Early Childhood Programs of the North Suburban Jewish Community Center and Temple Beth Shalom Travel to Aviv Centers for Living at Woodbridge to Celebrate Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israel Independence Day

Thursday, April 26th, children and staff from the Early Childhood Programs of the North Suburban Jewish Community Center (NSJCC) and Temple Beth Shalom, both in Peabody, traveled to Aviv Centers for Living at Woodbridge (Woodbirdge)  to celebrate Yom Ha’aztmaut, Israel Independence Day. Children, families, residents, and staff members from all three organizations came together for a special intergenerational morning of song and celebration in honor of Israel’s 64th birthday. Led by Cantor Idan Irelander, the participants joined in a sing-a-long followed by refreshments and craft activities for the children.
The last in a series of of three holiday programs between the two preschools, this was the first to include Woodbridge residents and take on an intergenerational flavor. Funded by a Community innovation Grant of the Jewish Federation of the North Shore, each of the three holiday celebrations fostered a sense of community between the two preschools, but this last program was particularly special because of the intergenerational component. “I have never seen so many children in one room…this is just wonderful,” said Barbara Gloss, 86, a Woodbridge resident.
The three agencies plan to continue collaboration into the next year and build on the success of the program’s inaugural year. The NSJCC students will not have far to travel for the next event, as they will soon share a campus with residents from Aviv Centers for Living as they relocate to its newly expanded campus on Lynnfield Street in Peabody, with a targeted move-in date of September, 2012.