A Heart of Wisdom: Making the Jewish Journey from Midlife Through the Elder Years [Paperback]

Susan Berrin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1999

As more of our population joins the ranks of the elderly, we will confront as never before our attitudes toward the aging process, the aged, and our obligations to them. For all of usOA old, young, and in-between A Heart of Wisdom explores aging from a Jewish perspective: How does being Jewish influence our relationships with the elderly? How does being Jewish influence our own aging? How does living, thinking, and worshipping as a Jew affect us as we age? How do we retain our dignity as we age?

This anthology helps us to meet the challenge of understanding and adjusting to a new stage in life. Through essays, poetry, and short stories, over 50 contributors rabbis, authors, social workers, psychologists share their insights about aging, retiring, caring for their elderly parents, living, loving, learning, and dying.

An extensive resource section includes an annotated bibliography, a guide to services for the aged, and suggestions for ceremonies to mark milestones in the life of senior citizens.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As a great number of Jewish baby boomers are hitting middle age, the need for a book that addresses aging from a Jewish perspective becomes increasingly apparent. Berrin (editor, Celebrating the New Moon: A Rosh Chodesh Anthology, Aronson, 1996) offers a study that is not dry or statistical but rather a collection of thoughtful?often provocative?essays on the many facets of aging. These essays help gird the reader?Jew and interested non-Jew alike?for the many challenges involved. The book is divided into seven sections covering such topics as intergenerational relationships, women and aging, ceremonies involved in aging, and what the Jewish texts have to say about it. The essayists include rabbis, social workers, journalists, lecturers, and everyday Jews. Recommended for libraries serving a Jewish clientele.?Paul M. Kaplan, Lake Villa Dist. Lib., Ill.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"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

"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

"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

"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, Ph.D., Director, Institute of Gerontology, University of Michigan

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Lights Publishing (February 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580230512
• ISBN-13: 978-1580230513
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #650,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An important book on an increasingly important subject, October 13, 2004

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Heart of Wisdom: Making the Jewish Journey from Midlife Through the Elder Years (Paperback)

This is an important book on an increasingly important subject. Its essays are not of uniform value, but there is here much information and much real thought. The wisdom involved in the later years of life especially in a culture which so celebrates youth must be based both on traditional Jewish sources and an awareness of the often strange challenges modern technological developments present to us.