At a recent ceremony at the Open University of Israel, Danny Klein, a member of the first cohort of Elul’s Shnat Sherut 50 Plus, was awarded a certificate of recognition for social involvement.
While the moment marked a personal milestone, Danny made it clear that the recognition was not only his own. It reflected a broader idea at the heart of Shnat Sherut 50 Plus: that learning, contribution, and responsibility to society do not diminish with age.
Learning Without Age Limits
In his remarks, Danny began by thanking the Open University and the hosting college for their distinctive approach to adult learning. He spoke about the way their flexible model allows people to study at their own pace, in their own time, and without age barriers or lowered expectations.
In a world where higher education is often framed as something for young adults at the start of their careers, Danny described how meaningful it was to study alongside older learners – curious, committed, and intellectually engaged. For him, this experience reinforced a simple but powerful truth: learning is not a stage of life, but a lifelong human capacity.
Education as Social Responsibility
Danny went on to reflect on the wider significance of adult learning. The opportunity to continue learning and developing at any age, he suggested, is not only personally enriching, it is socially important.
By opening its doors to older learners and recognising social involvement, the Open University demonstrates a broader understanding of its role: not only as an academic institution, but as one that actively strengthens the human fabric of Israeli society. The award, in this sense, was not merely symbolic. It acknowledged the ongoing contribution of older adults as active participants in civic and community life.
Representing a Collective Journey
Although Danny stood on stage as an individual recipient, he emphasised that he was representing a much wider group. As a participant in the first year of Shnat Sherut 50 Plus, he spoke on behalf of his peers – men and women who chose to dedicate a year of their lives to service, learning, and meaningful engagement with communities.
Now in its second year, Shnat Sherut 50 Plus is still a young initiative. Recognition from a leading academic institution at this early stage is both encouraging and affirming, not only for the participants, but for the vision that underpins the programme.
Gratitude and Partnership
Danny closed by acknowledging those who make this journey possible: his wife, Ahuva, who accompanied him along the way; Elul, which provides a supportive and values-driven home for the programme; and the partners who helped bring the initiative into being, particularly Joint-Eshel, and the founding group who imagined something new and worked persistently to turn vision into reality.
A Shared Message
At its heart, Danny’s message was one of connection between generations, between fields of knowledge, and between people. It is here that the academic and social journeys meet.
There is no age limit on learning.
There is no expiration date on meaningful service.
That understanding lies at the core of Shnat Sherut 50 Plus and in the quiet power of moments like this one.
