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Preparation Age: Four Essential Conversations Before You Need Them  

A virtual workshop series to help Older Adults & Family Members Plan Ahead with Confidence. Join others in learning practical, engaging, and supportive information on preparing for aging. Topics will move from starting important family conversations, to getting organized, to planning for safety at home, and finally to building a stronger caregiving support system. 

Format 

  • 4 consecutive weekly sessions: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
  • 60 minutes each: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • 40–45 minute presentation 
  • 10–15 minute Q&A/discussion
  • Resource handouts/toolkit after each session
  • Participants encouraged to work on their own “Preparation Age Toolkit” throughout the series

Series: 

  • Session 1: Conversations That Matter: Talking About Wishes Before a Crisis Occurs (10/19)
  • Session 2: Preparing the Roadmap: Essential Documents & Getting Organized (10/26)
  • Session 3: Aging in Place Safely: Staying Safe, Comfortable, and Connected (11/2)
  • Session 4: Navigating Aging & Caregiving: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone (11/9)

The intended audience includes adult children and caregivers of aging parents, as well as older adults who are thinking about the future and planning for themselves. Across all four sessions, the emphasis is on preparation, confidence-building, and concrete next steps families and individuals can begin using right away. 

Session 4 – Navigating Aging & Caregiving: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

In this session, participants will: 

  • Understand caregiver burnout 
  • Learn signs of caregiver stress 
  • Explore formal and informal support systems 
  • Understand options when family cannot do everything 
  • Learn how geriatric care management can help 
  • Create a personal caregiving support plan 

Register for one, two or all of the sessions for Preparation Age HERE.

Preparation Age: Four Essential Conversations Before You Need Them  

A virtual workshop series to help Older Adults & Family Members Plan Ahead with Confidence. Join others in learning practical, engaging, and supportive information on preparing for aging. Topics will move from starting important family conversations, to getting organized, to planning for safety at home, and finally to building a stronger caregiving support system. 

Format 

  • 4 consecutive weekly sessions: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
  • 60 minutes each: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • 40–45 minute presentation 
  • 10–15 minute Q&A/discussion
  • Resource handouts/toolkit after each session
  • Participants encouraged to work on their own “Preparation Age Toolkit” throughout the series

Series: 

  • Session 1: Conversations That Matter: Talking About Wishes Before a Crisis Occurs (10/19)
  • Session 2: Preparing the Roadmap: Essential Documents & Getting Organized (10/26)
  • Session 3: Aging in Place Safely: Staying Safe, Comfortable, and Connected (11/2)
  • Session 4: Navigating Aging & Caregiving: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone (11/9)

The intended audience includes adult children and caregivers of aging parents, as well as older adults who are thinking about the future and planning for themselves. Across all four sessions, the emphasis is on preparation, confidence-building, and concrete next steps families and individuals can begin using right away. 

Session 3 – Aging in Place Safely: Staying Safe, Comfortable, and Connected

In this session, participants will: 

  • Assess home safety risks
  • Understand fall prevention best practices 
  • Learn simple home modifications 
  • Understand transportation planning; giving up car keys does not mean foregoing independence
  • Learn when additional support may be needed 
  • Identify community resources

Register for one, two or all of the sessions for Preparation Age HERE.

Preparation Age: Four Essential Conversations Before You Need Them  

A virtual workshop series to help Older Adults & Family Members Plan Ahead with Confidence. Join others in learning practical, engaging, and supportive information on preparing for aging. Topics will move from starting important family conversations, to getting organized, to planning for safety at home, and finally to building a stronger caregiving support system. 

Format 

  • 4 consecutive weekly sessions: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
  • 60 minutes each: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • 40–45 minute presentation 
  • 10–15 minute Q&A/discussion
  • Resource handouts/toolkit after each session
  • Participants encouraged to work on their own “Preparation Age Toolkit” throughout the series

Series: 

  • Session 1: Conversations That Matter: Talking About Wishes Before a Crisis Occurs (10/19)
  • Session 2: Preparing the Roadmap: Essential Documents & Getting Organized (10/26)
  • Session 3: Aging in Place Safely: Staying Safe, Comfortable, and Connected (11/2)
  • Session 4: Navigating Aging & Caregiving: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone (11/9)

The intended audience includes adult children and caregivers of aging parents, as well as older adults who are thinking about the future and planning for themselves. Across all four sessions, the emphasis is on preparation, confidence-building, and concrete next steps families and individuals can begin using right away. 

Session 2 – Preparing the Roadmap: Essential Documents & Getting Organized

In this session, participants will: 

  • Understand key planning documents 
  • Learn what information families need access in case of a medical emergency
  • Create their own emergency information inventory 
  • Understand healthcare proxy, power of attorney, MOLST (Medical Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment), wills, and beneficiary information 
  • Learn what belongs in a “Master Binder”

Register for one, two or all of the sessions for Preparation Age HERE.

Preparation Age: Four Essential Conversations Before You Need Them  

A virtual workshop series to help Older Adults & Family Members Plan Ahead with Confidence. Join others in learning practical, engaging, and supportive information on preparing for aging. Topics will move from starting important family conversations, to getting organized, to planning for safety at home, and finally to building a stronger caregiving support system. 

Format 

  • 4 consecutive weekly sessions: 10/19, 10/26, 11/2, 11/9
  • 60 minutes each: 7 – 8 p.m.
  • 40–45 minute presentation 
  • 10–15 minute Q&A/discussion
  • Resource handouts/toolkit after each session
  • Participants encouraged to work on their own “Preparation Age Toolkit” throughout the series

Series: 

  • Session 1: Conversations That Matter: Talking About Wishes Before a Crisis Occurs (10/19)
  • Session 2: Preparing the Roadmap: Essential Documents & Getting Organized (10/26)
  • Session 3: Aging in Place Safely: Staying Safe, Comfortable, and Connected (11/2)
  • Session 4: Navigating Aging & Caregiving: You Don’t Have to Do It Alone (11/9)

The intended audience includes adult children and caregivers of aging parents, as well as older adults who are thinking about the future and planning for themselves. Across all four sessions, the emphasis is on preparation, confidence-building, and concrete next steps families and individuals can begin using right away. 

Session 1 – Conversations That Matter: Talking About Wishes Before a Crisis Occurs

In this session, participants will: 

  • Understand why families avoid difficult conversations 
  • Help make tough conversations more comfortable with conversation starters.
  • Discuss healthcare wishes and the importance of proxies 
  • Discuss financial concerns and decision-making 
  • Adult children learn how to navigate resistance from aging parents 
  • Identify next steps for family planning discussions 

Register for one, two or all of the sessions for Preparation Age HERE.

Join us in honoring remarkable community members who play a vital role in powering an amplifying our mission!

We invite you to join the Honorary Committee or become a Sponsor as we celebrate JFS milestones and honor the memory of longtime former JFS executive director, Anschel O. Weiss.

The Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award was established to recognize those who serve humanity with humility, just as Anschel did for decades. This year’s honorees have profoundly shaped our region and exemplify his deep communal commitment:

Honoring Three Exemplary Community Leaders with the Anschel Weiss Community Builders Award

Rabbi Dr. Moshe E. Bomzer, LMSW
Senator Neil D. Breslin

Gordon N. Zuckerman

Senator Neil D. Breslin: A lifelong Albany resident who represented the Capital Region in the New York State Senate from 1997 to 2024, Breslin has been recognized widely for his legislative leadership, advocacy for working families, and civic engagement. “As a Senator, when we wanted to do something at the local level or to pass legislation, I could always rely on JFS to do the right thing,” Breslin noted.

Gordon N. Zuckerman: President of wholesale brokerage firm Murray and Zuckerman, Inc., Zuckerman has served on numerous regional educational, healthcare, and interfaith boards. In 1996, his advocacy helped shape New York State insurance law to allow charities to hold insurable interest in donor life insurance policies. “Having worked with Anschel in the early 2000s, I witnessed the great work he did advancing JFS in the community,” Zuckerman shared.

Rabbi Dr. Moshe E. Bomzer: Rabbi Emeritus of Albany’s Congregation Beth Abraham Jacob (CBAJ), Rav HaMachshir of the Vaad HaKashruth, and longtime hospital and correctional chaplain, Rabbi Bomzer has spent decades guiding regional communal and mental health initiatives, including at JFS. “I am humbled to be selected to receive this award named after my longtime friend and colleague Anschel Weiss,” said Rabbi Bomzer. “JFS is truly one of the rarest jewels of our great community.”

Recognizing the Massry Family for Their Visionary Leadership

The Massry family’s commitment to strengthening the Capital Region began with first-generation community leaders Esther and Morris Massry and has continued through each generation. Guided by the Jewish values of tzedakah, compassion, and service, the family has long been dedicated to philanthropy, volunteerism, and building strong community partnerships.

“We believe that the strength of a community is measured by how it cares for those in need. Jewish Family Services has been a source of hope and compassion for so many, and we are proud to support its mission and the lives it touches every day.”
— The Massry Family 

Celebrating 20 years of the JFS Albany NNORC and JFS Project 5 Transportation Programs and Applauding Our Longest-serving Volunteer Drivers — JFS Mensches:
Abe Lacheta  |  Margo Strosberg  |  Sandi Zarch

For generations, JFS has shined as a beacon of community strength, delivering vital support and essential programs to individuals and families of all ages, faiths and walks of life. This is a prime opportunity to raise needed funds to sustain our critical free and subsidized services.

To ensure your name is on the event invitation, please respond by October 5, 2026. All Honorary Committee members and sponsors will be acknowledged on our website and during the celebration.

Event Details

Congregation Ohav Shalom
113 Krumkill Rd, Albany
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Individual event tickets go on sale in October.

Cocktails, mingling, buffet-style dinner* catered by 518Kosher, live music and awards.

* Supervised by Vaad Hakashruth of the Capital District

Join the Honorary Committee or Become a Sponsor Here
See Sponsorship Benefits & Impact Here

Generations Celebration Committee

EVENT CHAIRS
Eli Rabinowitz

COMMITTEE
Joy Davidoff
Rob Dorkin
Lisa A. Finkle
Eileen Handelman
Kerryn Kent
Garry R. Sanders
Dan Sher
Margo Singer
Deborah Sokoler
Henry Skoburn
Gordon N. Zuckerman

PROVIDING SUPPORT, SERVICES & RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY

Become a Volunteer OrDonate Now