Israeli Seniors Establish Cohousing Community to Combat Loneliness

A group of Israeli retirees, many of them immigrants who lack extensive family support networks, have established a cohousing community in Jerusalem to avoid growing old alone. The Association for Shared Housing in Israel (ADAM), founded by individuals like David Mancher, 79, aims to provide an alternative to expensive assisted living facilities or the isolation of living alone.

The model, inspired by Danish cohousing communities and the Israeli kibbutz, involves renting apartments within the same residential project. This allows residents to maintain their privacy and independence while being part of a supportive social network of peers facing similar life stages and challenges. "Studies show that people who live in a community are healthier, live longer, and have a better quality of life," stated Susan Alster, 69, a member of the group.

The Jerusalem community, which began forming in 2013 after a dinner conversation among immigrant friends, faced significant hurdles in finding suitable housing. Initial attempts to purchase property were hampered by cost and differing member preferences. The breakthrough came in 2019 with the "Arnona Dreams" rental project, a government-subsidized initiative. After initial rejection, the group secured a deal with the developer, including a small rent discount and a grace period, allowing them to move in during April 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members emphasize that the community provides crucial mutual support, especially during crises like the pandemic lockdowns and subsequent security alerts. "When someone is sick, others help. You ask if a ride to the doctor is needed, if something needs to be brought, if a small favor is needed. It's not just good friendship, but a way of life," explained Sarah Kramer, 73. The community's diversity, encompassing religious and secular members, has also presented challenges, requiring open discussion on issues like playing music in shared spaces on Shabbat.

Despite the success, some members, like Lori Levy, 77, express a desire for a larger community size, ideally around 30 units, to balance the ability to avoid incompatible individuals with maintaining intimacy. Michael Sage, 80, who immigrated from Australia, views the cohousing community as building an extended family, providing support without the need to beg for help. The group's experiences during the pandemic and the recent conflict have underscored the value of their shared living arrangement, offering companionship and mutual aid during difficult times.