Montreal long-term care home celebrating 19 centenarians: ‘They’ve lived remarkable lives’
Posted October 28, 2024 5:53 pm.
Last Updated October 28, 2024 6:35 pm.
Not one, not two, but 19 residents at Montreal’s Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre have something in common.
They’re not one, not two, but all 100 years old or older!
On Oct. 27 the CIUSSS West-Central Montreal celebrated the centenarians – with family, joy, and smiles.
“I’m getting such a lovely afternoon,” said Bella Kravitz, 105-year-old Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare resident. “You have to have a good life.”
“That’s very important.”
Born in 1919, Kravitz and her family immigrated to Montreal from Poland when she was two year’s old – this past April, she turned 105 years old.
Every year, for the past 15 years, the long-term care home organizes this celebration – where each centenarian’s biography is read.
“We sometimes forget that they had a life before coming here,” said Josie Di Benedetto, Coordinator of recreation and therapeutic leisure, Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre.
“They’ve lived remarkable lives,” she added. “We want to showcase their lives and say thank you to them for what they’ve given and contributed to society.”
“I’m very excited about the whole thing,” said Melvin Manis, 101-year-old Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare resident. “I really appreciate everything that’s been done.”
“This is a beautiful party.”
“I’m so proud of my Zadie,” added his granddaughter, Erica Manis. “Because in 101 years he has not lost his sense of humor.”
“It’s amazing to know that people live this long,” said Di Benedetto. “They have so much to give.”
“They still teach us their life lessons.”
Centenarians at Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre:
- Edith Gottieb Engel (100)
- Ruth Fisher Lemco (100)
- Rebecca Lang (100)
- Albert Znaty (100)
- Mania Basispillar Lewkowicz (100)
- Ruth Shulman (101)
- Faiwel Perlis (101)
- Renee Alkallay Romano (101)
- Melvin Manis (101)
- Mania Kirschner Pajewska (101)
- Sylvia Rothstein Lebner (101)
- Solange Bouhadanna (102)
- Maurice Abitbol (103)
- Inge Hiller (103)
- Fortunee Sabbah Ouaknine (103)
- Eddie Shamash (104)
- Ettie Liffshitz (104)
- Bella Kravitz (105)
- Reina Cohen Reich (105)
“I’m very happy,” said Faiwel Perlis, 101-year-old Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare resident. “Nice people, nice people.”
“My secret is to be happy,” added Kravitz. “That’s very important, isn’t it?”
