On Monday, May 13, Ma’ayanot’s Better Together club participated in the second Carp Tank (modeled after the hit TV show Shark Tank) competition at the Jewish Home at Rockleigh. The event marked the exciting culmination of a year-long process with a dual aim: fostering intergenerational connections and challenging students to develop STEAM projects that address the needs of older adults. The students opted in to the program, which is generously supported by a grant from a prominent national foundation.
Through regular visits to the Jewish Home, students developed a keen understanding of the needs their elders face—and together, small groups of seniors and students conceived ways in which technology might help. Students then utilized Ma’ayanot’s state-of-the-art STEAM program to design and construct hi-tech devices to benefit the older population. Sophomore Meira Shapiro described how the program “reinforced my love for STEAM, while giving me the chance to do a huge mitzvah. Also, my group was able to forge a really nice relationship with our resident, and to learn about her interests and her past. By getting to know her, we were able to customize our innovation to her.”
The inventions came to life at Carp Tank, where each group presented its project, displaying what Ma’ayanot Faculty Advisor Gillian Cofnas called “extremely impressive enthusiasm, care, and passion.” Jewish Home Executive Vice President Sunni Herman was amazed by the students’ ingenuity, stating that they “created incredible, thought-provoking inventions that truly meet a need—specifically, helping those with balance, seeing and hearing issues.”
The winning invention, inspired by Jewish Home resident Charlotte Poole, was a motorized device designed to teach Hebrew Braille. The students, according to sophomore Sonia Weiner, were struck that “Charlotte never gave up on her dreams. Even at her age, she was determined to spend many hours learning Hebrew Braille.” Charlotte herself was euphoric. “I am so proud and happy! I can’t believe it! The students were brilliant, and created a Hebrew Braille machine that never existed. I believe it will help me and other Jewish blind students.” A second highlight was the announcement of Emma Nordlicht as the Better2Write contest winner, for an essay that poignantly described the program’s impact.
