Montreal centenarians share years of wisdom as they celebrate milestone birthdays

Sixteen residents are celebrating centenarian birthdays at the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre.

They say it’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years.

Despite the saying, Bella Kravitz is proving that we can have it all.

At 106 years old, Kravitz is one of 16 residents celebrating centenarian birthdays at the Donald Berman Jewish Eldercare Centre.

“Everything went well. Thank God nobody got sick. I’m happy with my life. I always kept busy,” she told CTV News.

Kravitz says keeping busy has contributed to her long life, and other residents add that there are several lifestyle choices that come into play.

“You smile,” said 102-year-old Faiwel Perlis.

His son Morris Perlis says that one secret is good food - and a cup of coffee...or four.

“He used to drink vodka once a day, but he stopped several years ago, and he’ll eat anything that’s tasty [...] It’s a goal that we all aspire to,” Morris said.

With centenarians making up only 0.03 per cent of Canada’s population, according to the census in 2021, families say the milestone is not to be taken lightly.

Susan Lemco is celebrating her mother’s 101st birthday.

“We’re just happy that my mom is healthy. She doesn’t take any medication whatsoever, and she has a great outlook on life,” Lemco said, adding that each day with her mother, Ruth Fisher is a blessing.

There’s a lot to learn from over 100 years of wisdom.

“We’re all busy, wrapped up in our lives and chasing the dream. [My mom] never felt that way. She just wanted to be with her kids and her husband and her family,” Lemco said.

The pearls of wisdom are infectious.

Nicolas Maturana says he’s had the pleasure of working with the centenarians at the centre for two years.

“They have so many stories that are honestly incredible. Some of them survived the Holocaust, and they’re still here. Some of them played with great musicians. Some of them stayed here their whole life as a butcher, and the whole community knew them. It’s a great honour to be with people who have these experiences,” he said.