Wise Aging

Target Population

Older people, from 55 years old to ripe old age

Jewish Knowledge/Engagement Level of Participants

Varies greatly from those who are quite knowledgeable to those who greatly expand their Jewish knowledge through the program.

Primary Goals

In the face of agism, and by means of an underlying spiritual focus, the program aims to provide older people with a way to look at and make decisions about their lives through Jewish lenses and with Jewish resources, and thereby be uplifted and empowered.

Brief Description

Since its launch 15 years ago, under the leadership of Rabbi Rachel Cowan and Dr. Linda Thal, the program has been structured in different ways, both virtually and in person. Typically hosted by synagogues or JCCs, the program is designed for small groups of 12–18 people with the aid of skilled facilitation to meet regularly to explore a series of themes laid out in the book Wise Aging: Living with Joy, Resilience and Spirit. Although groups are initially scheduled to meet for six to eight sessions, others choose to extend their time together, often continuing for years. The book and program’s themes help participants set out on a spiritual journey to explore what it means to get older, replacing the culture’s declinist paradigm with one of opportunity, meaning-making and self-knowledge as they meet life’s inevitable challenges.  Wise Aging groups cultivate a greater sense of agency and well-being, thoughtfulness about one’s values and how one wants to spend one’s time.  Prominent themes include cultivating nourishing relationships, forgiveness and reconciliation, increasing compassion, joy, and equanimity; life-review; and facing loss and mortality.