Berman Jewish Policy Archive @ NYU Wagner

October 2013

 

One of the most popular sayings in our culture today, is that aging is not for the faint of heart. And indeed, given our current societal focus on youth, staying young, and an antipathy to anything that acknowledges the natural process of aging, how does one grow into one's years with acceptance and dignity? What resources are available to help those aging to do so well? 

 

The rhetoric of many Jewish organizations displays an extraordinary and understandable focus on young adults. But, even as we focus our financial and human resources on engaging our youth to ensure Jewish continuity, we need to keep in mind that the rapidly expanding number of Jews age 65 and over present not just new responsibilities, but new opportunities as well.

 

Using sacred Jewish sources and contemporary Jewish resources, we can provide meaning and purpose to today's Jewish elderly. At the same time, we can draw upon the experience and talents of senior members of our communities to enrich our communities in so many ways. 

 

This Reader's Guide provides a valuable resource for thinking about or working with today's Jews in their sixties, seventies, eighties and beyond. As we see from this collection, insightful Jewish communal writing and thinking about the Jewish elderly covers a very broad range of issues, and extends throughout the 20th century andtoday. I heartily recommend perusing the contents within.

Click here* to view the entire publication.  

 

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