Intergenerational Project Celebrated at Palace Ra’anana: Students Publish Life Stories of Assisted Living Residents

An emotional graduation ceremony was held this week at Azrieli Group’s Palace Ra’anana assisted living residence, marking the culmination of a unique intergenerational project between local teenagers and senior residents.

As part of the initiative, students from Metro West High School met regularly with 15 residents of the home and documented their life stories. Among those featured in the project were Gershon Arental, a brigadier general in the reserves, and Yigal Tena, who served for nearly four decades at the institution.

The personal accounts were compiled into a commemorative book, which was distributed to residents during the ceremony in the presence of their families, the mayor of Ra’anana, students, school staff and representatives of the Palace residence.

Mayor Praises Project as Model of Civic Values

Ra’anana Mayor Haim Broida praised the initiative, emphasizing the city’s commitment to honoring its senior population.

“The elderly population holds a place of honor in Ra’anana,” Broida said at the ceremony. “The city and its residents deeply appreciate the contribution of our veterans to urban and community life.”

He described the life-story writing project as an expression of gratitude and a meaningful way to strengthen intergenerational ties. “Youth are exposed to the personal and inspiring stories of the city’s veterans in a significant human encounter that connects past, present and future,” he said.

Quoting the late Israeli leader Yigal Allon, Broida added: “A people who do not know their past, their present is poor and their future is shrouded in mist.”

He thanked the students for what he called the “mutual privilege” of learning from the residents and helping preserve their legacy for future generations. The mayor also noted that the city, which places a strong emphasis on the welfare and enrichment of its retirees, views the project as a model for social engagement and values-based education.