Senior Cohousing in Jerusalem: Aging Together Without Isolation
Israeli seniors inspired by cohousing models have successfully established a pioneering communal living community in Jerusalem, ensuring mutual aid and independence.
Aging requires courage and proactive preparation. For David Mentzer (79), one of the founders of the Israeli Association for Shared Housing (ADAM), refusing to age alone or become a burden to his children was the driving force behind a revolutionary housing model in Jerusalem.
The Cohousing Concept
Instead of moving to an expensive nursing home or assisted living facility, eight members of the association rented apartments side by side in a residential project in Jerusalem. While each maintains complete privacy and independence in their own home, they are surrounded by peers facing similar life stages and needs. The model originates from Denmark in the late 1960s, inspired by the Israeli kibbutz.
Susan Elster (69) emphasizes the power of daily micro-interactions. Whether it is asking a neighbor to pick up medication from the pharmacy, organizing a reading group, or visiting the nearby botanical gardens, the community fosters mutual aid and organic connections without the institutional barrier of traditional senior housing.
Overcoming Hurdles and Finding Home
The Jerusalem community's journey began in 2013 among English-speaking immigrants from the baby boom generation who realized they lacked the traditional local support networks of native Israelis. After facing various real estate and financial hurdles, the group secured a breakthrough in 2020 through a partnership with Shikun & Binui in Jerusalem's Arnona neighborhood, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began.
"We entered here in April 2020, right in the middle of lockdown," recalls Mentzer. Physical proximity allowed members to support one another safely, organizing board game nights in management rooms and gatherings on the lawn. This resilience carried over into wartime, where neighbors huddled together in bomb shelters, sharing meals, music, and emotional support during rocket attacks.
Ultimately, ADAM's founders stress that accepting aging and preparing for it communally creates a safety net based on friendship, mutual respect, and shared destiny.
