From Older to Elder
September 2025 โ May 2026
– Applications Open in May –
About
This program is for people aged 64+ who want to explore their identity as an elder and reflect on what to do with โthis one precious lifeโ during their next phase of life. We believe there is a difference between being old or elderly, and being an elderโa role of continuing personal growth and service to oneโs community. In this program, we hope to support you to find ways to fulfill your potential in this stage of life. It is for people who identify as Jewish or are connected to Jewish life and want a program in a Jewish context. Read more about inclusivity in our FAQ.ย
Older To Elder will explore the inner work that prepares people to fully embrace elderhood so they can become the elders whose wisdom and gifts are so urgently needed now. We will also focus on the vital role elders can serve in our communities, especially in partnership of generations, supporting the growth, aspirations and gifts of youngers.
We aim to create a safe, supportive, and respectful environment in which participants can risk feeling vulnerable, enabling them to experience and share deeply.
We recently completed the first Older to Elder program, which was a resounding success!ย What we learned from the first cohort helped us make many program improvements, and we look forward to welcoming you into the next round.
Curriculum Topics
- Older to Elder: What does it mean to be an elder? What are the tasks and tools for the elder journey? What are nature connection practices that can aid us in our elder journeys?
- Cultivating Resilience When Confronted with the Challenges of Aging, with alumni Naomi Baran and Diane Wexler
- Becoming an Ancestor in Training, with Rabbi Tirzah Firestone
- Dying as a Sacred Transition, with Rabbi Dan Goldblatt and Zoe Francesca Goldblatt
- Connecting with Your Inner Wisdom, with Rabbi Jill Hammer
- What Comes Next: Being of Service, Leaving a Legacy, Connecting with and Supporting Youngers
Other topics to be addressed throughout the program include:
- Understanding societal age-ism and internalized age-ism
- Facing our fears of aging
- Life review and repair
- Exploring dreams for the rest of our โone precious lifeโ
- Nature connection practices for the elder journey
Program Options
Offering two, 8-9 month program options:
The โHybrid Cohortโ (In-person and Zoom) & The โVirtual Cohort” (Zoom only)ย
About the Hybrid Cohort
The Hybrid option is designed for a small groupย of (16) people who are interested in a more intensive program, sharing their experience in a small group (16). Hybrid participants will meet for two in-person retreats AND gather for Zoom sessions, as well as benefit from other program elements, like small peer-group meetings and nature connection wanders where you live. This option gives you a more in-depth experience, with 8 days of in-person retreat time to explore important topics, to engage in self-reflection through writing, nature wanders, council time, and more. You will have the opportunity to develop relationships that will last beyond the program, with people who can support you on your eldering journey.ย
Hybrid Program Fee: $2,500โ$3,500 (based on preferred sleeping arrangement)
$2,500 Shared Room
$2,900: Private Room with Shared Bathroom
$3300-3,500: Larger Room (some with Private Bathroom)
Note: We have limited work-exchange discounts as well as payment plans. Please indicate on your application if you are interested in either of these options.
About the Virtual Cohort
The Virtual option is for people who need or prefer a program that does not require any travel (except for one meeting in person with your peer group, if feasible), and can take place in the comfort of your home. We include this option based on feedback from people around the country (and beyond) who would like the opportunity to be part of an โelderingโ program, as well as people who prefer the virtual option for health or mobility reasons.ย We have designed program elements that provide depth and connection, including small peer-group meetings and nature connection wanders near your home. Within the virtual program we will create a community,bringing as much self-reflection and deep conversation as possible.
You will do more on your own, including the vision board process. You will also organize your own nature wanders. This program will take less time and is significantly less costly.
Virtual Program Fee: Sliding Scale suggested amounts ($675, $575, $475)
What you pay is up to you, but if you can afford to pay more this is your chance to contribute to our mission and support those with fewer resources.
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Scroll to the right >> on mobile to view chart.
IN COMMON | HYBRID ONLY | VIRTUAL ONLY |
---|---|---|
6 combined Zoom sessions, and separate program Zooms at beginning and end | Two, 4-day retreats in the San Francisco Bay Area (one at the beginning and one at the end of program). Learn more about the retreats here. | One in-person gathering of your peer group |
Monthly peer group meetings | ||
Monthly meetings with your chevrutaยบโa โpartnershipโ (2 people) who share their experience in the program. | ||
One spiritual direction session with a spiritual director chosen from our list. (What is spiritual direction? Find out in our FAQ). | ||
Olders to Elders Online Community: A private, members-only online space to access exclusive course content and connect with cohort members and alum. |
Additional program elements for both programs
- Your peer group will choose one book, from a select list of books on eldering, that you will all read and discuss.
- Interview someone younger than 40 and someone 10 years older than you; share what you learn in your peer group.ย
- Create a โlegacy videoโ, write a โlegacy memoirโ or write an ethical will.
- Hold a gathering with your loved ones at the end of the program to share your experience in the program and honor your identity as an elder.ย
Want to learn more about this exciting program? Do you have specific questions? Join one of our virtual Info Sessions
Key Program Dates
JUNE
Info sessions for anyone curious about the program:ย
- Tuesday, June 3, 4:00-5:000 pm PT /ย 7:00-8:00pm ET RSVP Here
- Wednesday, June 11, 9:00-10:00 am PT / 12:00-1:00 pm ET RSVP Here
SEPTEMBER
- Zoom Kick-off for Hybrid Cohort: Sunday, September 7, 2025 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PTย
- Zoom Kick-off for Virtual Cohort: Sunday, September 21, 2025 | *2:00โ5:15 pm PT(Includes 1 extra hour for your first peer-group meeting)
OCTOBER
- First Zoom class for both cohorts together Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
Topic: Older to Elder: What does it mean to be an elder? What are the tasks and tools for the elder journey? Nature Connection Practices for the Elder Journey - Hybrid Retreat: Monday, October 20 – Thursday, October 23, 2025
NOVEMBER
- Second Zoom class: November 9, 2025ย 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
- Topic: Dying as a Sacred Transition
DECEMBER
- Third Zoom class: Sunday, December 7, 2025ย | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
Topic: Cultivating Resilience with the Challenges of Aging
JANUARY
- Fourth Zoom class: Sunday, January 11, 2026ย | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
Topic: Becoming an Ancestor in Training
FEBRUARY
- Fifth Zoom class: Sunday February 8,2026 ย |ย 3:00-5:15 pm PT
Topic: ย Topic: Connecting with Your Inner Wisdom
MARCH
- 6th Zoom class: Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
Topic: What Comes Next: Being of Service, Leaving a Legacy, Connecting with and Supporting Youngers
APRIL
- Special Zoom to prepare for May retreat (hybrid group only) Sunday, April 26, 2026 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
- Final Zoom for Virtual Cohort: Sunday, April 19, 2026 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
MAY
- Retreat for Hybrid Cohort: Monday May 4 – Thursday, May 7, 2026
- Final Zoom for Hybrid Cohort: Sunday, May 31, 2026 | 3:00โ5:15 pm PT
Program Leaders
Below you will find this yearโs list of program facilitators. Meet your guest teachers, spiritual guides, and a wonderful group of alumni (graduates from last yearโs cohorts), who will serve as volunteers supporting the next group of participants in your elder journey.
FAQ
Still have questions?
Contact Wilderness Torah for questions about registration and payment.
Contact Ellie Schindelman for questions about the program.