Older to Elder
A series of programs to explore “eldering” in a Jewish context
About
Being an elder is not about an age. It’s a role of continuing personal growth and service to one’s community at a period of life where you have a wealth of wisdom and experience to share.
Through 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.
Older To Elder programs 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 practices that support the elder journey: nature connection, Jewish spiritual practices and life review/cultivating wisdom.
We recently completed the second Older to Elder 9 month program for people 64+, which was a resounding success! Over next year, we will offer 5 separate programs so people have an opportunity to “dip their toes” into eldering without having to make a 9-month commitment.
We will also open up 2 local Bay Area programs for people 55+ (who often feel left out of programming- and yet are beginning to think about their elder journey).
Watch this short video to learn more about the program, and hear from 2024-25 year participants.
Testimonials
“I’ve incorporated so much of what I’ve learned from this program into my daily life. Some of what I gained: Experiencing a very thoughtful and long-term framework for learning, discussion and resources—in a Jewish context—-that I haven’t seen anywhere else. Meeting diverse and impressive teachers and participants from all parts of the U.S., who offered thoughts, experiences, poetry and art on a range of valuable topics offered in the program, from how to connect with our inner wisdom, to contemplation of death, to conversations with younger people, and more. I’ve also formed long-term friendships through this group, where we will continue to explore topics brought up in the program.”
“This has been an extremely rich experience for me. I feel like I’ve gained a beautiful community of friends. I have found several teachers that are inspiring, to continue to learn from at this time. I feel more connected to my ancestors and my Jewish heritage.”
Meeting and experiencing other older Jews (and one non-Jew) in various size groups, especially in person via chaver, peer group and retreats, has shown me we are all grappling with the same issues that come with getting older. The expert presenters gave us valuable knowledge, sources and activities to help us grapple with what it means to age and approach death. I feel more comfortable with my aging and feel that going through the program will help me age more consciously and joyfully, but also not alone, in community.
“I’ve become much more aware of the pieces of eldering, and the issues and the struggles. I’m finding I’m much more comfortable with the growing older and the death and dying piece.”
“The combination of openheartedness, honest inquiry, caring and community has created a quite unique crucible, in which for me, personal and spiritual development could arise in a very deep and honest way.”
“This has been an extremely rich experience for me. I feel like I’ve gained a beautiful community of friends. I have found several teachers that are inspiring, to continue to learn from at this time. I feel more connected to my ancestors and my Jewish heritage.”

