Sage-ing is the process of harvesting one’s wisdom, drawn from life experience, using the art of reflection and spiritual practice.
A three-part program was created and taught by Rabbi Victor Gross, Rabbi Nadya Gross, Lynne Iser, Rabbi Shaya Isenberg, of blessed memory, and Bahira Sugarman.
Their legacy is being carried forward by Vatikah Rosemary Lohndorf and a faculty of Sage-ing® Mentors in the all NEW
Sage-ing® Mentorship Program
This two-year program is designed to train students in the rich, contemplative, experiential, and spiritual work of Sage-ing®, looking at aging through the vision of Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi’s work. Students who complete this program speak of the work as being transformational, and that they emerge with new understandings of self and of the alchemy of aging. They often talk about the personal, heart-based growth they experienced in the program. Through readings, exercises, discussion and deep sharing we will cover concepts involved with facing our aging, our eldering and our mortality, and acquire the tools necessary to transmit this experience to others.
Students will complete 6 core courses and 6 electives; complete a practicum project with guidance from a faculty mentor; participate in monthly wisdom circles; meet regularly with their chevruta/ wisdom partner and present a capstone at the end of the program. Successful completion earns the title: Vatik/Vatikah/ Sage-ing® Mentor.
Sage-ing® Mastery Program
This one-year training program is open to all Vatikimot who have completed the Sage-ing® Mentorship Program and Certified Sage-ing Leaders who have trained with Sage-ing International.
The program will take Sage-ing leaders deeper into issues of loss, grief, mortality and address current issues in eldering.
Students will complete 3 core courses and 3 electives; design an original practicum project taking the work into new areas, under the supervision of a faculty mentor; meet regularly with a wisdom partner and present a capstone at the end of the year. Students will also meet in monthly wisdom circles throughout the year.
This training will include how to mentor elders, families and other clients one-on-one or in small groups. Upon completion, they will earn a Sage-ing® Mastery Certificate and be included in the roster of Yerusha mentors for referrals to clients, individuals and families, in need of a Sage-ing mentor when facing the inevitable.
Open house information sessions and more information will be posted soon.
Please email slp@yerusha.org with any questions.
Founding Faculty
Rabbi Shaya Isenberg, z”l [of blessed memory] was past Chair of the Department of Religion and Emeritus at the University of Florida. He was co-founder and co-director of UF’s Center for Spirituality and Health. Rabbi for P’nai Or, Gainesville, he served on the faculty of the Aleph Rabbinical program and on the faculty of the Aleph Spiritual Directors.
Bahira Sugarman, a traditional Reiki Master, is ordained as a spiritual guide and has been celebrated as an Eyshet Hazon (Woman of Vision). Licensed as a clinical social worker, as a marriage and family therapist, and as a massage therapist, she teaches T’ai Chi Chuan and Reiki and combines psychotherapy and healing work in her private practice.
Shaya and Bahira are senior faculty emeritus of the Spiritual Eldering Institute where they designed and implemented its leadership training program.
Lynne Iser is a facilitator, teacher and advocate whose professional passion is to create elder communities designed to add value to our world and culture. She teaches classes and workshops on Spiritual Eldering and Growing Older in Community. She was the co-founder and the first Executive Director of the Spiritual Eldering Institute and brings over 30 years experience and a wealth of information to community non-profit organizations.
Rabbi Victor Gross is a congregational Rabbi and Educator. He served as faculty and Director of Studies in the Aleph Rabbinical Program, and also serves on the faculty of the Anamcara Project of the Sacred Art of Living Center for Spiritual Formation in Bend, OR. Reb Victor is the author of Educating for Reverence: The Legacy of Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Rabbi Nadya Gross has developed a program to train End-Of-Life Doulas, and serves on the faculty of the Anamcara Project of the Sacred Art of Living, Center for Spiritual Formation in Bend, OR, where she was awarded an Honorary Anamcara. Reb Nadya also serves as Mashpi’ah (Spiritual Director) with individuals, couples, and clergy.
Together, Nadya & Victor serve as co-Rabbis of Pardes Levavot: a Jewish Renewal Congregation in Boulder, CO and are the co-Founders of Yerusha.