Students help seniors

The fifth grade class at Heschel West Day School in Agoura recently inaugurated a program, "Project Caring," that will bring students in contact with elderly residents of two assisted-living communities in Thousand Oaks on an ongoing basis during the school year. Once a month, the fifth graders will bring programs of Jewish music, literature, holiday celebrations and companionship to residents of Hillcrest Royale and The Hillcrest Inn.

Developed in 1975, Project Caring was established to address research that indicated the elderly in nursing homes may feel alienated from their community and its religious traditions. The program recruits and matches volunteer groups who will commit to monthly visits to nursing homes and functions under the auspices of the Jewish Family Services of Greater Los Angeles.

During a recent visit, Heschel West student Michael Wentz, 10, befriended Harry Altman and learned firsthand of Altman’s experiences and adventures while stationed on a battleship in the Pacific during World War II.

Heschel West Day School is one of the only school groups in the Las Virgenes/Conejo area participating in this type of program, which encourages youth to perform a mitzvah or good deed.