From bagels and lox to zoom and phone, the intergenerational friendship between Ben Goldstein, 32, and Robert Brajer, 84, has continued to blossom through COVID.
Matched by DOROT as a friendly visiting pair, Ben and Robert met in-person regularly before COVID. "Immediately I was just very taken with him and just thought that he sounded great, such a funny and fun guy," Goldstein told CNN, noting that he and Brajer made an effort to see each other every few weeks before the pandemic hit.
Because of Covid-19, however, their visits were put on pause. The organization instead asked its hundreds of volunteers and their matches -- including Goldstein and Brajer -- to shift to phone calls and video chats on Zoom.
Brajer said he misses the visits. But, like many, they are making virtual hangouts work. "I miss you," Brajer responded, his face beaming. "I'd like to hug you, and I'd like to give you some salad. You still look like you haven't had enough sleep."