On this week’s episode of the Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast, Rabbi Address speaks with Rabbi Susan Elkodsi about her new book, Midrash Hazak, which features Torah commentaries from contributors aged 65 and older. The book will be published in November. You can place advance orders at the publisher’s website.

They discuss the themes of wisdom, resilience, and connection in aging, the importance of forgiveness, and the acceptance of one’s identity as they age. The conversation highlights the need for older adults to find meaning in their lives through Jewish teachings and community engagement.

About the book Advance Praise

“The Torah states: ‘Honor the elderly person’ (Leviticus 19:32). The Talmud explains: the elderly person is one who has acquired wisdom (Kiddushin 32A).

“This book is an inspired bringing together of wise seniors to distill wisdom from the Torah’s weekly portion – with an eye to guiding us how to better live the latter years of our lives. The book is written by over 70s for over 70s but is filled with nuggets of wisdom for old and young alike.”

—Rabbi Irving “Yitz” Greenberg, author, The Triumph of Life: A Narrative Theology of Judaism
“Midrash Hazak brings a beautiful and important group of voices to the study of Torah. While many of these contributors are well known to us from their writing and work, the context of this project makes their words new and important in a different way. Bringing the perspective of those over 65 to the study of the weekly parashah leads to the sharing of wisdom about aging, stages of life, priorities, and the definition of success and happiness, all worked through the lens of Torah. This book has a lot to teach people of all ages.

“Those over 65 will see themselves in these textual analyses, finding camaraderie and connection. Those earlier in life will learn from the careful thinking and deep wisdom of those who have experienced more. As usual, Torah becomes the center around which we all orbit at all times of life.”

—Dr. Ora Horn Prouser, CEO and Academic Dean, Academy for Jewish Religion

Seekers of Meaning TV Show and Podcast Now Available on Roku Streaming Service

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About the Guest Rabbi Susan Elkodsi

Rabbi Susan Elkodsi received rabbinic ordination from the Academy for Jewish Religion (AJR) in May of 2015 and has been spiritual leader of the Malverne Jewish Center since August of 2015. Additionally, she provides pastoral and rabbinic services to local rehab and assisted living facilities. Her writing has appeared on JewishSacredAging.com, and she has presented workshops for Limmud, NY, for AJR and in the community, on aging, ethical wills and spiritual legacies. She currently provides ritual and spiritual care at area assisted living facilities and is a past president of the Long Island Board of Rabbis.

She is passionate about helping baby boomers and older adults to find meaning and purpose in their lives within the context of Jewish tradition and teachings, and as part of a Jewish community, in however they see themselves.

In 2019 Rabbi Elkodsi received a Rabbinic Certificate in Gerontology and Palliative Care from the Wurzweiler School of Social work at Yeshiva University, and takes advantage of their continuing education programs relating to aging and end-of-life issues.

A knitter and weaver who loves to spin her own yarn, her essay about Judaism and knitting, along with a pattern based on Sefer Yetzirah, were published in The Knit Vibe by Vickie Howell in 2019. She and her husband David have two adult children.

The post Wisdom in Aging: Highlights from Midrash Hazak, new book edited by Rabbi Susan Elkodsi — Seekers of Meaning 10/17/2025 appeared first on Jewish Sacred Aging.