On Tuesday nights, a group of teenagers visit their friends at the Simon C. Fireman Community senior housing complex in Randolph. The teens are part of the TELEM regional collaborative, a program that integrates volunteer service with classroom learning and reflection, enabling students to build meaningful relationships with their Jewish peer group as well as the broader community. TELEM is a program of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston (JCRC) and is held at Temple Beth Emunah in Brockton.
Jared, a TELEM participant, says he gets as much from the program as he gives. “I’ve learned so much from the people I meet there. One senior told me about his career making dentures, and it was obvious he had so much pride in his work. I learned you don’t have to have a high paying job or a fancy lifestyle to be happy. All you need is to do something you love and have fun with it.”
A Magical Time
According to their teacher, Barbara Fine, both teens and seniors have had a ‘magical’ time. Whether they are playing Scrabble, sharing prom dress pictures, or simply talking, the connections they make with each other and members of the community are pretty special.
“Some of our students aren’t affiliated with the temple, but they want to be a part of TELEM,” says Barbara. “They start out in 8th grade, and they stick with it throughout high school. We don’t lose anybody—these kids want to be here.”
Through Transitions to Work, people with disabilities are finding a sense of purpose through work.
Read The Story >“I was embarrassed and that made it so hard to ask for help,” says Bonnie. But when she could no longer afford transportation to her son’s medical appointments, she called CJP.
Read The Story >How could the space be redesigned into an accessible prayer room that would make the residents feel comfortable? And, who could complete the work?
Read The Story >They survived the Holocaust, but the Zuckermans found that war and strife would pursue them into their senior years.
Read The Story >CJP’s Israel campus initiative supports students before, during and after their Birthright trips. And now IACT is reaching young people on campuses from Massachusetts to California.
Read The Story >Ready for Success is a program that helps unemployed, mid-to-late career professionals in Metrowest get back in the job market by enhancing their skills – and raising their confidence.
Read The Story >Ready for Success is a program that helps unemployed, mid-to-late career professionals in Metrowest get back in the job market by enhancing their skills – and raising their confidence.
Read The Story >Imagine leaving your home country and career to forge a new life in an unfamiliar place.
Read The Story >For a lot of people, there’s nothing too special about Tuesday night. But for a group of teens in the South Area, Tuesday is the best night of the week.
Read The Story >What happens when you bring together students from top technology universities in Boston and in Haifa, Israel?
Read The Story >Whether you’re a freshman or a returning student, you can find ways to get involved on campus.
Read The Story >Every year, CJP’s Scholarship Committee receives applications from hundreds of students who need our help to fund their college education.
Read The Story >What can planting flowers, cleaning up a beach or working behind the scenes at a theater teach your child about Jewish values?
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