ORTHODONTICS
Aging from page 36
Spiritual Component
Cole explains that aging American
Jews, making up more than 50 percent
of congregational membership, are
often shaped by the American dream
of health and wealth. Many are likely
to participate in the anti-aging vision.
In addition, retirement from work for
some often models retirement from the
covenant.
"What is absent is the essence
of a spirit as we age'," explains Cole.
"Contemporary Judaism lacks a persua-
sive vision of the good life for the elder-
ly as leisure clubs and events become
the main points for engagement. Yet,
Jews belong to a covenant from which
they cannot retire; the problem is they
do not know how to live covenantally in
later life:"
About 200 people in Adat Shalom's
main sanctuary listened as Cole asked
"How should Jews think about anti-
aging enhancements?"
He explained that for some older
Jews, the synagogue provides an impor-
tant source of identity and social sup-
port; often there are elders with a life-
long commitment to the covenant who
have leadership roles in congregations.
"On the other hand, many older Jews
are detached from the tradition and do
not feel its moral demands, sources of
identity and comfort:' says Cole. "At the
same time, our culture squeezes older
people into the roles of patient, con-
sumer or retiree, undermining a more
complete role of moral responsibility:'
"As Jews we should ask, "What does
God require of me?"
Joomer Role
Cole continued: "There is much writ-
ten about the responsibility of adult
children caring for their parents, but
what do older parents owe their adult
children? What kinds of blessing can
those who are dying give to their loved
ones? How can older Jews prepare
themselves to participate actively in
their own dying? For instance, living as
an exemplary Jewish elder may mean
Torah study, finding meaningful forms
of worship, visiting the sick and caring
for grandchildren. These are urgent
issues considering the baby boom gen-
eration is becoming the young old and
will soon be the old."
Cole believes that longer enhanced
living focused on individualism and
control may contribute to a spiritual
breakdown in which older people may
not become more spiritually and mor-
ally developed. On the other hand, the
Jewish concept of shomer, or caretaker,
provides a model for dedicating our-
selves to stewardship of our bodies in
the service of God.
"In traditional Judaism, we don't
own our bodies — they belong to God:'
explains Cole. "Therefore, the duty to
care for our bodies can be understood
as a duty to the Owner of the body.
Keeping the concept of shomer in mind
while working toward an authentic
Jewish vision of later life, anti-aging
medicine may be useful if it enhances
one's service to God rather than solely
for an individual's quest for unlimited
health and wealth."
Guyer, co-chair of the event, says
that studying medical issues and shar-
ing experiences with other physicians
has helped the members of this group
understand the opportunities and
issues of health care within the Jewish
environment.
"We are especially fortunate for
the help of Adat Shalom's own Rabbi
Herbert Yoskowitz who serves as our
guide in the Jewish context based on
his interest and training in Jewish eth-
ics:"
ADULTS & CHILDREN
Steven M. Lash, DDS, MS
Rebecca L. Rubin, DMD, MS
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Audience Response
• Dennis Phillips, age 69, of
Southfield wanted to learn how to
age well. "I found Dr. Cole's com-
ments very helpful," said Phillips, a
practicing dentist. "My wife recently
died and we have a learning-disabled
adult child. I've accepted the fact
that as I age, I've now become his
mother."
• Lori Koploy, age 44, of West
Bloomfield said the seminar intro-
duced her to a new way of thinking
about aging. "Several of my clients
are over 70 years old," said Koploy,
a personal fitness trainer, and I can
better appreciate their efforts to
remain healthy."
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"Currently, no intervention has
proved to slow or stop human aging
and some are actually dangerous:' con-
tinues Cole.
The problem is that although most
biomedical technologies are developed
for therapeutic purposes, once avail-
able, their purposes quickly extend.
Ethical problems result when these
technologies, which may alter the work-
ings of body and mind are attractive
not only to the sick and suffering but to
those who want to look younger, per-
form better, feel happier and become
more perfect.
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Caren Paskel,
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May 31 • 2007
39