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A Journey Into Jewish Eldering: Virtual
April 4, 2027 - September 26, 2027
Zoom
A 6-month journey for Jewish adults age 64+
A Journey into Jewish Eldering (Virtual) is a six-month journey for Jewish adults age 64+ that combines Jewish wisdom, reflection, community, and spiritual practice to help participants transform life experience into wisdom, deepen relationships, and embrace the opportunities and purpose of elderhood.
Event Details
This program invites participants to reflect on questions such as:
- What does it mean to “get good at getting older”?
- How do we transform our life experiences into wisdom?
- What is being asked of us in this next chapter of life?
- How do we want to use “this one precious life”?
We believe there is a profound difference between simply being old and stepping into the role of elder—a stage of life marked by ongoing personal growth, spiritual deepening, and meaningful service to others.
Rooted in Jewish wisdom and practice, this program offers a supportive community in which participants can explore aging as a sacred journey and discover how to fulfill their unique potential in later life.
This program is designed for:
- Adults 64 years and older
- People who identify as Jewish or feel connected to Jewish life
- Those seeking a thoughtful and spiritually grounded exploration of aging
- Individuals interested in building meaningful relationships with peers across the United States
Approximately 25 participants will be selected from throughout the U.S.
We aim to create a safe, supportive, and respectful environment where participants feel comfortable sharing deeply, being vulnerable and learning together.
Through this process, participants will:
- Explore their evolving identity as elders
- Deepen their connection to Jewish teachings and practices
- Build lasting friendships and community
- Learn practical tools for navigating this stage of life
- Clarify what they wish to contribute to future generations
The program runs from April through September 2027 and includes:
Monthly Large-Group Zoom Gatherings:
Interactive sessions featuring Jewish teachers, guided reflection, and small-group discussions.
Monthly Peer Groups:
Small groups of 4–6 participants meeting on Zoom, or in person when geographically possible, in order to further explore insights and relationship to the material presented in the large group zoom gatherings and in the core readings.
The Peer Groups are a unique opportunity to follow the threads that flow from the reading and class material with 4-6 others who may have similar or different viewpoints and understandings. Together, they become a community of exploration and inquiry.
Monthly Chevruta Partnerships:
Pairs or trios who meet for study, reflection, and mutual support. Chevruta meetings may involve: Reading and discussing the course book, studying traditional Jewish texts, or reflecting on personal questions and experiences
Program Platform:
The program will be hosted on the Circle platform, providing a central hub for:
- Session recordings and materials
- Participant bios and a space to get to know each other
- Discussion forums
- Online communication between participants
All monthly large -group Zoom sessions are designed to be highly interactive.
- Themed material will be introduced and presented by Older to Elder faculty and featured guest teachers.
- At least half of each session will be devoted to breakout groups and experiential activities.
- Sessions emphasize conversation and personal reflection rather than lecture.
- Participants are encouraged to share insights, stories, and questions.
- Orientation: Sunday, April 4 | 1:00-5:00 pm PT, 4:00-8:00 pm ET (4 hours)
- Monthly Sessions (May–August): Sundays, 3:00–5:15 PT, 6:00-8:15 pm ET (2 hours 15 minutes)
- Closing Session: Sunday, September 26 | 1:00-5:00 pm PT, 4:00-7:00 pm ET (4 hours)
April 4, 2027 | Orientation and Community Launch
Facilitated by Ellie Schindelman and Alison Zuber
A 4 hour opening session to introduce participants to one another and to the program structure.
Participants will:
- Receive an orientation to the program and meet the other participants
- A threshold- invocation
- Learn about peer groups and chevruta
- Launch their first peer group and chevruta meetings
May 16, 2027 | Introduction to Getting Good at Getting Older
Facilitated by Rabbi Laura Geller
Rabbi Laura Geller introduces the program’s core text, Getting Good at Getting Older, offering practical and spiritual guidance for embracing later life with purpose and resilience, and will talk about friendship and community building in our elder years.
June 20, 2027 | Eldering Jewishly
Facilitated by Rabbi Saraleya Schley
Eldering Jewishly is an exploration of what it means to grow into the role of elder through the wisdom, practices, and values of Jewish tradition. In this class, participants will reflect on aging as a sacred stage of life—one that invites deeper meaning, spiritual growth, and the opportunity to transform life experience into wisdom. Through Jewish texts and guided reflection, we will consider what Judaism can teach us about becoming an elder. We will also explore the practice of “ethical wills” (tzava’ah)—a Jewish tradition of passing on one’s values, blessings, stories, and hopes to future generations
An exploration of Jewish wisdom, spiritual practices, and texts related to aging. Topics include:
- Jewish teachings on aging and elderhood
- Spiritual practices for the elder journey
- Text study
- Ethical wills (tzava’ah)
Participants will reflect on how to pass along their values, blessings, stories, and hopes to future generations.
July 25, 2027 | Nature Connection Practices for the Elder Journey
Facilitated by Tom Levy and Drew Sproul
An experiential session exploring how the natural world can support elderhood. Includes:
- Introduction to nature connection practices for the elder journey
- 30-minute guided nature wander
- 15-minute hitbodedut (personal prayer/solitude) or sit spot
- Two breakout sessions for reflection and sharing
August 8, 2027 | Life Review: Wisdom as Experience transformed by reflection
Facilitated by Ellie Schindelman and Alison Zuber
This session introduces practices for life review and reflection, helping participants recognize patterns, meaning, and the wisdom that has emerged from their life experiences. (Be the spark) Themes include:
- Harvesting life lessons
- Recognizing the tools we have developed over our lifetime
- Return home to yourself, your authentic self
- Discovering what we want to pass on
September 26, 2027 | Dying as a Sacred Transition
Facilitated by Rabbi Dan Goldblatt and Zoë Goldblatt
A 3.5-hour closing session exploring death and dying as part of the sacred elder journey. The final hour will be devoted to program closure and blessings.
- Alison Zuber
- Ellie Schindelman
- Drew Sproul
- Rabbi Dan Goldblatt
- Rabbi Laura Geller
- Rabbi Saraleya Schley
- Tom Levy
- Zoë Francesca Goldblatt
Bios Coming Soon
Participants will purchase:
Getting Good at Getting Older
This book will serve as a central resource for both peer group discussion and personal reflection throughout the program.
Tuition is offered on a sliding scale:
$495–$895
We invite participants to contribute at the highest level that is possible for them.
Growing older is inevitable. Becoming an elder is a choice.
Older to Elder offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and step more fully into this sacred stage of life—with wisdom, courage, Jewish practice, and community.
If you feel called to explore what it means to become an elder, we warmly invite you to join us in this virtual container.
Application Deadline: February 1, 2027