What if our High Holiday rituals are secretly about confronting aging?

Aging Gracefully: Rethinking Our Approach to the Elderly

As we approach Yom Kippur, a time of reflection and renewal, it's fitting to explore a topic that touches us all: aging. In this episode of Madlik, we delve into the often-overlooked issue of how our society treats and cares for the elderly. With insights from our special guest, Yossi Heymann, director of JDC Eshel and the visionary behind Muni100, we uncover surprising perspectives on aging in Jewish tradition and modern Israel.

Key Takeaways

1. Ancient Assumptions: Did Jewish society assume the elderly would be cared for in ways we've forgotten?
2. Hidden Strength: Moses at 120 - a paradox of frailty and vigor that challenges our perceptions of aging.
3. Modern Solutions: Discover how Israeli municipalities are redesigning cities to promote "optimal aging" for centenarians.

Timestamps

• [00:00:00] Geoffrey opens: Bible's silence on elderly as vulnerable; Moses at 120—weakness or hidden strength?
• [00:01:00] High Holidays as communal ritual for aging; guest Yossi Hyman introduced.
• [00:02:37] Yossi's background: IDF career → JDC Eshel → Muni 100 mission on optimal aging.
• [00:05:57] Geoffrey on Moses' mobility, Rashi's interpretations, bias against infirmity.
• [00:08:27] Adam: Torah rarely shows sickness; pre-modern view of aging and illness.
• [00:12:08] Yossi explains Muni 100's 3 indicators: mobility, walking, participation.
• [00:18:33] Social needs of elderly: synagogue, camaraderie, public spaces.
• [00:23:15] Honoring elderly vs. sages; wisdom and age in Jewish tradition.
• [00:26:27] Yossi: Israel's family culture, aging in place, survey of 12,000 adults.
• [00:33:27] Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur as communal confrontation with aging; closing reflections and blessings.

Links & Learnings

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Transcript here: https://madlik.substack.com/