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MULTIGENERATIONAL PROGRAMMING


"I love Rashi children. They are spontaneous and uninhibited, appealing and lovable. Now that my grandkids have grown up, I'm enjoying having 'new kids' in my life."

- Sybil G., NewBridge resident

The Rashi School is unique in that it shares a campus with a Hebrew SeniorLife facility, offering many opportunities for multigenerational programming. Rashi has a strong relationship with our neighbors, the residents and staff of NewBridge on the Charles. Rashi students and families go to NewBridge on a regular basis for a variety of learning, social, and holiday activities, while NewBridge volunteers come to Rashi to volunteer in classrooms and the library, and serve as tutors and mentors.



"The time I spent with the residents was remarkable. I learned about interacting with elders and I learned valuable life lessons from their stories. Meeting with NewBridge residents is an incredible opportunity for middle schoolers."

- Juliet P., Rashi Class of 2012




"Having three generations in the room learning and teaching each other is heartwarming. The lines between learner and teacher are blurred as we realize we can all teach and learn from each other."

- Ari Marcovski, teacher of the afterschool
chess elective





Specific activities include:

  • Rashi Mitzvah Makers meet monthly with seniors, sharing games, songs, crafts and holiday activities
  • Middle School memory support program trains students in working with residents experiencing memory loss; students and seniors meet weekly for music, art, and adaptive sports projects
  • NewBridge independent living members volunteer in Rashi classrooms and afterschool electives, and serve as Science Fair mentors
  • Joint gardening and fitness electives
  • Multigenerational spring concert
  • Artist in residence works with students and seniors together
  • NewBridge residents join students at Rashi for Kabbalat Shabbat
  • Fourth graders interview seniors about Passover memories and traditions
  • Seventh graders share their Purim projects with seniors
  • Rashi Israeli dancers perform at NewBridge and assist seniors with "chair dancing"
  • Shared holiday celebrations: Sukkot, Chanukah, Purim, Passover, Memorial Day
  • Rashi families join seniors for Creative Sundays
  • Seniors attend drama productions at Rashi

Rashi's partnership with NewBridge has led to new relationships and new layers of learning. We have only begun to explore the possibilities, and we look forward to additional meaningful experiences in the years ahead.