There’s a lot to say about retirement readiness; estate planning, how to live on a fixed income, finding the proper care supports, exploring new living situations, becoming involved in volunteer opportunities, and of course planning your well deserved retirement party.
Something often gets overlooked: play. More exactly, what you do with your time outside of the workforce. We focus on the practical aspects of our survival needs (like housing and financials), but not the more abstract necessities for life.
Every living animal plays. Biologists and neurobehavioral scientists are all a bit puzzled by this phenomenon. When it would make more sense for species to conserve energy, we spend time playing. For instance, octopodes (the technically correct plural, since octopus comes from Greek, not the assumed Latin origin) have been seen in labs opening jars and completing complex tasks without the motivation of food, simply because they want to. Sure, they may be rehearsing necessary life skills, like we see human children doing as well, but researchers have found even fully adult octopodes will play.
Play serves an essential role evolutionarily because it teaches a species’ young survival skills in a controlled environment. I would argue play is even more important in adulthood. It connects you socially with others, can get you physically moving, and supports cognitive alertness as you age.
Play can also offer something deeper: a sense of personhood and belonging. For many people, identity is closely tied to work. When that role shifts or ends, it can leave a gap in how someone understands themselves and where they fit. Play, especially in community, can help rebuild that sense of self. Being part of a group, sharing laughter, and learning something new alongside others reinforces that you are still growing, still contributing, still connected.
In Jewish life, joy is not separate from wellness. We are encouraged to build lives that hold both responsibility and simcha. Retirement often removes the built-in structure of work, and with it, some of the natural opportunities for connection and engagement. Play becomes one way to reintroduce that structure with intention.
I see this come to life in our own community. I am especially proud of the intergenerational mahjong group at Sinai Temple. It brings together people across ages and life stages, creating not just a space for play, but a space for relationship, mentorship, and shared joy. It is a reminder that play is not trivial, it is connective.
Play doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as trying something new, reconnecting with something you once loved, or allowing yourself time that isn’t tied to productivity. It can be social or solitary, active or quiet. What matters is that it brings curiosity, presence, and enjoyment.
As we think about retirement readiness, it’s worth asking not only what we need to get by, but what helps us feel alive. Planning for joy is just as important as planning for stability.
Because retirement isn’t just about stepping away from work. It’s about stepping into a life that still feels vibrant, connected, and, yes, playful.
If you would like to continue this conversation or share your own reflections, please reach out to the CUJF Jewish Family Service Coordinator at [email protected].