Directory
Active Aging Organizations and Leadership
Developing programming or looking for assistance to help you get started in active aging? We’re here for you! Browse our directory below.
Falck, Roni
JFCS Minneapolis
Stage: Looking at options / planning
We are very much in the infancy of trying to determine how to best engage, connect, support and utilize active adults.
Contact: rfalck@jfcsmpls.org & (952) 542-4822
Turner, Judith
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
Gerhardt, Ailene
Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate, Certified Senior Advisor, Solo Aging Educator
Beacon Patient Solutions LLC & Navigating Solo Network
Stage: Looking at options / planning
I am a former Jewish Communal professional now independent patient advocate who offers an array of community education programs and groups ranging from navigating the health care system, patient safety and patient's rights, the unique needs of solo aging, planning for solo aging and more. You can view the list here https://www.beaconpatientsolutions.com/speaking. I have partnered with synagogues and Jewish organizations and am interested in ways to connect with organizations to further the reach of my work! As my advocacy practice has evolved, I have developed a specialty working with solo agers (an adult 55+ who, because of choice or circumstance, are without the support of adult children or close family members). In the fall of 2021, I launched the Navigating Solo Network: The Path to Dynamic Solo Aging Starts Here™ (navigatingsolo.com) which includes a national website, a growing network of members, and an online clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for Solo Agers.
Contact: www.beaconpatientsolutions.com & ailene@beaconpatientsolutions.com & (617) 651-2140
Rotman, Reuben
Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
The Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies is an international membership association composed of 165 non-profit human service agencies in the United States, Canada, and Israel. The Network’s mission is to advance the Jewish human service sector through advocacy, best practices, innovation, and partnerships.
Our members are nonprofit agencies that provide a wide range of human services for the Jewish community and beyond, including health care, career, employment, and mental health services, as well as programs for youth, families and seniors, Holocaust survivors, immigrants, and refugees, persons with disabilities and caregivers. Network member agencies provide comprehensive care for individuals and families at all income levels and of all faiths with a special focus on serving older adults and those struggling with financial insecurity. Older adults and caregivers constitute more than 60% of Network member agencies’ client base.
Reid, Sarah
Jewish Grandparents Network
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
Please join us for a fun hands-on workshops with master theater arts educators like Jonathan Shmidt Chapman who present a range of activities that use creativity, drama, and play to activate Passover with children ages 3–8 as well as other holidays during the year.
Grandparents and families enjoyed Jonathan's brand-new and easy-to-follow Passover Discovery Kit, available to download for free this year from the Jewish Grandparents Network website.
Activities in the Passover workshop included ideas to bring the Seder to life — build Ancient Egypt out of matzah; design a scavenger hunt to find the afikoman; and explore the role of women in the Passover story. We will also include ways to use these resources on FaceTime or Zoom for grandparents at a distance.
Sign up even if you can’t make the date and we’ll send you the recording: https://secure.lglforms.com/form.../s/y7alhDpGL-3uQOwi1ssZLQ
And keep an eye out for more great activities and programs! Visit www.jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org or email me at sarah@jewishgrandparentsnetwork.org.
Geber, Sara Zeff
LifeEncore
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
I lead discussion and planning groups on Solo Aging. The groups can be synagogue based, JCC-based, Village-based, or general community-based. I define Solo Agers as anyone, married or single, who has no adult children AND those who are aging alone for other reasons without the support of nearby family. Among baby boomers, the percentage of Solo Agers is more than double what it has been for all previous generations. Planning for support and care in later life is necessary for all of us, but critical for Solo Agers.
Schectman, Amy
2Life Communities
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
2Life’s mission is to ensure that all older adults have an opportunity to live a full life of connection and purpose by providing a dynamic, supportive environment on all our campuses. We focus on affordability and advocate for changing the national conversation to highlight the benefits of aging in community.
We operate 6 campuses with 1600 residents. Our traditional focus has been on subsidized housing; Recently we’ve broadened our focus to older adults in the market gap—between qualifying for subsidized housing and affording high-end offerings in the marketplace. Middle class seniors are the largest cohort nationally, and very much so in the Jewish community.
Opus, our moderate income community, has a foundational idea of a kibbutz. Everyone volunteers at least 10 hours/month to keep the community affordable and vibrant. Our first Opus shares a campus with the Jewish Community Centers of Greater Boston.
Klein, Michael
Kavod on the Road
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
Kavod on the Road provides monthly educational, informational and entertaining programs at area synagogues and organizations to support older adults aging in place.
Ziegler, Christie
Kavod Senior Life
Stage: Active Aging activities in place
Kavod Senior Life is a vibrant, award-winning residential community for 400+ older individuals in Denver, Colorado, where active aging is a top priority. On campus, we engage residents with trips, activities, intergenerational programs, lifelong learning, health & wellness and other services that help older adults age well. Off campus, we provide monthly engagement programs in collaboration with neighboring Jewish and secular organizations to serve older individuals living at home. These programs include informational, educational and entertaining content, as well as an annual positive aging conference with a keynote speaker, breakout sessions and lunch. More information can be found at www.KavodSeniorLife.org.
Levav, Rabbi Melanie
Shomer Collective
Stage: Aging program in place
The mission of Shomer Collective is to improve end-of-life experiences for individuals and their families— inspired by Jewish wisdom, values, and practices—by curating content and resources and building a diverse network of organizational partners. We offer virtual Advance Care Planning within a Jewish framework, and concierge services around all things Jewish and end-of-life. Our website includes resources and articles to support you.
Kaufman, Nancy K
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.
Schneider, Melanie
UJA Federation of New York
Stage: Looking at options / planning
UJA is planning for and supporting a cross divisional initiative for active older adults focused on offering compelling options, experiences and community in the New York suburbs.