Bellmore teens honored for bringing their peers and seniors together

Two Bellmore teens are bringing their peers and local senior residents together as part of an intergenerational program they created last year called Senior Teen Joy.

Benjamin Balshin and Zachary Hoberman, both incoming freshmen at John F. Kennedy High School in Bellmore, have coordinated five events since the fall, including a trivia party, a cookie-making workshop and a retro disco extravaganza complete with glow sticks and a DJ. The gatherings have attracted as many as 100 people to Congregation Beth Ohr in Bellmore, which hosts the events and helps with funding, according to the pair.

“It’s been absolutely amazing so far,” Benjamin said. “This was a little idea we had and neither of us thought it would become what it is now. We’re so proud.”

Benjamin and Zachary, both 14, said they developed the idea in Hebrew school while studying for their bar mitzvahs, which requires kids to complete a service project to benefit their local community. The Bellmore teens ultimately decided they wanted to do something that would connect different generations through “meaningful activities” with a goal of “spreading joy,” Benjamin said.

Their most recent event was a bingo and karaoke party that attracted about 75 people to the synagogue last month. Several local businesses, including Piccolo Ristorante in Bellmore and Frankie’s Pizzeria & Restaurant in Merrick, have donated gift cards to serve as prizes for the program’s games, the teens said.

“We did one event, and it turned out well, and everyone wanted us to continue,” Zachary said. “The seniors are loving it, and they have even started to bring their neighbors and friends, which is great. They can be themselves and meet new people through these events.”

The teen volunteers, whom Benjamin described as the “backbone of the program,” mostly come from the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District. The boys’ plan, though, is to spread the word about their program by e-mailing organizations across Long Island.

“Intergenerational programming is really important, because we have some seniors and elders who don’t necessarily have a lot of family close by,” Benjamin said. “Elders also have lots of stories and words of wisdom that are beneficial to our teens.”

This spring, the two received a proclamation from state Sen. Steven D. Rhoads (R-Bellmore), who called them an “inspiration.”

“I’m incredibly proud of Benjamin Balshin and Zach Hoberman for their vision and leadership,” Rhoads said. “Their compassion, creativity and leadership are an inspiration, and they represent the very best of what our youth can achieve. I look forward to seeing how this remarkable program continues to grow.”

By Michael R. Ebert

michael.ebert@newsday.com

Michael R. Ebert is an education researcher and has worked for Newsday in various capacities since 2003. He was part of an 11-person team named as 2008 Pulitzer Prize finalists for investigative coverage of the LIRR's platform safety issues.