DOROT

Teen interns have arrived! Help us give a warm welcome to this year's participants in the Anita K. Hersh Jewish Summer Teen Internship Program 😊👋

Over the next month, they'll become part of the DOROT community, building connections with older adults and one another through theater workshops, discussion groups, board games, museum visits, and so much more.

Keep an eye out in the coming weeks as we share highlights from their summer adventures 🏙️

Celebrating Juneteenth, one story at a time, with the Pearls of Wisdom. ✨

The Pearls of Wisdom are a group of older adult storytellers who perform and engage with communities across New York City and virtually throughout the country.

For Juneteenth, DOROT was filled with history, heart, and stories—both lived and passed down. Thank you to everyone who shared—and everyone who listened.

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom—and maybe share your story next:
https://www.dorotusa.org/programs/pearls-of-wisdom/

We were so happy to celebrate all our amazing volunteers do for our community at the Spring Volunteer Appreciation Event!

Check out all our volunteer opportunities today at dorotusa.org/volunteer. 💜

Have you seen our new and improved website calendar? With a new monthly view, more intuitive filters, and more — you're sure to find what you're looking for!
Check it out -

Upcoming Programs & Events Explore DOROT’s calendar of upcoming programs for older adults. Find engaging events, activities, and social opportunities to stay active and connected.

Happy Pride from DOROT! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Live your summer out, loud, and proud with these DOROT programs.

On 6/22, join us for an online talk about New York artist Stuart Edelson, where we’ll discuss his fascinating life, powerful work, and LGBTQIA+ activism.

On 6/23, we host GrandLove: For Grandparents of Transgender Grandchildren, our monthly session on learning how to best nurture your needs and those of your transgender or nonbinary grandchild in an inclusive, supportive space.

Are you a solo ager who identifies as LGBTQIA+? On 7/7, we’ll begin an Aging Alone Together® series for you! Across six weekly online sessions, you’ll receive invaluable knowledge and resources to help you plan and build confidence in your solo aging journey.

Register for these programs and more: https://www.dorotusa.org/calendar/?keyword=&event_type%5B%5D=lgbtq-life&event_date_start=&event_date_end=

Summer officially starts this month, and you know what that means… we’re welcoming a new cohort of college interns to the halls of DOROT!

This group of eager, thoughtful, and enthusiastic students will spend the summer supporting work across the organization—from facilitating intergenerational programs to contributing to impact and evaluation, marketing, and helping in countless other ways to bring our programs for older adults to life.

Keep an eye out over the next few months to hear more from them as we spotlight their work and experiences throughout the summer.

Research shows that taking part in arts and cultural programs plays a major role in helping older adults connect, build relationships, and create meaning.

At DOROT, that can be as simple as drawing a different flower every month.

On a recent afternoon, a group of older adults gathered around tables with watercolor sets, paper, and brushes. This month’s flower was the rose, chosen as part of a yearlong theme exploring flowers that can be used to make tea.

“It’s not easy to draw,” says teaching artist April Lombardi, who spent more than 20 years teaching at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. “Everyone struggles at some point. And when you’re sitting next to someone who’s going through the same thing, that creates connection.”

You may ask your neighbor a question, give a compliment on their progress, or ask to borrow their purple crayon. Each moment builds connection.

“We see a lot of the same people,” April says. “You know you’re going to be among friends.”

Access makes that possible.

DOROT offers all of its programming free of charge, so anyone can show up, try something, and make a connection.

Join us: https://www.dorotusa.org/calendar/

“Talking about death doesn’t make it happen any sooner.”

Those wise words are from end-of-life consultant Arielle Friedtanzer. Recently, 35 of us joined her on Zoom — from our kitchens, our living rooms, all over the country — to plan our own funerals.

These tips are based on that session, called Putting the “U” Back in Funeral. What came out of the room was warmer, funnier, and more meaningful than you might expect.

5 things we learned about planning your own celebration of life:

1. The right person to carry out your wishes isn’t always the obvious one.

2. You need to have the conversation with the person you want to carry out your wishes—don’t put it off.

3. Even if your wishes can’t be honored exactly, the conversation itself is the gift.

4. Honor what you loved — even the things you spent a lifetime saying no to.

5. A traditional funeral, a celebration of life, or both — make it yours.

DOROT offers free programs like this online and on-site, for adults 60+. Join us from anywhere.

🔗 Explore DOROT’s free programs and join us from anywhere.
https://www.dorotusa.org/calendar/

“Talking about death doesn’t make it happen any sooner.”

Those wise words are from end-of-life consultant Arielle Friedtanzer. Recently, 35 of us joined her on Zoom — from our kitchens, our living rooms, all over the country — to plan our own funerals.

These tips are based on that session, called Putting the “U” Back in Funeral. What came out of the room was warmer, funnier, and more meaningful than you might expect.

5 things we learned about planning your own celebration of life:

1. The right person to carry out your wishes isn’t always the obvious one.

2. You need to have the conversation with the person you want to carry out your wishes—don’t put it off.   

3. Even if your wishes can’t be honored exactly, the conversation itself is the gift.

4. Honor what you loved — even the things you spent a lifetime saying no to.

5. A traditional funeral, a celebration of life, or both — make it yours.

DOROT offers free programs like this online and on-site, for adults 60+. Join us from anywhere.   

🔗 Explore DOROT’s free programs and join us from anywhere. Link in bio.