Maccabi meets Montefiore
Participants in Maccabi’s Junior Carnival from across Australia converged at Jewish Care recently to participate in Maccabi-Jewish Care Community Day.
Maccabi youth and Jewish Care residents enjoy a Zumba class in the Montefiore Homes Community Residence Plaza.
The young athletes spent a day having fun while experiencing first-hand the importance of giving back to the community.
Held at Jewish Care’s St Kilda Road site, 130 young Maccabeans took a break from sport to engage in workshops and activities, learn skills and interact with residents. The event included Zumba, ‘Jewish Care Jeopardy’, creative arts and memorable intergenerational exchanges.
Resident Sydney Owzinski demonstrates his painting.
This was the second time Jewish Care has supported the Community Day initiative, which was introduced as a community service component of Maccabi’s 2011 carnival.
Emma Boyar, Jewish Care Next Generation Manager, said there was no better way of celebrating community than to bring the generations together.
“The teenagers who attended were full of energy and enthusiasm, bringing their high spirits and joy to aged care residents,” Ms Boyar said. “At the same time, participants benefitted from engaging with people outside their daily routines and gained greater understanding of the importance of Jewish Care as a backbone of the Melbourne Jewish community.
Stephanie Lewis, a Maccabi carnival Victorian participant, said: “I loved brightening someone’s day. I could see I was making another person happy and that made me happy. I’ll be back to volunteer.”
By highlighting the role played by Jewish Care, organisers hope to promote to youth – and future leaders of the community – participation in philanthropy, fundraising projects and volunteering activities.
Montefiore’s Lidiya Driker with Maccabi participants.
