It's an interesting phenomenon, the Torah makes a point of telling us that "Moses was eighty years old and Aaron was eighty-three years old when they spoke to Pharoah." They were two older individuals who began a journey that not only changed their lives but the life of an entire nation.
It is no surprise that traditional Judaism honors the elderly, recognizing their strength and wisdom that goes beyond physical prowess. In psalm 92 we are told, "They shall bear fruit even in old age; they shall be ever fresh and fragant." The reference is to the righteous who are seen as the foundation of the world. They do not lose their value as they age, they are capable of elevating life.
If you watched the Today Show a few days ago, you saw one of our own gracing the screen. Sally Gordon was interviewed so others could see how productive a 101 year old woman can indeed be. She epitomizes a zest for life that keeps her active and involved. It is not just the mere fact that she still holds a job at the State Legislature that is so impressive, it is that she is able to share the wisdom she has gained through her years of experience. In her own words, "G-d did not give us a rewind or pause button, just a forward button!"
I also had the joy of visiting with Leo Hill this week, one of our Tifereth Israel elder statesmen, who is currently at Tabitha Rehab. I was impressed by the amount of hard work he had put forth to be able to walk with a walker after a fall that had shattered his leg. What was so impressive about Leo is that the conversation did not focus only on his progress and hopes, he turned it to focus on the well-being of Tifereth Israel. He said something that will stick with me for quite a while. "Don't worry if there is a crisis at a synagogue. A crisis can help a shul's membership pull together to meet the challenge." Leo reminded me that when he was young, he learned this lesson from one of the elders of his generation!
I am reminded that the wisdom that comes with age should not be discarded as bodies age. If we are to not fall prey to the secular values of thinking that young bodies are more valuable than old souls, we need to make sure we have conversations with our elderly friends. Sometimes the humor they display, can be refreshing. When Charlie came home from the celebration of unveiling the new Ben Novicoff Reading Room at UNL, he quoted Ben as saying, "I don't deserve this honor, but then again, I didn't deserve arthritis either!" To be able to laugh is indeed a blessing that gives one a chance to face life's challenges with dignity.
Let's not be in a position of feeling that the future of our congregation is doomed because we have a large population of elderly members. Those who have worked hard to insure a future for us, do care about this institution. If we take this time as an opportunity to learn from our elderly members and recognize the wisdom that they can share, our decision making processes are likely to benefit. When Moses was called upon to lead the Israelites at age 80, his life experience helped make him ripe for the journey ahead. We have many among us who are still capable of imparting a sense of what really matters in life. Let's let them help us on our congregational journey.
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