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Aging Jewish Blogs
Clairvoyant? An Elderly Aunt Discloses a Dubious Gift
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old Rabbi Barbara Aiello She was just a little girl when it happened. It was early morning in her family’s tumbledown house in a steel town in western Pennsylvania. The little girl, still tucked in her bed...
Reclaiming Shabbat
Reclaiming Shabbat Rabbi Barbara Aiello For Harvey it was the sweet smell of the challah. “I’d come in the door and, Oh, that smell! When I think of Shabbat it’s my mother’s challah that always comes to mind.” “It might sound silly but it was the newspaper on the...
Handing Out Cash to the Grandkids – Is There a Better Way?
Handing Out Cash to the Grandkids – Is There a Better Way? Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old Rabbi Barbara Aiello “One, Two, Three, Four and Five! That’s it, five envelopes all ready for the grandkids.” Ed smiled as he visualized each of...
When the Economy Goes South, Should We Help the Kids?
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old “Let’s turn off the computer and go to bed.” Mel pushed the power button, shook his head and turned to his wife, Liddy. Mel’s worry was obvious. “I don’t like what I hear when I talk to the grandkids....
Aging Jewishly – Rabbi Barbara’s New Book
What our traditions tell us about growing old In 2009 I began a Jewish journey that led me to not only serve as rabbi to men and women in a Jewish retirement community but to live among the residents as well. I viewed my apartment in the Independent Living wing of...
From Bad to Worse – When Seniors with Hearing Loss Deal with Masks
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello The Covid-19 era has created myriad life style changes for seniors among them the social isolation that results from limited contact with others. So imagine how happy Lydia was when she noticed that right in front of her in the grocery checkout...
Judge Judy’s Advice to Seniors
The timer on the kitchen stove began its ding –ding-ding reminding Iris to switch on the television and call to her husband. “Come on, Larry. It’s five minutes to Judge Judy!” That was enough for Larry to stop his cleaning binge and in minutes both Iris and Larry had...
Elderly, Oldster, or Senior – What Do Older People Prefer to Be Called?
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old By Rabbi Barbara Aiello The supermarket checkout line was long and social distancing made it seem longer. As Dorothea and her granddaughter, Lisa moved forward the young man ahead of them turned abruptly...
Caregiving During Covid – What Not To Say
By Rabbi Barbara Aiello “My brother and I made plans to have Mom move to Assisted Living. But that was before Covid hit the nursing homes so we kept Mom at home. My brother helps some but I am Mom’s main care giver. It’s been almost a year and I’m burned out,...
From Bad to Worse – When Seniors with Hearing Loss Deal with Masks
The Covid-19 era has created myriad life style changes for seniors among them the social isolation that results from limited contact with others. So imagine how happy Lydia was when she noticed that right in front of her in the grocery checkout line, albeit socially...
When Elder Driving Becomes Dangerous – How to Give Up the Keys
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old Lou’s twin granddaughters, Rebecca and Rena were due at the house any minute and Lou was running a bit behind. Lou had misplaced his cell phone and he had been searching for it for more than an hour. The...
Cognitive Decline in the Time of Corona
Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Tell Us about Growing Old Effie found a private spot for herself. It was in a corner near the television where she sensed she wouldn’t be seen. That way she could pick at the scabs on her arms, rock back and forth and hum a song...
A Dangerous Combination – Drug Abuse with Older Adults
It was touch and go but Sam survived open heart surgery. Although he had just turned 83, Sam was recovering well and his sons, Jake and Zack, were grateful and relieved. As they left the hospital Zack reminded Sam that they’d have to make a stop. “You only have enough...
Restaurants Getting Louder
Is It Me Or Are Restaurants Getting Louder? “No I don’t want to go there. And not there either! How about we forget the restaurant and just eat at home!” Elaine just looked at her husband and shook her head. “Lenny, what’s wrong. Eating out was something we...
Destination Celebration Tips
A Wedding in Europe – A Bar Mitzvah in the Caribbean Tips for Seniors on the Destination Family Simcha “Well I never thought I’d see the day,” exclaimed Eva to her senior living buddy, Gladys. “When did this happen? When did you start using a cane.?” “That’s...
Seniors Learning Hebrew
Teaching Hebrew to Seniors – Materials, Methods and Positive Results Not long ago five women were called to the Torah, each as a Bat Mitzvah. Not unusual except for the fact that the women on the bimah were all senior citizens, and, most significant of all, the...
Blessing of Hospice
The Blessing of Hospice "Hospice is suicide!" That's what Dad said anytime the subject of death came up, which happened quite a lot in those last few years, especially since so many of his dear friends had died. "I can't believe anyone would even...
Working Seniors
“Should I Go Back to Work?” Sheila’s face said it all. In recent months Dina noted that her best friend rarely smiled and seemed out of sorts, sad and drained of enthusiasm. Finally Dina broached the subject; “Sheila, what’s wrong. In all our years I’ve never...
Pets and Seniors
The Impact of Pet Ownership for Seniors Their names are Scruffy, Ruffy, Midnight and Puddin’Pie. Then there’s Tuvia, Tova, Sheina and Butch. These are the names of dogs and cats - pets whose owners I’ve come to know and love over the years that I served as a...
When Divorced Parents Age
“When the telephone rang at 2:00 am I knew it had to be bad news… and it was,” says Kyle who, along with his older sister, shares the responsibility for caring for their aging parents. “My sister was out of town so I raced to the hospital to be with Mom. She lives...
Grandparents Sharing Their Heritage with Interfaith Jewish Grandchildren
How Grandparents Can Share Their Heritage with Secular or Interfaith Jewish Grandchildren “I’m afraid to interfere,” said Magda, grandmother to interfaith twin girls whose Jewish son and Methodist daughter-in-law are raising their daughters in both faiths. Magda’s...
Bullies in Senior Living Communities
What Happens When Bullies Grow Up and Move to Senior Living “I haven’t seen you in the dining room for ages,” Selma said as she rushed to greet her neighbor, Betty who lived on the on the same floor in their senior living complex. Betty wrung her hands and said,...
Married Priests
Could Married Priests and Women Priests Revive the Catholic Church? “I remember when I lived in Brooklyn, my best girlfriend was Catholic, says Helen C., now in her 90’s. “When we walked to school we’d pass her church, St. Lucy’s. Sometimes we’d stop to say...
Aging Parents
The Talmud’s Take on Aging Parents When I was about ten years old I knew enough Italian from my immigrant parents to understand the particulars of a heated argument. That day my father, who was about 50 years old at the time, was having “words” with his father,...
Parents Outliving Children
When Parents Outlive Their Children – A New Dimension to the Tragedy What Our Traditions Teach Us about Growing Old When Bernie celebrated his ninety-seventh birthday he was surrounded by friends and family – all but one. Bernie’s daughter, Marsha was unable to make...
Sex and Seniors
Sex and Seniors – The Jewish Perspective Daniel Reingold, president and CEO of River Spring Health, the organization that operates the Hebrew Home of Riverdale, NY, is credited with developing a policy that highlights an important aspect of senior living. In an...
Aging Holocaust Survivors
As Holocaust Survivors Age – What We All Need To Know Sergio Della Pergola, child of the Holocaust, was born in Trieste, Italy in 1942. He survived to become the leading demographic authority in the study of the Jewish population worldwide. An international...
Interfaith Grandkids
Interfaith Grandkids and Crayola Crayons “Rabbi, I have to ask you something and it’s very personal,” said Ann as she wagged her finger in the typical “don’t tell,” motion. At the time of her question Ann was a relative newcomer on the Aviva campus, (formerly the...
Political Sermons
Political Sermons Can Destroy the Spirituality of the High Holy Days “Everybody’s got something to say about politics – at the office, school, in the dry clean and at the grocery store. You can’t get away from it. Except on Shabbat, hich I now make at home....
Ice Cream and Jews
Ice Cream’s Jewish Connection It’s the season to enjoy summertime’s favorite treat – ice cream. It’s cool, it’s delicious and it’s Jewish! Thanks to an article by Joan Nathan (Tablet Magazine) we can start by introducing Reuben Mattus who began his career in the ice...
Betty Boop Jewish Roots
Today when grandparents share a video moment with grandchildren, it’s likely that the image on the screen is the highly popular “SpongeBob SquarePants.” The show chronicles the adventures of SpongeBob and his friends in the fantasy underwater city and is the highest...
Elderly Isolation
Elderly Isolation It’s Bad for Mom But Worse for Dad “We’re so worried about Dad.” That’s how Karen began her email to me. “He’s so lonely and my brother and I don’t know what to do.” Karen’s father, Sid, lived alone in the condo he once shared with his beloved...
Eldery Jews and Psychotherapy
“I’m Getting Help” Eldery Jews and Psychotherapy “Hilda, you look fabulous,” Gemma remarked as Hilda, her oldest friend, made her way to the table in their favorite restaurant. “No kidding!” Polly agreed as she noticed the positive change in Hilda as well....
Spiritual Bucket List
The Spiritual Bucket List Well I made it another New Year,” Saul said. “But will we make it to the next one?” mused Ellie. Saul and Ellie sat at a table sipping coffee (decaf, of course!) thinking about the year that was and the year ahead. “Rosh HaShanah’s come and...
Aging Jewishly
The Talmud’s Take on Aging Parents Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Teach Us about Growing Old When I was about ten years old I knew enough Italian from my immigrant parents to understand the particulars of a heated argument. That day my father, who was about 50...
Yarmulke Game
The Yarmulke Game Aging Jewishly – What Our Traditions Teach Us about Growing Old “Jill and Josh – June 21, 1978” “Chloe’s Bat Mitzvah 2007” “Mazel Tov Sam and Zach 2016” “ I just don’t know what to do with these,” said Charna as she lifted a handful of...
Widowed Parents Find Love
When Our Widowed Parents Find Love Again Several years ago I opened the door to my rabbi’s study to find an elderly couple, both well into their eighties, hoping that I would meet with them. At first I thought something terrible had happened. The man hung his...
Rededicate Your Home on Chanukah
Rededicate Your Home on Chanukah Polly said, “It’s early this year,” and Helen agreed. Edith confessed that she just wasn’t ready, while George complained that his retirement community prohibited the use of lighted candles, “So how am I gonna make Chanukah this...
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