Kavod

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

Kavod v’Nichum empowers, educates, and trains Chevra Kadisha – sacred communities that come together at the end of life to care for the deceased and comfort the living through Jewish rituals and traditions.

Sixty percent of Chevra Kadisha volunteers in the United States and Canada are over 60. Many describe their involvement in Chevra Kadisha as the most fulfilling part of their Jewish communal lives. Kavod v'Nichum believes that a thriving Chevra Kadisha is essential for every Jewish community as it not only helps guide us to show up and provide deep care for one another but also offers impactful and meaningful ways to engage and live out our Jewish values.

Contact: (516) 270-7431 and sarit@kavodvnichum.org

Chavurah B'Yahad

Stage: Looking at options / planning

I am the spiritual leader/rabbi of a small Reconstructionist Jewish community in Salt Lake City. Many of our members are over 70; newer members with young children. The intergenerational models of building community is of particular interest.

Contact: (801) 560-9266 and m.shreiber@utah.edu

Generations United

Stage: Looking at options / planning

Michael is a founder and a past board member of Grantmakers in Aging, as well as a former board member of the American Society on Aging. He currently serves on the boards of Generations United, Generations on Line, Citizens Planning and Housing Association, and the Mount Royal Improvement Association, as a member of the Baltimore Commission on Aging, and on the Board of Overcoming Poverty Together, an international microfinance organization working primarily in Indonesia, among many other boards and public commissions.

Contact: (847) 571-1802 & mmarcus@communityresources.guru

Shalom Park Nursing Home Elder Care Community

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

Elders and Care Partners work together and empower each other to experience the rhythm of daily life.

Contact: (303) 918-1558 & Eliot.Baskin@shalomcares.net

Congregation Beth Sholom, Teaneck, NJ

Stage: Looking at options / planning

Two volunteers (a retired psychotherapist and a retired educator) have been leading Wise Aging groups for several years. One group has continued to meet monthly after the completion of the initial course of 9 sessions for 7 years. The newer group has chosen to continue meeting on a monthly basis as well. Based on the book "Wise Aging" by Rabbi Rachel Cowan z"l and Dr. Linda Thal, the reflective discussions promote active, non-judgmental listening and building resilience as we become elders. Adult Ed programs of the shul are multi-generational. There tends to be self-segregation into age cohorts when we have Shabbat dinners at the synagogue. We want to expand and develop more resources and programs and will avail ourselves of the Active Aging Network going forward.

Contact: (201) 747-8423 & erscohen@gmail.com

Encore Network, American Society on Aging Legacy Corps

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

I led The Transition Network (a nonprofit supporting women 50+ in exploring what's next in their personal and professional lives from 2005 to 2013. Next, I led the Encore Network, a coalition of organizations and leaders transforming the "encore" stage of life. Those experiences taught me about best practices to engage active agers in community and volunteering, as well as who's doing what around the US and globally.

Contact: (917) 655-2353 & betsy.werley@gmail.com

Jewish Federation of the Sacramento Region

Stage: Looking at options / planning

We have a minuscule Jewish Family Services under the Federation umbrella, but are anticipating significant opportunity to grow in the next year. Now in the midst of a Jewish Community Study-last one done 30 years ago. Hopefully we will be building new services and we highly suspect senior needs will be high on priority list.I am a board member and JFS is my focus.

Contact: (916) 531-8305 & Leffmarion@gmail.com

Cummings Centre

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

As the hub of Montreal’s 50+ community, the Cummings Centre touches the lives of 10,000 people on an annual basis. In keeping with the ever-changing needs of this demographic, Cummings has evolved into a multi-dimensional membership-based community organization offering programs and services in person at its main campus site at 5700 Westbury Avenue in Snowdon and various off-site locations throughout Montreal and online. The Cummings Centre’s mission is to empower and enhance the quality of life of adults age 50 and over by providing dynamic and innovative programs, social services, and volunteer opportunities in a vibrant, respectful, inclusive and compassionate environment. Building on its Jewish heritage, Cummings embraces people from all ethnic, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds.

Contact: nadine.azoulay@cummingscentre.org & (514) 343-3510

DOROT

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

DOROT has been at the forefront of alleviating social isolation among older adults for over 46 years. Our life-enhancing programs and services engage volunteers of all ages, bringing the generations together and creating meaningful relationships that benefit all. DOROT’s range of opportunities enrich the lives of older adults, connecting them to their peers and multi-generational friendships, and offering them access to supportive services, vital resources, and nutritious food deliveries on a weekly, monthly, and holiday basis. Our mission is to alleviate social isolation among older adults and provide services to help them live independently as valued members of the community. We serve the Jewish and wider community, bringing the generations together in a mutually beneficial partnership of elders, volunteers, and professionals. Our work provides an effective model for others.

Contact: jturner@dorotusa.org & (917) 441-3722

Chai Neighbors

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

We are a community for people 65 and older, created by 2 synagogues, Adat Ari El and Temple Beth Hillel. Our mission is to help people live well within a community of friends, while fostering caring and Jewish values. We offer many classes and activities, taught and led mostly by people in our community. Our goal is to keep our minds and bodies active and offer help to those who need it. We are not a place to live, rather, we want to help people stay in place if they want to.

Contact: jilasker70@gmail.com & (818) 445-8817

Skilled Volunteers for Israel

Stage: Active Aging activities in place

Skilled Volunteers for Israel is a US based nonprofit organization that offers "Volunteer in Israel" from home experiences through our flagship program, English B'Yachad. Prior to launching English B'Yachad, Skilled Volunteers for Israel provided volunteer experiences in Israel for North American Jewish retirees and have been working in the field since 2011. We have served over 500 Jewish retirees with meaningful volunteer experiences.

mgamoran@skillvolunteerisrael.org & (608) 469-0458

NKK Strategic Consulting and NY Jewish Agenda (board chair)

Stage: Looking at options / planning

I am an advocate for "active aging" and a consultant on strategy for organizations wanting to support this effort.

nancy@nancykkaufman.com & (617) 620-9503