Our recent set of programs, Limnot Yameinu Kein Hoda: Graceful Aging, helped us to frame our situation at this life juncture, offering coping mechanisms, ways to manage one’s mental wellness and thrive under today’s conditions, and wisdom and best practices from the worlds of mental health and Jewish tradition. The programs framed important concepts about aging with Jewish texts, values, and rituals, reminding us that Judaism and Jewish learning can have a significant place in our mental wellness plan.
Rabbi Laura Geller of Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills inaugurated the series on February 21 in a conversation with Rabbi Sacks. She encouraged us to manage life changes through movement and mindfulness, and gave practical techniques to enable us to mark and celebrate transitions that occur as we age. (See video below.)
Rabbi Richard Address, founder and director of Jewish Sacred Aging explored a way to frame the shifting landscape of social relationships as we age, on February 28, 2024. He spoke of creating new relationships and strengthening current ones in families and communities.
Rabbi Jennifer Flam taught spiritual aspects of aging on Saturday, March 2 live in our sanctuary and via live stream. She led a thought provoking discussion through text study, focused on her idea of “spiritual grief.”
Wellness gift bags were given to those in attendance at our Shabbat program. They included a copy of the book, Getting Good at Getting Older (in advance of our March 20 discussion), resources for Ventura County seniors, a large-print puzzle book, jigsaw puzzle, water bottle opener, a tool to strengthen hands, and some healthy snacks.
Rabbi Dayle Friedman headlined the Wednesday, March 13 Zoom session, focusing on the lessons we can learn as we or some family and friends we know, cope with a decline in mental functioning
Fran Lande led a special session of our Significant Jewish Book Club on Wednesday, March 20, discussing Getting Good at Getting Older, co-authored by our inaugural speaker Rabbi Geller and Rabbi Geller’s late husband Richard Siegel, z”l.
The series was very valuable to those who participated. Some participants have commented that they had begun to have difficult and necessary conversations with those closest to them. Others shared that throughout the sessions, they were motivated to find ways to continue to live a life of purpose and eagerly finding ways to enhance their lives. Additionally, it was expressed how important it was to come together to learn and share this important part of life’s journey with their community.
I would personally like to thank the following who made this series so successful:
- The Pacific Southwest Region of the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism for their grant and support, and Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home for their sponsorship.
- Rabbi J.B. Sacks for the tremendous amount of work and dedication he brought to this program. It was his vision that enabled CAH to receive the funding. His connections to colleagues and the wider Jewish community enabled us to have these phenomenal presenters.
- Brenda Rich for creating the Wellness Bags that were so well received. She also prepared a phenomenal kiddush lunch for the Shabbat morning program. As always she went above and beyond.
- Janice-Aharon Ezer for her help in gathering the handouts for the Wellness bags of the resources available in Ventura County.
- Mark Rich for publicity for the programs. He also made sure that the recordings of the events were converted and then posted on our website. He does so much behind the scenes to help out.
- Those who helped with the clean-up following the Shabbat program. Your dedication is so valuable.
Fran Lande
Lifelong Learning Chair