SYNERGY Newsletter Online
Web-Based Synagogue Community Building
Helping Congregants Affected by the Economic Downturn
Accessing the Right Services for All in Need
Addressing the Spiritual Journey of Jews Beyond Midlife
Addressing the Spiritual Journey of Jews Beyond Midlife
Thursday, November 19, 2009/2 Kislev 5770/8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Many synagogues are reaching out to their congregants in an effort to embrace those in need and impart valuable information about available resources. Read more.
UJA-Federation of New York/Seventh-Floor Conference Center 130 East 59th Street (between Park and Lexington Avenues)/ New York City
This full-day conference for clergy, professionals and lay leaders presented by UJA-Federation of New York’s Caring Commission and Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College will be a dynamic exploration of meaning, purpose, and later life. Highlights include plenary addresses by Jeff Levin, Ph.D., M.P.H., pioneering researcher in religion and health; Rabbi Dayle A. Friedman, author, Jewish Visions for Aging, director, Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism; Reb Zalman Schachter-Shalomi, founder, Jewish renewal and spiritual eldering movements. The program will close with a panel of distinguished Jews reflecting on the spiritual journey beyond midlife, featuring Letty Cottin-Pogrebin, co-founder, Ms. Magazine, author, Getting Over Getting Older and moderated by Rabbi Richard F. Address, Union for Reform Judaism, co-author, To Honor and Respect: A Program and Resource Guide for Congregations on Sacred Aging.
Participants will choose among 16 experiential, hands-on workshops on spiritual challenges and opportunities of later life, Jewish spiritual and pastoral tools for enhancing later life, and strategies for engaging Jews beyond midlife in congregations and organizations. Special lunchtime spiritual nourishment programs include a text study session for rabbis with Rabbi Avi Weiss, Hebrew Institute of Riverdale, dean, Yeshivat Chovevei Torah.
Participants will receive a conference toolkit, including resources, spiritual tools and the results of an Innovative Practices Survey on creative approaches to spiritual care and spiritual engagement beyond midlife. To submit a program or initiative you have created, or to get more information about the conference, please contact Jodi Ellenbogen at UJA-Federation, .