achievement Ceremony” held on June 19th was filled with heartfelt speeches from students, residents, and volunteers, evoking laughter and tears from the audience. Parents, teachers, and friends were invited to share in this touching occasion.
The students described their experience as both fun and enriching. Many expressed how much they learned from their assigned residents, emphasizing the joy of connecting across generations. Sigal Baray, the grade 4 Jewish Studies teacher at the OJCS, remarked, “Our students discovered the true meaning of mitzvah through connecting with residents. Students approached this program with open hearts and genuine curiosity, proving that friendship has no age barriers and that giving brings joy to both giver and receiver.”
Max Rosenberg from the Hillel Lodge LTC Foundation shared his personal connection to the V’Hadarta P’Nei Zaken Program: “I had the privilege of being a part of this program when I was in grade 4. I just graduated university on Tuesday, and I can honestly say that this was one of the most meaningful and memorable experiences I’ve had in school. I still remember the resident I interviewed and the profound insights he shared about his life.”
The V’Hadarta Pnei Zaken program has successfully built bridges between generations, highlighting the importance of community and understanding. This initiative not only enriches the lives of students and residents alike but also fosters a sense of belonging and connection within the broader Ottawa Jewish Community.
We look forward to continuing this beautiful intergenerational program and nurturing valuable relationships at Hillel Lodge!
