Many people anticipate life after work as a phase that will offer rest and tranquility. However, retirement ranks high on every list of “Life’s Greatest Stressors.” With few guideposts, many are unable to navigate the transition to include meaning and purpose. Some communities, however, have retained rites of passage that make the journey easier.

Jewish and Native American traditions share the view that older adults play a vital role in the life of a society. Wisdom gained from experience is valued—an asset to be preserved and transmitted to the next generation. Rather than marked by diminishment and decline, the latter years are considered the most important—a time to distill life’s lessons and share them. This is the crowning achievement of legacy.

The Elder Wisdom Academy seeks to introduce concepts from both traditions through a combination of online and in-person instruction.  By learning about the ancient practice of elderhood, participants forge a new understanding—what they have to offer is both needed and appreciated.  This paradigm is put into practice as graduates seek opportunities to be of service to the communities around them.