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.”

“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.”

Through fun and interactive events, the group connects teens and younger congregants with seniors, fostering meaningful relationships and strengthening their community.

Congregation leaders at Beth Ohr said both Benji, 13, and Zach, 14, are very involved in their community, inside and outside of the synagogue. Over the last few months, they’ve organized and led several programs inviting teens and seniors to come together — each time fostering more attention for their cause. 

“Last year, we created this program where we wanted to connect seniors and youth within the Bellmore-Merrick community,” Benji told the Herald during the duo’s latest event, a hamantaschen cookie bake on March 2. “We put together all of these great events, like Jeopardy, trivia, retro discos, baking events, to just connect the teens and the elders within the community to get to know about each other and learn.”