A Brief History of Shtetl 2.0™
- Spring 2023 — The Spark: A small group of GJC members begins meeting to support solo agers and older adults with limited family or social connections.
- Summer/Fall 2023 — Expanding the Vision: The Planning Team forms, gains support from GJC, Mishkan Shalom, P’nai Or, and Folkshul, and opens participation to unaffiliated “Jews & Friends” across Northwest Philadelphia.
- Late 2023 — Building Community: In partnership with DOROT, Shtetl 2.0™ offers a six-session course, Aging Alone, Together, attracting 120 participants guided by 15 local facilitators. Focus shifts from “Aging in Place” to “Aging in Community.”
- January 2024 — Organizing & Piloting: Working Groups pilot cultural and social programs, draft the mission and bylaws, and secure a fiscal sponsor.
- July 2024 — Becoming a Village: Shtetl 2.0™ formally joins the nonprofit Mt. Airy Community Services Corp (MACSC) as a Service Group, establishes a Board and committees, and launches a Development Team to raise start-up funds.
- Today — Growing Vibrancy: Shtetl 2.0™ continues to evolve, building a model for vibrant aging in NW Philly based on Jewish communal values.
A Generational Challenge
The Baby Boomer generation helped shape the creative, justice-minded Jewish community that Northwest Philly is known for today. But as this same generation ages, many people are finding it harder to remain in the neighborhoods they love.
As more adults age solo, families love farther apart, housing costs risem and our hilly, multi-story homes become harder to navigate, may longtime residents struggle to age in place and stay connected.
Shtetl 2.0™: NWPhilly Jews & Friends Aging in Community responds these evolving needs with evolving solutions.
