(August 15, 2023 – ROCHESTER, NY) Jewish Senior Life has launched Project Kesher, a four-week summer intern program for Jewish teens that provides hands-on training and classroom studies to gain knowledge about the aging process and explore career opportunities in aging services. In addition to learning about potential career paths, other goals of the program include meaningful intergenerational engagement between students and residents, as well as challenging the stereotypes and perceptions of aging.
Twelve high school interns are currently participating in the experiential internship to learn from various department leaders in areas like information technology, medical services, nursing, recreation, and more. They also shadow employees in different areas, support staff through community service projects, interact with residents individually and as a group, and spend the end of each day reflecting on what they learned. Project Kesher is led by Silvana Bacman, Jewish Life and Learning Coordinator at Jewish Senior Life. She says, “I’m truly excited about the unique opportunities that Project Kesher offers. It’s a wonderful chance for teenagers to explore potential career paths, engage meaningfully with our residents, and truly bring Jewish values to life.”
Bacman continues, “By fostering connections between generations and challenging stereotypes, we’re actively embracing the principles of “Rachamim” (compassion), “Kavod” (respect), and “Kehillah” (community) that are so important to us. This program isn’t just about learning; it’s about living our values and creating a positive impact for everyone involved!”
In her role at Jewish Senior Life, Bacman provides employee education and resources on Jewish religious observances and traditions, community outreach with Jewish organizations in the Greater Rochester area, as well as intergenerational programming for residents across the Jewish Senior Life campus.
About Jewish Senior Life:
Serving people of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds, Jewish Senior Life is Rochester’s only Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC). Guided by the values of honoring family and aging in place, Jewish Senior Life offers all levels of care on a single campus—from independent living to skilled nursing care—along with a variety of programs and services for people living outside its campus. Jewish Senior Life has CARF International accreditation for high quality and customer satisfaction, and has been certified as a Great Place to Work® since 2020. Its affiliate, the Jewish Home, has been recognized as a Newsweek Best Nursing Homes 2022 and US News & World Report Best Nursing Home for Short-Term Rehabilitation 2021-2022. For more information, visit www.jewishseniorlife.org or https://www.facebook.com/jewishseniorlife.
