Congregation Rodeph Sholom and the Caring Community Committee are in the works of creating a Community as Family group. This will be for those 48+ without adult children or other close younger family members to rely upon. They can be partnered or single. Their goal includes:
1) creating space for un-familied singles and couples to meet
2) increase and develop ties to the Temple
3) a self-advocacy group to look for resources
4) develop a community as family team
The impetus to the potential for this group was a breakout group that sparked conversations about aging alone at the recent Aging Symposium led by DOROT. Starting a Community as Family group at CRS would help childless seniors to return back to synagogues after feelings of not belonging.
A similar group is present at Temple Emanu-el and the group meets October – May. The topics for discussion come out of what the group decides. They rarely have outside speakers, to avoid having to hear sales pitches. Most importantly, they create a group of people who can be there for each other. CRS is excited for the opportunity to bring this to our congregants. The date is yet to be determined but likely CAF will start in early October.
Below is the book “Retirement Planning for Solo Agers,” by Sarah Zeff Geber, copies of this book are available to borrow in the rabbinical library.
