Gerontological Conference
On September 10-11, 2024 The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Aging (MCIA) organized two sessions at the 25th Biennial Conference of the Israel Gerontological Society in Jerusalem:
On May 29-30, 2024 took place the conference “Narrative Gerontology through an Intersectional Lens: Research and Practice” organized by MCIA in collaboration with Sephardic Home, Haifa
In the last two decades, narrative gerontology has been developing and is a unique branch of the science of aging that seeks to examine the aging process “from within” through systematic listening to the stories that older adults tell about themselves, others, and the world. By focusing on the biographical aspect of aging, narrative gerontology aims to respect the uniqueness and agency of older adults and highlight the possibilities for growth and development inherent in old age, thereby promoting their quality of life.
The Minerva Center for the Study of Intersectionality in Aging, led by Prof. Tova Band-Winterstein, together with the Sephardic Home and CEO Natali Ben, held a two-day conference on May 29-30, 2024. The conference was initiated by Dr. Gabriela Spector-Mersel from the School of Social Work, Sapir College, an outstanding Israeli researcher in Narrative Gerontology, who also served as a member of the organizing committee.
The first day opened with a keynote lecture by Prof. Shmotkin titled “There Are No Simple Stories: Life Story as a Decision-Making Arena and Dilemma Between Unity and Multiplicity in Old Age.” The sessions focused on empirical studies that dealt with the narrative as a channel for amplifying the voices of marginalized populations in old age, the narrative method as a means of assessment and intervention in old age, and the use of life stories for narrative therapy through theater and drama therapy. Concurrently, an exhibition of visual-narrative representation of women in old age experiencing multiple marginalities was presented.
The second day of the conference focused on narrative care as a means of coping with changing situations in old age, featuring Prof. Amia Lieblich and activities in parallel workshops.
Link to view more photos: Google Drive
Link to watch the conference lectures: YouTube
On Tuesday, March 14, 2022, a seminar was held at the Eretz Israel Museum in Ramat Aviv on the topic: Populations aging with developmental intellectual disability and the autism spectrum – strengthening and promoting a multi-professional infrastructure
In this pioneering symposium organized by the Minerva Center for the Study of Marginalized Populations in Aging, professionals and researchers from the medical sciences, society, behavior, economics and law participated, coming, among others, from the Joint, Akim, the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security, the Ministry of Health and ALOT. The symposium included three sessions and ended with an expert panel that discussed the challenges and vision of treating aging populations with developmental intellectual disability/autism. The first session included opening lectures, the second session presented recent empirical studies and the third session was concerned with adapting services to these aging populations
The Minerva Center on Intersectionality and Aging (MCIA) participated on 2.2.2023 the First International Conference on Forgiving and Being Forgiven, within an Inter/intra Cultural Perspective, is launching its call for papers. The call is directed to scholars, experts and practitioners in relevant fields with the following themes: Forgiveness as a process and an experience, the forgiving and or the forgiven person within an intra/intercultural context.
Forgiving and being forgiven have countless cultural manifestations. They are relevant to the progress of criminology, victimology, positive criminology, restorative justice and conflict transformation. The concept of forgiveness has been elaborated in the fields of psychology, sociology, anthropology, moral philosophy, religion studies and spirituality practice, ethics, legal studies, economy and more. However, this broad concept has not been explored enough. The topic entangles a variety of developments of what the experience of forgiveness may imply. For this reason, we are holding this conference.
The macro, mezzo, and micro levels are apparent. There are different levels of forgiveness and various agencies that forgive or are forgiven. Different cultures/religions assign a distinct sense of agency to what, who, and how forgiveness is granted and under what circumstances.
The theological concept of being forgiven by the divinity for one’s sins has, of course, evolved into the philosophical ideas that formed the criminal justice systems. As part of an ongoing democratisation process, the question of who is the one to forgive has been raised. Is it the victims? Is it the community? Is it the state’s agencies? Or maybe the offenders who often come from deep deprivation and are invisible to systems that have maintained injustices and disparities?
Forgiveness is embedded in a cultural and normative context. It affects the discourse used within interpersonal interaction. For example, in “punishing cultures”, people who fail, are exempted from punishment only by being excused. However, it is not evident that being excused and being forgiven overlap. The fear and threat of rejection and exclusion may affect the need and meaning of forgiveness.
In democratic “learning” cultures, failing is part of a developmental journey and requires others’ empathy, grace and understanding of the individual’s process. But does it mean neccesserally being more forgiving? And how much forgiving? Is there an overlap between forgiveness and tolerance, and if so, how?
On the micro level, forgiveness may be a psychological, interpersonal pro-adaptive coping mechanism of the self to a sometimes disappointing reality and a search for meaning.
Thus there are many aspects to forgiveness. The term is ambiguous and under-explored.
It is an interesting question to ask whether leniency overlaps with forgiveness? Or is it negligence of individual needs? Is the conflict solved if the victims are expected to forgive? What can achieve the actual merits and results known to follow the act of genuine forgiveness?
Thefore the aim of the conference is to explore from a multi-cultural perspective of people’s varied experience with ‘Forgiveness’: the benefits, obstacles, or risks that can come from the process, for everyone involved.
This conference will bring together researchers from Israel and the world in order to promote and develop the historical-cultural research field of aging in Israel. The gro-historical study is an interdisciplinary study that involves various fields of knowledge, where first and foremost these are the fields of history and gerontology, but it also deals closely with other fields in the humanities and social sciences. At this conference, a variety of experiences of old age will be presented that will interpret a rich history that will sharpen differences between social groups, periods and places. In addition, the conference will emphasize the recognition that between the romantic view of the past that created images of adoring the elderly and valuing them for their knowledge and wisdom, and the pessimistic view that saw old age as a sad story, there is a gap in which there is a wide variety of situations in which old people can find themselves and those depend on time, society , culture, class and gender
The Minerva Center on Intersectionality and Aging (MCIA) held on Dec. 14-15 International Workshop on Law, Aging, and Intersectionality at the University of Haifa.
This important workshop, which is funded by the German Minerva Stiftung Foundation is founded on the understanding that the multiple marginalization of older adults is a consequence of a socially constructed process including ageism, various social and health-related disadvantages, and a lack of balance between needs and rights within these elements. Such issues are expressed by intersectionality within and between, older adult immigrants, diverse sexual orientations LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gays, bisexual, Transgender, Queers, Intersexed), people with disability, experiencing lifelong abuse, and elderly criminals.
It is clear that the establishment of a leading international collaborative research network and group of scholars in the field of law, aging and intersectionality serves not only as a reference point to anyone who wishes to expose her or himself to the subject matter but can also serve as a platform to advance international collaborations and promote future research in the field.
FOTO: https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1-oIb6E3ce1o2-gUze3bLKUzcQH-Qeh8H
On November 22, 2022, the Minerva Center for the Study of Marginalized Populations in Old Age held a conference on the topic: Nature and Environment in Old Age: Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of Sustainability
The conference was dedicated to the discussion of issues related to walks and tourism in the 21st century, nature and the environment in old age: empirical studies from Israel and the world, patterns of going to nature and heritage sites by men and women in old age – insights from the Nature Authority data, the effect of exposure to nature on the older population in the routine and during the Corona period in particular, Senior citizens in nature sites: using simulation suits as a planning support tool
On October 24, 2022, the Minerva Center for the Study of Marginalized Populations, led by Prof. Tova Band and Winterstein, held a ground-breaking conference on “Aging as LGBT: Exclusion to Inclusion”. The goal of the conference was to reveal the existing knowledge in the theoretical discourse and intersectional queer-gerontological research, and to address the gaps in the interface between reality The lives of aging LGBT populations, academic research, interventions and policy design
LGBT people in old age are at increased risk of living in multi-faceted exclusion: exclusion based on sexual and gender identity, exclusion on the basis of age and ageism, as well as internal and intra-community exclusion, when the intersections between these types of exclusion are located in the spectrum of different and unique identities. In this context , the life experiences of aging LGBT people in Israel move in tension between oppression and empowerment, while the needs and challenges they face have so far received little public and scientific attention
The conference was attended by relevant multidisciplinary professional and academic audiences from the fields of sociology, psychology, gerontology, social work, law and art, with the Ministry of Social Equality and the Ministry of Welfare and Social Security sponsoring it
The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Aging organized: “Emerging knowledge on lifetime abuse in old age: An intersectional perspective” which will take place between September 05th and September 07th 2022 at the Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Ageing University of Haifa, Israel
Lifetime abuse has received increased attention recently. However, the impact of such abuse on old age was less studied. This age group is marginalized due to the social construction of ageism, stigma, and oppression. An intersectional perspective may help alleviate the older person’s experiences
The purpose of the study group is to bring together a limited number of outstanding experts to examine various aspects of abuse throughout the life course and its impact on old age
For this study group, the suggested definition of lifetime abuse will be “repeated acts of abuse and violence throughout the life course by various agencies including traumatic life events during childhood and the way they shape identity in old age”
A kaleidoscope of identities: multiple marginalization intersects in old age
Between immigration and emigration: the challenges faced by the older population following the war between Russia and Ukraine
Me too old?! Coping of women in old age with sexual injuries that occurred throughout the course of life
The program:
Day one: 22nd November 2021 | |||
Presenter | Institution | Presentation topic | (Time Israel time) |
Prof. Tova Band Winterstein and Prof. Zvi Eisikovits | University of Haifa, The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Ageing | Definition and dimensions of lifetime abuse: An Intersectional lens | Session A 3:00-4:00 p.m. |
Discussion 4:00-4:45 p.m. | |||
Break | 4:45-5:00 p.m. | ||
Prof. Sabine Andresen and Prof. Dr. Frank Oswald | Goethe University Frankfurt, The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Ageing | Generational order and linked ages related to lifetime abuse | Session B 5:00-6:00 p.m. |
Prof. Anna Wanka | Goethe University Frankfurt | Discussion 6:00-6:45 p.m. | |
Day two: 23rd November 2021 | |||
Presenter | Institution | Presentation topic | (Time Israel time) |
Prof. Zahava Solomon | The Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University | Trauma and healing in lifetime abuse | Session A 3:00-4:00 p.m. |
Discussion 4:00-4:45 p.m. | |||
Break | 4:45-5:00 p.m. | ||
Prof. Dr. Martin Lengwiler | Department of History, University of Basel | A Historical perspective on lifelong abuse | Session B 5:00-5:30 p.m. |
Discussion 5:30-6:15 p.m. | |||
Closing session: Summing up and integration. Plans for the upcoming in person study group. | 6:45-7:15 p.m. | ||
Date | Research Seminar | |
Name of the Lecture | Lecturer | |
28/12/2023 | The Relationships Between Financial Exploitation Vulnerability and Digital Divide Among Older Adults:An Intersectional Perspective | Jacob (Kobi) Rozin |
25/01/2024 | Aging, poverty, and agency: Reconceptualizing resistance to poverty in old age The subject is a Pharisee phenomenological analysis | Dr. Shlomit Weiss-Dagan
Zvi Eisikovits |
29/02/2024
| Service for family members caring for social services departments – “MASA program” | Prof. Tova Band-Winterstein Prof. Yaacov G. Bachner Dr. Offer Edelsein Dr. Ksenia Shulaev |
| Workshop: How to publish an article? | Prof. Yaacov G. Bachner |
30/05/2024 | “Dementia on Stage”: Intersectionality in Theater-Based Action Research Examining Experiences of Spouses of Men with Dementia in a Life Span Perspective
Health literacy of the elderly in the ultra-Orthodox religious society during normal and crisis periods | Dr. Shoshi Keisari
Dr. Adi Finkelstein |
27/06/2024 | The relationship between digital literacy, as an indicator of a stable society, and physical functioning among older women from ethnic minorities
Early Career Researcher Development Workshop: A Panel Presentation and Discussion | Dr. Michal Elboim-Gabyzon Dr. Abby King |
| 25/07/2024 | Financial exploitation and mental health among Holocaust survivors: The moderating role of posttraumatic symptoms
Aging and immigration: elderly immigrants from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia to Israel | Dr. Gali Weissberger
Dr. Pnina Dolberg |
Date | Research Seminar | |
Name of the Lecture | Lecturer | |
24/11/2022 | Findings from doctoral research and plans for postdoctoral work with MCIA | Dr. Abby King |
29/12/2022 | “Sort everything quietly“ – Elderly immigration and suicide in the Mandatory Land of Israel | Dr. Galia Hasharoni |
26/01/2023 | “Senior citizens at Teva sites: using simulation suits for old age as a supporting tool for planning” | Dr. Michal Schuber |
27/04/2023 | · The effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on participation in daily activities, and the relationship to physical and mental health and quality of life of elders from two minority groups in Israel: a preliminary study · Loneliness, depression and social support in late life: Bidirectional associations over time | Dr. Anat Golos Haya Grinvald Prof. Norm O’Rourke |
31/05/2023 | “I probably have a strong backbone”: narrative resilience among Holocaust survivors from the former Soviet Union living alone in the shadow of the corona epidemic | Gabriela Spector-Mersel Dr. Evgeny Knaifel |
22/06/2023 | Shared reality under threat: the experience of staff members and aging people with developmental intellectual disabilities (IDD) during the Corona era – preliminary findings | Dr. Alon Zamir |
Date | Research Seminar | |
Name of the Lecture | Lecturer | |
28/10/2021 | Arab Aging Women’s Life in the Shadow of Prostitution: Transitioning from Stained to “Pure” Identity
| Nora Gnaim |
25/11/2021 | Immigration, unemployment, retirement processes and quality of life among adults: A comparison between welfare regimes
| Prof. Aviad Tur- Sinai |
30/12/2021 | Conflictual relationships among gay couples in old age
| Gil Barabi |
27/01/2022 | Where are Dad and Mom ?!”: End of life encounters in the aging ultra-Orthodox family within for persons with cognitive disability
| Dr. Alon Zamir |
28/04/2022 | The intersection between aging, complex trauma, domestic violence in the ultra-Orthodox: the perspective of the course of life
| Dr. Ilanit Tuito |
26/05/2022 | The experience of professionals in the Prisoner Rehabilitation Authority with released aging prisoners and, | Yohanan Kressel |
30/06/2022 | Aging in the shadow of lifelong intimate violence in Arab society: A multi-generational female perspective
| Rahma Mahamid |
Date | ||||
Name of the Lecture | Lecturer | Name of the Lecture | Lecturer | |
29.10.2020 | Old age, and law: the example of the Carvalho case in the European Court of Human Rights | Prof. Israel (Issi) Doron | Methodology: Case study in intersectional research | Prof. Tova Band Winterstein and Prof. Israel Issi Doron |
26.11.2020 | Visual Intersection: Old age and oppressive states overlap in the lives of women in the light of art in Israel | Dr. Tal Dekel | Towards personal experience in cross-examination | Gal lev young researcher |
31.12.2020 | Pension decisions and the fear of old age and death: empirical and psychological findings | Dr. Ido Kallir | Multidimensional considerations in deciding to work after the official retirement age | Prof. Aviad Tur-Sinai |
28.01.2021 | Loneliness in late life | Prof. Sharon Shiovitz-Ezra | The significance of treatment and measures of burden and mental well-being in primary care providers in the elderly – the case of the ultra-Orthodox society in Israel | Prof. Yaakov Bacner |
25.02.2021 | The meaning of aging and coping with trauma | Prof. Amit Shrira | Experiences of successful old age in prison | Dr. Hila Avieli |
25.03.2021 | Positive aging: old men on Bat Yam beach | Prof. Amia Lieblich | Intersections of old age and everything in between: additional layers of understanding | Prof. Tova Band Winterstein & Prof. Zvi Eisikovits |
29.04.2021 | Elders and politics | Prof. Yael Yishai | Preventive health behaviors among immigrant populations – “old” models, new challenges | Dr. Offer Edelstein |
27.05.2021 | Against hybrids | Prof. Haim Hazan | Psychological well-being among older and older gay men in Israel: challenges alongside strengths | Dr. Geva Shenkman |
24.06.2021 | Old age in immigrants: an anthropological perspective | Prof. Rivka Eisikovits | Study of the intersection of immigration and old age | Dr. Pnina Dolberg |
On December 18th, the center held a special session on Elder Abuse and the Health System headed by Prof. Laura Mosqueda, the Dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and Prof. Tova Band- Winterstein the head of The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Aging.
The Center’s plan
Research topics: Marginalization, intersectionality,
Thinking qualitatively
Bracketing in research
Prof Zeev Weinstock: Structural Equation Model (SEM)
Prof. Yaacov Bachner: Informal caregivers to the elderly
The Minerva Center on Intersectionality in Againg (MCIA)
University of Haifa, Mt. Carmel, Haifa
e-mail: mcia@univ.haifa.ac.il
