Iris Bloom, 84, doesn’t get out too often. "I don’t get around much, darling. My eyesight is not good, and my balance is not good, and unless someone takes me, I can’t go out," she said.

So when the youth chorale from Congregation Beth El in South Orange, led by Cantor Perry Fine, came to perform a medley of Hanukka songs at B’nai B’rith Federation House, she made sure she was among the 30 people in the audience.

"I love music, and I think it’s wonderful the way the kids perform. They’re outgoing. It’s a lovely evening," said Bloom, who has lived in the building in South Orange for 12 years.

The concert, held Dec. 10, was the second in a series of musical programs featuring children from eight synagogues and two day schools in Essex and Morris counties being held at five properties of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation. The first concert was held on Dec. 9 at the Lester Senior Housing Community in Whippany, featuring students from Temple B’nai Or in Morristown.

"What we’re trying to do is find ways to engage our residents, especially those who are frail and elderly and not going out so much for events and activities. We want to bring programs to them. We know the presence of children is very enjoyable," said JCHC chief executive officer Harold Colton-Max.

The concerts are the beginning of what Colton-Max said he hopes will be lasting relationships both between individual institutions and nearby senior homes as well as between the children and the residents. "The idea is not just to have the children come and sing but also to provide time for interaction," said Colton-Max.

"There’s a lot of isolation among the seniors," said Elaine Pincus, assistant secretary of the JCHC board of trustees. "What better way to bring them out than with children and singing and a little bit of food and cookies. It’s also a way of having the children interact with the seniors so they know the whole world doesn’t revolve around them all the time."

After the concerts and cookies, synagogues and schools will follow up with a variety of activities for the youngsters, including writing letters, making telephone calls, visiting, and returning to perform again. The initial goal is to have two events at each of the five JCHC properties during the year.

"We’re hoping this will be a springboard to a larger program," said JCHC chief operating officer Laurie Loughney.

After the Dec. 10 concert, the children, ranging in age from seven to 12, enjoyed cookies and juice and conversation with the senior citizens. Catherine Trush, 89, chatted with Brett Weiser-Schlesinger, 12, of West Orange, discussing Hanukka celebrations and school life.

Brett was enjoying the evening. "I thought it was fun to sing, and I’ve learned a little bit about [Catherine’s] holiday season and what she’s been doing," he said.

And Trush was happy to meet Brett.

"He’s very grown-up. He’s lovely to talk to," she said. "He’s going to be a nice gentleman for someone."