Intergenerational Interview Project

Dinah is an Interages Volunteer and interviewed Austin Heyman for an intergenerational project. He is the founder of Austin Heyman Interages Center of Jewish Council for the Aging. This interview was so successful that it became the impetus for us starting our Interages Interview project.

Flavia – 8th grader at Rosa Parks Middle School and Aviva Kempner – Aviva is an award-winning filmmaker who has been making independent films since 1979.

Joanna – 7th grader at Robert Frost Middle School and David Gamse, who recently retired after 30 years as CEO of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. The nonprofit agency provides services and programs to support older adults and their families and helps them with connections to other resources.

Joanna interviews Terrie and Ann, who are JCA Interages Volunteers. They worked together for years as Grandreaders at Sequoyah Elementary School. Combining their friendship and talent, they wrote and published a book for 2nd graders called As Best Friends Do.

Omar and Edith Spano – Meet the multi-language speaking and traveling Queen, Edith Spano; born in Vienna, Austria, Edith was an only child. Having no siblings, Edith and her parents loved to travel. From a young age, Edith has always had a love of traveling, exploring, and learning new things. She is now a member of Kensington Club, a social day club designed to meet the needs of adults who are in the early stages of diagnosed memory loss.

Vihaan and Nira Berry – Nira is an inspirational and motivational speaker, the founder of Laughter Wellness, Laughter Therapist, Workplace Wellness Program leader, a retreat facilitator, TV show host of the Happy & Healthy show, and a Health & Happiness Coach.

Sannidhi and Amy Zitelman – Amy joined her sisters and brother-in-law to launch @SoomFoods (in ‘12) They source sesames in Ethiopia and manufacture sesame projects (Tahini) in Israel for US distribution.  Pick up their fabulous cookbook, The Tahini Table.

Hannah and Max Levitt, who is the founder and CEO of Leveling the Playing Field, a non-profit group that gives underprivileged children the opportunity to enjoy the mental and physical benefits of youth sports participation.

Annika and John Shuchart – Dubbed a “serial entrepreneur” by the Kansas City Business Journal, John Shuchart is a successful businessman, educational innovator, and author.

Sara and Mike Leonard. Mike Leonard is a JCA volunteer and a marathon runner.  He is over 80 years old!

Maame and Teresa R. Wright – Teresa Wright retired from Montgomery County Public Schools in June of 2018 after over 40 years of service and teaching Spanish. During her teaching career, she was active in student and community affairs, providing assistance to students with problems in school and at home, and guiding students in volunteer community activities.  She is still a very active volunteer in the school.

Gabriella and Police Chief Marcus Jones – Chief Marcus Jones is a 33-year veteran of the department and currently oversees the Investigative Services Bureau.  He has also served as the Commander of the 3’rd District (Silver Spring), the Director of Major Crimes, Drug Enforcement Commander, the Police Training Academy Deputy Director, and a variety of other assignments.

Uma and Debbie Levy, who is the award-winning author of many books of nonfiction and fiction, including the New York Times bestseller I Dissent, This Promise of Change, The Year of Goodbyes, and the young adult novel Imperfect Spiral. She lives in Maryland with her husband. They have two grown sons.

Marina interviews Annie Holscher, who is an art therapist and works with Kensington Club seniors with memory loss.

Imran and Jon Simon – Jon Simon is a businessman, entrepreneur, President and CEO of Parkway Dry Cleaners.  He is also a remarkable piano player who composes and performs his works.

Laila interviews Patricia Jinich, who is a Mexican chef, TV personality, cookbook author, educator, and food writer. She is best known for her James Beard Award-winning and Emmy-nominated public television series Pati’s Mexican Table.

Marina and Dianne Eisenhower – Dianne is a music therapist and works with Kensington Club seniors with memory loss.

Selena interviews Maureen Dwyer, Executive Director of the Sitar Arts Center, which is based in Washington D.C. Director Dwyer touched upon the mission of Sitar, which is to engage DC youth and provide them opportunities for affordable, high-quality education and workforce development in the (visual, digital, and performing) arts.

Jimmy – a rising 10th grader – and retired judge Paul Weinstein. The Honorable Paul Weinstein recollects his legal career and the changes that came with time.

Hannah – a rising 10th grader at Poolesville High School – and Noah Simon. Noah is a music agent at the United Talent Agency and is on the Steering Committee for the Louis Armstrong Center for Music and Medicine.

Asher interviews Bill Torrey, who’s had quite the career in broadcast journalism. Bill teaches at American University and advises the next generation interested in this field to read and write more.

Zaina – a rising 9th grader at Bethesda Chevy Chase High School – and Lori Gardener. Lori is passionate about all types of cuisine and is a part of the “food community” in the D.C. area.