How do our identities shift as we age? What’s possible? What’s scary?
How can we find meaning and mark this transition with creativity and intention?

GENerate is a year-long rite of passage experience for a small cohort of seekers, 60ish and above, exploring different ways to age wisely, generatively, and soulfully together.

We are living in a time of unprecedented possibility when it comes to aging. Many of us can expect to live up to 30 years longer than our own grandparents. As we transition out of midlife into a next chapter, we may ask: Who am I now? How might I translate what I have learned in my life so that it may be of service to others? How do I think about death? And, given all of this, how do I want to live?

GENerate provides a nurturing, inclusive space for a select cohort of curious adults to ask what it means to get older — or to become an elder. Inspired by art, texts, and stories from Jewish and world wisdom traditions, and featuring a mid-process deep dive into Lab/Shul’s renowned Storahtelling curriculum, GENerate invites depth, openness, heart-centered conversation and discovery regarding this extraordinary and sacred season of our lives. The year culminates with a communal coming-of-age ritual, marking this threshold with the support of a loving community.

Become the storyteller of your life — join GENerate!

Program includes:

Monthly Online Salons

Dig into guided discussions about life and legacy, mindful aging, and wise eldering.

Monthly Peer-to-Peer Conversation

Deepen learning, spiritual growth, and connection.

In-Person Retreat

Build bridges and self-discovery in elegant surroundings while delving into Lab/Shul’s signature Storahtelling methodology –featuring expert guest facilitators.

Ritual Design Sessions

Translate your individual and group experience  into a culminating ritual marking completion.

Culminating Ritual

Celebrate your rite of passage ritual with family and friends.

Pastoral Reflection Sessions

Three 1:1 sessions to support you in making personal meaning of your journey.

FAQ:

This program is for adults 60-ish+ who are sensing a transition occurring in their lives — between the concerns of midlife and the concerns of old age — and are interested to explore that transition in the context of a supportive group of peers.

We think of GENerate as a “journey group” — a yearlong, intensive group experience that combines intellectual and heart-centered modes of engaging. You can expect to do some reading and journaling in and outside of sessions, to have opportunities to share what you’re thinking and feeling about your own aging and the broader cultural landscape of aging, and to be met with support and curiosity from facilitators and other participants.

Always sensitive to the needs of the group, some specific topics that we expect to encounter in our time together include:

  • Examining major milestones and characteristic experiences of aging personally and culturally
  • Shifting perspectives to work, service, and purpose
  • Developing fresh approaches to relationships with adult children, aging parents, and with friends, siblings and partners as well as aging as a single person
  • Creating a meaningful, generative legacy including, if desired, laying the groundwork for an ethical will
  • Exploring Jewish perspectives on living well, growing older with wisdom, and facing mortality as a part of the process
  • The role of contemplative practices and ritual in making meaning of life transitions

The facilitators of GENerate combine expertise in adult education, pastoral training, Judaic content knowledge, and artistry to guide you in becoming the storyteller of your life.

The 2024-2025 cohort will be guided through the process by:

  • Ben Freeman, MDiv, Associate Clergy
  • Sam Hipschman, LCSW, Director of Community & Culture
  • Rabbi Amichai Lau-Lavie will offer guest teaching experiences throughout the year

Cohort 4 will meet on the second Thursday of each month from 6-9pm EST:

Thursday, June 13, 2024 — special kickoff study session with Rabbi Amichai
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Thursday, November 14, 2024

Required in-person mid-process retreat in NYC, Wednesday-Friday, December 4-6, 2024, no regular zoom session

Thursday, January 9, 2025
Thursday, February 13, 2025
Thursday, March 13, 2025
Thursday, April 10, 2025
Thursday, May 8, 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025

In addition, Cohort 4 will have ritual design/co-creation sessions on the following dates, also from 6-9pm EST:

Thursday, January 23, 2025
Thursday, February 27, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025

And a pre-culmination rehearsal, 1-5pm ET:

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Culminating ritual:

Saturday, June 7, 2025

In addition to 3-6 hours of time in cohort programming per month, you can expect to commit an extra 2-4 hours per month to connecting 1:1 with peers and facilitators, reading and/or absorbing other media from a curated list, and reflecting on the themes coming up in the program.

The year-long program costs $2750, including:

  • A professionally designed and facilitated curriculum
  • Complimentary access to additional programming provided by our partner, Shomer Collective
  • Three 1:1 pastoral reflection sessions with GENerate facilitators
  • Professional guidance in co-creating a culminating communal ritual reflective of the group’s experience in GENerate
  • A year of Partnerhood benefits at Lab/Shul

The mid-process in-person retreat is a required component of the program and costs $500, which covers:

  • Space rental
  • Meals
  • Staffing, including guest facilitators
  • Additional programming fees

This cost does not include transportation to and from NYC or accommodations for the in-person retreat. Financial assistance is available.

The application form is linked below! You’ll be directed to fill out some demographic information, answer two required questions, and choose an additional 2 questions to answer. Priority deadline for applications is Friday, May 31, 2024.

After you submit your application, you will be contacted by a member of the extended GENerate team and invited to have a 30-minute conversation where we can learn more about you and your interest in the program, and you can ask questions about what to expect.

Please also join us if you wish for one of our two Zoom-based information sessions:

In these sessions we’ll offer a taste of the GENerate experience, share an overview of the year and discuss expectations, and have ample time for question and answer. There is no need to attend both sessions; they will be identical in format and information shared from the facilitators’ side. Email ben@labshul.org for more info.

“People are seeking spiritual meaning now more than ever. They’re starving for the sacred. I’m so grateful I found Lab/Shul, where everyone is included in meaning making.”
– Steve / Tribeca

Questions? Concerns? Email Ben Freeman for more information.

GENerate strategic partners and investors:

Shomer Collective Logo
Active Aging Resource Network Logo