The Kesher 13 group of Temple Beth Am  

Sydney Wishnow
Maggie Shatz
William Slater
Natalie Campbell
Matthew Campbell
Reuben Jacobson
Hannah Jacobson
Andrew Hutchins
Ali Mancall
Sam Barnett

Kesher 13 is Jewish Family Service of Metrowest's award-winning intergenerational program that connects youth and their families to Jewish elders in local nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.  These sixth and seventhgraders and their families visit elders on a monthly basis, celebrating Shabbat (the Sabbath) and holidays and sharing Jewish memories. In Framingham, the volunteers from Temple Beth Am regularly visit the seniors at Heritage of Framingham on Water Street.

Whiz Kids’ accomplishments: After completing a training program to understand the needs and situation of the seniors living at Heritage, the Kesher volunteers are able to visit the residents and share their youthful enthusiasm while learning about the history, traditions and knowledge that the seniors have to share.

Whiz Kids’ Key to Awesomeness:According to the program director Nancy Fried-Tanzer at Jewish Family Services, “these kids (and their parents) are awesome because they bring activities to share, play charades, sing, and bring joy to our elders!”

The year-long commitment to this program often leads to more volunteering on the part of the youth.  Some continue to volunteer at the nursing home while others go on to mentor the next group of kids that enter the Kesher 13 program.  It is a great way to gain experience and make meaningful connections in the community.