A PROJECT OF THE FAY ROSE HELLER INTERGENERATIONAL CENTER

Kirvah is Israel’s only long-term, intergenerational school program and national resource center, with a curriculum accredited, supervised and recommended by Israel's Ministry of Education andthe Jerusalem Municipality Department of Education. Kirvah currently runs in Jerusalem and Ashkelon.

  

Kirvah means "closeness" in Hebrew and is an acronym for "A Multifaceted Intergenerational Connection"). Visit our Kirvah Hebrew website at www.kirvah.org

 

JEWISH IDENTITY		Reinforcing Jewish roots in an open, pluralistic and nurturing intergenerational setting. Jewish kids and grandparents growing together. Jews from different countries sharing a common goal.
JEWISH LEARNING		Challenging stereotypes surrounding aging and the elderly through study of Jewish cultural and religious sources in the Torah, literature, art and media. Encouraging creativity, independent thought and teamwork, the program develops students' organizational and interpersonal skills, boosting self-esteem and producing lifelong benefits and friendships for young and elderly participants alike.
JEWISH LIVING		Helping to forge real mutual and meaningful intergenerational relations in the family and the community. Celebrating Jewish unity through intergenerational Hannukah, Tu B'Shvat, Passover and Independence Day activities.
JEWISH LEADERSHIP		Promoting social awareness and responsibility; motivating students to become actively involved in community projects.

 

 

Kirvah follows an incremental approach structured on weekly classroom lessons, intergenerational meetings and joint activities with the elderly. A Teacher's Guide, CD and Student's Sourcebook provide the basic framework and materials for the program. Emotional preparation and readiness of the students for each stage is an integral key to the program. Initially, students examine the topics of aging and the elderly through art, literature, media and Jewish sources. They then partner with a familiar senior, such as a grandparent or neighbor to work on a project of mutual interest, such as psychology, cooking, volunteering etc. Finally students are introduced to new seniors within small groups to facilitate more personal acquaintance. Students and seniors discuss topics of mutual interest and participate in stimulating activities and trips. 

 

Ezrat Avot is grateful to the UJA-Federation of New York and The ASSOCIATED – Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore for their seed funding of this project in Jerusalem and Ashkelon respectively.