The Geriatric Institute Learning about aging, how to treat the confused elderly, what are the needs of the sandwich generation as they cope with conflicting responsibilities and how to use groups in working with senior citizens---all these are subjects covered by the Geriatric Institute in Jerusalem. The Geriatric Institute was founded in l98l by Prof. Arnold Rosin and Leah Abramowitz at the Shaare Zedek Hospital in Jerusalem as a learning center, to spread knowledge and means of treating the elderly to professional and para professional workers in gerontology. Among the various educational programs organized by the Institute are one day seminars, yearly courses, workshops and summer and winter retreats. The students include social workers, nurses, nurses aids, therapists, administrative workers and other staff in old aged homes, day care centers, clubs or institutions. Of late people not actually working in the field of aging have joined some of the courses, e.g. retired teachers looking for a second profession or young pensioners. To date the Institute has held 120 courses, 34 retreats, 88 one day seminars and numerous regional programs. A detailed list of the past programs are available in Hebrew. The courses are recognized by the Ministries of Health and Education and entitle those who fulfill the requirements of the courses to points for in-service training and a certified certificate. Since l992 certain courses are held in conjunction with ESHEL of the JOINT. The Geriatric Institute is an independent, non-profit organization, connected with MELABEV and with Shaare Zedek Hospital, in Jerusalem. Most of the educational programs take place in the hospital. A number of Seminars and courses are held elsewhere including other parts of Israel, at the request of a host organization. The Institute's budget is based on tuition fees, a small grant from ESHEL or from organizations who contract a certain Seminar or course. Since l999 the budget is combined with that of MELABEV. The teaching staff includes doctors, nurses, university lecturers, philosophers, rabbis and specialists in their field. The Institute is unique in providing both a practical approach to the care of the elderly combined with a high scholastic standard. It emphasizes an empathetic, respectful attitude to the older generation without compromising a strictly professional code, all in an effort to assure the older generation and their families a better life. The goal is to give the worker in the field of aging better tools and enhanced understanding, which leads to pride in their chosen sphere of expertise.