We all are growing older. A Heart of Wisdom shows
us how to understand and meet the challenges of our own process
of aging—and the aging of those we care about—from
a Jewish perspective, from midlife through the elder years.
How does Jewish tradition influence our
own aging? What are the tasks and the meaning of aging? How
does being Jewish inform our relationships with the elderly?
How does living, thinking and worshipping as a Jew affect us as
we age? How can Jewish tradition help us retain our dignity as
we age?
Over 40 contributors—people who
themselves are dealing with the unique life passages that aging
brings; their loved ones; and the rabbis, social workers, and
other professionals who assist them—offer their insights
about the changes and new perspectives that come with aging,
retiring, growing, learning, caring for elderly parents,
living, and dying. By sharing experiences in direct and
personal narratives, poems, ceremonies, and stories, they help
us explore:
• What traditional religious texts
have to teach us about aging.
• Ways to cherish the integrity of
the aging process.
• Women's unique roles as they age in
our changing society.
• Advice for all generations on how
to meet the opportunities and difficulties of aging.
• Creative ceremonies to mark
milestones in our lives and in the lives of senior citizens.
Offering enlightenment from Jewish
tradition, A Heart of Wisdom is not just for the middle-aged, the old
or the soon-to-be old. It is for all of us.
"A unique guide to living and aging
Jewishly...a must for all ages at all stages."
—Ruth
Perelson, Chair Emerita,
Jewish Association for Services for the
Aged of Greater New
York, a Member Agency of UJA/Federation
"Reminds us of Judaism's power to
sanctify time and dignify life....A powerful and personal
message of holiness."
—Rabbi
Richard F. Address, Director,
Department of Family
Concerns, Union of American Hebrew
Congregations
"Remarkable....The book is a quilt of
the human condition; it is as universal as it is Jewish."
—Theodore
Bikel, actor, concert
performer, author, lecturer
"The message of this wonderful book
transcends the Jewish journey into old age....As awesomely
powerful a way of knowing about aging as science is in
gerontology."
—Richard
C. Adelman, PhD, Director,
Institute of Gerontology,
University of Michigan
Susan Berrin
teaches and lectures on Jewish issues, particularly in the
areas of aging, Jewish women and spirituality, and interfaith
dialogue. She was guest editor for Sh'ma magazine's special issue on Judaism and aging,
and is the editor of Celebrating
the New Moon: A Rosh Chodesh Anthology. She lives in Victoria, British Columbia.
