About Hazak (55+)

Hokhma - Wisdom
Ziknah - Maturity
Kadimah - Looking Ahead

Hazak is the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism's organization for mature Jews. The function of Hazak is to deal with programming for, addressing the needs of, and working with "Senior Citizens," who are members of full service affiliated congregations of the United Synagogue.

The name HAZAK is an acronym. The het stands for Hokhmah (wisdom), the zayan for Ziknah (maturity) and the kuph for Kadima (looking ahead). So Hazak notes that the senior represents cumulative knowledge, the ability to judge as zakeyn in a mature fashion, and has aspirations to move ahead during the decades remaining. With that in mind, Hazak is designed to address the needs of seniors in full-service congregations where programming priorities are often largely targeted to the younger congregant.

Significantly, however, seniors are the most rapidly growing segment of the Jewish population. Hazak compliments congregational adult education programs with specially designed social, spiritual and educational components geared to and for the senior population of a congregation. Hazak members not only have the opportunity to meet on a regular basis with peers from their own congregations but with fellow Jews from other affiliated Conservative congregations in their community, region and nation. (Please see the Hazak Chapter Manual available at the Hazak office.)

These opportunities will help develop a broad sense of fraternity through the sharing of a variety of creative programs that include study, prayer, entertainment and socialization. Hazak affirms the traditional Jewish view that mature adults should have the opportunity to continue to learn and be active in their congregations, their communities and among themselves. Hazak offers its members the opportunity to travel together, participate in "advances," (weekends and the like) and seminars utilizing the skills and knowledge available within the group as well as outside resources. Thus, Hazak promotes Judaism to seniors through projects and meaningful experiences both in the synagogue environment and on a community level. For information, contact Mr. Lou Meltzer, Chairman of the Hazak Committee, Dr. Morton K. Siegel, Director of the program at ext. 2234. E-mail: siegel@uscj.org, or contact your regional USCJ office.

Publications and Resources for Hazak Shabbat:

• Hazak Manual PDF
• Zakeyn Manual PDF

For more information:

Call 212-533-7800 (Ext.2234)
Fax 212-353-9439
E-mail: siegel@uscj.org
Write: Hazak, 155 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010