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 people curious to explore what it means to get older — or to become an elder.

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, which for many of us revolves around career and childrearing, 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? How do I want to live?

GENerate provides a nurturing, inclusive space for a select cohort of curious adults to study, reflect, and celebrate life’s transitions together. Inspired by art and texts and stories from Jewish and world wisdom traditions, and featuring a mid-process deep dive into Lab/Shul’s renowned Storahtelling curriculum, GENerate explores how we might age wisely, generatively, and soulfully. The year culminates with a communal coming-of-age ritual, marking this threshold with the support of a loving community.

Ever-Evolving. Ever-Growing.

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 guest expert 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

Community Service

“Pay-it-forward” through an optional volunteer commitment.

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.

While the specific content addressed in each cohort evolves in response to the specific needs of the group, but here are some general topics that we’ll consider:

  • Our life stories: Who have we been across the course of our lives? What have we lived through in the wider culture
  • Values: What matters more at this time in our lives? What matters less?
  • Role in community: Shifting relationships to work, purpose, and service
  • Spirituality: The role of contemplative practices and ritual in making meaning of life transitions
  • Wisdom: Jewish and other perspectives on what it means to live, age, and die well
  • Our legacies: How do we define them? How do we transmit them?

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
Thursday, July 11, 2024
Thursday, August 8, 2024
Thursday, September 12, 2024
Thursday, October 10, 2024
Thursday, November 14, 2024

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, time TBD:

Sunday, May 4, 2025

Culminating ritual:

Saturday, May 10, 2025 OR 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 yearlong program costs $3500, which includes:

  • Two nights of accommodations and all meals for the in-person mid-process retreat,
  • Complimentary access to additional programming provided by our partner, Shomer Collective
  • A year of Partnerhood benefits at Lab/Shul

This cost does not include transportation to and from NYC for the in-person retreat. Scholarships are available.

Applications will be available from this page beginning in mid-April! You’ll be directed to fill out some demographic information, answer two required questions, and choose an additional 2-3 question to answer. 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:

Wednesday, May 1, 6-7pm EST
Friday, May 3, 1-2pm EST

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