If you can find stillness,

the jasmine will night-bloom in your direction

and the breeze

will carry its sacred exhalation of perfume

toward you.

Breathe,

the moon will cascade waves of radiance

downward,

drop her silver robes,

glow.

You will awaken,

overtaken by a love

that asks no permission,

golden particles rising

beneath your skin.

all of existence

longs to be an offering.

eternity is a constant whisper

wishing to be listened to.

This is the beginning.

This is only the beginning.

Let it in.

No matter your age, we hope this book has inspired you to see becoming an elder as a privilege that is worthy of celebration. Remember that planting even the most beloved parts of our lives in the soil can turn them into the rich compost from which new flowers can bloom. 

We close this book of rituals with a prayer for us as we embark upon the sacred journey of aging, inspired by Tefilat HaDerech, the Traveler’s Prayer.

May it be Your will, God who blessed us and our ancestors, that You guide us toward peace, joy and longevity. May You rescue us from all adversity we may encounter. May You bless our endeavors to create meaning as we age, and grant us grace, kindness and mercy. May You hear these requests because You are God who hears our prayers. Blessed are You, Source of Life, who hears prayer.

“Rabbi Tarfon said: The day is short and the work is long. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Pirkei Avot 2:16 

“There are two ways to live. You can live as if nothing is a miracle. You can live as if everything is a miracle.” Albert Einstein 

"I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability." Ruth Bader Ginsberg 

"The end of the matter is better than the beginning.” Ecclesiastes 7:8 

Adonai, this living has squeezed the juice from me; I am but a

rind, my innards pulp.

I can no longer go out and come in.

You nurtured my early self, You amazed my childhood.

I Yearned in my youth

And loved in my ripeness.

I have sought and found

and lost

and found again.

I have borne my fruit.

I have searched my ambition

Studied to my achievement And served with passion.

I have lived in Your glorious work of art, Creation, with curiosity,

attention, joy and thanksgiving.

I have taught what I learned,

And when I had no more to teach, I simply loved.

I have peeled away the husks to find my soul: Your spirit within

me.

Wherever you placed me, I did the Tikkun I could. Thus I have

offered myself in the Temple of Your world.

I have sung my song and danced my dance; And now I am old.

The trickle in my veins barely nourishes me. I ache in every part

of me.

So many of my dear ones are dead.

Why have you sustained me in this withering?

How is it possible, now, to add to Your Majesty? What purpose

can there be in my suffering?

Is there yet a task for me that I have missed? If so, keep not this

secret from me.

For I am ready, My Creator,

To give up this body to the Earth To be remixed into fresh life.

I long to be joined to you

as I yearned for the lover of my youth.

In your mercy, Dear One,

I beseech you—

Walk by and offer Your hand.

Take me.

____

Shared with author’s permission.

This brief ceremony can take place during a special ceremony at a synagogue, community space, workplace, or at a retirement party. The leader can be a coworker, clergy or friend. 

Leader: Retirement is cause for both celebration and reflection. In coming together for this ceremony in honor of _________’s retirement, we create a sacred time and place to honor his/her/their contributions and to support him/her/them in making this significant life transition.

Retiree: Jewish life has much to teach us about time and transitions. Not only major life transitions are acknowledged in our tradition, but even the setting of the sun each evening is cause for thanks and for taking a few moments to notice the passing of a day and the appearance of the stars. Like the stars, which can only be seen in the dark, some elements of life shine brighter when other elements are no longer present. Let retirement be for me an ending and a beginning, and may I find many parts of my life shining brightly in the time to come. 

Everyone:  

We are loved by an unending love. 

We are embraced by arms that find us 

Even when we are hidden from ourselves. 

We are touched by fingers that soothe us 

Even when we are too proud for soothing. 

We are counseled by voices that guide us 

Even when we are too embittered to hear. 

We are loved by an unending love. 

Amen 

—

The above originally appeared in “To Honor and Respect: A Program and Resource Guide for Congregations on Sacred Aging,” Ed. Rabbi Richard F. Address with Andrew l. Rosenkrantz. Reprinted by permission of Union for Reform Judaism. “We Are Loved by An Unending Love” by Rami Shapiro. All rights reserved.

Coming to terms with our own mortality can help us better appreciate the life we have today, even as we say goodbye to loved ones. Our partners at Shomer Collective remind us of the Torah teaching to “choose life,” and that it is never too early to communicate our end of life wishes to our loved ones. Though it may feel easier to avoid these difficult conversations, when we neglect them, we risk falling into crisis when the inevitable happens. We hope these rituals, grounded in Jewish tradition, elevate and sanctify your end of life conversations.