Hiddur: The Center for Aging and Judaism is a trailblazing response to aging, perhaps the most significant demographic and spiritual challenge facing the North American Jewish community. Nearly one in four Jews in the U.S. is older than 60. As the baby boomers approach this uncharted phase of their lives, they—and the Jewish community as a whole—will be presented with both obstacles and opportunities. While later life can bring unparalleled freedom and good health, it also confronts us with the prospect of frailty and dependency.

Hiddur trains future rabbis to foster lifelong learning (Torah), religious and spiritual engagement (avodah) and mutual connection in community (gemilut hasadim) in the second half of life.  Hiddur's approach to education on later life was developed through the Embracing Aging initiative, which has focused on forging new models for clergy training.  This approach will be disseminated in a forthcoming special edition of The Journal of Religion, Spirituality and Aging.